Once a decision was made, the Town of Rochester wasted no time in getting its future ducks in a row. On Monday night, the Select Board voted to approve an interim arrangement that will enable Glenn Cannon to take office as new town administrator on Monday, March 28.
Cannon was scheduled to replace current Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar effective July 1, but this improvisation will allow Szyndlar to officially relinquish her title three months ahead of schedule and serve as an interim assistant town administrator until her own contract expires on June 30. Having served as the town accountant prior to and in conjunction with her role as town administrator, Szyndlar will stay with Rochester and on July 1 assume a newly created title of Finance director on a three-year contract.
The opportunity to use April, May and June to smooth the leadership transition was attractive to all stakeholders.
“I am excited to start work. I thank Suzanne for taking the (assistant’s) role … the years and knowledge will be extremely helpful as I start work,” said Cannon, who had been serving in the assistant’s role for the Town of Bourne and most recently has been Bourne’s acting town administrator, an interim role while the town awaited the arrival of its own new hire.
Cannon has agreed with Rochester on a contract based on $130,000 in annual base salary, the term of which is three years and three additional months tacked onto the front of his service. He will earn $130,000 the first year, $135,000 the second year and $140,000 the third.
Allen Decker, director of Land Protection for the Buzzards Bay Coalition, appeared before the Select Board seeking approval for two conservation restrictions that will pave the way for new farming operations at Doggett Brook Farm. “We’re interested in seeing it stay in agricultural use, and we’ve found a buyer,” said Decker.
The 58-acre property site sits on the south side of Marion Road (Route 105) east of Rochester’s village area. Doggett Brook provides a southern boundary to the land, which at its southeast corner kisses the Marion town line.
The conservation restrictions are to be co-held by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the Rochester Land Trust. As Decker explained, one is a principal (farm) CR that encourages and allows for 37 acres of agricultural use. The other is a “buffer CR” that will avoid agricultural use down to the brook.
“We are going to encourage vegetation restoration and habitat restoration to the brook … we are going to allow agricultural use north of that area,” said Decker. “This area will have public access to explore the brook. We have interests with landowners to place a small parking area for ease of access, and we’ll establish a trail that will not interfere with the farming area.”
The land is a Massachusetts Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species registered area, and Decker told the Select Board that the Rochester Conservation Commission has already given its support for the plan. Houses have been removed, and only a small shed presently stands on the property.
When Select Board member Paul Ciaburri asked if the land will be exclusively used for farming, Decker said, “We’re not forcing them to farm, we’re encouraging them. That’s their interest, why we’re selling to them. There’s no future development. There will be no additional subdivision.”
A unanimous vote followed both conservation-restriction requests, and with Select Board Chairman Brad Morse away from the area only Ciaburri’s and Vice Chairman Woody Hartley’s signatures were needed.
Under Correspondence, Xfinity’s annual resolved complaint notice was discussed, as Town Counsel Blair Bailey explained to attendees that the cable/internet company must notify Rochester officials of complaints received. Hartley pointed out that Rochester has 946 “very understanding customers in Rochester. “They got two complaints,” he said.
In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar told the board that Joanne O’Rourke of Good Energy will appear before the board to discuss a Community Electricity aggregation plan. Hartley will serve as the town’s designated bid representative, and Cannon will be the alternative bid representative.
Szyndlar reported that Simple Recycling wants to move from curbside to scheduled pickup, citing the rapidly rising costs of labor and fuel and their impact to the supply chains. The company is looking to transition as soon as possible, according to Szyndlar, who suggested phasing the change over a 30-day period. Szyndlar said she will post the resultant plan on the town website effective May 1.
Morse suggested another tri-town Select Board meeting with Marion and Mattapoisett counterparts to discuss part of the capital expenditure material in the Old Rochester Regional School District agreement. The current arrangement, said Bailey, allows ORR to set aside up to 5 percent per year of the total assessment ($800,000 a year).
“There has to be (a capital account),” said Bailey, noting that the more crucial question is the amount in the account. “If you look at their capital plan, none of the projects … most only come up to 3 percent. Not that I don’t trust you, but I’m not paid to trust people.”
With Morse away from home and attending the meeting remotely, Hartley presided over Monday’s Select Board meeting.
Ciaburri told the board he intends to attend a March 23 meeting with the Plymouth County Advisory Committee about ARPA funding.
The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, March 21, at 6:00 pm.
Rochester Select Board
By Mick Colageo