Sandra Lowery Out as Seekonk Fire Chief

Fire Chief Sandra Lowery is leaving her position in February. The Select Board will be voting to accept Lowery’s retirement at this Wednesday’s meeting. Lowery has been out on sick leave since mid-September. The town’s first female fire chief has had a rocky tenure since her appointment in October 2021.

Lowery had previously served as Interim Chief. Lowery had been a member of the department for over 20 years. Lowery’s predecessor, David Rave, served in the position for a year. In August 2022, Lowery was suspended with pay for a one month period by Town Administrator Shawn Cadime. No reason was given for the suspension. Cadime said it was town policy not to comment on personnel matters.

According to Lowery’s contract, her annual salary is $122, 727. At her May 2022 installation ceremony, Lowery said being Fire Chief was “very humbling” and promised to “strive for excellence.”

The Select Board is considering hiring a consulting firm to aid in the search for Lowery’s replacement Lowery’s departure is the latest blow to the Fire Department. Earlier this month, the Select Board rejected a town meeting warrant article for a new South End Fire Station. The construction cost was $11.2 million. A debt exclusion, or temporary tax increase, would’ve needed to have been approved at town meeting before construction began.

Board members cited a possible lack of personnel to occupy the new facility based on the current shortage of firefighters. “The staffing issue has been ongoing,” said Selectman Justin Sullivan at the October 11 meeting. “After holding discussions with the Fire Chief and the (firefighters) union, we want to try to get to manning levels that can sustain the units we have right now.”

“It is our job to provide the personnel for that project,” Chairman Michael Healy said, noting 12 new firefighters would need to be hired if the station was to go ahead.

Last August, Seekonk Firefighters Local 1931 posted the following on their Facebook page: “The men and women of the Seekonk Fire Department show up every day to ensure the health and safety of the people of Seekonk. They deserve a fully staffed and fully qualified department. The Seekonk Fire Department has lost 10 qualified people to other departments in the past 5 years; 6 in this past year alone.”

Cadime said last month the town has committed to increased staffing levels in the Fire Department. Conditional offers of employment will be made to four new firefighters at Wednesday’s Select Board meeting.