June News Notes

Seekonk Is Fastest Growing Community
Seekonk was the fastest growing community in the area from 2013 to 2014, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The town added more than 325 new residents during that time, increasing its population by almost 3%. Of the other cities and towns in the area, Attleboro and North Attleboro grew by the smallest amount.

Town Meeting Will Vote on $48.3 Million Budget for FY ‘16
Residents will vote on a proposed $48.3 million budget for Fiscal Year 2016 at the annual town meeting on June 15. The budget represents a 5.9% increase over the current year. The budget includes several new hires including four firefighters, two police officers, two dispatchers, a full-time parks and recreation director (the position is now part time), and a part time secretary for the veterans office. The town meeting agenda is available online at www.seekonk-ma.gov.

Town Meeting Article Requests $50,000 for Veterans Memorial Park
An article on the town meeting warrant requests voters to approve $50,000 for the Veterans Memorial Park. The memorial will be located on land adjacent to the Seekonk Library parking lot on Newman Avenue. The Veterans Memorial Committee reportedly already has $25,000 for the project. Construction is expected to be completed in phases over five years.

Veterans Agent Resigns
Veterans Agent Seth Bai has left his position. He is reportedly taking a job as veterans agent in Newton. He has served in Seekonk since 2009. Veterans are being referred to other nearby towns for services. Bai is the third town official to resign in the past six months. John Santos resigned as building commissioner earlier this month and John Hansen resigned as town planner last December.

Seekonk High Student Honored for Volunteerism
Seekonk High School senior Brian Salit received The Prudential Spirit of Community Award and a trip to Washington, D.C. for an award ceremony and dinner reception held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Salit was named the top high school level youth volunteer. Salit organized an annual summit at the Boston Statehouse focusing on preventing distracted-driving (including texting) among young people. Government officials, experts and student leaders from high schools around the state attended the conference. The awards program is sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Emergency Traffic Signal Being Installed on Rt. 44
A new emergency traffic signal will be installed on Taunton Avenue/Rt. 44 in front of the driveway leading to the Public Safety Complex. Selectmen approved the construction in April. The light will be used for emergency purposes to stop traffic on Taunton Avenue when necessary. It will be flashing yellow during non-emergencies. The installation is expected to begin in August and should be completed by the end of October.

FEMA to Hold Meeting on Updated Flood Maps
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold a meeting June 8, 4-7 p.m. at North Attleboro High School for residents of communities affected by updated flood insurance maps. Seekonk is one of the communities affected. The updated flood maps are scheduled to take effect on July 16. Residents who believe their property may be located within the flood hazard areas can visit their town offices to review the preliminary flood maps and then get more information at the meeting.