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Category: Local

  • Rocky Hill Budget Cuts: A Short-Term Win or Long-Term Gamble?

    Rocky Hill Budget Cuts: A Short-Term Win or Long-Term Gamble?

    Last night, the Rocky Hill Town Council ratified a new budget—but not without surprises.

    The original budget proposal called for a spending increase of just over 3.5%, totaling approximately $3.8 million. Given the town’s flat economic growth, this would have required a tax increase for all residents.

    In response, the council’s majority unveiled a last-minute proposal to slash that increase nearly in half, cutting about $1.9 million. On the surface, this sounds like good news—who doesn’t like lower taxes? But we need to ask: How were these cuts possible if the town manager had already presented a “tight” budget?

    The answer lies in the details.

    Roughly $1.3 million of the reductions came from major funding cuts to critical areas:

    • The town’s pension contributions
    • Public school improvements
    • Road maintenance

    The remaining cuts were spread across nearly every department, including:

    • Library services
    • Senior center staffing
    • Departmental overtime

    When questioned about the wisdom of cutting pension payments, both the town manager and finance director admitted they would not recommend it. Their plan? Simply “hope” that we can make it up next year.

    But hope is not a plan.

    For the past six years, this administration has relied on hope instead of action:

    • Hoping new businesses will come to town
    • Hoping school infrastructure holds up
    • Hoping for mild weather to save on seasonal costs

    What we need is a comprehensive plan:

    • A plan to grow our Grand List
    • A plan to fund future infrastructure and maintenance
    • A plan to preserve essential services for our residents

    Instead, the current approach is to blame the state for not providing enough aid—without showing how the town has used the funds we have received. Where are the new sidewalks? The composting program? The HVAC system for our elementary schools?

    What’s happening isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s deferral. We’re not just kicking the can down the road—we’re kicking a snowball down a hill, and we all know how that ends in Connecticut.

    Let’s demand more than hope. Let’s institute a plan.

    Opinion piece:This article reflects the position of the author and not necessarily those of the Democratic Town Committee.

  • Newcomer Allan Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

    Newcomer Allan Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

    Smith will host a campaign kickoff event this Thursday, May 15th, where he will share his Vision for Growth, Affordability, and a Town That Works for Everyone

    Rocky Hill, CT — Community leader, local Realtor, and longtime public servant Allan Smith officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill today. Smith enters the race to challenge the Republican leadership that has held the seat for the past three terms and overseen consistent tax increases and stagnant growth. He believes his moderate approach—combining fiscal responsibility with targeted investments in growth—is what voters are ready for.

    “I want to help build a Rocky Hill where young people can afford to come back after college, where seniors can downsize but stay in the town they love, and where families thrive because housing is within reach and the community feels like home,” said Smith.

    Smith and his wife, Arianna, have lived on the east side of Rocky Hill for over a decade. Born and raised in Maine, Smith grew up with modest means and small-town values. While this would be his first elected office, he is no stranger to public service. Over the past several years, he has served on numerous town boards and committees, chaired a statewide energy-assistance nonprofit, and recently founded a nonprofit to promote public art in Rocky Hill. As a successful Realtor and active community volunteer, Smith has built a reputation for listening, problem-solving, and helping neighbors navigate local challenges. 

    Smith has also called out what he views as missed opportunities under current leadership, including the elimination (and only recent reinstatement) of the town’s economic development department, a decade-long tax break for a luxury development that could have generated millions in revenue to the town’s bottom-line, and the short-sighted use of federal relief funds on temporary staffing instead of long-term infrastructure improvements.

    “We’ve seen six straight years of rising property taxes, shrinking economic growth, and town departments stretched too thin,” said Smith. “Rocky Hill deserves leadership that does more than talk and pose for photos—it needs leadership that delivers.”

    When asked why he chose to run now, Smith said he believes that during times of national uncertainty, real change starts at the local level.

    “I feel I’m ready, willing, and able—and that makes it my duty to step up and make a positive impact on my community. The local level is where we all can have the largest impact.”

    Smith is also the first mayoral candidate in Rocky Hill to earn Certified Municipal Officer status from the Connecticut Council of Municipalities before taking office—a testament to his preparation and commitment to informed, effective governance.

    His campaign will focus on three key priorities:

    • Housing Affordability and responsible development, ensuring that everyone—from first-time homebuyers to lifelong residents—can afford to live in Rocky Hill;
    • Accountability, through accessible leadership, and long-term capital planning that serves all residents.
    • Strategic economic growth that leverages Rocky Hill’s geographic and cultural assets while avoiding long-term tax giveaways, and establishing that Rocky Hill is “Open for Business”;

    To celebrate the launch, the Allan Smith for Mayor campaign will host a kickoff event at The Ferry Grille, 277 Meadow Rd, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, on Thursday, May 15th at 5:30 PM. Community members are invited to attend, meet Allan, and hear more about his vision for Rocky Hill’s future.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
     Call / Text: 989-859-7645
    Email: AllanSmith4Mayor@gmail.com


    Facebook: Allan Smith for Rocky Hill

    Instagram: @AllanSmithCT

    Website: www.AllanSmith4Mayor.com