Rochester to face zoning, financial matters at Special Town Meeting

Nov 19, 2013

Voters at Special Town Meeting will debate 12 articles dealing with zoning and financial issues this Monday at 7 p.m. in the Rochester Memorial School.

Meeting members will be asked to approve a zoning change that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries, a $75,000 request to buy a fire truck and weigh in on the Community Preservation Act.

On Nov. 18, Selectmen and the Finance Committee met with the town’s attorney and moderator to review the warrant, which details the articles up for a vote.

Selectmen unanimously said they would not back the Community Preservation Act. Though absent, Chair Naida Parker sent a letter that supported her board's stance.

If approved, the article would place the question before voters at the next town election.

The act would increase property tax bills by 1.5 percent. Funds raised through the act are set aside for outdoor recreation and open space, historic preservation and affordable housing projects. Town-raised funds are matched by the state with a percentage that changes year to year.

Selectmen did support purchasing the fire truck. Fire Chief Scott Weigel said the truck is currently used by the Boston Fire Department. Built in 2001, the truck has 69,000 miles and will be refurbished by the city before Rochester accepts it.

It replaces a truck built in 1972 that has been out of service for six months, Weigel said.

Both the Finance Committee and Selectmen backed transferring funds a number of additional expenses including: $18,060 to the school department for transportation; $8,900 to the appraisers office; $20,000 for health benefits for retiring town employees; and $35,000 to the police department to improve police communication in the town’s north west corner.

The Planning Board penned a number of articles that clarify language in bylaws regarding flood plain districts, roadside and farm stand definitions, and accessory structures.

The medical marijuana district was debated a few months ago. The district would limit medical marijuana dispensaries to operating in the town’s adult entertainment district, located in Rochester’s industrial zone near SEMASS.

Only registered voters may participate at the Special Town Meeting.