Rochester Select Board — August 17, 2026

The Rochester Select Board met on August 17, 2026, to conduct regular municipal business, including public hearings, administrative approvals, land conservation inquiries, and end-of-year financial transfers. The board opened the meeting by approving past meeting minutes, acknowledging a July 2026 CMAS PILOT payment of $427,691, and signing the warrant for the 2026 state primary. Additionally, the board approved closing Town Hall at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 4, 2026, for the municipal employee luncheon after adjusting the date from September 18.

A public hearing was held regarding Eversource's petition to install three fully owned utility poles (49/16, 49/17, and 49/18) in the Featherbed Lane right-of-way to serve a solar farm. Eversource representative Julie addressed placement concerns alongside resident Thomas Barlow, who reported that an earlier pole installation blocked trailer access to his driveway at 188 Featherbed Lane. Eversource agreed to conduct an on-site visit with Barlow and town officials to address the dispute, and the board voted to approve the three new poles conditional upon the highway surveyor's final review and resolution of pole placement issues. The board also approved a citation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library.

The board held an extensive discussion concerning the South Coast YMCA's proposed $1.3 million sale of approximately 25 to 29.44 acres off Snows Pond Road on Snipatuit Pond. Rochester Land Trust Treasurer Russ Keeler and the town administrator outlined deed restrictions originating from the 1966 Clifton Hacker estate requiring camp use through 2035, and recommended exploring regional partnerships and grant options to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply before committing town funds. Finally, the board approved $109,000 in FY26 end-of-year budget transfers funded from surplus accounts, addressing departmental deficits such as police department overtime, bulletproof vests, EMT call volume, and professional consulting contracts.

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