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State Rep. Kara Rochelle, a Democrat who represents Ansonia and Derby.
The Valley is a special place. The history is rich. The landscape is beautiful. The people possess goodness, a deep sense of community, resiliency, with big hearts full of grit and grace.
We were once the economic heartbeat of Connecticut. Today, the communities along the Waterbury Rail Line include the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 22nd most economically distressed municipalities in the state, out of 169. Median incomes in Ansonia and Derby are far below the state average. Unemployment is too high.
But, never count the Valley out.
Starting my tenure representing Ansonia and Derby two years ago, I pressed for rail improvements. At the capitol, I discuss the pockets of poverty, the A.L.I.C.E. rates, the downtown developments that don’t gain traction, and the rightful frustration of my neighbors who want economic stability, a thriving community with good schools and amenities, and meaningful state investment to make this reality.
In 2019 I was the only Naugatuck Valley legislator to testify before the Transportation Committee for increased Waterbury Rail Line service.
I set to work building a coalition of support.
I found allies in Rep. Geraldo Reyes of Waterbury and Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess. He organized Valley mayors for a day of action and testified to the Transportation Committee in 2020. Jim Gildea, Connecticut Commuter Rail Council Chairman, and Rick Dunne, NVCOG Executive Director, were strong partners in this effort.
I actively pushed ongoing rail improvements, pressing utility companies and the DOT to finish the job.
We recently brought Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman to see pending downtown redevelopment projects, hear about the developers who ask, “What about the trains?” and join our effort to modernize the Waterbury line.
Facts are on our side: when the state last increased service on our line, ridership jumped 40%. The physical line improvements are nearly complete. Covid-19 decreased state rail ridership dramatically — but the Waterbury Line saw the smallest decrease.
We deserve increased investment in our rail line. It will spur economic growth and positively impact all Naugatuck Valley residents.
Reliable service means increased property values, jobs, grand list growth, lower taxes, and improved amenities. It will attract potential commuters envisioning our walkable city centers and developer investment to sites like the Ansonia Brass property and Derby’s downtown.
While Governor Lamont’s budget needs further analysis, one thing to certainly celebrate is his proposed investment in the Waterbury line.
The Governor’s budget document highlights the importance of aligning transportation hubs, like the Naugatuck Valley, with employment and economic opportunities. In FY 2023, he recommends $1,227,689 to increase the Waterbury line trains from 15 to 22.
Rep. Roland Lemar, Chair of the Transportation Committee and Finance Sub-Committee on Transportation Bonding, stated: “The Waterbury Line has always carried the greatest potential for rapid utilization and for spurring economic growth. This commitment, coupled with the Capital investments we’ve made to date, is exactly what we need for the City of Waterbury and the cities and towns throughout The Valley. This investment has my strongest support and I specifically want to credit Representatives Reyes and Rochelle for their tireless advocacy.”
I hope this is the year we see significant investment in local rail service pass in the final budget. You can count on me to continue leading the fight for it.
The author represents Ansonia and Derby in the state House of Representatives.
