The date for this year’s Spring Annual Town Meeting in Rochester has been set.
Town Administrator Richard LaCamera informed the Rochester Board of Selectmen at their February 6 meeting that the annual meeting will take place on May 21. Warrant articles will be accepted through April 6, he said, and all zoning articles must be submitted to the Town Hall by March 15.
Budget preparation is well underway before town residents will vote on the final numbers at the spring meeting, he added.
Mr. LaCamera said budgets have arrived from all town departments, and not one of them is receiving any increases this year due to the economic climate and stagnant state aid. However, he did say the town would incur small increases due to elections.
The town is still waiting for Old Rochester Regional to provide its budget, which Mr. LaCamera said it should receive later this month.
The Selectmen also reviewed correspondence from Brendan Annett of Watershed Protection regarding the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s decision to change the classification of Hathaway Dam from Significant Hazard Potential to Low Hazard Potential. The decision opens the way for Beaton’s Inc. to request jurisdiction of the dam at Hathaway Pond as agreed upon with the Buzzards Bay Coalition.
“It looks like they are trying to make progress. They are moving in the right direction,” said Selectman Naida Parker.
Mr. LaCamera also informed the board that the towns have entered into a three-year contract with ORCTV as of November 30, 2011. Under the new contract, Mattapoisett will receive one ninth of the Verizon/Comcast fees to video record their own government meetings.
In other business:
• The Selectmen approved a zoning bylaw change presented by Planning Board member Susan Teal that would fix a typo in the signage regulations.
• The Selectmen appointed Kari Medeiros to the Rochester Agricultural Commission.
• Mr. LaCamera said there will be a vacancy in the Parks Commission, and encouraged anyone interested to run for the position.
• Selectman Parker informed the board that Helena O. Brown – a former town employee active in the community – passed away.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli