Tag: Economic Development

  • 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.

  • Newcomer Allan Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

    Newcomer Allan Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

    Smith will host a campaign kickoff event this Thursday, May 15th, where he will share his Vision for Growth, Affordability, and a Town That Works for Everyone

    Rocky Hill, CT — Community leader, local Realtor, and longtime public servant Allan Smith officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill today. Smith enters the race to challenge the Republican leadership that has held the seat for the past three terms and overseen consistent tax increases and stagnant growth. He believes his moderate approach—combining fiscal responsibility with targeted investments in growth—is what voters are ready for.

    “I want to help build a Rocky Hill where young people can afford to come back after college, where seniors can downsize but stay in the town they love, and where families thrive because housing is within reach and the community feels like home,” said Smith.

    Smith and his wife, Arianna, have lived on the east side of Rocky Hill for over a decade. Born and raised in Maine, Smith grew up with modest means and small-town values. While this would be his first elected office, he is no stranger to public service. Over the past several years, he has served on numerous town boards and committees, chaired a statewide energy-assistance nonprofit, and recently founded a nonprofit to promote public art in Rocky Hill. As a successful Realtor and active community volunteer, Smith has built a reputation for listening, problem-solving, and helping neighbors navigate local challenges. 

    Smith has also called out what he views as missed opportunities under current leadership, including the elimination (and only recent reinstatement) of the town’s economic development department, a decade-long tax break for a luxury development that could have generated millions in revenue to the town’s bottom-line, and the short-sighted use of federal relief funds on temporary staffing instead of long-term infrastructure improvements.

    “We’ve seen six straight years of rising property taxes, shrinking economic growth, and town departments stretched too thin,” said Smith. “Rocky Hill deserves leadership that does more than talk and pose for photos—it needs leadership that delivers.”

    When asked why he chose to run now, Smith said he believes that during times of national uncertainty, real change starts at the local level.

    “I feel I’m ready, willing, and able—and that makes it my duty to step up and make a positive impact on my community. The local level is where we all can have the largest impact.”

    Smith is also the first mayoral candidate in Rocky Hill to earn Certified Municipal Officer status from the Connecticut Council of Municipalities before taking office—a testament to his preparation and commitment to informed, effective governance.

    His campaign will focus on three key priorities:

    • Housing Affordability and responsible development, ensuring that everyone—from first-time homebuyers to lifelong residents—can afford to live in Rocky Hill;
    • Accountability, through accessible leadership, and long-term capital planning that serves all residents.
    • Strategic economic growth that leverages Rocky Hill’s geographic and cultural assets while avoiding long-term tax giveaways, and establishing that Rocky Hill is “Open for Business”;

    To celebrate the launch, the Allan Smith for Mayor campaign will host a kickoff event at The Ferry Grille, 277 Meadow Rd, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, on Thursday, May 15th at 5:30 PM. Community members are invited to attend, meet Allan, and hear more about his vision for Rocky Hill’s future.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Call / Text: 989-859-7645
    Email: AllanSmith4Mayor@gmail.com


    Facebook: Allan Smith for Rocky Hill

    Instagram: @AllanSmithCT

    Website: www.AllanSmith4Mayor.com