March 29, 2024

Town Clerk's Corner

Posted

Finally, summer has arrived. So settle down with iced coffee or tea to read your monthly Seekonk Reporter. Soon all the 4th of July parades, fireworks and BBQ’s will be here. But before we move on to the next holiday I just wanted to point out a few fun facts you might not have known about America’s birthday. Independence Day was not declared on July 4, 1776. The second Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2, 1776. July 4, is significant because it’s when the Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. Interestingly enough the official signing ceremony wasn’t until August 2, 1776. Another interesting fact was when the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain the official vote was 12 in favor 0 against. There were 13 colonies, New York abstained from the original vote on July 2. New York then decided to join on July 19. Now on to our Town Business and news.

Town Meeting News
June 5, 2017 Seekonk held its Spring Town Meeting and as you know it is an important meeting as it deals with our town budget. Below is an outlined report of the Spring Town Meeting and votes.

Town Clerk called the meeting to order with a quorum of 90 registered voters at 7:00PM (At 8PM there was a total of 283 registered voters checked in)

Town Moderator made a motion to allow him/her to proceed with all articles, even those that affect him/her personally. - Passed unanimously.

Town Moderator made a motion to allow him/her to declare a 2/3 vote on articles requiring that vote. - Passed unanimously.

A motion was made to authorize the Town Moderator to dissolve the By-Law study committee. - Passed unanimously.

Article 1 - To receive Town Officers or Committees reports – Passed unanimously.
Article 2- Fiscal Year 2018 Budget recommended by the Finance Committee. Our Town Administrator went line by line through the FY2018 Town Government Budget - Amended: Line Item #57 (School Comm. Pay- Elected) to take the $5,400 and put it into Line Item #56 (Seekonk Schools) making the total for Line Item #56: $26, 357,653 –
making for a total town budget for FY 2018 of $52,618,574 - Passed unanimously.
Article 3- Authorize or reauthorize revolving funds – Passed unanimously.
Article 4- Salary and compensation for elected officials - Passed unanimously.
Article 5- Authorize transfer of money from Dog license receipts to Animal Control Dept. - Passed unanimously.
Article 6 – Appropriate from Municipal Capital Stabilization fund monies for the purposes designated in the warrant. Passed unanimously.
Article 7- Transfer from Free Cash a sum of money for the purpose of balancing Fiscal Year 2017 budget. Motion was made to indefinitely postpone article 7.
Passed unanimously.
Article 8- Appropriate from the Community Preservation Fund 2018 estimated annual revenues for administrative expenses of the CPC for FY ending in 6/30/18. Reserve future appropriation, each item a separate reserve: Historic Resources Reserve, Community Housing Reserve. Open Space Reserve. - Passed unanimously.
Article 9 – Authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of surplus property or material, exclusive of buildings and land but including compost no longer needed by town.- Passed unanimously.
Article 10 – Transfer monies from free cash to FY 2017 Operating Budget line item #68 (Snow & Ice payroll) and from free cash to FY 2017 Operating Budget line # 69 ( snow & Ice expenses). - Passed unanimously.
Article 11 – Amend General By-Laws by adding a new section Category 5C Departmental Revolving Funds. Passed with a majority 2/3 vote.
Article 12 – Rescind November 29, 2010 acceptance of G.L. c. 32B 20, then accept said statue as most recently amended by Municipal Modernization Act in 2016.
Passed unanimously.
Article 13 – Transfer monies from Ambulance Receipts account for lease payment for the second year of four (4) year lease purchase of an ambulance/EMS vehicle for the fire dept.- Passed unanimously.
Article 14- Town Appropriate from free cash the sum of $145,000 for the implementation of a full day kindergarten in the Seekonk Public Schools, to be expended under the direction of the School Committee. - Passed unanimously.
Article 15 – Appropriate $ 16, 591 from the Community Preservation Fund Historic Preservation Reserve Fund for preservation of historic police records, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. - Passed unanimously.
Article 16 – Appropriate $3,016,174 to pay for cost of designing, purchasing and installing the Public Safety Radio Project. - Passed with a majority 2/3 vote.
Article 17- Amend Town’s Zoning By-laws by renaming Sec. 7 reserved to Sec. 7. Temporary Moratorium on Recreational Marijuana Establishments. And to further to amend the Table of Contents to replace Section 7 Reserved with Sec. 7, ”Temporary Moratorium on Recreational Marijuana Establishments”. Passed with a majority 2/3 vote.

Motion was made to dissolve meeting at 10:30PM. Passed unanimously.

I would like to thank all the people who came out to support our Town Meeting as well as the people behind the scenes. The people that make everything run smoothly. Chris Testa, Town Administrator’s Office, the entire staff at TV9 for setting up the lights, cameras, sound system and recording it for the folks at home. The Police Department and custodians. Thanks to the Registrars and poll workers who are always ready and willing to help with the microphones and checking everyone in.

Other Town News
There will be a special election held (date to be announced) this summer because of the passing of Article 16. This was the vote to appropriate $3,016,174 to pay for designing, purchasing and installing the Public Safety Radio Project. The project is contingent upon town approval by the voters.

Congratulations to the Senior Center
, they have been open one year this month and it has been a huge success. If you have not yet taken advantage of the many wonderful programs it offers please stop by 540 Arcade Avenue and get a monthly calendar. Some of the programs they offer are: Zumba, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Silver Sneakers, Sign Language, Knitting, Watercolor painting, Hi-Low Jack, Bingo, Cribbage, the list goes on and on.

Enjoy the summer weather I look forward to updating you again next month. And please remember if you have any questions or concerns you can always contact the Clerk’s office.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town