Hines Wants Board Name to be Gender-Neutral

Selectwoman Michelle Hines wants to rename the Seekonk Board of Selectmen to Select Board in order to be “gender-neutral.”

Hines and fellow member Pamela Pozzi defeated longtime selectmen David Andrade and Adam Petronio in Monday’s election.

Hines also noted policies should be updated to be gender-neutral. In addition, the restrooms for Phase two of the Senior Center are going to be gender-neutral, Hines explained.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime said the board had the authority to rename itself.

According to the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA): “the Select Board Association was established in 1929 as the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association, and the name was changed in 2020 to reflect a movement among towns to adopt a gender-neutral name for their elected policy board.”

“Let’s not get crazy and demand everybody change everything all at once,” Hines said at Wednesday’s meeting.

“We’ll get it on as an agenda item at a future meeting, we’ll discuss it, and take a vote,” said Chairman Michael Healy.

Chris Zorra will serve as the board’s Vice-Chairman and Hines will serve as Clerk.