Rochester Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar told the Board of Selectmen during its September 20 meeting that she will not be renewing her contract when it expires on June 30, 2022.

            “This decision for me was extremely hard,” said Szyndlar, who said it has been an honor to serve the Town of Rochester in the lead administration capacity the past six years. Noting it is time to move onto the next chapter in her life, Szyndlar acknowledged the emotion and said, “Working with a great team of professionals to serve in our community has been a pleasure.”

            Acknowledging Szyndlar’s professionalism in giving the selectmen “plenty of time to search,” Chairman Brad Morse led the selectmen in publicly thanking her for her service.

            “I feel like we’ve accomplished a real lot in the last five years, financially and structurally,” said Szyndlar. “I have loved my job, but it’s time…. It’s bittersweet for me.”

            It was on Monday night’s September 20 agenda for the selectmen to sign the warrant for the October 18 Special Town Meeting, but Selectman Woody Hartley stopped short on making the board’s recommendation of Articles 2 and 3 official because the Finance Committee had not yet made its recommendation.

            “We’ve never done this without the Finance Committee being here,” said Hartley. Morse suggested the selectmen hold their vote on the articles in question and make their recommendation no later than on Town Meeting floor.

            Articles 2 and 3 address the Assessor’s office, No. 2 a $10,000 commitment to install a camera for the ongoing valuation of property, and No. 3 a $3,000 commitment toward the Assessor’s supplemental budget for software and support.

            Szyndlar told the selectmen that the Finance Committee has a meeting scheduled for Monday, October 4.

            Otherwise, the selectmen voted line by line in the affirmative for the warrant, making the recommendation to town voters that the Old Rochester Regional School District Agreement and a stabilization fund for the district be accepted. ORR’s capital stabilization fund will presumably address smaller capital items that cannot be budgeted via maintenance.

            Other big-ticket items include Article 12, which proposes the transfer of $200,000 to the Road Improvement Stabilization Fund, Article 13, which proposes the transfer of $300,000 to the town’s regular Stabilization Fund, and Article 11, which paves the way for negotiations for solar-canopy construction over town-owned parking lots based on a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) model.

            The selectmen also voted to support renaming the Board of Selectmen the Select Board.

            In a continued public hearing, the selectmen approved SEMASS’s application to modify a Flammable Fluid License to store fuel oil in excess of 2,000 gallons pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 148, Section 13 and 527 CMR 1.12.8.50.4 on property located at 141 Cranberry Highway. Fire Chief Scott Weigel recommended approval.

            In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar announced more funding has come to Rochester in Green Communities grant funding: $102,000 for energy conservation measures, weatherization and LED lighting for Rochester Memorial School, and SRPEDD-related plans for Town Hall. Altogether, Rochester will have received over $308,000 in grant funding, $135,000 in 2020 and $172,000 in 2021.

            Szyndlar also said the soft recycling program has gone digital. Collections are no longer being made on a set schedule, but residents can schedule an appointment online with Simple Recycling and deliver clothing, jewelry, shoes, sleeping bags, tools, dishes, pots, pans, and backpacks.

            “Anything under 50 pounds (is acceptable), it does not have to fit in the pink bag,” said Szyndlar.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Chris Gerrior came before the selectmen to report the resignation of Lena Bourque and to recommend Bill Milka for appointment. Bourque expressed an interest in remaining with the ConCom in the advisory role of associate member per appointment by the commission. The selectmen voted to approve Gerrior’s requests and to publicly thank Bourque for her longtime service to the town.

            In other business, the selectmen voted to sign the appointment of new Town Treasurer Kory Lydon, who starts on Monday, September 27. The board also voted to approve the Rochester Historical Commission’s request to post a plaque at Town Hall.

            In a special meeting with the Public Safety Committee and the Emergency Planning Committee held on September 15, the selectmen presided over the first official Constitution Way Safety Discussion.

            For many years, Constitution Way has given Rochester village a stately presence as Town Hall, the meeting house, and First Congregational Church sit on the same parallel, but the emerging danger of eastbound traffic speeding down Rounseville Road and using Constitution Way as an exit ramp is endangering people exiting the buildings because there is no buffer between the last step and the roadway.

            “No one’s gotten hit, but there have been some close ones,” said Morse. “I was one of the close ones,” said Selectman Paul Ciaburri.

