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.
Democratic Town Committee members provided two-to-three sentence updates on activities from boards and commissions around town in advance of our monthly DTC meeting. Come to our meeting on Thursday this week to learn more!
Affordable Housing Committee
Update provided by: Allan Smith
On April 30th, we held a “Housing Forum” It is available on the town’s YouTube page:
We heard from lenders, CHFA, the Housing Authority, and Rocky Hill Health and Human Services personnel regarding affordable renting options as well as home-buying opportunities.
Board of Education
Update provided by: Maria Mennella
The district hired the next West Hill Principal, replacing Scott Nozik who will be moving into Chuck Zettergren’s Director of Finance position. The Board presented our 25-26 proposal to the Town Council on 5/1. Our CIP needs to be addressed. West Hill needs a roof replacement (over 30 years old) and the Stevens HVAC project is being pushed out due to WH roof. Board returned a $1.6 million surplus to the town (from our health insurance) and would like to see those funds go towards the much needed roof replacement. Board passed a bare bones budget and is getting a great rate of return based on state test results.
Call to action: Write to Town Council in support of fully funding the Board’s Capital Improvement Plan request the the BoE can both repair the West Hill roof and fund the Steven’s HVAC system
Commission on Inclusion & Innovation
Update provided by: Tom Cosker
CI&I members will participate in a Middletown Pride Fest on June 7th – requesting representation from the town. There is a RH Pride event from 6/4 – 4 to 6:30 at Elm Ridge, and a Juneteenth event on 6/19 6 to 8 at Elm Ridge. CI&I presented to the Town Council on May 5th and recommended the following actions:
acknowledge and respond to divisive incidents in our community
proactively develop policies that allow for visual expression of inclusion
all commissions identify and adopt commitments that foster equity in our municipal processes decisions and as an outcome.
Calls to action: Two seats are open on CI&I, please notify TJ if you want to join.
Economic Development Commission
Update provided by: Allan Smith
EDC members have been doing business visitations lately. These are organized by Economic and Business Development Manager, Alandra Maine. On one such visit, I toured BJ’s Distribution center on Brook st. They have 280 employees on-site, plus another 110 that operate trucks from there. Almost none live in town due to the cost. This distribution center handles all perishable goods from Long Island, North, including Upstate New York, CT, VT, Mass, NH, RI, and Maine. Over 80-130 trucks come and go every day. If they continue to grow at the same rate, they may be looking to expand in the coming years.
Library Board of Trustees
Update provided by: Mara Caelin
The board of trustees Met in April. Our current concern this budget season is that the library staff byline is fully funded. The library is at capacity in terms of programming, and the limiting factor in providing more programming is staff time. In the town manager’s budget, the position of Assistant Director remains frozen, even as performance goals for the library staff increase. The concern is that the current staffing levels will be considered the status quo, and the position will be eliminated as responsibilities on the library increase.
Call to action: Tell the town council you support adding full-time position for the library.
Open Space and Conservation Commission
Update provided by: Derek Caelin
The OSCC last met in February. We are meeting this month on the 14th to discuss the POCD and to provide feedback. The draft Plan of Conservation and Development calls for a number of changes in the way Rocky Hill handles open space, including developing more trails, acquiring riverfront land, and perhaps most dramatically, calling for an alternative way of housing development that encourages more linked open space.
Call to action: We need an alternate member for the OSCC. Learn more about the board and contact TJ if you are interested.
Planning & Zoning Commission
Update: An application to expand an existing Cisco station on main street was denied. More details available here.
Sustainable Rocky Hill Task Force
Update provided by: Derek Caelin
The SRH Task Force met on May 1. They hope to hear back from Sustainable CT on their current application to make Silver. By internal math, we may be <50 points under the threshold. Prospects to bolster our application include opening some kind of presence at the Community Farm, adding Sustainability to our Plan of Conservation and Development (I think there’s a lot to like) and electrifying the municipal vehicle fleet.
Call to action: The SRH task force needs one alternate member, talk to TJ if you want to apply.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Update provided by: Allan Smith
No April hearing, but there is a hearing later in May regarding a fence between two commercial properties on Rt. 3. Details have not yet been shared with the committee. Republicans recently filled a vacant seat, but have an alternate seat open.
