Community Surveys & Forums

Introduction 

In the City of Rochester, civic engagement and community participation take center stage in municipal decision-making and planning. This page aims to empower city departments, boards, and commissions to conduct online community surveys and forums. It is important to stress that this platform does not replace formal public input or voting processes; rather, it serves as a channel for officials to collect and analyze input from community members. The aim is to make well-informed and data-driven choices that mirror the diverse needs and aspirations of the community.

Make Your Voice Heard

Below is a list of all input sessions and survey opportunities that are available to Rochester citizens at this time. Check back frequently for an updated list. These opportunities are not an alternative to voting or providing official input at public meetings. To learn more about getting involved in municipal government, click here. For general inquiries and concerns, contact the Public Information Office at (603) 330-7195.

Upcoming/Current:

  • Rec & Arena Community Engagement Survey
    As part of an effort to update the City of Rochester’s Recreation Master Plan Strafford Regional Planning Commission and Rochester Recreation & Arena are conducting a community survey.  Input from you is crucial in shaping the future of recreation in the City of Rochester.
  • Don’t Overload the Code Initiative
    On Oct. 31, 2023, Gov. Chris Sununu established by executive order the Don’t Overload the Code Initiative to extend New Hampshire’s 603 area code and to prepare businesses for the eventuality an additional area code will be assigned to the state. The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is conducting this survey to assess the potential impact an additional New Hampshire area code would have on the state’s businesses.
  • Community Input needed for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
    The City of Rochester’s Community Development Division has released its 2023-2024 Community Development survey to gather public feedback and opinions on potential funding activities for the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Past:

  • Rochester School Department Strategic Plan 
    The Rochester School Department is in the early stages of developing a new strategic plan, a roadmap that will guide the direction of the Rochester School Department for the next several years. Public perspectives and feedback are integral to this process, as we strive to create a plan that accurately reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.
  • DPW to host Public Information Meeting regarding capacity and safety enhancements to NH Rt. 11
    The public is invited to an informational meeting at the Rochester Public Works Facility, located at 209 Chestnut Hill Road, on Wednesday, January 31st at 7:00 pm. The purpose of this meeting is for the design team to share information about the existing conditions of this roadway, to relay information on the planned project schedule, and for residents and business owners to share their observations and concerns to help guide the direction of the engineering study before the development of the improvement concept begins.
  • DPW to host Public Informational Meeting for project slated at intersection of Milton Rd./Salmon Falls Rd./Amarosa Dr.
    A public informational meeting will be held at the Rochester Public Works Facility (209 Chestnut Hill Road) on January 25th, 2024, at 7:00 pm. Residents are encouraged to attend. The consultant will be present to provide an overview of the project and display graphical maps of the project area and the conceptual design.
  • Public Input Meeting for Water Street Improvements Project
    This meeting will give the public the opportunity to participate in the project design process and have their opinions heard and considered. Attendees can meet with municipal officials and the Fuss & O’Neill design team to provide input on the features that they would like to see included in the project and help shape the overall aesthetic and functionality throughout the Water Street corridor.
  • Community Child Care Survey
    This survey is for the City of Rochester community with children age 5 or younger, and/or those planning to have or adopt a child within the next 2 years. All responses are confidential and will be used only to create a profile of the population with young children.
  • Volunteers Needed for Accessibility Audit of Downtown Rochester
    On September 25th, the City of Rochester, in collaboration with Strafford Regional Planning Commission and Strafford County Public Health Network, is conducting an Accessibility Audit of Downtown Rochester. Volunteers are needed during the event to observe and evaluate the accessibility of streets and sidewalks in downtown Rochester. Participants will meet at the Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC), at 32 North Main Street, to begin the audits.
  • Public Works to host Informational Meeting regarding intersection of Old Dover Road / Tebbetts Road
    The City of Rochester, in collaboration with NHDOT, is working on a conceptual and preliminary design for an intersection improvement project at the intersection of Old Dover Road and Tebbetts Road. A public information meeting will be held at Rochester City Hall, 31 Wakefield Street, on September 26th, 2023, at 7:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting is for the design team to present information regarding the existing conditions of the intersection, and for residents to share their observations to help guide the direction of the engineering study before development begins.