Rochester officials have cold feet on cooperative boundary plan
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
To date, Rochester officials have been striking a collaborative tone in the Town of Waterford’s incorporation application process.
But the latest step – signing onto a cooperative boundary plan agreement that could solidify the village’s borders into perpetuity – is giving officials pause.
While no action was taken, the Village Board on May 17 discussed Rochester’s role in the boundary agreement, which also includes participation from two other nearby townships – Dover and Norway.
Based on language in the agreement, Village Administrator-Treasurer Betty Novy said it could solidify borders and prevent any further annexations.
“They’re asking us to cement these boundaries forever,” Novy said. “Do we really want to do that? What’s in it for us at this point?”
From Rochester’s vantage point, the concerns focus on the village’s border with Dover – an area where future developments might be ripe down the road for annexations into the community. The potential could be especially tenable if developers were looking to tap into Rochester’s utilities.
“I don’t think the Village of Rochester is going to annex into the Town of Dover anytime soon,” Novy said. “But I think it’s important for us to be aware of (the potential) with this agreement.”
During deliberations, the board did not make a firm directive, one way or the other, but did give the go-ahead to have the village attorney review the document and provide feedback.
To read the full version of this story see the May 21 edition of the Waterford Post.
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