The Rochester Board of Selectmen tackled a full agenda on April 13, including board reorganization after the reelection of Selectman Naida Parker and the ascendancy of Selectman Richard Nunes to the chair. Town Administrator Michael McCue was the first to congratulate Selectman Parker on her reelection.
During the meeting, McCue informed the board that the Finance Committee’s estimate for a 2 percent increase in town employee health benefits was accurate. Until this year, the health benefits have held steady with a 0 percent annual increase.
“The numbers came in as we anticipated,” McCue said.
McCue also announced that he is making progress on the town’s budget.
“We’re trying not to force square pegs in round holes at the moment,” McCue said of the Finance Committee’s challenge of closing the current gap in the budget. “I remain confident that we will close the budget gap in the next week.”
McCue said he would have a completed budget approved or at least submitted by the Finance Committee for the board’s signature at the next selectmen’s meeting on April 27.
While the Comcast contract was an item on the agenda as old business, McCue described the situation as a continuing “saga” and kept discussion to a minimum.
“We’ve been continuing to push our attorney and Comcast,” McCue said, maintaining that Rochester, as well as the towns of Marion and Mattapoisett, have taken every action possible. McCue stressed that Rochester residents will not be in jeopardy of losing their cable service.
In discussing received correspondence on the subject of Braley Hill Road, referring to an agenda item from roughly a month and a half ago, McCue said that the board’s position has remained the same over the past 15 to 20 years. He recommended that the board address this position in a future executive session.
Finally, McCue noted that Rochester residents might have noticed two blue floodlights outside the Town Hall. McCue explained that this action was taken in support of the National Autism Awareness Month, “blue being the color representing autism awareness.” Similar actions are being taken by surrounding towns.
Also during the meeting, Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon was the first to speak to the Board. Chairman Nunes called on Farinon to participate in a “show and tell” about the recent work of the Rochester Conservation Commission. Farinon used the floor to display a current map of the town’s protected areas as well as to share “Explore Rochester,” a booklet of trail guides. The booklet is available to Rochester residents for free. Printed copies are located at the Town Hall Annex, and Farinon explained that residents can also download a copy from the Town website.
“We’ve been working with Old Colony and the graphics department on a digital version,” Farinon said.
McCue asked if there would be a mobile application to go with the digital version, which Farinon affirmed is in the works.
Looking over the materials, Selectman Parker suggested that the Conservation Commission create a tri-fold that would be available at the different properties. Farinon agreed that she could easily design one that would display the large map of Rochester’s protected areas.
“Explore Rochester” is less than a year old, Farinon said, and was made possible by a grant that the Rochester Land Trust had received. While it features 12 of the town’s many protected areas, owned by a range of entities from the Town itself to nonprofit organizations such as the Rochester Land Trust, Mattapoisett Land Trust, City of New Bedford, Wildlands Trust, and the Trustees of Reservations, the upcoming digital version will add more properties.
“I’m hoping to have a second printing,” Farinon said.
Publishing “Explore Rochester” was not the only highlight of the Conservation Commission’s year. Farinon explained that many of the properties have been enhanced for recreational use.
“You’ll probably see when you drive around town that our properties are a lot more visible,” Farinon said. She also cited the introduction of kiosks and display cases at the Dexter Lane and Leonard’s Pond properties. Leonard’s Pond also has a new fence and parking area installation.
“People are really pleased,” Farinon said of residents’ feedback.
Parker praised Farinon and the Conservation Commission’s work.
“That’s a good piece of the town we’ve managed to preserve,” she said.
Farinon also announced that the Conservation Commission will be working on its open space and recreational use plan, which they will submit to Rochester residents for a series of forums in order to seek feedback.
“It can’t just be a document,” Farinon said, citing the need for residents to be informed about the protected areas of their town. The timeline for the open space plan’s review begins in April and concludes in December.
Finally, Farinon updated the board about the potential acquisition of another property for $485,000.
“A good easterly portion has been mapped by the National Heritage and Endangered Species,” Farinon said. “The commission felt after going through all the pluses and minuses … and given that there are key critical properties on the market, they recommend that the Town not exercise its right of first refusal at this time.”
The board wanted to motion to approve the Commission’s recommendation, but will refrain until the Rochester Planning Board has its meeting to discuss the potential acquisition.
The board discussed correspondence from Alan Slavin, Board of Selectmen Chairman for the Town of Wareham. Slavin wrote to the Mass DOT in support of the towns’ joint effort to reclassify County Road for federal funding eligibility. The Rochester Board of Selectmen voted to send a similarly worded letter to the Mass DOT.
In other correspondences, the board reviewed documentation for the Town’s contract to complete pothole repairs after the long, hard winter. The town’s burden totals $45,854.
“The work needs to be done before the end of the fiscal year,” McCue said.
In other matters, Parker said some residents had expressed interest in opening the town election at either 10:00 or 11:00 am, rather than its current 8:00 am poll opening time, which would save $43 an hour for the police officer and between $40 and $50 total per hour for the poll workers. The board agreed to consider changing the poll opening time after they review the opening times of surrounding towns.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for April 27 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall.
By Anne Smith
