Voters May Choose New Town Government for Seekonk

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen has authorized a non-binding advisory question on the April 3 election ballot. Voters will have the opportunity to show support for a different type of town government.

The ballot options may include electing a Town Manager and Town Council or a Mayor and Town Council or keeping the current format of Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, and town meetings.

A newly formed Charter Commission would then recommend whether or not the town’s form of government can be changed.

“We need to get it out there, educate (residents) as much as we can before the actual vote,” Selectman Michael Healy said Wednesday. “Let the people decide if they want to make any type of a change.”

“It’s all data points, it’s all feedback,” Selectman Adam Petronio noted.

“I personally believe we have outlived our form of government and would be better served by an elected town council with either an elected Town Manager, Administrator, or Mayor,” said Gary Sagar at the board’s February 1 meeting.

Sagar requested the board approve a ballot question.

Michelle Hines, a former selectwoman as well as a candidate for the Board, asked if the members were setting a precedent by placing a citizen’s request on an election ballot.

“To be honest with you, I think any resident should feel free to write a letter to the chairman or any board member and say ‘hey, is this something we can consider,’” replied Chairman Justin Sullivan. “Residents should feel free to e-mail any board member or the chair for consideration, it doesn’t guarantee that’s it’s going to advance any further but this particular question itself had some validity.”