Rochester is updating its plans on two fronts and wants the public’s input.
Right now, a survey on the town website is seeking input on its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which, as Town Planner Nancy Durfee describes in a press release, “enables municipalities to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events.”
The Town of Rochester and the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) are also inviting public feedback via its second community workshop on updating the town’s circa 2009 Master Plan on Thursday, January 25, 2024. from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Council on Aging, 67 Dexter Lane.
Durfee explained that both the Master and the Hazard Mitigation plans should interconnect and blend together, “so there are no conflicting actions … a cohesive plan,” she said.
She answers the question of why public feedback is so important to both these plans without hesitation. “The Master Plan is only as good as the input that’s provided,” she said, identifying community response as the most important component of a Master Plan because the plan affects every aspect of their lives. “It’s important for people to be engaged in this process. … Their input will help guide our decisions.”
Durfee said the four topics on the January 25 Master Plan workshop’s agenda will be Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, and Transportation. The presentation will be followed by an “open house” style workshop. SRPEDD representatives will be on hand to assist with gathering input on each topic.
Rochester’s first Master Plan workshop, held on October 3, was well attended, she Durfee, and it proved to be a good opportunity to get the community’s point of view on what needs to be addressed. She said the town learned the public’s concerns about the town’s water resources and open space. Municipal officials learned, for example, that residents want better access to the town’s open spaces, for walking trails and other passive recreation, such as at Haskell Swamp.
Under Massachusetts law, a recognized Master Plan will include nine essential components: goals and policies; land use; housing; economic development; natural and cultural resources; open space and recreation; public services and facilities; circulation and transportation; and implementation. The next workshop after January 25, 2024, likely will be held in February 2024.
Durfee explained that all the input that the workshops collect will provide the town the guidance for the action plans in the new Master Plan.
“In the end, the community will have to adopt the Master Plan and the activities being put forth in it,” she said. “The 2009 Master Plan is out of date. Life has changed. Back then, the town was struggling with management of subdivisions. Now it’s solar-farm development. The (Master) plan needs to change to remain viable. These workshops are an opportunity to educate people on topics of their concern, with a better understanding of those concerns. And we will learn, too, when we hear their feedback.”
She said preregistration is not required to attend the January 25, 2024, workshop, but for more information visit townofrochestermass.com/planning-board or srpedd.org/comprehensive-planning/community-master-plans/rochester-master-plan.
Rochester Master Plan
By Michael J. DeCicco