1 Arts and Music Festival: Launch an arts and music festival based on the “Be Well Raise Hell” model, blending punk, hip-hop, folk, wellness, and harm reduction to uplift local artists, vendors, youth, and community resilience to be hosted at venues like Tetta’s or Skate Time.
2 Community Mural: SUNY Ulster students can work with local artist and curator Sam Goldberg to create a public harvest-themed mural to honor the town’s agricultural roots, seasonal abundance, rural character, and the connection between land, food, creativity, and community.
3 Shared Outdoor Spaces: Develop welcoming outdoor community spaces that encourage connection among longtime residents, new residents, and second homeowners. The project can include gardens, trails, natural playground equipment, picnic shelters, and gathering spaces that support quarterly community events such as potlucks, music, crafts, and more.
4 Access to Social Worker: A local social worker could be available part-time in the Town of Rochester to assist residents with limited resources to avoid having to travel to Kingston or Ellenville to seek benefit assistance.
5 Renewable Energy Implementation: Convert all municipal buildings to 100% renewable energy to decrease carbon footprint and provide a blueprint for the rest of the community.
6 The Town of Rochester's Monthly Newsletter: Spotlight the people, businesses, events and town meetings that shape where we live and how we grow together.
7 Farm Map: Publish a printed/online guide to local farms, stands, and CSAs with map, addresses, and description to help residents/visitors shop local and reinforce the agricultural economy and identity of our community.
8 Community Garden Area: Create an accessible year‑round greenhouse with passive solar backup or a shared garden for all, supporting children' s gardening projects, plant walks, cooking classes, herb drying, and pollinator gardens with signage. Can expand to schools and include book exchanges.
9 Invasive Plant Removal: Mobilize neighbors to clear invasives, restore native habitat, improve water quality, reduce flooding, and support pollinators. Include education, nursery vouchers, and native seed giveaways.
10 Update Town Code and Comprehensive Plan: Undertake a planning study to improve our comprehensive plan for the preservation of open spaces, especially farmland, and use the study to update town code to strengthen protections of our community character from irresponsible development.
11 Community Sauna: Community members participate in a workshop to build a sauna with local resources: hempcrete bricks from Rondout Natural Builders in Accord and wood-fired. Community members contribute funds or volunteer hours for access to sauna and social events like shared meals.
12 Improve Local Athletic and Recreational Facilities: Build and organize an indoor ice-skating rink for team events and other town activities. Only one of the town's existing pickleball courts works. Fixing the existing courts, adding more courts, and installing benches could make the space more usable and accessible.