The Rochester School Committee met Thursday, November 19. The meeting began with a dedication to the late Debra May Lalli, an active and involved citizen of Rochester. Deb worked in the Rochester Assessor’s department for 22 years. She also worked and volunteered in local schools, served as the co-chair of the Project Grow Parents Group, was a member of the Rochester PTO, was co-chair of funding development and installation of the Dexter Lane skate park, and for many years was secretary of the Rochester School Committee.

            The committee then moved to hear public comments. The comments regarded an event that took place at Rochester Memorial School (RMS) where during the summer, a member of the fire department had declared the school’s prop room contained many fire hazards. “Consequently, all the props and all of the costumes, all the accessories; were thrown away and put into a dumpster” the former head of the school’s drama club said. She also stated no one at the school was notified when everything was thrown away. She said in place of the thousands of dollars of material the drama club had collected over 30 years was now science equipment held in cardboard boxes. Her main wish is for something like this to never happen again and for funding to go towards starting back up the drama club as “nothing is left.” The next speaker also talked of her personal items such as her father’s typewriter from 1959 being thrown away with the other material. Next, Kate Tarleton spoke and discussed her disappointment at the drama club being dismembered and said an apology, at the least, is owed to both the community and school.

            Following these comments, the committee moved to its “recognition” phase and thanked the new Town Administrator Cameron Durant and new Police Chief Michael Assad for their service and offered an introduction to the school committee.

            The committee discussed implementing a school resource officer (SRO) at RMS. This would be a law enforcement officer stationed at the school to assist with transitioning periods but “not discipline” as Superintendent Michael Nelson said. While they did not come to a decision yet, they did hold a unanimous vote to continue to explore the idea.

            Next was the approval of a fundraiser, a “Stuffed Animal Sleep Over.” For $5 per animal, students can leave their stuffed animals at the school after classes to participate in various photographed events around the building. The committee also passed a unanimous vote to approve this event.

            The next agenda item was to discuss a partnership with the Marion Institute to discuss farm and plant growth-based curriculum to “help the students understand the farm to school model,” said the superintendent. It was argued by a Marion Institute representative that the institute and its programs will increase enrichment in and outside the classroom as well as bringing many interactive learning elements to the school both during summer programs and during the regular school season. This would be building and maintaining gardens as well as harvesting later on. A third unanimous vote was held to further talks with the Marion Institute and begin facilitating plans for a partnership.

            The committee then discussed MCAS testing and striving for score improvements. In math, RMS as a whole exceeded the state by 6% in ELA, in math by 5%, and in science by 14%. While overall the testing was good, it was stated the district needs a new math curriculum. It was also said something has to be done to better build students’ stamina for writing.

            Then the committee moved to approve various donations. 62 toothbrush kits for first grade, a clarinet and a drum set, and various books from both the Plumb Memorial Library and RMS PTO. All donations were accepted, and thanks were given to those donating.

            Towards the end of the meeting and during the final comments, committee member Robin Rounseville stated she does not feel the fire inspection done at RMS, mentioned earlier, was conducted correctly and stressed something like that cannot happen again. The superintendent expressed his regret as well and said he and the committee will do their best going forward to make sure they do what they can, so this situation is never replicated.

            The next meeting of the Rochester School Department will be held on January 16, 2025 at the Rochester Memorial School.

Rochester School Committee

By: Sam Bishop

            Rochester’s Board of Selectmen Monday tabled one of its biggest agenda items for an executive session, a review of a new contract for the Council On Aging Director, Eric Poulin.

            The board began the discussion in open session in response to a letter from the COA Board supporting a new employment pact for Poulin. Board member Sue Norton said Eric is too humble to list his own accomplishments and needs, but she and fellow members fully support him continuing as director because he’s made Rochester’s one of the busiest senior centers around. “We are coming here to answer any questions,” she said.

            “We want you to look at his contract with an open mind,” said fellow board member Pat Joy. “There are opportunities for growth that we don’t want to lose.”

            Board member and town clerk Marjorie Barrows added, “You should see the senior center’s activities board. It’s completely full. Attendance is off the hook. It’s huge.”

            Acting Select Board Chair Adam Murphy quickly noted any discussion of a contract such as this should be done in executive session. He agreed that Poulin has done a great job as COA director, but executive sessions are the way the town has always handled contract negotiations, he said. He motioned to table discussion until the next meeting, on December 2, in a private session, and fellow selectman Paul Ciaburri affirmed that move.

            The meeting began with a moment of silence for long-time Assessor Debra Lally, who recently passed away. Town Administrator Cameron Durant then reported an update on the Special Town Meeting scheduled for January 27. The warrant will consist of 14 articles, five of which are from the Planning Board or about zoning, he said. Others will be small capital improvement items.

            Next the board tabled a second agenda item, a request for building fee increases from Building Commissioner Paul Boucher. Here too Murphy basically said, not so fast. Murphy said Boucher had provided the select board with a new fee schedule based on the rates charged by Building Departments in neighboring communities. But the board first needs to look at the town Building Department’s operational costs, he added.

            “Permits are down,” Murphy said. “I don’t see a spreadsheet of department costs. That’s what I want to see before raising fees for the general public.”

            Town council representative Jane Medeiros Friedman echoed this approach. She noted that such fees must be justified based on the costs of the department and what it costs for that particular kind of inspection. “Other town’s needs are different,” she said. The board agreed to wait for this data, and it postponed action until December 2.

            In other action, the board agreed to Durant’s proposal to create a Town Administrator bylaw or set of regulations, “to codify the Town Administrator position,” he explained. “I want to make sure some guard rails are set.”

            Friedman of town council said she has provided the board with samples of what such a bylaw or “special act” would look like. Here too, the board agreed to continue discussion to its next meeting.

            The board also approved placing a “No Parking” sign in front of town hall after Durant reported cars have already parked on the new brickwork in front of the veterans’ memorial. Murphy reported that engineers are looking into a solution to the road hazard the configuration of Constitution Way creates. Ciaburri admitted to once almost being hit by a vehicle passing by the town hall front entrance.

            The board approved a five-year extension of the SEMASS Waste Disposal Agreement with the town, which will continue to include an annual $5,000 donation.

            The board announced this year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on December 9 starting at 5:00 pm at Rochester Town Hall.

            The board announced the Fire Department will be the new drop off spot for safe sharps disposal. The Wanderer recommends seeing the town website for details.

            The board approved a new wine pouring fee of $250. The board at first debated what rate to impose. The town’s only holder of a wine making license, Anthony Ruosso, protested that any higher fee would be ridiculous because he can only sell what he bottles, he does not run a bar with other offerings.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, December 2 at 6:00 pm at 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Board of Selectman

By Michael J. DeCicco