Rochester proposes another draft of balanced budget

ROCHESTER — With Spring Town Meeting on the horizon, Rochester officials are putting the finishing touches on the proposed fiscal budget for 2027.

At a Select Board meeting on Monday, April 6 Rochester Town Administrator Cameron Durant presented extra funds from the New England Rodeo and stabilization funds would balance the town’s budget. 

Stabilization funds are known as “rainy day funds” normally used in emergency situations. 

“It’s most certainly not a good thing to use one time funds to balance the budget, but it was limited in nature,” Durant said. 

Durant said there is a $1.4 million gap in the budget since costs to operate the town are constantly increasing. Some rising costs include education, pensions, healthcare and solid waste services. 

He said aid and resources that usually assist the town budget are not keeping up with the rising costs of operation. 

There was also a large swing of around 20 students choosing to attend Old Rochester Regional High School. 

Rochester will pay for this increase in students attending Old Rochester alongside helping pay for the school budget which is expected to increase to 5.7%.

“it's a double whammy,” Durant said. “It's a big total budget increase and we have more kids going there than the year before.”

Revenue from the New England Rodeo is estimated at $47,000 with $25,000 being applied to the budget.