Rochester has hired a new part-time Town Planner, seven months after the resignation of former Town Planner Mary Crain.

"We want to welcome our new planner, Steve Starrett," said Planning Board chair Arnie Johnson. "Welcome aboard!"

"Thanks," said Starrett, who was in attendance Tuesday night to learn more about the current state of the Planning Board. "I'm excited to be here - I love the area."

"Arnie and I have been looking to fill this position for some time," said Planning Board member Ben Bailey. "Arnie said the most important thing to learning the job is willingness to work hard and a technical construction background."

Starrett is a resident of South Dartmouth, and has spent what he says is a "lifetime" in the construction business. Starrett's father Charles was a builder in Middleboro (he also built many custom homes in the tri-town area).

"I worked on a few projects with him, then I got out of the business," he explained.

Starrett went on to become the president of Wain-Roy Inc., a construction machinery company based out of Hubbardston. "I developed that company into about six other businesses," he told the Planning Board.

His experience means he can run equipment, read plans and run a company, all traits that Bailey found appealing in a town planner. "He can discern truth from conjecture and put together plans and programs," he explained.

Starrett has been visiting Rochester since he was a child. "My connection here goes back to my dad," he said. "We used to fish over here at my dad's favorite spot. My father actually bought land on Snipatuit Road to build, until my mother said she wouldn't leave Middleboro."

When he found the ad for a part-time town planner in Rochester, Starrett thought the timing was perfect; he'd just retired, and knew he fit the job description well. "I applied, got a phone call and a few weeks later, here I am," he said. "I'm looking forward to being part of the community here again."

Starrett will officially step into the town planner role on June 5.