From the Town Clerk

Greetings from the Town Clerk’s office. February started right out of the gate with a Special Town Meeting held on Monday February 4th. The Town Moderator made the decision to adjourn the January 28th Special Town Meeting due to over capacity at the high school auditorium. He announced it was to be continued one week later, February 4, at 7PM at the Ramada Inn.

With only one week to coordinate, what was anticipated to be a meeting of 900 to 1000 residents there was a lot of team work and coordination among many departments to ensure that it ran smoothly.

Recognition and thanks go out to the following: The Town Administrator’s Office; Shawn Cadime, Chris Testa and Kristen L’Heureux, Town Moderator; Peter Hoogerzeil, Town Counsel; Lauren Goldberg, Assistant Town Clerk; Lorraine Sorel, The Ramada Inn’s Management and staff, Police Chief John and Fire Chief Healy who were instrumental in the set-up the flow of the room. Thanks to our police and fire staff for coordinating crowd control, parking and directing traffic and implementing safety. The DPW team for setting up the voting machines and all the extra chairs. Also thanks to all the Town employees, who stepped up to help in every way they could. And of course thanks to our dedicated poll workers who helped check-in the hundreds of people in such a short time span.

Special Town Meeting Results
Article 1 – To receive the reports of Town Officers, or Committees, if any, and to act thereon, or take any action relative thereto. Motion was made to receive the Reports. John Aubin Town Planner for Seekonk gave an amended report for the Town meeting. Action on the motion: Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Article 2 - Amend section 3.02 of the Seekonk Zoning Bylaws and the Town of Seekonk’s zoning map as it pertains to a portion of the property located at 800 Fall River Ave. Seekonk, MA (commonly known as the “Showcase Cinemas’ property). Motion was made to reject the zoning amendments proposed in Article 2. Action on the motion: Motion passed in the affirmative to reject the zoning amendments proposed in Article 2 with a majority vote.

Meeting dissolved at 7:46 PM.

Number of registered voters who attended
Precinct 1 – 86
Precinct 2 – 186
Precinct 3 – 216
Precinct 4 – 219
Total - 707

In other news we continue to process census forms and dog licenses. If you have not yet sent in or, dropped off your census please do so as soon as possible as it helps keep our records current. We’ve also been busy taking in and certifying nomination papers for the candidates running in the annual town election, which is right around the corner, April 1, 2019. The polls will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm and all voting takes place at the Seekonk High School gymnasium, 261 Arcade Ave. Please take the time and vote. It is important to support the candidates who are town residents who take the time to take out nominations papers and run for office. Your vote and voice make a difference. These people care about our community and want to work hard to maintain the wonderful town that Seekonk is. The last day to register to vote for this election is March 13. If you want to register to vote you can go online to www.RegisterToVoteMA.com or come into the Clerk’s office.
Below is a list of the candidates and the offices they are seeking as well as the two questions that will be on the ballot asking for a YES or NO vote.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS
For Three Years Vote for ONE
Joyce Solomon, Candidate

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
For Three Years Vote for ONE
Justin Sullivan, Candidate

HOUSING AUTHORITY
For Five Years Vote for ONE

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
For Three Years Vote for THREE
Ann Caldwell, Candidate for Re-election
Michael Durkay, Candidate for Re-election
Alyssa Richard, Candidate for Re-election

For Two Years Vote for ONE
Cynthia Corbett, Candidate

For One Year Vote for ONE
Catherine Capello, Candidate

PLANNING BOARD
For Five Years Vote for TWO
Ronald Bennett, Candidate for Re-election
David Sullivan, Jr., Candidate for Re-election
Peter Aguiar, Candidate

SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For Three Years Vote for TWO
Elizabeth Eklund, Candidate for Re-election
Elizabeth Elmasian, Candidate
Sona Schiller, Candidate

WATER COMMISSIONER
For Three Years Vote for ONE
Guy Larrimer, Candidate for Re-election

Question
“Shall this Town approve the charter amendment proposed by the Town Meeting summarized below?
“In accordance with Article 6, Section 6 of the Town Charter, the Conservation Commission is currently composed of seven members. The May 14, 2018 Spring Annual Town Meeting voted to amend the Charter to reduce the size of the Conservation Commission to five members”.
Yes or No

Question
“Shall the Town of Seekonk cease assessing the excise imposed by Section 8A of Chapter 59 of the Massachusetts General Laws on certain animals, machinery and equipment owned by individual and non-corporate entities principally engaged in agriculture?
Yes or No

Cable 9 and the Seekonk Public Library will be hosting events to help you to know the candidates better.


2019 Annual Rabies Clinic
The rabies clinic, for dogs and cats, will be held Saturday March 9, 9am – 12pm at the Seeking Public Works Department on the corner of Route 44 and Lake Street. The fee will be for the rabies vaccine $12.00 cash only. If you bring proof of a current rabies vaccine your animal will be eligible for a 3-year rabies vaccine. If you do not have proof your animal will be eligible for a 1-year vaccine. You will be able to drop off your dog license form with proof of rabies and payment. Your dog’s license will be processed the following week and mailed back to you. If you need a dog license form go to www.seekonk-ma.gov and look under Forms and Documents, then click on Town Clerk, downloadable forms, dog licenses.

Save the Date
March 5 - Annual Taste of the Town sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Greater Seekonk, Inc. will be held at The Clarion Inn, 940 Fall River Ave. Seekonk. 6pm-9pm. There will be food, wine and beer tasting from the area’s finest restaurants.

March 9 - Annual Rabies Clinic - 9am -12pm at the DPW building on Route 6 Seekonk.

April 1 - The Annual Town Election for Seekonk. The polls will be open from 7am – 8pm. All precincts vote at the Sr. High School 261 Arcade Ave.

April 26- Save A Pet Society, Inc. 32nd Annual Charity Auction to benefit the Seekonk Animal Shelter 5:30pm – 9:00pm Ramada Inn 213 Taunton Ave. For more information visit www.SeekonkSaveAPet.org

April 27 – Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held on Saturday 9am-12pm Seekonk Town Hall 100 Peck St. Any questions contact the Seekonk Board of Health (508) 336-2950. Registration for this event can be done on the Town website starting April 12, 2019.

May 13 -Town Meeting will be held on Monday 7pm at the Seekonk High School auditorium 261 Arcade Ave.

Did you know?
The State Dog for Massachusetts is the Boston terrier, the first pure bred dog developed in America (1869), is a cross between an English bulldog and an English terrier. It was recognized by the Legislature in 1979. The State cat is the Tabby Cat. The Tabby Cat was made the official state cat in 1988, in response to the wishes of the schoolchildren in Massachusetts.

Our office welcomes inquiries from all citizens seeking assistance or information in relation to services provided by the Town of Seekonk.

Take heart Spring is almost here!