Rep. Rochelle Fails to Recognize Bipartisan Roots of Waterbury Line Caucus

We were shocked to read Rep. Rochelle’s op-ed in the CT Post – “Better Rail Service Will Boost Valley Economy” – where she essentially claims to have single-handedly initiated and spearheaded potential improvements to the Waterbury Rail Line. While we appreciate her commitment to the Line, we feel it’s disingenuous to pretend the foundations of these improvements haven’t been years in the making, and well before she entered the legislature in 2019.

As Naugatuck Valley legislators, we agree that boosting train service on the Waterbury Rail Line will absolutely benefit the people of the Valley, which is why area representatives and senators have been advocating for increased funding and service for years, both individually and as a group.

In fact, in March of 2018, almost a year prior to Rep. Rochelle joining the General Assembly, a bipartisan group of legislators joined together and created the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus, a group tasked with facilitating improvements to the Waterbury Line. State Representatives Rosa C. Rebimbas (R – Naugatuck), Linda Gentile (D – Ansonia, Derby) and State Senators George Logan (R – Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, Woodbridge) and Joan Hartley (D – Waterbury, Middlebury, Naugatuck) were named as the original co-chairs.

The caucus, led by one member from each of the four General Assembly caucuses, was tasked with advocating for improvements to the Waterbury Line, and addressing the important issues of limited service, increased ridership, single track, dated equipment, and lack of station amenities. A Rail Summit was held to discuss infrastructure improvements and funding methods with the goal of replacing diesel locomotives, replacing aging train-sets and coaches, increasing service frequency and improving station amenities.

Only two months after its formation, the caucus met with then-DOT Commissioner Redeker to lay the groundwork for rail line improvements. Since then, the caucus has continually met with representatives and commissioners from the DOT and rail companies, proposed and pushed legislation, advocated for increased funding and resources, and railed against proposed cuts, including a 2020 decision by the governor to amend the state Bond Commission agenda and eliminate much-needed funding for the Line.

The Caucus was purposely founded to be bipartisan, with each member advocating for the Waterbury Line and the continued investment in and improvement of the region’s transportation infrastructure and economy, which is why we find it curious that Rep. Rochelle chose to leave that out of her column. If our colleague simply didn’t know about these efforts because she was not yet a member of the Assembly, it is one thing, but to obfuscate the truth to score political points is another.

If our fellow valley legislator truly wishes to help us in advancing this critical issue, perhaps she should spend less time taking credit for the tireless work of others and instead contribute to a bipartisan effort that has been years in the making.

State Representative Rosa C. Rebimbas (R-70)

State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105)