On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the City of Rochester celebrated the inauguration of the Mayor, City Council, School Board, Police Commission, and Election Officials. Following the swearing-in of elected officials, Councilor David E. Walker (Ward 4/Seat A) was unanimously chosen to serve as Deputy Mayor.

Click here to watch online. 

Mayor Chuck Grassie delivered the following address:

Thank you all for coming.

I want to thank Mayor Callaghan for his service to our city. I also want to thank everyone who has stood up to serve our community—our election workers, school board members, and city council members.

As we reflect on the history of our city, it becomes clear that we have experienced numerous changes over the years. Many of these changes have been met with applause and approval, while others have faced criticism and debate. The impact of these transformations has shaped our community in profound ways—some for the better, others perhaps less so, depending on one’s perspective. Regardless of whether these changes were welcomed or opposed, we now find ourselves on the threshold of an uncertain future, moving forward together as a community.

Recent assessments have resulted in significant tax increases for many working families and seniors. Given ongoing funding uncertainties at the federal level and reductions at the state level, developing sustainable school and municipal budgets will be increasingly challenging. Your mayor and city council recognize the difficulties facing our community and are committed to addressing the city’s needs with fiscal responsibility. We will pursue public-private partnerships where appropriate and explore innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet these challenges.

We also need to make sure our state representative delegation understands that actions taken at the state level can have dramatic effects on our local property taxes. I will be asking the city council to speak out when state actions cause increased costs for our property taxpayers.

Governance and Civic Responsibility

During the last election, some tried to bring political parties into our city’s government. By choosing the Council-Manager system without political affiliation, we moved away from party rule and toward elected councilors and school board members who serve Rochester’s voters—not political interests.

Personal opinions outside City Hall are your responsibility, but remember: partisanship has no place in City Hall. We represent the citizens of Rochester, not outside political powers.

As a city councilor, your responsibility is to actively listen to those you represent. Make time for regular ward meetings where you can hear their concerns and viewpoints. If you need assistance organizing a meeting, reach out and we will support you. I encourage you to ask questions and thoughtfully examine any issues that arise. You serve as the voice of your constituents, representing everyone in your wards. Bring forward their ideas—no suggestion is too unusual if it could help make Rochester better for all. As mayor, I promise that I will never silence your perspective.

As a citizen, it is your responsibility to reach out to your elected representatives and let them know how you feel about issues. Don’t be afraid. These councilors and school board members are your neighbors—you elected them to be your voice. We cannot represent you if we never hear from you.

Looking Ahead

Now let’s look forward. (The next two years are going to be tough.)

When I speak to many new citizens who move here, one of the first things they talk about is the number of people who volunteer. Whether it be youth sports, city beautification, faith-based activities, community festivals, or arts and culture, many work to make Rochester a special place to raise a family or retire.

But now we need to get even more involved.

If you have children in school, join your PTA or PTO and help make your school the best it can be. Volunteer in a classroom. Read to kids in a classroom. If you’re a businessperson—either large or small—join the Chamber of Commerce. If you’re a downtown business, join Main Street. If you attend church or are active with any other faith-based group, find out what programs they may have to help those less fortunate.

If you have kids, volunteer to coach or help with a youth sports or scouting program. Find a local cleanup or gardening group. Find a soup kitchen and lend your cooking skills to help feed those in need. Join the Rotary, Elks, Lions, Moose, or other groups that help our community in different ways. Volunteer at the Opera House or the Historical Society and help promote the arts, culture, and history of our city.

Encourage your children to get involved with extracurricular sports, music, theater, or community activities in the schools, because teaching them to get involved will ensure our future. Every hour you volunteer strengthens our community.

Issues Facing Rochester

1. Homelessness

One of the major issues I heard most from voters was homelessness. On any given night, Rochester has conservatively over 150 individuals sleeping outside under the sky—most not by choice, but by circumstance. A recent comment from our superintendent of schools stated that there were almost 100 students who were housing insecure.

