Just when Fred Underhill felt as though Rochester’s Water Commission was being left out of an important water-related decision, Rochester Board of Selectmen member Woody Hartley assured him that the opposite was the case. “I was hoping you would open this as a meeting and vote on this as Water Commissioners,” said Hartley.
The exchange came deep in the February 1 meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen, but both bodies eventually voted in favor of increasing the water allocation for Ken Steen’s 40R development at the junction of Route 28 and County Road to 47,500 gallons per day.
The decision did not come easily for the Water Commission, which had just approved an increase from 45,000 to 46,000. Steen had requested 50,000 on that occasion and 47,500 on this occasion, the latter request to meet a threshold needed to secure financing.
Water Commissioner Michael Conway asked for the basis for the request to 47,500 and was not satisfied with a bank’s requirements as a valid reason. “Until we nail down as to what the reason is he really needs this water, I’d like to put this on hold,” he said.
Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar explained that, when seeking financing, Steen’s approval depended on having sufficient utilities in place for the full range of his development, including the seven commercial sites. The bulk of the usage is based on 208 apartment units and community facilities.
“We all understand we want this project to go ahead,” said Hartley. “We have the water. [Steen] told us in writing how much they need. Are we really going to hold up this project for the 1,500 gallons they need?”
Town Counsel Blair Bailey supported Hartley’s position in that the lending bank can legitimately request approved utility connections in proportion to the development’s size.
Selectman Brad Morse pointed out that, with the board’s approval, Rochester would still be under its 51,000 gallon-per-day allotment from the Town of Wareham and made a motion that the Board of Selectmen approve Steen’s 47,500 gallon-per-day request. Morse noted that the Board of Selectmen needed to approve it in order for the Planning Board to render a final decision to approve the project.
At the same time, it was deliberated whether Rochester should take up Wareham on its standing invitation to increase its overall allotment per the arrangement between the towns. Hartley pushed for a 20,000 gallon-per-day increase to provide Rochester a cushion. Morse agreed but said he first wishes to discuss the matter with Wareham’s water officials because there is an interim superintendent at present.
Rochester Water Commissioner Rick Charon saw merit in both actions— for Rochester and Steen— and did not hesitate to make a motion that the Water Commissioners approve a 47,500 gallons-per-day allocation for Steen’s development. Conway was still reluctant but ultimately agreed that the project should not be stalled over 1,500 gallons of water and seconded Charon’s motion. Underhill was satisfied, saying, “This (vote) eliminates confusion if Wareham has two different amounts from elected boards in Rochester.”
With that, the Water Commissioners left the meeting, and the Board of Selectmen took its own vote to approve Steen’s request for 47,500 gallons per day.
In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar told the selectmen that their budget packets were ready to pick up and that most of the budgets had come in except the Old Rochester Regional School District and the Board of Assessors’ budgets. Szyndlar said she would go over the budget with the Finance Committee.
Szyndlar said the governor’s proposals are expected to result in a 1.37-percent increase overall, but it is still early in the budget process. “It’s going to be a tight year,” she said. With Proposition 2 1/2 and estimated local receipts, she said, “There’s not going to be a lot of wiggle room there.”
The selectmen approved Szyndlar’s recommendation of a 1:00 pm Friday, March 5, deadline to submit articles for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Marion’s Benson Brook Transfer Station is now open to Rochester residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Szyndlar received ORCTV’s contract draft and sent it to Bailey and will send it to the selectmen.
Plymouth County Commissioner Sandra Wright delivered Rochester’s second CARES Act reimbursement check in the amount of $18,765, which goes straight to the Old Colony Regional School District as Rochester’s share for Old Colony’s reimbursement funds related to COVID-19.
Morse and Szyndlar attended the Veteran’s Council on January 28 and learned that Veterans Agent Barry Denham plans to retire in May.
Chairman Paul Ciaburri reported attending a Zoom meeting with Health Director Karen Walega and Health Nurse Connie Dolan, enabling Rochester to function as a dispensing center for a COVID-19 vaccine should it become available. Ciaburri said there is no solid direction as of yet. “They’re talking about a mass inoculation center in New Bedford,” he said, noting a “lot of moving parts.” Szyndlar relayed that Walega said every town could get 100 vaccines per week, but the vaccines are fragile in travel, and it remains a better option to seek a vaccination through your local pharmacy or at an official government distribution site.
In other business, the selectmen voted to approve and sign the new three-year contract for Chief of Police Robert Small effective July 1, 2021. “I want to thank the [Board of Selectmen] and Suzanne for making it quick and painless. It’s nice to have it go so smoothly,” said Small, who has been Rochester’s police chief since September 15, 2018. Bailey said there had been meetings with Small and Szyndlar to discuss the chief’s goals and achievement timetable, and that the information would be added to his performance review and evaluation.
The selectmen voted to accept a SEMASS PILOT payment for December 2020 in the amount of $364,913. They also approved ORR Schools Facilities Manager Gene Jones’ declaration of surplus in the case of a walk-in cooler freezer that can now be sold as surplus goods, and they voted to appoint Steven Harding, a lifelong Rochester resident and part-time farmer, to the town’s Agricultural Commission.
Szyndlar reported 18 complaints were filed with Verizon, three relating to equipment and 15 service interruptions. “Everything was resolved within a short period of time,” she said.
Hartley attended three workshops and came away particularly impressed by the potential for grant funding of public safety projects through SRPEDD. He plans to talk soon with Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson about Rochester’s Master Plan. He also was happy to note that the Agricultural Commission now has six members.
Morse reminded veterans to reach out to the Veteran’s Council, saying, “They’re really doing great things.”
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, February 15, at 6:00 pm.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
By Mick Colageo