Rochester Select Board — October 19, 2026

The Rochester Select Board met on October 19, 2026, to address town business including departmental agreements, meeting schedules, and project updates. The board approved the meeting minutes from October 8th and authorized an addendum to the Facilities Director contract following an established memorandum of understanding with the Parks Department. Facilities Director Andrew outlined ongoing park improvements, noting that two oversized donated dugouts would be sent to the high school and that the Itis family and Forever 11 donated approximately $9,000 for a new scoreboard on the soccer and lacrosse field. The board also voted to schedule a Special Town Meeting for January 25th at 7:00 PM in the Rochester Memorial School cafeteria to address several potential warrant articles, including finance consultant funding and road acceptances.

In the administrative report, the Town Administrator reported that an appraiser had visited the YMCA property and that procurement consultant Jen Freitz, formerly of Barnstable County, was hired to assist with bidding for scaled-down design work on the fire station project. It was noted that the town planner would soon take maternity leave and that a separate joint subcommittee meeting would convene at 7:00 PM to fill a vacancy on the Finance Committee. The board also noted a CMAS payment of $385,199 made on October 15, 2026.

During board discussions, members discussed concerns raised by Middleborough residents regarding a proposed one-million-square-foot commercial building near the town line and the Sippican Lands Trust, particularly regarding stormwater runoff and wetland replication. Updates were also provided on contract talks with Flock regarding license plate reader cameras, which remain deactivated pending further discussions expected to exceed 30 days, as well as an upcoming meeting with E.L. Harvey concerning municipal trash operations and zero waste initiatives. The board concluded by noting that the Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services rescheduled its review visit to November 2nd.

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