            According to Szyndlar, Highway Surveyor Jeffrey Eldridge will spearhead the effort to determine, design, and secure funding to construct a long-term solution. The initial concept is to divert vehicular traffic flow around back of the public buildings and maintain Constitution Way for pedestrian traffic.

            In other business from the September 15 meeting, seven new COVID-19 cases were reported last week, and a vaccination clinic will be held on September 29 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. On October 12, the Board of Health will host a flu vaccination clinic.

            Police Chief Robert Small has grant funding pending on the purchase of 41 cameras and has also been told the town will be awarded grant funding to round out its fleet of police cruisers with high-end laptop computers.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen will be held on Monday, October 4, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

            Despite a vetting process lasting several months, applicant Robert Pereira told the September 9 meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals that he considers his case “cut and dried.”

            The ZBA, acting with just four members present, made sure to ask every question before attaching carefully crafted conditions to the amendment of a Special Permit sought by Pereira for property located at 92 Pine Street.

            ILC Development, LLC, applied for the amendment to Special Permit Appeal No. 995 issued on April 28 under Chapter 20.40, Section F.6 of the Rochester Zoning By-Laws for the conversion of a repair bay to offices and an addition to an existing repair bay.

            Pereira’s plan is to extend the front bay by roughly 8 feet by 28 feet, which will expand the area from 3,928 square feet to a proposed 4,808. The 1.26-acre lot is zoned as agricultural/residential.

            Citing company growth and the challenges presented by COVID-19, Pereira said his goal is to expand office space to achieve a safe environment. He said he is not looking to change his number of employees or any other conditions in the permit as originally approved.

            Pereira, the 10-year owner of Infinity Landscape Construction and Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (a division of Infinity Landscape), told the ZBA that the proposed use of the property has not changed. ILC is the applicant’s real estate holding company.

            Pereira told the ZBA he had previously rented out a portion of the building to a motor repair business.

            At the time Pereira originally acquired the special permit, the building had served as an autobody shop, an auto dealership, and repair business. Those activities have ceased at the site and will not be brought back by the applicant.

            While Pereira did not seek to remove those opportunities from the special permit, he said it would not be a problem to waiver those aspects of the permit. Asked about those activities, Pereira explained that the prior permitted activities were listed in the interest of full disclosure. “I didn’t want to hide anything,” he said, noting that the only value in those activities being permitted is in raising the potential resale value of the property.

            In reviewing the Special Permit, ZBA member Davis Sullivan said “it’s a big ask” to approve an amendment that continues to allow all of the business activities listed.

            ZBA Chairman David Arancio echoed Sullivan’s sentiments in the more general sense that the lot is technically too small for the landscape construction and pool construction activities that Pereira intends to continue.

            Having grown up at the site, Pereira summarized all the businesses there since 1973. The house on the lot is a rental property, he clarified.

            With only four members on hand, Arancio informed the applicant that all four would need to vote in the affirmative for the amendment to the Special Permit to pass. Asked if he wished to move forward or to continue the case, Pereira told the board he wanted resolution.

            “We’re not asking for any type of variance. The special permit that we already have, in effect for the past 10 years, we’re not looking to alter in any way, shape or form,” he said.

            Arancio interjected that the conditions of the permit are subject to the amendments based on the public hearing.

            “I’m willing to go forward, and I can always appeal it if necessary,” said Pereira. “Let’s do it in Land Court if we have to.”

            Arancio wanted it on the record that Pereira had been notified of his options.

            An abutters list was read at the opening of the hearing, but only one member of the public spoke before the hearing was closed and only to clarify that no further expansion will take place on the property.

            Once it was known that Pereira agreed to no further expansion of the building, the ZBA focused on closing on the public hearing and establishing a set of conditions to grant the amendment allowing for the expansion.

            The auto body, auto repair, and auto sales activities previously permitted were struck from the Special Permit.

            Stipulations also include proper restoration of areas disturbed by the building expansion and that Dark Sky Lighting be used outside the building. Hours of operation will be limited to 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Monday-Friday and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday; no hours of operation will be allowed on Sunday, and no deliveries will be allowed on any day before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm.

            Furthermore, the permit as amended will allow no more than eight employees at any time.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 23, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Mick Colageo

            Fred Underhill’s visit to the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission was more than pleasant for the sake of a reunion with old friends, but less than pleasant for the sake of the subject at hand.

