April 14, 2008

By Kenneth J. Souza

A regular meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was called to order on Monday, April 14 at 6:30 pm by Chairman Brad Morse. Also present were Selectman Richard Nunes, Selectman Dan A. McGaffey, Town Administrator Richard LaCamera, and Administrative Assistant Veronica Lafreniere.

The board first met in Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Upon returning to Open Session at 7:23 pm, the board unanimously voted to reorganize in the aftermath of the recent Annual Town Election as follows: Chairman Richard Nunes; Vice Chairman Dan McGaffey; and Clerk Brad Morse.

With Chairman Nunes now presiding over the meeting, Town Moderator Greenwood "Woody" Hartley called to order a meeting of the nominating committee for the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee, noting they didn't have any Rochester candidates to fill the vacancy. As such, they voted to table the meeting until such time that a viable candidate came forward. Those interested in serving in this capacity should submit their name for consideration to the Board of Selectmen, c/o Rochester Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way, Rochester, MA 02770.

At 7:27 pm the board met with Conservation Agent Laurell J. Farinon for an annual review of Rochester's Stormwater Management Program. "We set forward a series of best management practices ... and filed a Stormwater Plan (for the town)," Ms. Farinon said. "One of the best management practices was to have an annual meeting held by the Board of Selectmen in which the public is invited to make comment ... or any statements regarding Rochester's Stormwater Management Plan. At this time, we are asking if there's anybody who would like to make a comment."

There being no comments, Ms. Farinon thanked the board for their time.

At 7:30 pm the board met with Town Planner Randall Kunz to discuss placement of a zoning by-law amendment article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant. "There is some concern in areas of town that do not have water," Mr. Kunz said. "In those cases, we are asking that ... the guidelines for the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) be followed. The DEP made a determination about two to three years ago in anticipation of the project at the end of Snipatuit Road."

According to Mr. Kunz, the Planning Board-sponsored article would propose that if a project is not on public water already, they will be required to install a public water supply as dictated by the Massachusetts DEP. "The CMR requires that the land mass involved in the project contain all of the areas for the subject wells," Mr. Kunz said.

On a related matter, Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson updated the board on the status of a large parcel of land located off Route 105 near the Marion town line which was formerly an airport.

"There's been some talk about possibly preserving that site for the town," Mr. Johnson said. "I mentioned to you that a gentleman called me and he's big into soccer leagues and he approached me about a year ago looking to either purchase or lease 10 to 20 acres of land for soccer fields (in Rochester). This property, which is under Chapter 61A and the town would have the right of first refusal on it, is bigger than 20 acres but there might be a way to fund a partial bond payment on it."

"One of the issues coming up is that Plumb Corner may eventually be developed and the (Rochester) Country Fair has its site over there," Chairman Nunes said. "If that is developed, where would we have the Country Fair? We do have some property on Pine Street, but there's a possibility that might be taken up, too. We have this prime piece of property off Route 105 -- I think there's 60 acres, about 30 of which in the back which is wet. I think it's something the town should be looking at prior to a formal sale. I just think we need to be working towards that."

"That's consistent with our discussion at the joint Planning Meeting," Selectman McGaffey said. "That's a clear example of (a piece of property) which could be of value and interest to the town."

"Both (Mr. Kunz) and (Ms. Farinon) have had some discussion with the owners and they're not sure what they're going to do ... it's still in probate," Mr. LaCamera said.

The board next approved the minutes of the March 24 meeting, then signed and approved $231,887 in Chapter 90 funding from the Massachusetts Highway Department. They also approved the appointment of Fred Underhill to the Assawompset Pond Committee; renewed the Automatic Amusement Device License for Outdoor World; appointed Susan Petersen and Randall Kunz as the town's representatives to the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD); and also appointed Jeff Eldridge and Randall Kunz as the town's representatives to the Joint Transportation Planning Group (JTPG).

Chairman Nunes also noted receipt of a $305,385 payment from SEMASS in lieu of taxes for the month of March, which Mr. LaCamera noted is an all-time record -- the facility having collected in excess of 100,000 tons for the month.

Under the Town Administrator's report, Mr. LaCamera first noted there will be two meetings scheduled with representatives from SRPEDD to look at updating the town's maps for future planning purposes. This service will be provided by SRPEDD as part of their hours given to the town.

Mr. LaCamera next provided an update on the Massachusetts School Building Authority's (MSBA) progress on the proposed expansion and renovation to Rochester's Memorial School. "We'll be expecting a feasibility study next summer ... and we're headed in the right direction," Mr. LaCamera said.

Mr. LaCamera also presented a draft copy of the Annual Town Meeting warrant to the board for their consideration. Chairman Nunes asked about an article requesting the Tree Warden position be changed from an elected to an appointed position. "The Highway Surveyor has been our Tree Warden for the past nine years," Mr. LaCamera said. "It will be up to the residents to make it an appointed position ... or keep it elected."

With that, the board unanimously voted to sign and post the warrant.

Lastly, Mr. LaCamera noted there will be a Health Fair at the Rochester Town Hall on May 2 to give town employees an opportunity to review and discuss their health benefits. "One of the things we talked about was long-term and short-term disability," Mr. LaCamera said. "Town employees have decided they want to provide a short-term disability plan at their (own) cost."

The board also agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Ben Bergeron for recently attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. "There have been 11 Eagle Scouts from the Rochester Troop," Selectman McGaffey noted.

They also wished to acknowledge the recent 100th birthday of longtime Rochester resident Kathryn Elizabeth Phillips -- the grandmother of Selectman Brad Morse -- who celebrated this milestone the previous weekend. "On behalf of my grandmother, thank you," Selectman Morse said.

In other matters, the board:

* Noted the following dates for upcoming Selectmen's meetings: April 28, May 5, May 19, June 2, June 9, and June 23.

* Advised there will be a week-long Annual Town Cleanup from April 28 through May 5.

* Noted the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Continued Public Hearing on the Featherbed Lane development project will take place on June 4 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center.

* Announced the Annual Town Meeting will take place on Monday, June 2 at the Rochester Memorial School.

There being no further matters to discuss in Open Session, the board unanimously voted to go back into Executive Session at 8:09 pm to discuss employee evaluations. They would thereafter adjourn for the evening.

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