Last year, 2025, our welfare department placed 68 households in motels as emergency housing. Most of those were families with children and some people with medical conditions that would not be appropriate for traditional shelters. This year, 2026, we have assisted 23 households with emergency housing in motels. The problem is getting worse, not better, and we need to find ways to solve it by working with the state and county.

People living in the woods, in tents, in cars, under tarps, in boxes—this is not a solution; it’s the problem. No one deserves to live in conditions less than an animal. Whether the cause is drugs, mental health challenges, poverty, physical disability, or job loss, we can and should do better.

I will be asking the school board to work with us to form a special committee to address youth homelessness. This committee will include community homelessness and housing advocates, members of the faith-based community, and city, county, and state elected officials.

Homelessness is not a problem Rochester can solve on its own. I have been—and will continue to—work with the mayors of Dover and Somersworth, as well as Strafford County and state officials, to find solutions to homelessness, drug and mental health treatment, and transitional and affordable housing.

2. Affordability of Housing

High housing costs in New Hampshire have forced many children and grandchildren to leave Rochester for affordable options elsewhere. It is troubling that new families moving here for jobs struggle to find affordable homes, and this situation must improve.

We need to review our zoning and building codes to see where we might reduce the cost of housing. Smaller “starter” homes used to be the norm but are now unpopular due to lower profit margins. There is a company right here in Rochester that I have been speaking with that uses innovative building techniques to 3D-print homes.

Small-footprint “cottage” homes need to be considered. Tiny home developments, such as one in Dover, need to be replicated here in Rochester. Concepts such as pattern zoning, accessory dwelling units, and workforce housing within commercial and industrial developments need to be expanded. What’s old may be new again, as companies are successfully developing workforce housing within their projects.

3. Education

I will be working closely with the chair of the school board to understand how we can help improve our schools. Most parents love their children’s teachers and their schools, and we need to support the efforts that have been successful in helping our children succeed.

With cutbacks at the state and federal levels, our schools struggle to make improvements. Our teachers work hard every day to help our children succeed but are constantly seeing reductions in special education supports and a lack of tools to do their jobs. Adolescent mental healthcare needs to be addressed, and I have reached out to mental healthcare professionals to see where we can help.

I will be asking both boards to hold regular meetings between our finance committees so issues, opportunities, and challenges are not surprises to either body. I will also be asking to meet monthly with the school board chair to keep us both informed on the common issues we face. The success of our schools will determine the success of our city.

4. Arts, Culture, History, and Community

The vibrancy of a community—and its ability to attract young families and new businesses—is rooted in its ability to provide arts and culture to its citizens. We have had many successful festivals in Rochester, but we can and should do more.

I will be reaching out to all community groups to find new and more innovative ideas to bring excitement to Rochester. Working with the Rochester Fair Association, Main Street, the Rochester Chamber, the Rochester Opera House, and other arts and cultural organizations, we will bring more energy to our city.

But most importantly, we should never forget the history that makes Rochester, Rochester. The stories that built our community need to be preserved and repeated. Our schoolchildren need to hear how Rochester became what it is today.

My father’s family came to the United States in the mid-1800s from Italy and settled here in Rochester. We were the first Italian family to settle here. Many more families followed from other countries to work in the woolen mills, shoe factories, and box shops.

I’ve heard it said that Portsmouth always wanted to be Boston, Dover always wanted to be Portsmouth, but Rochester just wanted to be Rochester—a working-class community where everyone could claim a piece of the American Dream, raise their children, work a good job, and retire with dignity.

Closing

I’ve only addressed four issues I’d like the city to focus on over the next two years. There are many more. It will not be easy, but I can tell you this: I will not be discouraged, nor will I accept the name “Rottenchester” any longer.

We will work with any group that has an idea or a desire to make our community better. I ask you—the people who make Rochester what it is—to help your city council and school board face the future.

One thing I can promise: no matter how hard it gets, we will have fun walking into the fight.

Now let’s get to work.