On June 24, 2025, Rocky Hill’s Land Acquisition and Farmland Preservation committee met to discuss the community gardens, which are planned to launch in the spring of 2026. Committee members discussed the plan to provide water at the gardens, and the layout for garden plots.
Water for the gardens
Director of Public Works Steve Sopalek provided an update on the effort to bring water to the community garden site. The town explored two scenarios: providing water from the drilled well that is already on site, and providing water through connecting to the public water system.
Well option
The well was tested and was deemed “clean” and usable for watering plants. To use the well, the barn would be connected to electricity and a pump installed in the well, for an estimated cost of $15,000. To get an additional cistern and annual testing for the well would be an additional $35,000 – $40,000. Steve Sopalek remarked that the town lacks data on capacity of the well: how many people could use it?
MDC option
The town could alternatively connect the barn to public water through MDC. An assessment would be $350,000 and an estimated additional $15,000 would be spent on installation. Sopalek said that the assessment fee could possibly be waived.
After reviewing the options, town manager Ray Carpentino said, “It sounds like people will have to bring their own water for a while.” While no final decision was made, Steve Sopalek said, “it’s probably a couple years out.”
Evolving plans for garden plots
In the last session, the committee agreed to move the community garden plots to the west side of the property. The committee will ask a town engineer revise the original plans for two possible layouts: one where the plots are 10ft x 20ft, and another where they are 15ft x 15ft.
The committee also continued to explore what design should be used for raised beds. Committee member Lisa Gilbert is exploring a potential donation of raised beds by a local construction company. The town would need to provide soil for these beds. At least some of the material could come from the town’s leaf mulch, has has been tested as “clean” and useable.
The committee is considering creating twelve 3ft x 8ft beds. These beds would rest on the ground and be several feet deep to facilitate root growth and easier access.
The committee will next meet on July 22.