Rochester voters approve all but one item at Town Meeting

ROCHESTER — The auditorium at Rochester Memorial School was nearly overflowing with voters who had their say on 32 items on the 2023 Spring Town Meeting agenda on Monday, May 22.

All but one item was passed by the town.

Voters approved Rochester’s $25,075,010 operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which included a $13.9 million allocation toward education and a $3.26 million allocation toward public safety.

According to data provided by the town, 59% of Rochester’s Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget will be paid for by tax levies, the remainder will be paid for by a combination of “estimated local receipts,” state aid, free cash, debt exclusions and “estimated new growth.”

With a vote to approve item 27 on the Town Meeting agenda, Rochester became the first municipality in Massachusetts to leave the “Green Communities” program.

Additionally, Rochester voters rejected item 25 which asked if the position of Town Clerk should change from an elected position to an appointed position. Following Town Meeting, the Town Clerk will remain an elected position.

Rochester voters also approved an item to appropriate $100,000 over five years to help fund a feasibility study that will look at possible renovations for Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School.

Following a similar Town Meeting vote in Acushnet, all five towns in the Old Colony district agreed to fund the feasibility study. 

Finally, “housekeeping items” which included the approval of Rochester’s upcoming town election on Wednesday, May 24 at the Rochester Senior Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ended the night.

“Two hours and 13 minutes ladies and gentlemen — you did a good job,” said Rochester Town Moderator David Arancio. “Goodnight and enjoy your summer.”

Rochester’s Spring Town Meeting warrant can be found online at www.townofrochestermass.com.