Selectmen Reappoint Neil Abelson as Zoning Officer

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen voted Wednesday to reappoint Neil Abelson to serve as the town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer for a one-year period. Selectmen had debated whether or not reappoint Abelson for a three year period, which is the length of time typically granted for town employees as stated in the town charter.

Selectman David Andrade thought Abelson might want to retire after one year. “It makes absolutely no sense,” Andrade said in reference to giving Abelson a longer appointment. “You don’t know very well that (Abelson) is going to retire in a year,” said Selectman David Viera. “I’m taking the individual out of it,” Andrade replied. “Take Neil out of the equation. It’s not Neil, it’s anybody.”

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime recommended a one-year term for Abelson. Chairman Justin Sullivan believed one year was “adequate” for Abelson to prove himself in the position. “Hopefully we have this discussion in a year and maybe it is a three year discussion,” Sullivan added.