News Notes

Candidates Take Out Papers for Local Election

Several potential candidates have taken out papers to run in the local town election on April 3. Selectmen David Andrade and Nelson Almeida have taken papers to run for re-election. Bill Woods has taken papers for re-election to the school committee. Erin Brouillette has also taken papers for the three-year school committee seat. Deborah Viveiros has taken out papers for the two-year school committee seat, left open when Robert Richardson resigned. Peter Hoogerzeil took out papers for re-election to Town Moderator. Florice Craig took out papers for Town Clerk. Jeffrey Starr Mararian, Christopher Craft and Douglas Brown took out papers for one-seat as Water Commissioner. Brown has returned his papers. Lynn Cristino took out papers for one of two seats available on the Library Board of Trustees. No one has expressed interest yet in the Planning Board and Assessors positions. Candidates must return papers with 50 signatures of registered voters by 5 p.m. on Feb. 13 to be on the ballot.

Local Reps Vote Against Pay Raises for House Speaker & Senate President

State Rep. Steven Howitt (Seekonk) and State Rep. Betty Poirier (Attleboro) voted against 40 percent pay raises for House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, which according to an article in the Sun Chronicle, were rushed through the House. The measure, expected to cost $18 million passed with a vote of 155 to 40. It now goes to the Senate.

Area Students Participate in Project 351 Day of Service

Two students from the area were among 350 youngsters chosen to participate in the Project 351 program. The students are Mackenzie Morganweck of Rehoboth and Madison Sirois of Seekonk. The group participated in an annual day of celebration and service on Jan. 14 in Boston. Project 351 is a youth service nonprofit organization that brings together 8th graders from every city and town in the Commonwealth for an inspirational year of community service, leadership development, and enrichment.
Project 351, founded by Governor Deval Patrick in 2011 and now convened by Governor Charlie Baker, helps the student ‘ambassadors’ learn communication, project management and leadership skills through various events and local projects.

Several Area Legislators File Bills Against Rehoboth Gas Compressor Station

Local legislators are attempting to fight a proposed natural gas compressor station in Rehoboth, part of Spectra Energy’s Access Northeast Project according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The project includes approximately 55 miles of new pipeline and the compressor station. State Reps. Steven Howitt, Betty Poirier and Paul Heroux as well as Sen. James Timility have all filed legislation, but the final say is in the hands of federal agencies. One of Howitt’s bills would require a compressor station be located in an industrial zone. The proposed site is in a residential zone off Finnegan’s Way in Rehoboth, near the Attleboro and Seekonk lines. Another bill from Howitt, co-sponsored by Poirier, would require that natural gas pumped through Massachusetts pipelines stay in Massachusetts. Another of Howitt and Poirier’s bills would prohibit compressor stations near schools, playgrounds, daycare centers and churches. Heroux has also filed a bill preventing compressor stations near schools. Wamsutta Middle School and Hyman Fine Elemental School in Attleboro are reportedly located near the compressor site.

Another bill from Heroux would require that energy companies get town approval before construction. Because the project is part of the interstate pipeline system, it is regulated by the Federal Agency Regulatory Commission (FERC). The article mentions that any interested party will have an opportunity to file comments on the project, but no details were available.

Seekonk Town Clerk to Retire

Town Clerk Jan Parker has announced she will be retiring when her term ends. Parker has served the town in this position for 21 years. Parker was the first full-time elected town clerk. 

Selectmen Chairman Will Live in Rhode Island While House is Repaired

Selectmen Chairman David Andrade and his family are moving to Rhode Island temporarily while their home is being repaired after a recent fire caused extensive damage, according to a Sun Chronicle article. No one was injured in the fire. The Secretary of State’s office reportedly told Andrade he doesn’t have to resign from the board because the fire was an unforeseen event.

School Department Proposes Budget for 2017-2018

The school department has proposed a preliminary $26.6 million budget for next fiscal year, which is a 9.57 increase over the current year. The budget includes 15 new full-time teachers and a full day kindergarten program at both Martin and Aitken Elementary Schools. The budget is available on the school department website at www.seekonk.k12.ma.us.

Police Are Getting Tough on Speeders

Police Chief Craig Mace told selectmen last month that the department is working hard to combat speeding in town. The department stopped more than 4,500 cars last year and gave out more than 3,300 tickets, according to information in the Sun Chronicle. They also made more than 800 arrests. The numbers were higher than the previous year.

Police Asking Residents & Businesses to Register Surveillance Systems

The Police Department is seeking the community’s help in fighting crime by taking part in the Seekonk Camera Registry Program (SCRP). In the program, residents and business owners will register the locations of their video surveillance systems with Police. Registration is voluntary and there is no cost involved. The Police Department would not have direct access to the cameras. When a crime occurs, the department will ask participants to check their video for a specific date and time that may show activity involved with the crime. The program started in October and a few cameras have been registered but police are looking for more people to help. Participants can opt out at any time. To register and for further information, visit www.seekonkpd.com and click on Camera Registration.

Police Adopt Policy to Treat Transgender People with Respect

The Police Department has adopted a new policy to treat transgender people with respect during body searches, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The policy was drafted by Lt. Dave Dyson after he attended a training session on transgender issues.