Town on Target for Revenues

In her Town Administrator’s Report, Suzanne Szyndlar told the Rochester Select Board during Monday night’s public meeting that the town is on target with revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2022.

            Estimates were approximately $246,000 for FY22 (July 2021 to June 2022,) and so far Rochester has received $142,000. “It looks like we’re on target … pretty much where we were last year at this time,” said Szyndlar.

            Marion is the tri-towns’ negotiating representative this year to the Old Rochester Regional School District, and Szyndlar relayed to the board members a direct invitation from Jay McGrail, Marion’s town administrator, to bring any concerns to directly to him.

            Szyndlar told the board that she has heard back on Rochester’s efforts to address its aggregation plan and that Senator Michael Rodrigues told her the process has moved along. Rodrigues thanked Szyndlar for reaching out and relayed the town’s concerns to Office of Environmental Affairs.

            Hartley asked if a reason was given for the delayed response. The answer is Covid.

            Szyndlar reported that all of Rochester’s Green Communities funds have been expended and closed out by the Southeastern Regional Economic and Development District. The spring-block grant application is due on April 8.

            A fuel pump at the Police Department that had been struck by lightning in October was replaced last week.

            The Selectmen were scheduled to sign off on employee contract renewals, but Hartley requested more time to review the renewals and get some questions answered. He asked that the item be held until the board’s next meeting. It was agreed the Select Board will have the contract renewals back on its agenda on February 7.

            The Select Board complimented Town Counsel Blair Bailey’s letter regarding the town’s disagreement with Bristol County Agricultural High School regarding debt service.

            Building Commissioner Jim Buckles will retire from the Town of Rochester after 38 years. His last day will be April 15. In making a motion to accept his resignation, Select Board member Woody Hartley added thanks to Buckles for the “great job he’s done serving the town for 38 years.”

            Hartley also asked that a discussion about Buckles’ job description be included on the board’s next agenda.

            The board approved requests made by the Patriot Half-Triathlon for June 18 and the Cranberry Tri-fest on August 21. Prior to the Select Board’s approval, the Police, Fire and Highway departments had signed.

            The board received a letter indicating that Rochester can stay as one election district and remain a single-voting precinct.

            Select Board member Paul Ciaburri attended a meeting last week with Region 5 regarding recent drivethrough food and Covid-vaccination clinics, calling it a good meeting that was well-attended.

            The Select Board entered executive session to discuss negotiating strategy with respect to union and non-union personnel and did not return to public session.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, February 7, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Select Board

By Mick Colageo

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