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Tag: Allan Smith

  • Rocky Hill Board and Commission Updates: June 2025

    Rocky Hill Board and Commission Updates: June 2025

    Affordable Housing Committee

    Update provided by: Allan Smith

    During our most recent meeting we discussed our April 30th Housing Forum, the recently passed HB 5002 housing bill that passed the Connecticut General Assembly, the process and likelihood of acquiring some land to be used for building more affordable housing, and information from “Strong Towns” that was provided by Derek Caelin.

    Call to action: Read the Draft 2025 POCD, and be prepared to offer comments during upcoming public hearings related to housing affordability, should you be inclined. 

    Board of Education

    Update provided by: Maria Mennella

    Update: The Board of Education has responded to the 25-26 budget, which cut the proposed schools budget by $650,000 dollars. The difference has been made up by not filling a retiring teacher’s position, cutting the summer enrichment program and foreign languages classes in Moser, as well as merging the Special Education Kids in Progress (KIP) programs in the schools. 

    Commission on Inclusion & Innovation

    Update provided by: Tom Cosker

    The Commission on Inclusion participated in a few events recently. 

    • On June 1st, members of the Commission participated in the BAPS Spirit of Service Walk at Elm Ridge Park. The walk had a huge crowd of participants walking down Bailey, Parsonage, Silas Deane and Elm St. BAPS charities made donations to our own Rocky Hill Fire Department with some of the money it raised. 
    • On June 4th, Rocky Hill hosted a Pride event at Elm Ridge Park. The Commission as well as other community and school groups came together to show pride for members of our LGBTQIA+ community. 
    • On June 7th the Commission marched in the Middletown Pride Parade, the largest Pride event in CT. While our group was small this year, we got lots of shout outs from the crowd. We are already looking forward to a larger Rocky Hill contingent next year. 

    Upcoming events

    • On June 18th, the Commission will participate in the Rocky Hill Juneteenth celebration from 6:00 to 8:00 at Elm Ridge Park. Join us as we celebrate the emancipation of African Americans in the U.S. and acknowledge the accomplishments made in our community and the injustices that persist in our contemporary society. There will be food, vendors, and live performances. 
    • On June 21st, Rocky Hill will be hosting Make Music Day with various artists and performers spreading the joy of music around town. More information to follow. 

    Economic Development Commission

    Update provided by: Allan Smith

    The Economic & Business Development Manager, Alandra Maine provided updates at our most recent meeting, June 10th. Make music day is moving forward on June 21st, without a lot of interest from local businesses, but also getting in front of them with a part-time schedule has been a challenge. 

    Rocky Hill now has a “restaurant trail”. It is a free site that puts all of RH’s eateries in one place. This free site, could be used to promote local spots and RH as a culinary destination. She estimates that we currently have 60+ restaurants in town, including fast food. This continues to make us high per-capita for CT. 

    Call to action: Come to the Town Center June 21st from 10-2 for various activities put on to create public, free, music. Including Rocky Hill Arts Now’s Karaoke near the 9/11 memorial from 12-2. Hoping to have some Cops & Karaoke!

    Library Board of Trustees

    Update provided by: Mara Caelin

    The Library Board of Trustees met on Monday, June 9th at Rocky Hill Library. Democrat members Mara Caelin and Nancy Rabbitt were both present. Library Director Michael Murphy offered general updates on library operations, highlighting the decrease in staffing levels exacted by recent town budget cuts. The library has lost nearly 100 labor hours per week since 2023 due to budget cuts and attrition, and Director Murphy reports that they have hit their limit in terms of how much loss they can absorb without significant changes to services. Additionally, Director Murphy briefly reported on prospective changes to policy, pending legislative outcomes of SB 1271 and HB 7014, that would require formal policies around collection development, display creation, and material removal prohibiting challenges on the basis of representation of protected classes. 

    Open Space and Conservation Commission

    Update provided by: Derek Caelin

    The OSCC is reviewing a proposal by the town to establish a sidewalk on Hayes road. If approved in our next meeting, it will go out to bid for contractors.

    Call to action: We need an alternate member for the OSCC. Learn more about the board and contact us if you are interested.

    Sustainable Rocky Hill Task Force

    Update provided by: Derek Caelin

    Rocky Hill keeps its Bronze Sustainable CT certification this spring. Many of the town’s points expire in August, according to an update from town staff last month – more actions must be submitted. The town will submit a grant proposal to DEEP for an expanded food scraps drop off program.

  • Rocky Hill Deserves Better: Fully Funding Our Schools Is an Investment in Our Future

    Rocky Hill Deserves Better: Fully Funding Our Schools Is an Investment in Our Future

    Last month, Rocky Hill’s Town Council approved a school budget $650,000 below what the Board of Education requested. That cut has already led to the quiet erosion of programs and support services that matter to students, families, and the wider community.

    As a candidate for Mayor this November, I believe Rocky Hill needs leadership that sees education not as a cost to contain, but as the foundation of long-term growth and stability.

    For the last few years, I have heard our elected leaders take pride in saying that we spend less per student than most of the other towns in our DRG (District Reference Group). But is that something we should really be proud of?

    What Was Cut and Why It Matters

    To close next year’s funding gap, the district has announced difficult changes:

    • Summer enrichment programs have been cancelled, eliminating essential math and reading support for Pre-K through Grade 5 students. This hits working families and struggling learners the hardest.
    • A high school credit recovery specialist position was eliminated. Already-overloaded teachers must now fill that gap, increasing the risk that vulnerable students fall behind.
    • Introductory French and Spanish classes at Moser School were suspended, despite research showing early language education boosts cognitive skills and prepares students for future success. Our neighbors in Glastonbury, Avon, Farmington and other schools in Fairfield county offer world languages starting in the 4th grade; these are widely regarded as some of the best school systems in the state. Do we want to be “second tier”?
    • A retiring elementary teacher will not be replaced. This reduces staffing flexibility and increases the likelihood of overcrowded classrooms during critical early years. Some elementary grades are already operating over the recommended capacity.

    Learn more about the impact these cuts have on our schools. These are not harmless efficiency measures. They are short-term cuts with long-term costs.

    The Economic Case for Full Funding

    Even if you don’t have children in our schools, the strength of the district affects everyone.

    1. Strong schools protect property values.
     Quality schools attract families and raise home values. They also bring in higher-end businesses, helping to keep residential taxes lower.

    2. Education drives economic growth.
     Our students are the future workforce. Cutting support today weakens our local economy tomorrow. Rocky Hill can be a town that cultivates high-achieving graduates—or one that falls behind.

    3. Delaying maintenance increases costs.
    We have already made the case that postponing repairs doesn’t save money. It invites bigger problems. We’ve already seen this with the roof at West Hill Elementary.

    A Smarter Path Forward

    Rocky Hill needs leadership with a long-term view—one that invests in our students, supports our educators, and addresses infrastructure before it fails.

    If elected, I will:

    • Advocate for school budgets that reflect our values by increasing transparency between parents, the Board of Education, and the Town Council.
    • Prioritize timely investment in school facilities
    • Treat public education as the essential investment it is

    We can do better for our students, our families, and our future. It starts with electing a Mayor, Town Council, and Board of Education that are ready to lead with vision and responsibility.

    Let’s stop shortchanging the next generation. Let’s invest wisely—and move Rocky Hill forward.

    Allan Smith

    2025 Democratic Candidate for Mayor, Rocky Hill

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