ConCom Accepts FY16 Budget

With the full Rochester Conservation Commission in attendance, the Fiscal Year 2016 budget for this department was briefly reviewed and approved. Set at $106,933 with $102,673 allocated for salaries, the commission will have a mere $4,260 with which to conduct business in the coming year.

“So little flexibility,” stated ConCom Chairman Rosemary Smith.

In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Covanta of SEMASS received a negative determination for the installation of 1,250 linear feet of two-inch polywater filter lines. This work has been necessitated by the discovery of high levels of manganese in potable water servicing the partnership building at the site.

Michael and Lois Mentzer of 6 Thistle Lane, represented by Jennifer Silva of Outback Engineering, received approval and an Order of Conditions for the construction of a 24-foot by 24-foot addition with a 12-foot by 14-foot deck within the 100-foot buffer zone.

The Town of Rochester, represented by Walter Hartley of Libby Consulting, and in partnership with landowners Ken and Susan McCarty of 570 New Bedford Road, has been completing wetland delineations on the 31-acre parcel.

McCarty will place the majority of the acreage into permanent conservation with a small portion set aside for a new residence, which they will build in the future as a retirement home. The Town has been using grant money to pay for engineering fees.

If the McCartys fail to follow-through on their plans to place the lands in a protected status, engineering costs will be reimbursed to the Town.

Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon told the commission that the partnership with Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School for the development of digital trail maps and printed guides titled “Explore Rochester” is nearing completion.

Smith said that she will be out of the region for the next three months and asked if others on the commission could step into the role of chairman while she is away. As they have done in previous years, John Teal will assume the role of chairman with Kevin Cassidy as backup when Teal is not available.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is January 6 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall meeting room.

By Marilou Newell

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