Rochester Select Board — August 3, 2026

The Rochester Select Board met on Monday, August 3, 2026. The meeting began with the appointment and swearing-in of Paul Carthus as a full-time police officer for the Rochester Police Department, bringing the department to full staffing. Carthus, who previously served with the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office since 2015, was recommended by the Police Chief. The board also approved a one-day liquor license for Rebecca Correa for an upcoming concert at Bennett Farm on August 8, 2026.

Representatives from Meridia Systems, Sean and Peter, presented on the electronic handheld voting keypad devices donated to Rochester, Lakeville, and Acushnet for town meetings. They reviewed the security, offline capabilities, random keypad distribution, and live display configurations of the 300 devices provided to the town. Following the demonstration, the board discussed invasive milfoil in town ponds and voted to require the Town Administrator to notify the Rochester Water Commission and the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee prior to any pond treatments or harvesting activities.

During the Town Administrator's report, updates were provided regarding a 15-hour-per-week administrative assistant opening on the Board of Health, proposed legislation regarding streaming service fees to support ORCTV cable access, and the potential sale of 25 acres on Snipatuit Pond by the YMCA. The administrator also noted that a $15,000 contract was being signed with BadgeQuest for a fire department staffing and operations assessment, and discussed ongoing planning efforts for a new fire station building.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Watch the video to verify.