Make   ROCHESTER GREAT

With RESPONSIBLE GROWTH

And RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

Responsible Growth: Promote planned development which takes the growth of the town into account along with consideration of the town’s rural character. 

-         Update the comprehensive plan to reflect growth with consideration (sustainable development).

-         Promote businesses that provide jobs, broaden the tax base and do not detract from the town’s natural and historic assets.

-         Realize consistent and municipal codes and unbiased code enforcement.

-         Improve telecommunication and other technology infrastructure that promotes business development.

-         Cooperate with neighboring towns to find ways to work together to solve the common problems and share expenses.

-         Equitably share the tax burden

o       Property tax reassessments that are open and equitable.

o       Broaden the tax base through enticing businesses and visitors to our area.

o       Share information on community/county efforts to modify tax laws.

o       Adopt tax incentives that help town residents most in need

-         Adopt a budgetary process which plans for the future; not one that reacts to unanticipated needs.

Responsible Government: Responsibility, accountability and efficiency are the best ways to control the cost of government and the burden on taxpayers.

-         Foster open, accountable and participatory Town Government.

-         Involve public citizens in town committees and determining Town direction. Continue Town Hall meetings.

-         Promote positive actions – focus on the positive and working together, not the negative.

-         Continue to improve financial and reporting procedures.

-         Enforce existing statues and codes (zoning and planning in particular) – modify if necessary.

-         Promote competitiveness of appointments for town employees and board members.

-         Promote open and competitive contracting.

-         Value the diversity of our community and the views of all of our residents.  (Our diverse community includes young working families, senior citizens, business owners, farmers, and part-time residents: old-timers; new-comers and some in-betweens. We believe that everyone deserves to have their views heard by a government that is respectful, welcoming, and accessible.)

-         Continue to improve communications through such means as newsletters, press, web-site, town board meetings, public meetings, and open-door policy.

-         Use technology to make government more open, transparent and efficient (e.g. computers, permits by phone/mail/internet).

-         Ensure the budget formulation process is open, proactive, and understandable.

-         Continue to play an active role in running the Town Government to meet the needs of our residents.

o       Continue to interact with other Towns in planning and sharing common goals (Scenic byway,  School taxes, business development on 209)

o       Seek federal and state grants for agricultural and other business enterprises.