Seekonk Monthly News Notes...

Hit and Run Driver Sentenced to Three Years

Jacob Lacourse, 24, of Attleboro, who struck and killed Seekonk Assistant Town Clerk Karen McHugh outside her home in January 2015, was sentenced to three years in jail for leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting. Lacourse pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court on March 30. He was sentenced on April 27. Sandra Lima, McHugh’s wife, reportedly stormed out of the courtroom after the sentencing was announced, according to media reports. The charges allowed for a maximum sentence of ten years. Lacourse was apprehended last July after his father, Joseph Lacourse, told police about his son’s possible involvement.

Hines Wins Selectman Race, Larrimer is New Water Commissioner

Michelle Hines won the race for selectman in the town election last month. She received 417 votes, beating her opponents Christopher Zorra, who had 306 votes and Jeffrey Starr Mararian, who had 130 votes. In the other contested race, Guy Larrimer won a seat on the water commission with 492 votes against Doug Brown who had 290 votes. Turnout was low due to the weather.

Election Results

The following candidates ran unopposed: Robert Richardson and Elizabeth Eklund won seats on the school committee. For the planning board, Phoebe Lee Dunn won a two-year seat and James Roach a five-year seat. Both currently serve on the board. For three three-year seats on the Library Board of Trustees, Alyssa Richard, Michael Durkay and Ann Caldwell were elected. Durkay and Caldwell are incumbents. Claudette Lockwood won a five-year seat on the housing authority. There was no declared candidate for a three-year seat on the board of assessors, but Christopher Pelletier won 82 write-in votes for the position.

Andrade Named New Selectmen Chairman

The board of selectmen reorganized after the election last month and David Andrade was named the new chairman. Dave Parker will serve as vice chairman and David Viera is the new clerk.

Seekonk School Dept. Proposes $24.6 Million Budget for 2016-17

The school department is proposing a $24.6 million budget for next year, which is approximately a two percent increase over the current budget. Some of the proposed staff increases include a full-time resource teacher, part-time preschool teacher, and a part-time preschool aide for Aitken Elementary, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The budget is available on the school website: http://seekonk.sharpschool.com.

Developer is Suing Town over Tax Benefits

H. Charles Tapalian Sr.’s company, 320 Fall River LLC, is the plaintiff in a lawsuit against the board of assessors, assessor Theodora Gabriel and Tax Collector/Treasurer Krystal DeFontes regarding a proposed development in town, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The lawsuit reportedly alleges that the board of assessors has not abided by tax regulations under Chapter 61B, a tax classification under state law which provides tax benefits to property owners under certain circumstances. The developer is alleging that it qualified for, and was granted Chapter 61B status, but the town is now denying the benefit. The developer has plans to convert Firefly Golf Course into a retirement village.

Complaint Made Against Michelle Hines Was Declared Unfounded

A complaint was made against Michelle Hines because she was in the Seekonk High School lobby while voting was taking place in the auditorium, but no violation was found. State election laws prohibit a candidate from soliciting votes from residents at polling places, but Hines was not doing that. She was helping to set up tables for fundraisers for the animal shelter and Seekonk Human Services. Hines defeated Christopher Zorra and Jeffrey Starr Mararian to win a seat on the board of selectmen.

Seekonk High School Senior Honored with Daughters of the American Revolution Award

Katherine Silveira, a senior at Seekonk High School, was honored with a Good Citizen award from the Attleboro Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Silveira was one of five local high school seniors to receive the award. The students were selected by their peers and recommended by teachers or community leaders for their dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Katie’s scholarship essay was selected by the chapter to move on to the state competition.

Seekonk Library to Hold Final Meeting on Library Improvement Project

The Seekonk Library will hold its fourth and final public meeting on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 pm to discuss options for a planned improvement project. The library design team will discuss the designs that will be presented to town meeting on Monday, May 16. The options include renovating the present building and constructing a second floor, building an addition in the back that will expand it toward the Seekonk Meadows, and constructing a new facility where the current building is located. For more information, visit the website at www.seekonkpl.org.