A Simpler Path for Town Projects

Would you love a community space in South Seekonk with active and passive recreation, walking trails, a children’s playground, a farmers market, community gardens and a place where our kids can learn about Seekonk’s farming history?

Then we need your help on Monday, November 9.

In 2021, Town Meeting voted 145–6 to buy the Medeiros Farm, one of Seekonk’s last commercial farms. The Town completed the purchase in 2022: about 40 acres and historic farm buildings on Lincoln Street. After public meetings and a resident survey, Town Meeting approved a Master Plan in May 2025. Since then, the design concepts have been adjusted to address neighbors’ concerns and quality-of-life issues.

The Town is now arranging a traffic study and wetland review, and then a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing. That hearing would review the conceptual Master Plan, not a completed design like the one the Town brought for its new DPW in 2024. Under current zoning, a Town park needs a special permit from that board, and granting it takes four of five votes. Two members could stop a project whose Master Plan Town Meeting approved, and a denial generally bars a similar application for two years.

Article 18 simplifies the process for all Town projects. Seekonk would join many nearby towns in allowing municipal uses by right, without a Zoning Board special permit for the use. That would save taxpayers time and money by avoiding an additional round of hearings and possible consultant reviews, plus redesigns and legal appeals. Planning Board site plan review, wetland review, Board of Health approval and building permits all stay in place.

Zoning changes need a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting, and that is a high bar. In May 2025, a south-end fire station article won a majority, 112 to 108, and still failed because it needed two-thirds. That same night, the library renovation passed 240 to 74 because its supporters showed up. Every vote counts.

Please come to Town Meeting on Monday, November 9, at 6:00 PM at Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Avenue, and vote “Yes” on Article 18.

To learn more about the Medeiros Farm project, visit www.friendsofmedeirosfarm.org. 

Sincerely,
Anne Miller