The Town of Rochester is extending its deadline for the collection of property taxes by one month to June 1. The motion passed unanimously during Monday’s live, online meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen.
Noting that every week three million people lose their jobs due to coronavirus-related layoffs, Board of Selectman Clerk Woody Hartley said, “That’s going to have an effect.”
“If it can help the people, I have no problem with that,” said Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar. “We’ll work with any financial ramifications… we’ll borrow… we’ll work with people.”
A mailing has been created to notify taxpayers that they have this option.
Hartley encouraged those who can to pay to do so because not paying on the original schedule will cost the town money.
“We’re all in this together,” said Szyndlar, noting how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extended the national income tax filing deadline.
Szyndlar told the board that the town was holding at one COVID-19 case as of Monday’s meeting.
“That’s all I know of right now,” said Szyndlar in her April 6 update to the board that included town hall’s compliance with Governor Baker’s order that all non-essential public buildings remained closed until May 4. The mailing of the town census has been delayed until that order is lifted.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Paul Ciaburri reported that the town has made an ultraviolet-light treatment available that sanitizes face masks. Residents can drop off their masks in a zip-lock bag at Fire Station 1 with name, address, and phone on the bag. Ciaburri said viable masks can be sanitized up to 20 times.
Szyndlar also noted that Rochester Town Fair’s property-use request stands, despite the rescheduling of all of the event’s spring-season fundraising activities.
Hartley praised Szyndlar’s idea for a backup town administrator in the event she contracts the coronavirus and is unable to serve in her capacity. Town Counsel Blair Bailey, who hosted the April 6 meeting via Zoom, would serve in Szyndlar’s absence.
Calling it a “wise idea” by Szyndlar, Hartley asked Bailey, “Are you feeling good, Blair?” Bailey answered, “I’m feeling fine.” The motion passed.
Interim Town Clerk Paul Dawson’s position was also fortified, as the board approved the extension of his contract from April 9 to one day after the annual town election, whenever that is.
Typically discouraged, Rochester is encouraging the use of absentee ballots for town election in 2020.
“We are hoping to encourage folks to use this (link on town clerk’s website), for your safety and health as well as our workers,” said Dawson. “When the date is set by the Board of Selectmen, there will be an election. But people will be leery about coming in (to public-polling places)… Whatever day that election is scheduled for, those ballots will be tabulated at that time. Make sure your voice is heard.”
In other business, Austin Alves was approved as a new part-time police officer appointed for duty in Rochester.
An Old Rochester Regional High School and UMass Dartmouth graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Alves has been training in the police academy and working part-time as a dispatcher in another town.
Chief of Police Robert Small called the appointment Alves’ “lifelong dream” and spoke glowingly about Alves’ preparation and “excellent testing.”
Alves’ appointment is the first of two staff additions the police department is requesting. The board voted unanimously to approve his hire.
“We wish him all the best,” said Hartley, who used the opportunity to ask Small how it is going for his department.
“We have not changed our method of service at all, obviously trying to add a little physical distance,” said Small. “People have been very cooperative in town.”
Environmental Planner and Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon confirmed that Tuesday’s Conservation Commission meeting would be recorded.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was left at Szyndlar’s discretion.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
By Mick Colageo