Seekonk Veterans Memorial Update:

To the Editor:

Veterans Committee Chairman Steven Arruda spoke before the Board of Selectman on May 20th to provide a project update. The Committee intends to ask Town Meeting in June to raise and appropriate $50,000 to help support the Memorial.

It was explained that when the Committee was formed (5) years ago bricks were sold at a set price without the submission of actual Memorial Plans. Those bricks were the only expense considered at that particular time.

Through an experienced Project Coordinator who has volunteered his services, the Committee has learned there is cost associated with land excavation/preparation, concrete/form setting and material, lighting, stone purchase/setting and engraving.

Since the concept began a Gift Account has been established at Town Hall. To date there is approximately $15,000 in it. There is also an additional $10,000 in a Warrant Account that the BOS allocated via Town Meeting vote (5) years ago. Originally the amount offered was $50,000 but one Member requested and received the votes from the sitting Board to reduce it to $10,000.

It was not the intention of the Committee to side step the BOS by petitioning the Warrant Article. Final drawings provided by a professional Draftsman/Engineer, also a volunteer, were received after numerous discussions and meetings just 2 short weeks ago. The deadline for Warrant submission was less than 48 hours away on Friday, May 1st. The Committee acted quickly by asking the Finance Director for help with the proper language, the required signatures were collected and the petition submitted before the deadline.

As of 5/20, the Board of Selectman received a comprehensive overview of what the Memorial is intended to look like. As a cost saving measure the Committee has decided to construct it in phases. With the completion of just Phase I Seekonk will have a beautiful Memorial deserving of every Veteran and Veteran Families Honor. Phase 2 can be continued at a future date and subject to available funding.

The Committee also informed the Board of Selectman that they are in the process of seeking out information and cost estimates from people they know who can provide them with a benchmark assessment whereby sending out RFP's (Request for Purchase) and knowing cost will benefit the project ahead of time.

Board Chairman Dave Parker wants the Committee to be prepared for Town Meeting by asking the hard core questions. Everything was addressed properly by Mr. Arruda and the presentation ended with favorable results.

The Board was also informed that the Committee is not just banking on Town Meeting votes. Fundraising efforts have not stopped. There are tees-shirts for sale and almost 500 letters have been mailed out to Community Business Leaders and we are hopeful that their generosity will come through for us.

I am asking that you please support the Warrant Article at the June 15th Town Meeting and let's honor, remember and respect our Veterans every day and not just one or two days of a calendar year. The Town has used more funds on various studies whereby there is nothing to show for it. With your help it is time to put a shovel in the ground and raise the flags for our Memorial.

Thank you

Doreen Taylor