News Notes

County Street Road Project Begins
County Street at the Seekonk-East Providence line is closed to traffic while workers install concrete culverts at the Runnins River. The project, which aims to remedy flooding problems in the area, is expected to take four to six weeks, according to a Sun Chronicle article. County Street is a major route between Fall River Avenue and Route 6. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes.

Michael Healy Appointed as Interim Fire Chief
The Board of Selectmen last month appointed Michael P. Healy as Interim Fire Chief. Healy retired in April but has been asked to return temporarily until a new permanent Fire Chief is hired. The town has begun interviews for the fire chief position. Healy is expected to assist in the transition of the new chief.

Town is Getting New Voting Machines
The town is replacing its Accuvote Tabulator machines with ImageCast Precinct Tabulators for all town, state and federal elections. The current machines are 11 years old. Town meeting recently approved the purchase of five new machines. The cost is approximately $27,000. The new machines are expected to be in by September.

Bristol County Chamber of Commerce Merging with SouthCoast Chamber
The Bristol County Chamber of Commerce will be merging with the SouthCoast Chamber, also known as the New Bedford Chamber, in January 2020, according to Sun Chronicle and Herald News reports. The Bristol County Chamber, based in Fall River, serves Seekonk, Rehoboth, Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Freetown and Tiverton and Little Compton, RI. The SouthCoast chamber serves New Bedford, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Wareham and Westport. The combined memberships total nearly 1,600 businesses. The new chamber will become the second largest in Massachusetts in number of member companies. A new name has not yet been selected. Plans call for maintaining two offices and existing staff.

EEE Virus Detected in Rehoboth
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Rehoboth, according to a press release from the Mass. Dept. of Public Health (MDPH). EEE is rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the MDPH, Rehoboth remains at low risk of EEE and West Nile Virus at this time, but officials recommend the following precautions:

• Be aware of peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn.
• Wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors to keep mosquitoes away from your skin
• Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors
• Drain standing water around your home
• Install and/or repair screens on windows and doors

According to cdc.gov, symptoms of EEE can range from chills, fever and headache to vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions. EEE can infect people of all ages, but people under 15 years and over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.