ROCHESTER— The Rochester Finance Committee started off the Fiscal Year 2024 budget season by approving the budgets of several town departments which came out to approximately $3 million.

The committee reviewed and approved municipal department salary adjustments, retirement payouts, office supplies and more.

The most substantial amount approved by the committee was $1,149,450 allocated for the retirement assessment. In Fiscal Year 2023, the committee recommended allotting $1,013,74 for retirement funds. A 9 % difference.

Larger  items including the education, public works and public safety budgets were not addressed during the Monday’s meeting. 

“The revenue hasn’t been as high as it has been in the past but we are still in good shape,” said Town Administrator Glenn Cannon.

The total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2023 was $24,174,626. According to Cannon, there is not yet a completed proposed budget for this year. 

“There are some significant changes,” Cannon said, explaining that there are a number  of new municipal job positions that need to be accounted for.

One of these positions is for  a full-time mechanic at the highway department which constitutes a “big hit to the budget,” said Cannon. 

Additionally, the town hopes to hire part-time firefighters.

“Right now there is only one full time town employee at the fire department,” said Cannon.

According to Cannon, the Council on Aging is looking to bring on a full-time custodian. Cannon said that the current custodian is a part-time employee.

The budgeting process will continue during the next finance committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 27.