The Rochester Board of Selectmen on December 7 ratified an agreement with SEMASS to receive $10,000 annually from the energy-from-waste facility as a gesture of “good corporate citizenship,” as Town Administrator Michael McCue put it, with an additional $10,000 gift to go towards the purchase of the town’s new fire truck.
SEMASS, which is located in Rochester, is under no obligation to propose a “host agreement” with the Town of Rochester above and beyond the statute-mandated monthly agreement it already has with the Town pertaining to funds in exchange for waste tonnage; however, said McCue, the annual donation is a welcome gesture of generosity.
“In being a corporate citizen … they’ve (SEMASS) always been good,” said McCue.
McCue said the Town would collect the $10,000 annually and allow the various town boards and committees to submit a formal request to the Board of Selectmen to be considered as recipients of the funds for various projects or purchases.
An additional one-time payment of $10,000 was also accepted and will go towards offsetting the recent purchase of a new fire tower truck, on which Santa Claus rolled in just moments before the meeting that evening.
In other matters, the board approved Police Chief Paul Magee’s request to allow an open sergeant position to be a temporary position while the department looks to fill it permanently.
“We have the support of the union,” Magee said. “I think this is going to be a good step towards filling the position.”
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for December 14 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
By Jean Perry
