Rochester’s Board of Selectmen on Monday approved for the January 27 Special Town Meeting warrant the last two articles that had yet to be reviewed but learned two others involving police station upgrades might be put on hold.
Town Administrator Cameron Durant said the Capital Planning Committee will recommend shelving temporarily articles one and three, which propose spending $120,000 for new, safer sliding cell room doors at the police station and $175,000 to renovate the station’s second floor to create additional office, meeting, and storage space. Capital Planning board members, he said, visited the station recently to see for themselves the necessity of the funding requests and saw that the need is genuine but still want more review first.
Meanwhile, the board on Monday threw its support behind Articles 16 and 17, new regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units and a zoning bylaw amendment that deletes Use Variances.
Durant said the town ADU regulations respond to new state law mandating these dwelling units by right in every Massachusetts city and town. “They are a move to keep the town as characteristically Rochester as possible,” he said, “They are recommended by the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee.”
Earlier in the meeting, Town Administrator Cameron Durant reported good, money-saving news regarding the Gifford Park Playground construction project. He said a bid challenge was filed against the original successful bidder for the contract to construct the playground. As a result, the Attorney General’s office instructed the town to get an additional bid.
That winning bid, Durant said, by Creative Recreation, West Hartford, CT, was for $80,000, which is $17,000 less than the first bid award’s amount. Luckily, he added, this new contract was signed by December 31, the deadline for this expense to be supplemented by federal ARPA funds and the new quote will utilize the same brand name equipment. He noted, however, that because the playground site is in the Historic District, the Park Commission will need permissions from the Historical Commission and the Conservation Commission.
Here, Park Com. chair David Hughes provided the good news. He said his panel has already approached both boards. The company with the winning bid is filling out the building permit now, he said. “I’d like to thank Cameran (Durant), he did one hell of a job helping us,” he said. “I thank the Board of Selectmen too. Now let’s get going and finish this project for the kids of this town.”
The 3,649 square-foot playground’s full cost will be $81,724.68. While half of that cost is being borne by the local non-profit “Tri-Town For Protecting Children,” the other half is being paid for with the town’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.
In other action Monday, the board accepted the resignation of Town Planner Nancy Durfee, which had been effective on December 17, 2024. Durant followed this vote by noting hers is one of several positions being posted to fill. He is also posted for a new Town Accountant/Finance Director. He said the person currently in that position, Suzanne Szyndlar, will not be retiring until June 30. But he wants a long lead time to take over those pretty big shoes. He said he would like to have someone Szyndlar can train in April or May. He is also advertising for a new Administrative Assistant for the Highway Department and a new police captain.
Also, the board announced a public notice that the Mattapoisett Water Treatment Plant will be doing construction work between January 6 and April 30.
The board announced the winner of the Town Website Photo Contest. He is John Oldham with his photo, “Barn and Fields.” The picture will be posted on the town website and printed in the town’s annual report.
The board approved the scope of responsibilities and mission statement for the new Rochester Events Committee. The new panel will focus on planning, coordinating and supporting public events that foster a sense of community and celebrate Rochester’s unique character, Durant said. He noted that events sponsored by other town entities will continue to be managed by them, with the Event Committee’s support.
The board voted to not exercise the town’s right to purchase two lots of Chapter 61A land being converted to non-agricultural on High Street and on High Street near County Road.
The board did not set its next meeting date before adjournment.