Rooted in Rochester is an environmentally and community-focused listening campaign open to all Town of Rochester residents. It is a nonpartisan initiative that stems from the simple idea that people should have a say over decisions that impact their lives. The campaign was designed to give people the opportunity to say what they care about most in their town and identify shared priorities through a community vote.

Between October 2025 and February 2026, residents submitted their community project ideas. The ideas have now been assembled and included on a ballot, where Town of Rochester residents are invited and encouraged to vote on their favorite local project ideas by May 15! The ballots will be in your mailbox soon, and you can also vote online here. When the vote is in, the results will be shared with the community and the Town Board.

The goal is to understand what residents want to see in their town and explore the many pathways and funding options that could bring those ideas to life. There are numerous possibilities for funding the projects, including state and private grants, partnerships, fundraising and donations, and municipal investment. This project is completely independent from the town’s budget process and assessment. The ideas have been collected from the community for the community. They are long‑term possibilities meant to inspire, spark collaboration, and build unity, without any formal requests or obligations for the town.

Thank you for sharing your ideas and imagining our town’s future together! You can read our press coverage in the Shawangunk Journal here and here, and Blue Stone Press.