The Town Manager has submitted a proposed budget for FY 25-26, which can be viewed online.
Highlights
Proposed Budget: $103,666,114, representing an increase of 3.59% and a mill rate of 30.99, an increase of 1.82 mills.
Financial pressures, according to the town manager, include the revaluation of residents’ home values, and a reduction in the 2024 grand list, partly driven by “tax appeals and a change in State legislation on how motor vehicles are assessed.”
Town positions:
The Town Manager proposes unfreezing the role of Economic Development Director and continuing the freeze of the Library Assistant Director position. A new Patrol Officer proposed by the Police Chief was not included in this budget.
Next Steps
The budget must be passed by 3rd Monday in May per town charter. If the Town Council is unable to pass a budget, the Town Manager’s budget will be the fallback. The budget will be formally presented by the Town Manager on April 22nd, with subsequent budget workshops and public hearings that cover all of the various departments.
The Rocky Hill Land Acquisition and Farmland Preservation Committee met on Tuesday, March 25. A major focus of the committee has been to establish a community garden at the Intersection of New Britain and New Road in Rocky Hill.
About the Community Garden
Since acquiring the land in 2019, the town has long considered the idea of a community garden for residents of Rocky Hill. The current plan is to open the Community Gardens in May of 2025. Amenities for gardeners are expected to be basic at launch (residents will be expected to bring their own water; the barn will not initially be available) but will grow over time. Once up and running, the Community Gardens will be managed by the Rocky Hill’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The town is preparing an application form for residents to apply to take on a plot at the garden. Stay tuned for a link to that form in early April.
Last week the town prepared the garden site by removing trees from the nearby plots and laying mulch.
Plans in the making
The plans for the garden will take some time to develop. Still to be determined:
Size and plot number: Public demand will influence the number of plots established in the initial year of the garden.
Soil Treatment: The town is deciding how to prepare the soil of the gardens. Options include tilling the site and applying another layer of mulch.
Access to water: The town is aware that water is ideal for gardens. Several options have been proposed to provide access.
Compost: Gardens generate organic material. The town is discussing whether and how to maintain a drop off point for greens.
Raised Beds: Many residents requested raised beds for accessibility, but the current budget doesn’t cover raised beds. The town is discussing sponsorships and different ways to provide raised beds in future seasons.
Barn Access: There is a barn at the site of the Community Gardens. It will be made available for activities once key utilities are hooked up, including electricity and water.
Public Feedback
Alicia Cornelia of the local garden club recommended that the town provide gardeners with water.
Mary Beth Maluccio and Ed Chiucarello from the local “Friends of the Farm” group offered feedback. Feedback included:
Local residents are interested in organizing activities at the farm, including educational events and seed/tool sharing.
Allow composting on site so people can manage their organic matter.
What you can do
As warm weather approaches, consider growing some of your own food this year. Many community members are interested in sharing knowledge about gardening. Eating local, fresh food is good for your health and for the environment.
Stay tuned for the plot sign-up form: we will share the link to sign up for plots at the community garden.
Consider sharing your knowledge. Comment below if you are a gardener interested in sharing your insights with the community.
