This week the Rochester Highway Department purchased and planted ten new Leland cypress trees in honor of Arbor Day and the town's recent designation as a Tree City USA through the Arbor Day Foundation.

The new trees act as a screen to the police station's gas tank.

On Friday, a small group gathered at the police station to commemorate Arbor Day.

Town Administrator Mike McCue said last year was the first time Arbor Day was celebrated in Rochester for many years. As McCue's last day at his post is Friday, May 6, he made an appeal to the community to step up and carry on the momentum.

"I hope someone in town is able to continue that tradition," he said.

Rep. Bill Straus attended the event, saying he thought it was a "great thing" that Rochester "acknowledges the importance of trees."

Everyone gathered received Kentucky coffeetree seeds from McCue's own tree. He said the seeds were used at one time as a "poor man's substitute" for coffee and he's told they taste awful. But it's a pretty tree that usually grows only in the Kentucky area.

McCue also mentioned that a gingko sapling from a tree that survived the A-bomb in Hiroshima will still be coming to the town as soon as it is mature enough to plant.

Although he will be working as town administrator of another town by then, McCue said he plans to come back for the planting. He also thanked the Selectmen, of whom Naida Parker and Brad Morse were present, for their support.