BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – At the Feb. 17 meeting of the Rockingham Selectboard, interim town manager Alex Torpey gave an update on several ongoing projects, including the new town website, which is close to completion, pending a few details and one final review by all departments.
Torpey mentioned that he and town office staff have been working to improve several workspaces within the building, such as the lower theater conference room used for selectboard and village trustees meetings.
“Our goal was to…make it a little easier for the public to see the [white]board and the screen,” Torpey said, gesturing to the video screen behind him. He told the board he was looking into some ideas for local art that could hang on the wall behind them, or a town seal or logo.
The board continued a previous discussion about the goals and expectations they had for the recreation committee. Torpey said he was working with parks and recreation director Jarrod James to create a more unified, organized structure. Developed as an advisory committee to address the community’s recreation and arts-related needs, priorities, and opportunities, the recreation committee is to provide input on capital projects, and to assist with marketing, public outreach, and community engagement.
Additionally, the recreation committee will help identify grant and fundraising partnerships, and volunteer opportunities not just for athletics, but for arts and cultural programming as well.
Rockingham Highway Superintendent Glen Schreiter presented the board with a list of town construction projects potentially scheduled for the summer of 2026. Schreiter reported it likely that the Atkinson Street School project would have to be scheduled for the summer of 2027, stating that the town would lose funding if the project is not completed by 2028.
Other projects discussed were the Route 121 culvert replacement, which is currently pending a structures grant approval, and the Route 121 repaving effort, which lacks sufficient funds for a full reconstruction. Schreiter offered the board several other options, and mentioned that some of the project’s costs would be offset by a 2027 paving grant.
The Flat Iron bump-out project is moving forward on schedule, Schreiter reported, and there was some discussion as to how critical sidewalk repairs might be funded.
Torpey told the board one of his goals while working as the interim manager is to initiate a unified capital plan. Main categories such as infrastructure, facilities, and technology would be reviewed in order to calculate anticipated expenses and funding needs for use when planning next year’s budget. Torpey suggested creating a capital planning committee to help manage the town’s financial risk.
Selectboard Chair Peter Golec announced that town reports are available at Lisai’s Market, Saxtons River Market, and the Rockingham Free Public Library. Rick Cowan mentioned the town report had been dedicated to Golec, who is retiring when his term ends in March, for his 17 years of service.
The Rockingham Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the town hall main theater, 7 The Square, starting at 2 p.m. Voting will then take place on Tuesday, March 3, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 61 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls.