Below are the formal actions recorded on the Rochester City Council agenda on Jan. 7, 2025, summarized in one place. Where a specific roll-call was recorded, the council’s announced outcome is noted. If the transcript did not supply a full roll-call tally by name for a given vote, the recorded outcome announced by the mayor or clerk is shown.

- Acceptance of minutes (regular council minutes from Dec. 3, 2024) as amended — Motion approved (roll call: announced as approved).

- Appointments to Rochester Economic Development Commission (chair John Shapley; vice chair Ron Poulan; secretary Christian Vornable) — Motion approved (roll call: “Motion passes”).

- Ordinance items referred or introduced:
• Chicken ordinance (Amendment to Chapter 272705-23-2) — First reading; referred to public hearing.
• Property maintenance / International Property Maintenance Code (Amendment to Chapter 40) — First reading and consideration for adoption; council voted unanimously against adoption at this meeting (motion failed).

- Public Safety committee recommendation: Install feedback speed signs and flashing beacons on Chestnut Hill Road — Approved (roll call: motion carries).

- Public Works items (actions recorded):
• Acceptance of Ida Circle and Bovi Lane (Meadow Court Subdivision) as a city-owned Class 5 roadway — Referred to public hearing.
• Pavement disturbance moratorium waiver requests (multiple): Sandina Drive waiver recommended (after-the-fact acknowledgment); 137 Old Over Road (emergency gas valve repair) — waiver approved; Ida Circle waiver (in advance) — approved.
• Resolution (first reading) — Supplemental appropriation and authorization under RSA 33:9 for Public Works Capital Improvements Plan: septic receiving facility upgrade, amount not to exceed $150,000 — Referred to public hearing.

- Water projects and appropriations (first readings / referrals):
• Resolution authorizing City of Rochester Water Fund capital improvement project: Cachiko Well Upgrade Project — $12,678,200 — First reading and referred to public hearing (motion carries on first reading).
• Resolution authorizing supplemental appropriation for water treatment plant hydraulic upgrades — $4,478,200 — First reading and referred to public hearing.

- Rate and fee amendments (unfinished business; second readings and adoption where shown):
• Amendment to Chapter 260-33 — Water rates and fee schedule: Adopted; effective date of rates March 1, 2025; bills to be issued June 1, 2025 (roll call: motion carries).
• Amendment to Chapter 260-34B (Water fund service fees): Adopted (roll call: motion carries).
• Amendment to Chapter 200-33 (Wastewater rates and fee schedule): Adopted (roll call: motion carries).
• Amendment to Chapter 233-B-K (SOAR fund service fees): Adopted (roll call: motion carries).

- RSA 79-E community revitalization tax relief: Resolution granting RSA 79-E relief to property at 95 South Main Street in connection with a rehabilitation proposal — Adopted (council also instructed staff to ensure covenant language clarifies that tax relief applies only to assessment increases attributable to rehabilitation improvements, not unrelated market-driven valuation changes). The council directed the city manager/staff to ensure the covenant language reflects RSA 79-E section 13 when the covenant returns for approval.

- Community Development / CDBG actions:
• Resolution to amend Community Development Block Grant entitlement funds for FY2025 — Adopted (roll call: motion carries).
• Supplemental appropriation and authorization using CDBG job loan funds ($80,142) for public buildings capital improvements — Adopted (roll call: motion carries).

- Other capital and grant actions:
• Resolution authorizing City of Rochester to act as fiscal agent for Ghost Sports Properties LLC for a New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (GB 2030) grant — Adopted (roll call: motion carries).
• Resolution for supplemental appropriation to the Department of Public Works SORCIP Fund ($641,175) — Adopted (roll call: motion carries).
• Resolution authorizing transfer of NH BEA Municipal Per Unit Grants ($625,000) to economic development non-capital reserve and FY25 SOAR CIP for Route 125 temporary pump-station project — Adopted (roll call: motion carries).

- New business (first readings adopted/referred where noted):
• Resolution: supplemental appropriation for Dominicus Hansen (The Pines) Park forestry management plan — $33,000 — First reading and approved on first reading (roll call: motion carries); staff said the appropriation supports invasive-species removal, brush trimming in hotspots, and professional forestry work to preserve the park per deed conditions.

- Non-public session
• Council entered non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(d) (land) and RSA 91-A:3 II(a) (personnel), then returned and voted to seal the minutes indefinitely on the stated grounds that disclosure would make decisions moot.

Note: Where the transcript announces “Motion carries” or “Yes” on a roll-call, the council’s recorded outcome is reflected above. The transcript includes many roll-call announcements; full per-member vote lists were not always repeated verbally in the transcript for every item.