Rochester Select Board — July 6, 2026

The Rochester Select Board met on July 6, 2026, with two members present and Adam absent. Under correspondence, the board acknowledged $179,671.94 in Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) transportation funding from the state, discussed a conflict-of-interest disclosure for newly appointed Park Commissioner K. Douglas Sims regarding his volunteer roles, and noted the 50th anniversary of the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library. The Town Administrator reported on the display of a replica Declaration of Independence, the Fourth of July town picnic, an HR compensation study of department head salaries across comparable towns, and roadwork contractor delays on the Vaughn Hill project involving Eversource.

The board appointed Stephen Duenen to the Historic District Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2029. Town Counsel Liz Lydon joined remotely to discuss state-mandated social equity requirements for marijuana host community agreements. Board members expressed reluctance to adopt a policy that could restrict non-equity applicants on a one-to-one basis and voted to take the policy under advisement until the full three-member board could convene.

In other business, the board voted to designate members of the Park Commission as special municipal employees to facilitate volunteer service across multiple roles. The board also voted to approve a new town social media and artificial intelligence policy to be distributed with employee paychecks. Finally, the Town Administrator noted upcoming preliminary discussions regarding YMCA property at Snow's Pond before the meeting was adjourned.

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