Rochester’s participation in the Regional Old Colony Communications Center (ROCCC) in Duxbury officially started on Tuesday, May 22, after months of preparation and a long list of communication infrastructure upgrades.
Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar reported that on Monday the system underwent one final testing in preparation for the switchover, “And radio testing was really great,” she said.
“It was successful, loud and clear,” said Szyndlar. Previous problem areas in town such as near the New Bedford Waterworks, the Annie Maxim House, and inside SEMASS, Szyndlar said, “All came in at least acceptable or loud and clear.”
One of the Rochester dispatchers will now be police secretary, and the rest of the Rochester dispatchers will remain on the job until May 31.
The ROCCC issued a public service announcement to Rochester residents, assuring them that they would not notice a difference in service when dialing 911.
In other matters, the board approved tractor pull fundraisers for the Rochester Country Fair – one for June 9 and one for June 16, which was initially the rain date for the June 9 fundraiser, but because a fundraiser in May was canceled, RCF Committee Co-Chair Kelly Morgado requested allowing the additional date, “So we don’t lose that money,” said Morgado.
During the town administrator’s report, Szyndlar reported that the ADA bathroom at the Town Hall was now complete, “And it looks really great,” said Szyndlar. “The floors in the conference room have been polished and everything is looking really nice. [Facilities Manager Andrew Daniel] did an outstanding job. He’s very dedicated.”
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for June 4at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
By Jean Perry