Ed Chiucarello Has Taken On All Causes Affecting Connecticut River In Rocky Hill

When Ed Chiucarello moved to Rocky Hill in 1995, he told his wife he would try to do something about the Foundry, which was an eyesore and blocked the view from their Riverview Drive home.

That was almost 20 years ago and since then Chiucarello has done that and more. He is the founder of the Riverfront Preservation Society, which has turned into the Rocky Hill Riverfront Preservation Society.

"When we got here the foundry had been abandoned since 1983 and it looked like crap," Chiucarello said after a recent meeting about the new foundry project. "I made up some flyers and called myself 'The Riverfront Concern.' Then another person wanted to help and then a few more and we formed originally the Riverfront Preservation Society. Now we have a core group of nine or 10 people who represent us and we are now the Rocky Hill Riverfront Preservation Society. We meet on Fridays and have a website and now work to preserve anything to do with the Connecticut River. That includes the foundry, the dump an the ferry."

Chiucarello tries to downplay his influence on policy-making in Rocky Hill but there is no question that he is well-known and well-respected by town and area officials.

"We have a core of people who sit around and like to talk about how we think we can make things better down by the river," Chiucarello said. "We don't talk over people but we exchange ideas. The meetings keep us busy but it's important to have a presence there to let both developers and the town know that we are watching and concerned.

"To have the Connecticut River running through our town is a huge benefit. We would like to make sure that anything that is going to built or done down there keeps the historic element and small town element."

State Rep. Tony Guerrera knows Chiucarello well and says that he is in agreement with the Society's views on the river area.

"You know we finished this last legislative session at 5:30 in the morning and on the way home, I stopped by Ferry Park and just sat in the car for a while watching the river run past," Guerrera said. "I treasure the historic aspect of Rocky Hill. This is a local issue but I watch closely. The older I get the more I respect the historical aspect of things so I commend the people who fight to keep that piece of land preserved."