Rochester’s Select Board Monday approved Fire Chief Scott Weigel’s request to increase his department salaries by 2.5% for FY25. Compounded atop the town’s 2.5%, across-the-board, Cost of Living Adjustment for its employees, the net 5% raise is designed to help Rochester lose fewer call firefighters to surrounding towns paying more.
Weigel’s request came in the wake of the Finance Committee’s effort last week to realize departmental budget cuts to achieve one half of the $600,000 in spending decreases needed for a balanced FY25 operations budget.
Town Administrator Glenn Cannon told the Finance Committee last week that the Select Board could alter its 2.5% COLA proposal for FY25 salaries before the May 13 Annual Town Meeting warrant is finalized.
Weigel’s request was based on the difference that would realize a net 5% increase for firefighters. He won the Select Board’s approval of the 2.5% departmental increase after repeating his argument that a part-time firefighter can earn $31 or $32 per hour in surrounding towns as opposed to $26 per hour in Rochester.
“We’re trying to retain the people we have,” Weigel explained.
The three Select Board members swiftly agreed. “We’re trying to stay competitive with surrounding towns,” said Adam Murphy after the vote.
In other action during the brief meeting, the Select Board, in tandem with the town moderator and the Old Colony Regional School District Subcommittee, reappointed Shirley Bourque to the Old Colony Vocational-Technical High School Authority.
The board approved an employee-retirement citation for Karen Walega, who is retiring in June after serving as the Marion-Rochester Health District Director for 31 years and Rochester’s Health Director for four years.
The board signed the letter of support for the Wareham waterline extension project and its funding.
The board tabled an agenda item that would have appointed John Walcek, who retired as Wareham Police chief in 2021, as interim Rochester Police Chief. Rochester Police Chief Robert Small has announced his retirement.
The Select Board scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, April 16, at 6 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco