Rochester Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar has learned in a meeting with representatives of the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) that the town’s legwork in accessing state aid via grant funding may get shorter.
Reporting to the Board of Selectmen during its March 22 meeting, Szyndlar explained during her Town Administrator’s Report that towns could combine 10 programs into one online portal.
Thanks to the guidance of an emerging online system, Massachusetts invites applications on one timeline and then by way of a letter of interest. SRPEDD will assist with Master Plan and Public Safety-related grant applications that must be filed on an April 22 deadline.
Town Hall’s April reopening plan took a step forward with a meeting attended by Szyndlar, Health Agent Karen Walega, Town Counsel Blair Bailey, Administrative Assistant Amanda Baptiste, and the building inspector and facilities manager.
A thorough examination of all aspects of the reopening has yielded a plan to manage building capacity through a video intercom. Each department will entertain one group at a time that all enter through the Town Clerk’s Office.
“We’re still a small building here, and we’re trying to comply with the social-distancing standards,” said Szyndlar, who reported success with the likeminded plan already in place at the nearby Annex building.
The Town Hall’s conference room will be used on a limited basis. Public meetings will still be held in a hybrid or remote format, and rules will be spelled out at townofrochestermass.com.
Szyndlar reported to the selectmen about an article brought forth by citizens proposing to authorize the Board of Selectmen to transfer property for the purpose of constructing affordable housing units.
The article failed to meet the board’s March 5 deadline, according to Szyndlar, noting that the article proposing 501c3 housing requires 10 signatures to comply with state General Law and the Town Clerk.
Szyndlar said a couple of issues linger, including improper use of Town Meeting as a platform for the Board of Selectmen to auction property. It would also go against the state’s anti-aid amendment, she said.
Board Chairman Paul Ciaburri called the proposal “a very slippery slope,” saying, “If you donate property to this place, you’ll have 50 people coming at you (with requests).”
Selectman Woody Hartley distinguished Rochester Affordable Housing as a private entity not affiliated with the Town of Rochester.
In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar also noted that health insurance for town employees would see a rate increase of 2.25 percent for FY22.
The selectmen agreed to sign road-use requests made by Mark Walter of Westwood-based Sun Multisport Events and Derek Savas of On Your Left Racing in Middletown, Rhode Island, for two area triathlons this June and July. The Patriot Half Triathlon is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, and the race would see cycling between 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and running between 10:30 am – 3:00 pm. The On Your Left event scheduled for Saturday, July 10, includes a choice of half or Olympic-distance triathlons.
Both events remain subject to state government’s potential move into not-yet-sanctioned Phase 4 activities. Both events emanate from Cathedral Camp in East Freetown and are scheduled to traverse Rochester roads, albeit on vastly different courses, according to Savas. The Patriot Half course has changed since the last running in 2019, according to public documents. Roads will not close for the triathlons but will be marked.
In other business, the selectmen approved a survey of a 5-acre property off Old Middleboro Road. Morse explained that Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge requested the survey in hopes he can clear out a half-acre or an acre to store asphalt grindings. The board will presumably ask Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon to make a site visit.
Assistant Herring Inspector Robert Gonneville tendered his resignation, effective March 22.
The selectmen voted to accept a February 2021 SEMASS pilot payment of $831,459.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, April 5, at 6:00 pm.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
By Mick Colageo