March 28, 2024

Seekonk News Notes – August 2016

Posted

Seekonk Panera Bread Evacuated after Customers Become Ill
Several people at the Panera Bread restaurant became ill and a few were taken to the hospital on July 29.  The suspected cause was air quality, not the food.  The Howley Group, a franchisee of Panera which operates the restaurant said in a statement that the symptoms were consistent with possible carbon monoxide exposure.  Investigators plan to look into the heating and cooling system for a possible cause.  The Howley Group said they are working with local health officials and that they are committed to the health and safety of their customers.

 

Board of Selectmen Has New Vice Chairman          
Selectman Dave Parker resigned as vice chairman of the board of selectmen, but he will remain a member of the board.  According to an article in the Sun Chronicle, Parker said he has had to recuse himself from too many of the board’s executive sessions and it would be in the best interest of the board to switch vice chairmen. Selectmen Nelson Almeida was appointed as the new vice chairman.

 

Outback Steakhouse Owner Agrees to Pay Workers for Online Training in Settlement
Bloomin’ Brands Inc., a national restaurant company which owns the Outback Steakhouse on Rt. 6 and other restaurants, has reached a settlement in a case that alleges the company failed to pay workers for required trainings according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The company was investigated after the attorney general’s office received a complaint that workers were required to complete online trainings but were not paid for their time.  The company is making changes to ensure that workers will be paid at the correct rate for all hours worked.

 

Local Girl Scout Leaders Honored
The following Girl Scout leaders were honored at a recent meeting of the Girl Scouts of Southeast New England:  Lisa-Marie Dyer, Rehoboth/Seekonk program coordinator and leader of Troop 56; Judy Rose, Rehoboth/Seekonk sales coordinator and leader of Troop 1080; Heather Potter, Jenn Ullicci and Lisa Dobbler, leaders of Seekonk Troop 707; Rebecca Smith, Rehoboth Membership Coordinator and leader of Troop 507 who received her 15-year service pin; Colleen McBride, Rehoboth/Seekonk service unit manager, leader of Troops 484, 750 and 338 who received her 20-year service pin.

 

Selectwoman Hines Not Reappointed as Special Police Officer
The board of selectmen did not reappoint Selectwoman Michelle Hines, a retired police lieutenant, as a special police officer, according to a Sun Chronicle article. Selectmen Dave Parker and Nelson Almeida voted in favor of Hines’ reappointment, but Selectmen Chairman David Andrade and Selectman David Viera voted not to reappoint her.  Town counsel reportedly said it was not advisable for a selectman to work for a department head that they could be involved in hiring in the future. 

Richardson Resigns from School Committee
Robert Richardson resigned from the school committee last month.  He was elected to the position in April.  The board of selectmen and the school committee will appoint a replacement to serve until the April 2017 election. 

Anti-racism March Held
Residents marched from Seekonk High School to Aitken Elementary School in an anti-racism demonstration on July 11, according to a Sun Chronicle article. More than 60 people took part in the march. The demonstration drew counter protesters who yelled and honked their car horns.  At Aitken School, the guest speaker was Ray Rickman, an activist and former Rhode Island state representative and deputy secretary of state.

 

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