ROCHESTER — At a Sept. 7 meeting, the Rochester Board of Selectmen held an initial reading with the Town Clerk, Moderator, and members of the Finance Committee of the warrant for the Town Meeting that will take place on Oct. 18.

Among the items listed on the warrant was a recommendation by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Police Chief to amend the dog registration period from six months to three months.

Currently, Rochester residents must register their dogs annually between January 1 and June 30, or be forced to pay a late fee. Under the proposed amendment, dogs would need to be registered by March 31 to avoid the penalty.

“After consultation with the police we’ve just decided that it’s realistic, and reasonable in our opinion, that three months… is plenty of time,” said Town Clerk Paul Dawson. “Even if they have to get to the vet and make an appointment for a rabies vaccination, it’s plenty of time to get that done.”

Another notable item on the warrant was a petition for additional retail liquor licenses for the town.

Rochester, like all towns in the state, is limited to a certain number of retail liquor licenses based on its population and currently has three.

However, towns can petition to have that limit raised. It was noted during the meeting, for instance, that Wareham has petitioned for an increased limit seven times.

Also on the warrant was an item that would allow the town to build solar canopies above the parking lots at Rochester Memorial School.

Additionally, there was an item that would change the title of the Rochester Board of Selectmen to the Rochester Select Board.