Rochester officials will now have less red tape to cut through when they want help upgrading technology and fostering agricultural-based businesses.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Selectmen Chair Rich Nunes and Town Administrator Mike McCue met Thursday afternoon to sign a Community Compact that forges ties between town and state governments.

Launched in 2015 by Gov. Charlie Baker’s first executive order, the program aims to help cities and towns establish best practices in targeted areas in a collaboration with the state.

“Part of the reason for the Community Compact was to follow through on a campaign promise,” Polito said, “to make Massachusetts great everywhere, not just in eastern Massachusetts and Boston.”

Rochester is the 150th community, out of the state's 351 cities and towns, to sign the compact, Polito said.

One advantage of the compact is that communities volunteer to become involved, she said. Issuing an unfunded mandate is something the governor’s team wanted to avoid.

“There are too many of those. Your resources are limited and you need to stretch every penny,” Polito said.

The compact fulfills a pledge from the administration to aid cities and towns. Grants and experts will be available to help communities become more efficient and solve problems, she said.

“We want to reward communities that are working hard, that are doing things right,” Polito said. “We want to help communities succeed.”

In Rochester’s case, the Community Compact focuses on preserving agriculture and improving the town’s use of technology.

McCue said adopting the Right to Farm bylaw was a step in the right direction. The bylaw promotes agricultural economic opportunities while protecting farmland.

“You basically can’t spin around without seeing a cranberry bog,” McCue said. “The cranberry business is the lifeblood of the town of Rochester.

Polito agreed, and she added the bylaw helps ease tension between farmers and neighbors.

Nunes said the compact will make resources available to local leaders as they explore ways to adopt the latest technology.

“Our computer system is quite old,” Nunes said. “We don’t utilize the newest forms of technology. That’s something for us to upgrade.”

Improving the town’s website by making it user friendly and dynamic is on that list.

Polito also said the administration is committed to strengthening ties between state and local governments. If state revenues increase, that should be reflected in funds awarded to cities and towns, she said.

Polito said an additional $72 million was earmarked for education across the state, and the administration released $100 million for roads and highways.

“Those are a few examples that we want to be a good, strong and reliable partner to you,” Polito said.

The signing ceremony was held in the Selectmen’s meeting room at Town Hall. All department heads and some citizens attended.

Selectman and Town Clerk Naida Parker said this was the first time in recent memory someone of Polito’s stature was in town.

“I’ve been here since 1984 and haven’t seen someone from this level of state government visit,” Parker said.