Rochester residents are planning several activities in recognition of Earth Day later this month. At the Selectmen’s April 9 meeting, the board approved two efforts to mark the occasion: a town-wide trash clean up and temporary Rochester Green Ways promotional signs at the 65 trees the group has planted in town.
After some discussion, Nancy Boutin and Wendy Keeler presented finer details on the clean up event – which anyone in town can join. The clean up will take place from Saturday April 21 through Wednesday, April 25 – when Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge plans to pick up the trash bags along the roads.
Signups to participate are scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at the Plumb Library from 10:00 am through 12:00 pm and Sunday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at the Women’s Club, Keeler said.
In addition to the clean up, Susan Adams received approval from the board to allow Rochester Green Ways to place small wooden signs along trees the ad hoc committee has planted over the years. The signs are temporary and will be removed after one week.
In other news, Police Chief Paul Magee came before the board to recognize Officer Rob Nordahl – who singlehandedly lead the effort to restore the police department’s gym room – from cleaning it out, painting the room (with the help of his young children Robbie and Annika), and soliciting the bids for new equipment.”
“He easily put in 40 hours of his own time,” Chief Magee said, noting that the refurbished gym is now used by officers and dispatchers daily.
In the Town Administrator’s report, Richard LaCamera urged residents to avoid any activity that could result in a fire due to drought conditions.
“We are primed for a fire. Please be very careful,” he said.
He also received approval from the board to hire a part-time EMT to provide year-round coverage. He said the town receives 342 emergency calls, including 175 transports per year, and that the income from these incidences is sufficient to pay the $46,000 to fund the part-time position.
Selectman Richard Nunes inquired why the Rochester ambulance does not transfer people to Toby Hospital, relying on Wareham paramedics for the transport.
Selectman Bradford Morse explained that the town could not afford a paramedic – which can administer drugs and officially deliver a new patient to a hospital unlike an EMT – and also does not have the need as only 33 Advanced Life Support (ALS) calls occur every year.
“We’d love to have an ALS, but the alternative works very well,” he said.
• The board approved a bid of $9,640 to repair a damaged roof at the Police Station.
• The Selectmen approved the permit for the Rochester Road Race, which is scheduled for August 11 at 9:00 am.
• LaCamera said the town will be contributing $5,500 to fund a lifeguard at the Marion Silver Shell Beach, which is up from the previous rate of $3,100.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli
