At their January 9, 2012 meeting, the Rochester Board of Selectmen learned that the Old Rochester Regional School District had a balance of over $1 million in their “E and D” (excess and deficiency) account.
The E and D account represents the difference in the regional school’s revenues and expenses. With a current annual budget of about $15 million, ORR can only retain 5 percent of the E and D balance, and then it must return the difference to the contributing towns, said Rochester Town Administrator Richard LaCamera.
With the E and D total being about $168,000 over the 5 percent threshold, the Town of Rochester is likely owed about $56,000, Mr. LaCamera said.
Last year’s E and D balance was $1.2 million, Mr. LaCamera told the Board.
“I will be requesting of the superintendent copies of the balances,” said Mr. LaCamera. “I’d like to understand why there is a significant amount of money again… This has an effect on 2013’s budget as well.”
“It’s a little disturbing when we have… tight fiscal years,” said Selectman Naida Parker.
Also on the topic of Old Rochester Regional services, Mr. LaCamera informed the Board that Town Treasurer Cindy Mello had discovered a mistake in the town’s contributions to the Plymouth County Retirement Association (PCRA). Rochester had been overcharged in the contributions for five Old Rochester clerical employees, said Mr. LaCamera. Because the employees were from Old Rochester, the Town of Rochester was only responsible for 35 percent of their contributions to the PCRA, but they had contributed the full amount of $204,000 over the course of several years.
“Based upon the calculations… we are responsible for 35 percent [of that total],” said Mr. LaCamera, who said that the town would be rectifying the problem and would seek reimbursement.
“I applaud Cindy for catching this,” said Selectman Bradford Morse.
On the topic of Fiscal Year 2013’s budget, Mr. LaCamera said that the current forecast shows “no increases in staff, no increase in costs and services… pretty much a level funded budget.” After Governor Deval Patrick announces details on the state budget at a conference on January 20, municipalities will have a better idea of what their budgets will be.
“I can tell you that this year is going to be the most challenging year the town has experienced,” Mr. LaCamera said. He said that the town would try to maintain services and keep all its employees but no promises could be made with the projected level-funded budget.
After reviewing a list of 2011 town accomplishments – which included the conclusion of RMS’ construction, the finalization of an Affordable Housing Plan and the establishment of a Water Commission – the Board tackled the topic of Town Hall needs.
Mr. LaCamera suggested that the Board could form an exploratory committee to consider the possibility of building a new Town Hall on town-owned land on Dexter Lane near the Council on Aging and the Police Station.
The town currently leases the Rochester Women’s Clubhouse on Marion Road as an annex building for the Town Hall, but a larger building would eliminate the need for the lease, Mr. LaCamera said, and the annual $32,000 expenditure could be weighed in funding considerations.
“I don’t think we’ll ask the tax payers to raise their taxes at this point, so we need to look at multiple options,” said Mr. LaCamera.
“Because an override would not fly,” agreed Selectman Parker.
The Board voted to form a five-person committee to explore the cost and needs associated with building a new Town Hall at the Dexter Lane property.
Also at the meeting, the Board:
• Declared several broken and unused computers and printers to be surplus.
• Announced to the public that Christmas tree pick-up would begin on Friday, January 13. Residents should put their Christmas trees out on the curb for removal.
The next meetings of the Rochester Board of Selectmen are scheduled for January 23, February 6 and 27 and March 12 and 26.
By Anne Kakley