The Rochester Town Board, led by Supervisor Erin Enouen, held its regular business meeting on February 13, streamlining the agenda with several tabled items to allow for more in-depth discussion at a future workshop. Council members Alexis Albaugh, Michael Coleman, and Charlotte Smiseth were present; the fourth council member position remains vacant.

The board approved the January financial report, which included revenues of $80,400.69 for the General Fund and $417,132.04 for the Highway Fund. Expenditures totaled $372,033.81 for the General Fund and $185,996.30 for the Highway Fund. Abstracts 1-2025 and 13-2024 were previously approved.

Supervisor Enouen provided updates on several key projects. The Boiceville Bridge replacement project is moving forward, with the town’s engineering firm working on right-of-way acquisitions. The town has until July 2025 to close on the necessary properties, with construction bids scheduled to open in early 2026. Construction is expected to take place from April to the end of October, with plantings to be completed in Spring 2027. Updated newsletters will be distributed to affected property owners regularly.

The board also announced that Michael Gage will conduct a study of the watershed property in May, focusing on creating a catalog of species and a historical habitat narrative. The study will be funded from the Environmental Conservation Commission (ECC) budget.

Other business included updates on the proposed speed limit reduction on County Road 6, the food pantry’s service to nearly 1,400 households in 2024, and an upcoming IDA training on Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs). The town launched its new website on January 28, and the tax warrant, totaling $3.4 million, was successfully dispersed.

Discussions arose regarding two potential tax initiatives. The Housing Committee is exploring the possibility of a real estate transfer tax, tentatively proposed at 2% overall (1% for housing and 1% for conservation). Board member Smiseth requested a timeline from the committee to potentially place the measure on the same ballot as the Community Preservation Tax, which the board is committed to including on this year’s ballot. The board clarified that the Community Preservation Fund follows a more stringent process than the real estate transfer tax, which requires state permission.

During public comment, Peter Nelson of the Accord Fire Department addressed the board regarding proposed amendments to local law 3. He urged the board to approve a small change that would allow volunteer firefighters from neighboring towns, such as Marbletown, to be eligible. He noted that the Accord Fire Department is considering a similar amendment and that other municipalities involved would also need to make the change.

The board announced that departments will be scheduled to attend meetings, with the Code Enforcement office attending in March. The ECC will circulate its annual report, highlighting key initiatives such as the Watershed Rondout project, the pollinator pathway, and the newly formed Climate Smart Community Committee. The town’s 2025 St. Patrick’s Day luncheon is scheduled for Friday, March 14, at the Harold Lipton Community Center.