Rochester Select Board member Woody Hartley reported during Monday night’s Select Board meeting that the Rochester Senior Center will be closed until January 18 due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.
“A lot of cases in Rochester right now. Most seniors have been vaccinated, but this spreads so quickly and easily,” said Hartley, an active member at the Senior Center on Dexter Lane.
Under New Business, Select Board member Paul Ciaburri reported that the tri-towns were “left out” of a state distribution of COVID-19 test kits and that the state Department of Public Health and the governor are due to address the matter on Thursday, January 6.
In her Town Administrator’s Report, Suzanne Szyndlar said that the process to begin negotiations with Old Rochester Regional School District employees is underway. Teachers’ contracts expire on August 31.
Hartley noted that all three of the tri-towns’ select boards have been represented by one selectman from each town so Marion and Mattapoisett have the same opportunity to do this.
Szyndlar told the board members that she received a note from ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson indicating that a representative from Marion will be approved, citing the fact that Rochester provided the select board representative last time.
Rochester is in the process of establishing a community agreement with a new waste-management company Waste Connections US Holdings, Inc.
ORCTV recently delivered its official financial statement to the town, providing an inventory of equipment in an addendum for the purposes of its contract with the tri-towns.
The Select Board voted to approve Town Planner Nancy Durfee as Rochester’s representative to the group that oversees the Assawompset Ponds Complex. Ciaburri, who had been representing the town up to this point, said Durfee is more qualified for the role and agreed to hand over the duties. The board voted its approval.
The process for participation in the state’s Department of Public Utilities municipal aggregation plan is underway. Szyndlar told the board that when Rochester’s compliance filings are approved, the town can then field a competitive bid.
Rochester will need to submit a signed form by April to take advantage of a recent bill allowing a zoning change to multifamily residential due to the town’s proximity to the MBTA. Considered one of 175 MBTA communities, the affected areas in Rochester would be reclassified as middle density, allowing up to 15 units per acre. Rochester has 2,105 total residential units.
Szyndlar told the board that the town will need to define an overlay district. Failure to apply could cost the town some of its currently held permits.
Select Board Chairman Brad Morse read a retirement citation in honor of Brian Ouellette, the retiring supervisor of maintenance and grounds at Rochester Memorial School.
The board entered executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations with nonunion personnel and did not return to public session.
The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, January 24, at 6:00 pm.
Rochester Select Board
By Mick Colageo