Lawn signs that say “Protect the Second Amendment. Stop HD Bill 4420” are all over Rochester. The signs refer to a revision of state gun regulations that according to the Mass Live website, “would require a police officer to conduct a personal interview with anyone seeking to apply for a gun license” and “would create a database that tracks guns used in crimes, surrendered or taken by law enforcement.”
The opposition to the bill, based on the argument that it threatens Second Amendment rights, may be strong around Rochester, but on Monday night, the Select Board said no to allowing the signs on town property.
Facilities Manager Andrew Daniel asked for the board’s recommendation on the issue after noting there is a “Stop HD Bill 4420” next to the “Sippican Rod and Gun Club” sign at the beginning of Dexter Lane, which is technically town property.
Daniel and Building Commissioner Paul Boucher have tried to take it down, only to have it reappear there, he noted. When the building commissioner started receiving threatening looks and comments when trying to remove it, Daniel knew it was time to ask for the Select Board’s guidance.
“I could put it back up or email everyone with a new policy,” Daniel said.
The board basically decided he should do the latter. Select Board member Brad Morse said he knows about the bill and would be glad to have someone put the sign on his lawn, but the sign does not belong anywhere but private land because it is a political statement. “I do not support seeing it on town property,” he said.
Select Board member Adam Murphy swiftly seconded Morse’s motion, and the move to bar the sign from town property passed without further discussion.
The Select Board’s other important debate came over a proposed amendment to the Solect Energy Development power-purchase agreement for the solar-canopy installation planned for the back parking lot of Rochester Memorial School.
After returning to open session from an executive session on the issue, board members indicated they had concerns about the developer Solect Energy’s request to raise electricity bill rates beyond the maximum rate set in the original agreement. They said the company wants to increase the fixed rate for electricity from originally .121 pba to .135 pba in the amendment and said there are other questionable financial pieces in the new agreement.
As a result, there will be a delay in signing the agreement that will move the project forward. Solect Energy officials attending the meeting said prices simply must increase because of many factors and asked to meet to discuss the issues involved. The board agreed to set that meeting for October 2.
The board began the meeting on an equally contentious issue by reading letters critical of the installation of a “Little Free Diverse Library” in front of the Plumb Memorial Library.
Rochester resident and Zoning Board of Appeals member Jeffrey Costa, as a follow-up to his complaint before the Library Board of Trustees on September 14, appeared before the Select Board regarding the letters he has sent the town asserting that the little library should not be placed so close to the main library building on public property, especially one with that type of messaging.
In the letters, Costa, his wife Amanda and his mother Roxanne Costa criticized the small library as being unnecessary because it is so close to the main facility and that LGBTQ literature is an inappropriate message for young people and constitutes political messaging.
Upon Costa’s request, Select Board Chairman Paul Ciaburri read the letters aloud and explained that the board has limited control over the library’s management because the facility is controlled by its own Board of Trustees.
Town departments assist the library with maintenance projects, such as installing the Little Free Diverse Library in front of the town library to save the town money, he said. As evidenced by its meeting on September 14, he added, the library board will decide soon a direction for the little library.
In other action, the board approved the Council on Aging’s contract for a new generator, costing $70,000 and paid for with a $35,000 grant and the remainder through Town Meeting appropriations.
The Personnel Board presented an update on its progress since organizing in 2022 to revise the town’s Personnel bylaws and practices. Board Chairperson Kristine Nash reported that Personnel regulations revisions will be reviewed by Town Counsel in October. The biggest step after that, she said, will be deciding whether Personnel regulations should become bylaws or merely policies.
The Rochester Select Board will meet next on Monday, October 2, at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco