Affordable For Who?
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To The Editor,
I’ve heard my whole life that Woodbridge just needs to build more housing, and our problems will be solved. Add a couple dozen “affordable” units here, another dozen there, and everyone’s better off—right? Well, in the words of Norm Kelly: “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
We can debate how to do affordable housing as long as we want, but can we do it in good faith when it’s already unaffordable for the people here? For example, look at this year’s dilemma: about a $1,300 jump per house in taxes just this year alone.
And the pattern isn’t limited to a few unlucky households. When you look at the distribution of tax...continue reading here
October 27, 2025
“Let Voters Beware” on Unchecked Development and Town Spending
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To The Editor (And All Woodbridge Neighbors),
“Caveat emptor!” According to the dictionary: “let the buyer beware.”
As local elections loom, it’s a clarion call to safeguard the physical attributes of our town at a crossroads; we could lose forever what each campaign team calls, “the largest unprotected parcel in Woodbridge.”
With plans in Washington finalized to allow oil and gas drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it seems imperative locally to preserve the natural features, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities we can, specifically....continue reading here
October 27, 2025
Zoning and the Role of the First Selectman
Dear Neighbor,
Last night, in yet another Town Plan and Zoning commission meeting, the saga of the 804 Fountain Street proposal continued. The public hearing was continued to December 1st because the TPZ had not yet received professional feedback on certain aspects of the developer’s latest plans. You can view the meeting here:
Against this backdrop, it’s worth examining the role of the First Selectman in setting zoning policy. Our Town Charter specifically defines the First Selectman’s role as follows:
Woodbridge Town Charter, Section 5-4:
General responsibility.
(a) Under...continue reading here
October 22, 2025
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Our Land, Our Legacy - What You're Not Being Told about the CCW Master Plan
Dear Neighbor,
The former Country Club of Woodbridge (CCW) is a public asset that, if developed thoughtfully, can benefit Woodbridge residents and the entire region, serving as a lasting source of community pride and cohesion. Developing a plan for this property that aligns with community input was a primary reason for my Board of Selectmen candidacy in 2023. I am deeply disappointed by both the planning process and outcome and feel compelled to share my perspective.
Don’t be misled by claims of “success.” A closer look reveals the following: (1) the Master Plan presented to the Board of Selectmen on September 10, 2025 does NOT have unanimous support...continue reading here
October 24, 2025
Imitation May Flatter - but Facts Still Matter
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To the editor,
It’s often said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
In their recent mailing, Chairman Ellen Scalettar and the WDTC have certainly shown their admiration for the Common Ground for Woodbridge’s excellent mailers. Looking at the WDTC flyer, I thought, “You nearly nailed it.” The design is almost identical, but the content is missing two essentials: truth and transparency.
To begin with it is untrue and ridiculous to say Common Ground for Woodbridge candidates “have active engaged in delaying growth in Woodbridge” or that their campaign involves “out of town CT Republican political operatives.”
Common Ground for Woodbridge is true to its name. It is a powerful coalition....continue reading here
October 20, 2025
Leaders Had Tools to Ease the Tax Burden - and Chose Not to Use Them
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To the editor,
One of us had a significant tax increase this year. The other a tax decrease.
Connecticut law requires towns to update property assessments to reflect current market values. That’s fair in principle — but when home values rise unevenly, some residents face sharp tax hikes while others benefit from cuts. For many long-time homeowners and seniors, those sudden increases are life-changing.
The revaluations occurred across Connecticut last fall, with similar outcomes. But the pain some Woodbridge residents are experiencing is not shared everywhere in Connecticut.
Simply put, leaders of cities and towns in Connecticut have options to mitigate the pain. State law (CGS §12-62c) gives towns a proven way to ease that burden: a phase-in. This option.....continue reading here
October 20, 2025
How Leadership Decisions are Shaping Woodbridge's Future Costs
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To the editor,
I feel compelled to respond to the latest Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) election flyer disputing claims made by Common Ground. The flyer insists that First Selectman Mica Cardozo had no role in the disaster at 804 Fountain Street — a 96-unit apartment complex larger than a football field.
While it’s true that the First Selectman has no vote on the Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ), he serves as an ex officio member and attended the December 2 meeting when the zoning change was approved. As the town’s chief elected official, he should have been fully....continue reading here
October 20, 2025
Selectman Vogel Clarifies Vote on CCW Plan
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To the editor,
Since July 2021, I have served on the Board of Selectmen in Woodbridge. I have chosen not to run this year.
We’re in election season and there’s a lot of campaign propaganda. The Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) is particularly pushing the claim of providing truth and transparency. As this relates to the Country Club of Woodbridge, I would like to clear up a few things.
In mailings and at campaign events, Steve Munno and Mica Cardozo have touted a “new CCW plan” that has unanimous support of the BOS. This is not accurate. The only...continue reading here
October 13, 2025
Principle Over Party: One Democrat's View on the CCW
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To the editor,
In late September, President Obama described questionable federal healthcare policy as ‘violence against the truth.’ With sincere apologies, I’ll paraphrase him today by saying that, in my opinion, current trends toward large-scale Woodbridge development constitute violence against the history, present culture, and future of this town.
I denounce ceaseless efforts by town officials who think their plan to carve, pave, and otherwise manipulate the Country Club of Woodbridge (CCW) is better or best. They repeatedly ignore...continue reading here
October 13, 2025
Fiscal Accountability Starts on Election Day
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
To the editor,
While campaigning with A Common Ground for Woodbridge, I’ve heard from many residents who are deeply concerned about our steadily increasing taxes. This year alone, the Town budget rose nearly 5% — the largest increase in over a decade. Combined with the recent revaluation, which raised assessments as much as 80% for some, the result is significant hardship for many taxpayers.
When the Board of Selectmen voted on the proposed $61.6 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, I voted no.
One line item stood out: $80,000 for a consultant town planner. While that may not seem large, it reflects a larger problem with the current First Selectman’s approach to town management: relying on misguided ...continue reading here
October 6, 2025
Leaving Party Politics to Find Common Ground
A letter to the editor in The Woodbridge Town Chronicle
Dear Editor,
In late March, I resigned from the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) where I also served as Campaign Coordinator. This was not an easy decision; in fact, it was painful. It had become evident that the town leadership who I supported and helped to elect was steering the town in a direction that was not aligned with the future I envision for Woodbridge. I believe I was appointed to the Conservation Commission to thwart, not advance, conservation goals. When I refused to fall in line with the pro-development agenda, I was ostracized and silenced. Other WDTC members and appointees are also being treated this way if they dare oppose the leadership’s desire to scale the town’s population against the will of the people. Many residents voiced similar concerns after the December 2nd zoning changes and were IGNORED...continue reading here
September 29, 2025
804 Fountain St Proposal Update
Dear Neighbor,
I wanted to share an update on the proposed development at 804 Fountain Street, which envisions a 96-unit four-story market-rate apartment building on Fountain Street in Woodbridge. The proposed building site is between Bishop’s Pond and the Wilbur Cross Parkway, within Woodbridge’s least dense residential district. This building is as long as a football field. It is so large that it would not be allowed just across the parkway in New Haven.
A public hearing was held on September 2 at the Center Gym. Attendance was strong, with many Woodbridge residents turning out to voice opposition. The meeting itself was delayed for 45 minutes while residents pressed for the opportunity to provide public comment...continue reading here
September 19, 2025
Rob & Team Common Ground Introduction
Dear Neighbor,
Like many, I moved here for great schools, for open space, and for community. These things that I hold dear are in jeopardy. The current administration is aggressively pursuing and solely
focused on massive increases in housing and is ignoring the impact of ever-increasing taxes. I have met many residents who are ready to move away or feel trapped.
I am running for First Selectman because I have the know-how required to effect necessary change. As a private practice lawyer I specialize in intellectual property law predicated in part on my degree in engineering. This means I not only understand problems, I solve them, and I do
so with creativity.
In my prior role as in-house counsel for large corporations, I handled and oversaw litigation and matters such as contracts and real estate. Our town needs an attorney as First Selectman now more than ever -... continue reading here
September 15, 2025
Team Common Ground Announcement
Dear Neighbor,
Local elections will be held in a few months, on Tuesday, November 4th. I’m pleased to introduce you to the Common Ground For Woodbridge Team:
First Selectman: Robert Rosasco
Board of Selectmen: Javier Aviles, Amey Marrella, and Andrea Urbano
Amity Board of Education: Joi Prud’homme, and Lauren Moras
Beecher Board of Education: Jackie Cappiello, Sarah Beth Del Prete... continue reading here
July 30, 2025
Informing Woodbridge on Fountain Street
Dear Neighbors,
As many of you are aware, the Town Plan & Zoning Commission held a Public Hearing on June 2nd regarding a special exception application for a four story, 96 unit apartment complex at 804 Fountain Street. Some 100 residents attended the hearing. Both the Woodbridge Land Trust and Woodbridge Park Association were approved as intervenors and presented expert testimony, in addition to that presented by the applicant. The Public Hearing will continue on Monday, September 2nd in the Center Gym. It is critical that you attend this follow-up meeting and voice your thoughts if you were unable to do so at last night’s meeting. Here are a few topics raised in the meeting:
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Our town’s fire chief listed detailed concerns... continue reading here
June 2, 2025
Woodbridge Informed: The POCD and Woodbridge's Future
Dear Neighbor,
As you may recall from the August newsletter, there are a number of land use projects underway in our town. Most recently, you may have participated in the Plan of Conservation and Development (“POCD”) Open House on October 8th (the “Open House”). The Open House included various activities that offered information to and collected feedback from residents.
For those looking for the nickel tour, here are some observations on the POCD information so far. First, the Survey Results indicate what residents find “special” about... continue reading here
October 16, 2024