The one obstacle to organizing a plan to find Rochester a new town administrator has been cleared.
The board on May 9 approved the roster for the Town Administrator Search Committee that it originally proposed after Town Counsel advised that Personnel Board Chairperson Kristine Nash was wrong when she argued on May 5 that the language in the town’s Personnel Bylaw did not exclude her from serving on the important search panel.
Nash’s objections delayed forming the committee that will find a replacement for Glenn Cannon, who was scheduled to leave the position of Rochester’s town administrator following the May 13 Annual Town Meeting. After seeking Town Counsel’s input, the Select Board broke that log jam after saying a letter from Town Counsel confirmed that the town’s reading of the Personnel Bylaw on the matter was correct. Members on the Personnel Board are not allowed to serve on other such committees.
“He clarified that after reviewing bylaw language, he’s determined that she cannot serve on the search committee,” Select Board member Adam Murphy said.
As a result, Select Board member Brad Morse motioned that the committee to find Cannon’s replacement will consist of himself, Financial Director and soon-to-be Interim Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar, former Town Clerk Paul Dawson, Finance Committee Chairman Kris Stoltenberg and resident David Eckert.
In other action, the board approved a three-year extension of E.L. Harvey and Son’s Trash and Recycling Collection contract with the town. The only complication here came when the company’s Municipal Manager Michael Szczepan said his superior was away at a conference and would not be able to sign the contract extension until May 10. Board members said they see no problem signing the contract themselves first as there are no major changes.
The board also approved assigning two police officers to the Town Election polling places at 67 Dexter Lane on May 22. They are reserve officers Pete Sylvia and Stephen Reimer.
The Rochester Select Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, May 20, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco