Residents packed into the small conference room in the Rochester Town Hall for a sometimes-raucous Board of Selectmen's meeting to discuss concerns with the new grounds for the Rochester Country Fair.

"I think people are really going to like this," said Country Fair Committee Spokesperson Dave Sousa, addressing the assembled residents.

Sousa explained that the fairground would not host a circus like the old fairground did in recent years, would involve building one permanent structure and two ticket booths and that the Committee would aim to have the fair's events for the day done and cleaned up after by 10 p.m.

Several residents voiced concern with the proposed, temporary one-way parking that would be in effect on Pine Street during the fair, saying that the road is in poor condition and could possibly be dangerous due to high pedestrian traffic.

"These are valid concerns but we have a good plan," said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee as he explained that the Rochester Police Department has handled traffic details of similar size such as at the Family Fun Day that was held at the Dexter Lane Recreation Area on August 21.

Other residents worried that the proposed fence on the property could damage the open-space view many abutters have and enjoy.

"I'm a firm supporter of the fair," said abutter Paul Costa before adding, "That's the last open space and you're boxing it in. That's why I moved to Rochester, why box it in?"

Sousa said that the fence was necessary to ensure that fair attendees would not cut through private property to get from parking areas to the fairground but that he was willing to listen to ideas about the shape and size of the fence.

After several residents expressed their concerns with the fence, Sousa said he would contact them in the near future to arrange a tour of the site so that he could show them the exact location and size of the fence.

In other town business:

Town Administrator Richard LaCamera updated the Selectmen on the Rochester Memorial School project saying that the school will be open August 30 and will be under budget.

LaCamera then updated the town on the ongoing ORCTV budget problems. LaCamera said that ORCTV could not get any hard numbers on moving back to the high school from its current location and that while no tri-town Selectmen's meeting has been called yet it is possible that one will be called in October in which ORCTV will be discussed.

Selectman Naida Parker also proposed that recently-resigned Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Manning be sent a letter of appreciation for his service to the Town of Rochester and that the town begin seeking a new member for the board immediately.