The Rochester Finance Committee met on Monday at 7:00 pm in the Rochester Town Hall. All board members were present, except for David Arancio.
The meeting began with the committee unanimously approving the transfer of $360,392 from the town’s reserve fund to last year’s snow and ice removal budget, which had gone over budget following the blizzard in February. Town Administrator Cameron Durant thanked Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Eldridge, who plowed for three days straight with few breaks, causing the budget to be significantly lower because he received a standard salary instead of an hourly rate.
Following this vote, the committee unanimously approved the transfer of $109,392 into 19 accounts that had also gone over budget in the 2026 fiscal year. The largest were $56,599 in police overtime salaries, $19,050 in EMT salaries, $8,450 in information systems, and $5,920 in town building expenses. Money for the transfer came from eight accounts that were assessed for a year-end transfer to be possible.
The committee decided that future meetings would be filmed and broadcast by ORCTV after the town administrator raised the idea. Vice Chair Tony Ruocco said that filming meetings would deliver a valuable opportunity to educate residents on the town’s financial planning process. Meetings are expected to begin filming at the end of the fall, as members plan for the 2028 fiscal year.
Committee members also discussed one of the highest costs for the town, the school budget. When considering budget possibilities, the town administrator said that in future fiscal years, Rochester may opt out of funding the Old Rochester Capital Fund, which costs an estimated
$35,000 annually. The school district will receive $10,000 for each student from Acushnet beginning this school year under their new agreement with the town.
The meeting ended with Chair Jim Austin announcing his plan to resign from the committee after two decades. This led to his recommendation for, and the unanimous appointment of, Peter Armanetti as the committee’s new chair. He has served on the committee since 2009.
Rochester Finance Committee
By Zakary Sarkarati