Town Council Discusses Department Review

The Town Council discussed reviewing all the town departments, approved a non-emergency interagency agreement and discontinued a portion of Old Dividend Road at their .

Discussion on Departmental Review

The Republican Town Council members Frank Szeps, Catherine Vargas and Nadine Bell wrote an email to the town manager and mayor requesting to discuss the possibility of setting up a schedule where each of the town departments would meet with the council before the budget process began.  They suggested that each department head would present “an overview of goals and objectives for each department and a work flow chart.”

“We need to start this process now so that when the budget cycle comes up, we are able to present a budget to the tax payers that provides them with the services that they expect but with no tax increase,” the letter stated.

Vargas said the council needs to “look at the needs versus wants” of the town and would like to see if technology was being used effectively. She suggested setting money aside for infrastructure needs.

“We need to have some type of discussion how everything is run. We would be remiss not to go through this exercise,” Vargas said.

Town Manager Barbara Gilbert said money has already been set aside for items like renovating the town hall but, costs continue to grow and money cannot be saved fast enough.

Szeps said he would like to look at every department, however Mayor Anthony LaRosa suggested focusing on the larger departments.

Gilbert noted that no matter if the department heads met with council members in committees or in a workshop, they would be open to the public.

With elections only a few months away and changes in the council possible, the discussion was tabled until the Nov. 21 meeting.

Non-Emergency Interagency Agreement

The council unanimously approved an agreement that would allow officers from the towns of Newington, Berlin, Cromwell and Wethersfield to help Rocky Hill with non-emergency operations like patrolling streets and private duty jobs. The officers could also be used to assist in drug and traffic taskforces.

“We need it,” Timothy Moriarty, council member, said.

If a worker from another town is injured while in Rocky Hill, the town is not responsible for paying his worker compensation. The agreement would allow no claims against the town, Gilbert said.

LaRosa said a highway employee or a firefighter would accompany an officer while in Rocky Hill, so that they can find their way around town.

Gilbert said that the town has previously signed the agreement three times in the last 10 years.

Abandonment of Old Dividend Road

The council unanimously approved a .

The entire road was deeded to the six landowners as open space. This resolution means that the landowners must maintain the property but they cannot build on the land.

“It is not public open space,” Gilbert said.

Ralph Cervero is one of the property owners and had planned to build a home on his property. Cervero was upset with the decision and said he “will consider his next step.”

In other news, September was proclaimed Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma awareness month.