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Tag: ARPA

  • A Response to RH Mayor’s “Double Standard”

    A Response to RH Mayor’s “Double Standard”

    In a recent opinion piece, the Mayor of Rocky Hill claims that the State of Connecticut is placing undue hardship on municipalities and applying a “double standard” when it comes to taxation.

    Her article begins with a personal anecdote about her children learning not to argue at the dinner table—an analogy that feels somewhat misplaced in the context of a serious policy discussion. A more fitting comparison might be a child who eats all their Halloween candy in one night, then complains the next day that they don’t have any left and deserve more of their sibling’s. The point being: it’s not enough to receive our share resources—we must also use them wisely.

    The Mayor often returns to the topic of PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), a long-standing program through which the state reimburses municipalities for tax-exempt state-owned properties. Contrary to the implication that Rocky Hill is being shortchanged, the truth is that PILOT payments to Rocky Hill—like those to other municipalities—have increased in recent years. In fact, in 2022 the state nearly doubled its overall PILOT funding and has continued to increase that support since. While Rocky Hill may have received approximately $840,000 last year compared to a theoretical maximum of $3.3 million under the PILOT formula, it’s worth noting that every municipality receives a prorated share—and that larger cities with significant concentrations of state facilities are even more acutely affected.

    We share the Mayor’s desire to see more state revenue directed back to municipalities, especially given Connecticut’s improved fiscal condition in recent years. But we also understand the broader priorities in Hartford. State leaders have chosen to return surplus revenues to residents in the form of income tax cuts and motor vehicle tax relief—policies that benefit working families and all vehicle owners, not just property taxpayers. That’s a choice we support, and it reflects a balanced approach to statewide economic equity. 

    The Mayor also expresses concern about tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans—an initiative created by the legislature in 2022 and approved unanimously by the Rocky Hill Town Council in August 2023. We believe that providing property tax relief to those who have served our country honorably and face lifelong disabilities is not just sound policy—it’s the right thing to do.

    Perhaps most troubling, however, is not what funding Rocky Hill hasn’t received, but what has been done with the significant funding we have received. Under this administration, Rocky Hill has benefited from millions in state and federal funds: $5.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, $2 million for the Housing Authority, and multiple grants for sidewalks and infrastructure totalling at least $2.8 million. These opportunities were made possible through the efforts of our Democratic state legislators, whom voters send to Hartford every two years to advocate for our town.

    Yet residents are left wondering: where are the results? The ARPA funds could have addressed major infrastructure projects—our aging pool, outdated HVAC systems in our schools, or critical roof repairs. These are practical, visible needs that could have been resolved without placing further burdens on local taxpayers. Instead, much of the funding was directed toward temporary staffing and overhead, which are now baked into our ongoing annual budget.

    Similarly, while Rocky Hill has been awarded multiple grants for sidewalks on Glastonbury Avenue, Washington Street, and Century Hills Drive, residents have seen little follow-through. Aside from a single sidewalk installed on Winter Lane—a quiet cul-de-sac—these projects remain quiet, despite the availability of funds.

    The core issue is not a lack of funding. It is a lack of strategic vision, execution, and long-term planning. For three terms, we’ve heard the same refrain: that Hartford is to blame for your taxes going up. But when money does come, we need leadership that ensures it is used to make tangible improvements in the lives of Rocky Hill residents.

    As the Rocky Hill Democratic Town Committee, we believe it’s time for a more proactive, responsible approach to local governance—one that builds partnerships, maximizes the resources we have, and invests in projects that benefit everyone in our community. Let’s stop pointing fingers and start planning wisely.

  • Rocky Hill’s Tight Budget is the Result of Years of Poor GOP Decision-making

    Rocky Hill’s Tight Budget is the Result of Years of Poor GOP Decision-making

    Once again the annual budget season is upon us. In the coming weeks the Town Council will conduct a series of public hearings and workshops to set the mil rate that establishes the taxes for the upcoming fiscal year. 

    The spectre of potential cuts in State and Federal funding hovers over the Council’s efforts to develop a budget this year. The chaos of the Trump administration results in increasing cuts of Federal funding to Connecticut. In turn, state legislators struggle to determine funds to towns amidst shifting federal priorities. Here in Rocky Hill, we must make a budget that takes all this uncertainty into account.

    The Rocky Hill Town Council is responsible for creating a budget that maintains and perhaps enhances existing services while minimizing tax increases. The task this year is especially difficult due to GOP-led Council budget decisions, which have resulted in increased taxes and stagnant services.

    The preamble to the Town Manager’s proposed budget correctly states that a considerable increase in taxes for the 2024-2025 tax period is due to homeowners revaluations. This is, however, only one part of the puzzle. Taxes rose not just because home values increased, but because the town took on significant financial burdens and failed to grow our economic sector.

    For example, Rocky Hill was fortunate enough to receive approximately 5.9 million dollars under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding during the COVID-19 pandemic era. These ARPA funds were supposed to allow the Council to maintain services and add enhancements as needed.  Unfortunately, rather than using the ARPA funding primarily for needed construction or maintenance projects, some ARPA funding was imprudently used for hiring  full-time positions at town hall. The full time Emergency Manager position turned into a fiasco and waste of funds. Others hired with ARPA funds which have been exhausted must now be funded by taxpayer tax money.

    These funds could have been used to avoid a  tax burden. Many years ago the Town Council became aware that Stevens School required a new HVAC system. The HVAC project for Stevens School of approximately 1.6 million dollars could have been partially funded by the Town ARPA funds and partially funded by a State grant.  The GOP majority on the Council opted to not accept the grant, but to fund the Stevens HVAC project with local taxpayer dollars over a 3 year period. That project has now been extended even further due to other more urgent projects with the likelihood of increased costs going forward and little chance of obtaining further grants. This will ultimately cost the taxpayers even more money. 

    Other factors have impacted the tax burden on Rocky Hill’s taxpayers. Reports from the Town Assessor have shown that our business Grand List – a listing of all assessed and taxable properties in town –  has remained mostly flat. This means that the bulk of any tax increases faced by the town falls on the backs of residential taxpayers.  Hopefully the recently hired Economic Development Manager can make a positive impact, after prior budgets had “frozen” that position, leaving no town staff exclusively working to grow Rocky Hill’s Grand List. 

    As Democrats have consistently argued, the GOP majority exacerbates the tax burden for residents by overly favoring developers. Take the Republican decision to offer a  generous 10+ year abatement for the Kelson Row project.  Kelson Row is currently paying approximately $82,000 in taxes as opposed to the pre-revaluation estimated taxes of more than $1 million annually. As multi-family property values have skyrocketed since the pandemic, Kelson Row saw no increase, nor will see any increase, when it could  be contributing significantly more than $1 million per year to our tax base at full valuation. 

    This abatement is not set to expire until 2034. Again, the taxes not paid because of this abatement must be paid by residential tax payers, many of whom are on a fixed income or are struggling families trying to make ends meet.

    This year it is very important for the citizen taxpayers of Rocky Hill to make their voices heard. We the members of the Council represent you. Attend budget hearings and workshops and comment. Send in written letters or emails to be read into the public record, sign petitions, write letters to the editor. What are your priorities overall and what are your priorities should Federal or State funding be reduced? 

     A budget hearing will be held on April 22nd with workshops on April 24th, April 29th and May 1st. Also May 6th and 8th only if necessary. The Council final vote on the budget is on May 19th.  

    Make your voices heard!