            Underhill, chairman of the Rochester Water Commission, attended the MRV’s Water District meeting to make members aware of an increase in the City of New Bedford’s water withdrawal permit per the state Department of Environmental Protection.

            On August 25, the DEP issued draft water withdrawal permits for New Bedford and Taunton. According to Underhill, New Bedford gets all of its water from the Assawompset complex but withdraws it all and treats it all at Little Quittacas Pond in North Rochester.

            Snipatuit Brook connects Assawompset Pond to Snipatuit Pond, and that, Underhill suggests, should have some concerns for the MRV.

            Between New Bedford and Taunton, it was determined by a 1988 study that 27,500,000 gallons a day are drawn from Assawompset.

            “As long as they stay within their volume, they don’t have to deal in mitigation,” said Underhill, citing 2018 DEP records that estimated total usage at 17,870,000 gallons per day.

            New Bedford, he said, is permitted to withdraw 18,270,000 gallons per day, over 6 million more gallons than the 12,190,000 the city actually withdrew in 2018, nearly a 50 percent surplus over present usage. Add to that DEP’s new allowance for an additional 2,500,000 gallons per day, and Underhill is troubled.

            Similarly, Taunton has been allowed to withdraw an additional 1,600,000 gallons per day, making the total additional impact nearly 3 illion gallons over safe yield amounts established by the DEP.

            The Town of Rochester is planning to send the state a letter of objection to this latest measure; the deadline for response is 30 days from the August 25 announcement. Town Counsel Blair Bailey told MRV members that he will share a draft of his letter.

            Marion DPW Director Nathaniel Munafo suggested a short MRV meeting next week to look over the draft and beat the deadline to respond. The next scheduled MRV meetings on October 12 would fall outside the legal timeline to respond to the DEP’s decision, but MRV members agreed to reconvene on Thursday, September 23, at 3:30 pm in order to review the letter to DEP to address the New Bedford and Taunton water withdrawal situation.

            Members speculated as to the whys and wherefores of New Bedford’s request; an allocation officially sought on the basis of the Southcoast Rail project. None of the MRV members or Tata & Howard engineering consultants indicated that the rail project justifies the amount of withdrawal in the request, especially given the fact New Bedford already has been permitted 50 percent more withdrawal than what its history withdraws.

            According to Underhill, New Bedford is in the business of selling water to other communities for profit that excludes the source towns, including Rochester. Municipalities reported to buy water from New Bedford include Dartmouth, Acushnet, Freetown (a small amount), Fairhaven (emergency use only), and Westport.

            Citing New Bedford’s historic use of 13 million gallons per day, its existing allocation of 18 million and now a permission to go for 2,800,000 more, Bailey told MRV members, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a condition where they’ve given somebody more when they’re not even close to what they had previously.”

            Paul Howard of the Tata & Howard engineering firm said he does not see the growth in the city to justify the request.

            “We have no ability to touch any of that water because it’s all been allocated out to New Bedford and Taunton, even though it’s in our community. But that’s a Rochester problem,” said Underhill, noting that the problem also affects Middleborough and Lakeville as well.

            MRV member Nick Nicholson said the MRV should go on record as making some kind of comment. He cited New Bedford’s loss of industry over the years and concluded, “They don’t need as much water.” Vinnie Furtado, Jeff Furtado, and Rick Charon noted their agreement.

            In his Tata & Howard Report, Jon Gregory said that the engineering company sent its pilot testing report back to Koch on its Puron filter systems. Gregory will meet with Henri Renauld, facilities manager for the MRV, and Koch representatives on September 30.

            The MRV voted to move forward with Tata & Howard on its Emergency Response Plan update. ERP training will be held for MRV member towns’ water departments on November 10 and 17 at the Music Hall in Marion.

            In her Treasurer’s Report, Wendy Graves said that the MRV District Commission paid a total of $44,089.05 including large sums to Eversource ($4,464), ECA Holding Co. ($14,674,50), and Tata & Howard (close to $10,000 in three invoices).

            Marion DPW Engineer and MRV member Meghan Davis is still seeking term expiration information on the MRV Water District Commission and Water Protection Supply Advisory Committee. Henri Renauld said he is waiting on the Mattapoisett Select Board, while Vinnie Furtado, the chairman of both commission and committee, and Jeff Furtado (also a member on both entities) holds indefinite appointments with the Town of Fairhaven.

