Rochester Selectmen approve Council on Aging sunroom

Dec 30, 2020

ROCHESTER — A new sunroom is on its way to the Council on aging, but plans for a solar canopy at the council were shot down by Selectmen at a Dec. 30 Meeting.

Selectmen scrapped a proposal from Board Clerk Woody Hartley for a solar canopy at the Council on Aging, which Hartley said would save the town about $30,000 a year. 

Concerns about opening the door for further solar energy projects in the town’s historic district and Plumb Corner were brought up by Board Chair Paul Ciaburri.

Vice Chair Brad Morse was also concerned about resident backlash, noting that some had complained when the COA parking lot was expanded. 

“I just feel that this is muddying waters we don’t want to muddy,” Morse said. 

But selectmen approved plans to add a sunroom to the back of the COA building, which is set to be completed by the end of May. 

The 12-by-64 foot addition will expand the COA’s capacity, and “enhance the experience of users as the pandemic continues into 2021,” according to the proposal. 

The $165,000 project will be funded by state grants for which the town has applied. 

Plans for the addition, alongside building permits, will be acquired in the Spring. 

Construction is planned to begin in early May and will last about two weeks.