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Tag: Board of Education

  • Monthly updates from Rocky Hill board and commission members: May 2025

    Monthly updates from Rocky Hill board and commission members: May 2025

    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. 

  • Town Council Update: Highlights from the April 22 Budget Public Hearing and Council Meeting

    Town Council Update: Highlights from the April 22 Budget Public Hearing and Council Meeting

    The Rocky Hill Town Council held its bi-weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 22, following a public hearing on the proposed 2025–2026 municipal budget, delivered by Town Manager Ray Carpentino.

    Budget Public Hearing Overview

    During the public hearing, the Town Manager presented his proposed budget, which has been available for public review on the Town’s website for several weeks. The proposal contains no major surprises or additions since its release.

    Key budget highlights include:

    • A 3.5% increase in funding for the Board of Education.
    • A 3.7% increase for all other municipal expenses.
    • This results in a total expenditure increase of 3.59%, moving from approximately $100 million to $103 million.
    • The proposed mill rate increase is 1.8 mills.

    The primary drivers of the budget increases are salary and insurance costs, while reductions were seen in capital expenditures and a contraction in the grand list.

    No new full-time positions are being added to Town staff, with one part-time role moving to full-time. The Town Manager has proposed eliminating one Public Works position. A request from the Police Department for an additional officer and increased overtime funds was not included in the final proposed budget. The assistant Library director position remains frozen, as it was this past year.

    One notable item: The Board of Education has access to $1.6 million from a health insurance-related fund. Their stated priority is to use this money for roof replacement at West Hill School. During the subsequent Town Council meeting, the Council unanimously approved moving these funds into a non-recurring fund for the Board of Education. A formal vote on the specific allocation is expected in the near future.

    Council Meeting Highlights

    The regular Council meeting began shortly after at 7:30 p.m. and proceeded efficiently. Key subcommittee updates included:

    • Finance Committee: The committee is evaluating how to use $242,000 in special revenue from police forfeitures and seizures. Potential uses include purchasing new vehicles—including the possibility of an electric vehicle. (More details are available in the April 10 Finance Committee meeting recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/KozUCf2wamA?si=Cyf_qS-hT1b7O_VE&t=1074.
    • Government Operations Committee: The committee is exploring solutions for Public Works staff to have a safe space to eat and rest during storm events, as the Fire Marshal has deemed their current garage setup unsafe. A temporary trailer rental is being considered at a cost of $70,000.
    • Senior Liaison Committee: The next quarterly meeting will be held on Monday, April 28 at 5:00 p.m.
    • Capital Improvement Committee: The West Hill roof project has been moved forward to 2026, and the Stevens School HVAC project has been postponed to 2027.

    Finally, the Council unanimously approved a resolution to begin the process of joining the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority (MRDA). This move would allow Rocky Hill to tap into state funding and resources for redevelopment projects, including those along Silas Deane Highway and potential Town Center areas.

    Get Involved

    The April 22 meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m., making it one of the shortest of the year despite a 25-minute budget presentation prior. With public attendance low and budget workshops continuing this week, now is the perfect time to get engaged in shaping the future of our community. The first budget workshop will be Thursday, April 24th at 5:30 in Council Chambers.

    📌 Want to get more involved?
     Attend upcoming budget meetings, or contact the Democratic Town Committee to learn how you can support responsible, community-focused governance in Rocky Hill.