            In his Treasurer’s Report to the committee, Jeff Furtado reported paid invoices of $1,193.08 to Tata & Howard, $272.36 to Dave Watling, $153 to Megan McCarthy, and $50 to attorney Blair Bailey. The ending balance as of September 1 was $222,445.80.

            Member emeritus David Pierce was thanked by Jeff Furtado for helping with assessments that have been sent out to member towns.

            In addition to the customary approval by vote to pay invoices this month including $859.18 to Tata & Howard, Vinnie Furtado was given approval to write a letter on behalf of the MRV Water Protection Advisory Committee approving the canal canopy and dual use of the solar project at 109 Neck Road in Rochester, per Beals and Thomas’ request. The project consists of 1,300 linear feet of solar panels on top of bogs.

            Rick Charon gave an update on Snipatuit Pond water sampling and reported that DEP scientist David Wong has catalogued all the ponds in southeast Massachusetts, identifying four invasive species.

            Snow’s Pond water quality samples indicate the pond is in a pristine environment, so the DEP will not get involved per its policy of waiting to respond to problems. Snipatuit has two invasive species identified by state officials. Charon wants to talk with Wong and get a meeting with the Snipatuit Pond members. “We thought we were going to have to find someone to dig up for us, but it looks like a lot of that information is already in the hands of DEP,” he said.

            The planned reorganization of the committee and the commission resulted in no changes.

            The MRV will meet on Thursday, September 23, at 3:30 pm in order to review the letter to DEP to address the New Bedford and Taunton water withdrawal situation. The next regular meetings of the MRV Water District Commission and Water Protection Supply Committee are scheduled for Tuesday, October 12, at 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm.

MRV Water District Commission/Water Protection Supply Advisory Committee

By Mick Colageo

            Rochester School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley urged fellow members to attend the upcoming October 18 Special Town Meeting, at which time Rochester voters will be asked to consider long-coming revisions to the ORR District agreement as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.

            All three of the Tri-Towns will vote on the matter in special town meetings this fall. Marion’s meeting is the night after Rochester’s. “We’ve been talking about that a long time and it’s very important to us,” said Hartley while addressing the September 2 meeting of the Rochester School Committee, its first of the 2021-22 academic year.

            Rochester’s Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 18, in 7:00 pm in the Rochester Memorial School cafetorium. Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said the last revisions were made to the ORR District agreement in 1986.

            In addressing the committee, RMS Principal Derek Medeiros said the facilities management and staff made the school beautiful and ready for its teachers, not only in terms of cleanliness but technologically as well.

            RMS opened with 3 feet of spacing in the classrooms and 6 feet of spacing in the cafeteria. “This nice thing about this school year, as I mentioned several times in Medeiros’ Minute (segments on the school’s website) … we feel like all our teachers have tools in their toolbox to function,” said Medeiros. “We couldn’t have asked for a smoother first two days of school.”

            Having discussed the earlier-in-the-day decision to postpone school in the ORR district due to the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ida, Nelson recognized a level of confidence among faculty that he said was in part the product of the hard work done last year in challenging circumstances.

            Hartley thanked the ORR district staff for its work in helping schools achieve consistency.

            In referencing an in-person open house at RMS, Medeiros thanked the community and faculty/staff for implementing the policies that were put in place for safety. “A lot of positive feedback was received,” he said. “It was a very successful event.”

            Medeiros said bus capacities are “pretty evenly distributed” without any drastic aberrations.

            The committee received a first draft of the RMS Student Handbook with a request to review and offer feedback. The handbook is accessible online, but if families do not have internet access, the school will print a copy for them.

            Four new staff members have joined Rochester Memorial.

            Michael Forns is a new Grade 3 teacher. Introduced by Medeiros as “a bit of a journeyman” because of his versatile resume, it should be noted that Forns has traveled to 48 of the America’s 50 states, so he’s a journeyman in more ways than one.

            “At times we joked that he should have had rollerblades because he was going from one room to the next,” said Medeiros of the former teacher who served Rochester Memorial in various capacities before returning to the classroom.

