Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Town of Rochester has instituted several precautionary measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As this situation remains very fluid, we will continue to monitor events and will notify the public of any additional actions should they be needed.
•Town Hall and Annex offices will be closed to the public until further notice; however, staff will be available by telephone during normal business hours. Please call 508-763-3871 if you should need assistance.
The Tax collector can be reached at 508-763-3871 ext. 16.
•The Council on Aging building will be closed to the public and all programs and activities will be canceled until further notice; although meals distributed through the COA and medical transportation (for healthy seniors) will continue for the time being. Staff will still be available by telephone at 508-763-8723.
•The Joseph H. Plumb Library will be closed until April 6. Staff will still be available during the hours of 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at 508-763-8600.
•Rochester Memorial School, Old Rochester Regional School, and Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School will be closed through April 7.
•Regarding meetings and public hearings held in public buildings; there are new protocols that will be distributed regarding the scheduling, holding, and attending of public meetings in order to promote social distancing and safe practices. They will be forthcoming in separate correspondence.
•The Town is temporarily suspending all non-essential inspections or other activities where the employee is required to enter into a private residence or dwelling, with the exception of new construction where s/he is not entering occupied space. This does not apply to police or fire public safety services.
These decisions were difficult ones as we understand that they will disrupt lives and operations, however, it is the right decision for the overall safety and well-being of our residents, staff, program participants, and committee and board members. They were made after significant review and discussions regarding all the information available locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally. We will continue to consult on the latest data about this worldwide crisis so that we are prepared in the event we need to make further service disruption decisions.
Thank you and stay well,
Suzanne Szyndlar, Rochester Town Administrator