Rochester Select Board — April 6, 2026

The Rochester Select Board met on April 6, 2026, to review municipal business, budget matters, and preparations for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. Town Administrator Cameron Durant delivered an update on the operating budget, reporting that a previous $134,000 deficit had been addressed through anticipated rodeo revenues and a transfer from a school enrollment stabilization fund. Durant also discussed town employee health insurance open enrollment and noted that the municipal fiber loop RFP would be reissued to allow separate bids for fiber and IT work.

The Board addressed several action items, choosing to postpone approval of department head contracts and cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) until after the Old Rochester Regional School Committee finalizes its budget recommendations. The Board considered a request from Jeffrey Costa to dissolve the Bylaw Review Committee, deciding instead to keep the committee active in anticipation of zoning work by SRPED. In formal votes, the Board approved the Annual Report and unanimously authorized Durant to formally request a Financial Management Review from the Massachusetts Division of Local Services (DLS), an operational review last conducted in 2007.

Durant presented a draft of the Annual Town Meeting warrant, outlining proposed articles including capital equipment, facility maintenance, Council on Aging programs, and Special Education stabilization. Extensive discussion and public questions centered on Article 21, which would authorize $716,000 to cover Rochester's 33.5% share of Old Rochester Regional School District's estimated $2.1 million deficit in the Gateway Municipal Health Group. Residents and board members emphasized the need for legal accountability and recoupment. The board concluded the open meeting by voting to enter executive session regarding non-union personnel contracts.

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