            “This really is the best school system I have ever encountered,” said Forns. “The support from the top down to the colleagues that you work with is just, I mean, it’s unparalleled. The community itself, working with the kids, it’s a very special place.”

            Paige Teves is a Grade 6 ELA teacher, and Alison Guard has joined the RMS staff as the principal’s new secretary and Janet Lepage is a new lunch aide at the school, returning from a brief retirement to resume her long career serving at RMS.

            Later, Nelson noted the retirements of “beloved” RMS staffers Karen Lefebvre, Karen Della Cioppa, and Donna Abaray.

            Medeiros said RMS is in the hiring process for a Grade 1-3 teacher.

            Hartley welcomed all the new staff with a gift of apples. She also welcomed Jason Chisholm, who was attending his first meeting as a member of the Rochester School Committee.

            Noting that the work of the budget subcommittee was key in helping the district get off to a great start, Nelson also thanked The Wanderer for its coverage of the Summer Acceleration Academy that brought K-2, Grades 3-4, 8, and 10 into ORR High School rooms for an intense week of learning on August 16-20. The K-2 students focused on early literacy, and the older grades focused on math.

            Using data to identify which students could most benefit, the event drew over 150 students to get a head start on grade-level material and promote a sense of belonging. Nelson said the usage of data was pivotal in refocusing school on teaching and learning.

            Faculty was also prepared for the new school year, as keynote speaker Keith Davis of the Say Yes Institute addressed district staff the day before classes opened.

            Davis’ “push” forward philosophy was augmented by his “second half” awareness that referenced two distinctly different outcomes for the New England Patriots in Super Bowls. As examples, Davis used the Patriots’ loss to the New York Giants (for whom the linebacker briefly played before a knee injury prematurely ended his football career) and New England’s historic comeback against Atlanta that culminated in the only Super Bowl ever decided in overtime.

            The RMS Committee held a reorganization vote, including appointments to subcommittees that meet either monthly or seasonally.

            Hartley will once again serve as chairperson for the 2021-22 academic year. Accepting the nomination, Hartley indicated she intends to serve one more year. Anne Fernandes was voted as vice chair, and Diana Russo was voted to serve as secretary.

            Chisholm volunteered to represent Rochester on the ORR District School Committee. At Nelson’s suggestion, Kate Duggan was appointed an alternate member to ensure Rochester fair representation for important votes in the absence of any regular member.

            Hartley, Fernandes and Robin Rounseville had represented Rochester on the Superintendency Union #55 side of the Joint School Committee. Chisholm will replace Rounseville in that trio as well.

            Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said he will provide a formal financial report in October. Barber offered a note to be aware that transportation restrictions are not the same as last school year, and also a food service summary.

            Per the USDA, 100 percent of all meals were free in 2020-21. This year students receive free breakfast and lunch, but any additional lunches will be charged.

            Nelson told the committee that air purifiers have been ordered and shipped for all classrooms in ORR district schools. HVAC and air-filter inspections were scheduled to take place on the September 4-5 weekend.

            Chisholm suggested reporting to families on the results of such inspections and testing to address families’ concerns.

            Dr. Janell Pearson-Campbell reported to the RMS Committee on the Teacher Collaborative that is currently assisting faculty members in their licensing for respective areas of practice. “Our teachers are currently in that process right now,” said Pearson-Campbell, who plans professional development opportunities for the staff in keeping with the district’s three priorities of 21st century learning, global citizenship, and project-based learning.

            Director of Student Services Craig Davidson reported 16 fully enrolled pre-school students at RMS, and eight other students in Individualized Education Plans. Eight more students are on the waitlist in the event slots open up over the course of the academic year.

            On Tuesday, October 19, ORR School District will hold its preschool screening during the day and, at night, hold its Tri-Town Early Childhood Council meeting from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm via Zoom. The format could change to in-person.

            Davidson reported that he and Pearson-Campbell worked together with multiple teachers and Early Childhood coordinator Doreen Lopes on building equitable support for children with disabilities.

            The grant-funded program from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education helped provide the basis for equitable support and anti-bias practices, allowing students to see themselves within the materials reflecting different nationalities, cultures, and race.

            Nelson congratulated Davidson on his weekend wedding.

            The RMS Committee concluded by entering executive session to discuss collective bargaining.

            The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for October 7. The next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for September 23. All meetings begin at 6:30 pm and are accessible via Zoom.

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo