Public hearing on budget to take live comments but you must preregister

ROCHESTER - City residents will get a chance to weigh in on Rochester's budget for fiscal year 2020-21 during a Public Hearing Tuesday, the first remotely held meeting that will allow residents to make public comments in real time.

The $141.7 million budget is tax cap compliant and reflects a leaner list of capital improvement projects due to projected decreases in nonproperty tax revenue associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result two fire department and two police positions that were to start in June won't be added till January 2021, City Manager Blaine Cox said on Thursday.

"These reductions are all due to anticipated revenue lost due to business shutdowns and Stay at Home orders," Cox said. "We are going to be on a tighter fiscal path."

The public can call-in 857-444-0744 and Conference code: 843095 to comment live.

To call in live residents must preregister online; otherwise the meeting will be set to allow the public to "listen-in" only. To register click here.

Anyone having trouble logging into the meeting can email PublicInput@RochesterNH.net or call 603-332-1167.

Residents can also make comment by:

Mail: City Clerk/Public Input, 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867 (must be received at least three full days prior to the anticipated meeting date)

Email: PublicInput@rochesternh.net (must be received no later than 4 p.m. of meeting date)

Voicemail 603-330-7107 (must be received no later than 12:00 pm on said meeting date in order to be transcribed)

All correspondence will be included in an addendum with the corresponding meeting packet.

The Public Hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. just prior to a City Council Special Meeting.