News Notes

Gas Compressor Station Project Halted
The controversial Access Northeast gas pipeline expansion project has been put on hold. Eversource Energy, National Grid and Enbridge (formerly Spectra), the partners in the project, have withdrawn the project application from federal agencies according to news reports. The $3 billion project involved expanding the natural gas pipeline in New England and building a gas compressor station in Rehoboth, which several local groups and residents opposed due to health and safety concerns. Rehoboth voters in April voted overwhelming against the compressor station in a non-binding ballot question and selectmen sent a resolution to the state officially opposing the project. The project was reportedly stopped due to a lack of funding. The companies wanted to help pay for the project with a surcharge on customers’ bills, but the Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court last August ruled against any surcharges. Proponents of the project said that the pipeline expansion is needed to supply more natural gas to the area for electric generation. Opponents say the expansion is not needed and are concerned about possible environmental hazards. Utility officials plan to continue their efforts to gain state support for pipeline funding, but for now the project is effectively dead.

Seekonk May Create Veterans Commission
Selectman David Viera proposed the creation of a veterans commission to help Veterans’ Services Officer James LaFlame with his duties assisting veterans in town, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. Town Administrator Shawn Cadime supported the idea. No decision was made at this time because the town plans to research the issue further.

Voters Approve $52.6 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2018
Voters approved a $52.6 million town budget for the next fiscal year at its annual town meeting last month. The budget reflects a $2.6 million increase over the current fiscal year. Also approved was an article for $145,000 to implement Full Day Kindergarten in the district. Another article requested approval for a new $3 million Public Safety Radio System including the replacement of the outdated dispatch console, all Police and Fire portable radios and other equipment. The funds are expected to come from a temporary tax increase or override of Proposition 2 ½ and a special election will be held on August 8 to approve the funding. Voters also okayed a zoning bylaw amendment for a temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana establishments in order to give the town time to study and address the uses in town and to create bylaws.

Rep. Howitt’s Aide To Enter State Senate Race
Jacob Ventura, aide to state Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), announced he will be running in the Senate race to replace State Sen. James Timilty. Timilty, (D-Walpole), left the Senate in April to take a position as Norfolk County Treasurer. Ventura, 30, an attorney who resides in Attleboro, has been working for Howitt for three years. In the Republican primary race, Ventura will face Tim Hempton, a periodontist and Walpole RTM member; Michael Berry, former Walpole selectmen and current legislative director for the Mass. Dept. of Transportation and possibly Harry Brousaides, also of Walpole.
According to his Facebook page, Ventura is running “to make state government work better for all of us – by sharing a vision that is committed to you, your family and our communities.” The district includes Seekonk, Rehoboth, Norton, Mansfield, Foxboro, Walpole, Medfield and parts of Attleboro and Sharon. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, September 19 and the general election will be held on October 17.

Seekonk Awarded $350,000 Grant to Study Industrial Mill Site
Seekonk has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to study the extent of possible contamination at the former industrial mill on Maple Avenue, according to a Sun Chronicle article. The former Attleboro Dyeworks Company building caught fire in May 2012. The property includes a dam and three industrial ponds that abut the Ten Mile River. After the study is completed, some of the funds will be used to remove building debris, treat any hazardous materials on the site and create a redevelopment plan. Last fall, representatives from the EPA and state Dept. of Environmental Protection reported to selectmen about the site. The EPA had removed metal drums containing hazardous waste and reported that various metals and petroleum waste had seeped into ponds.

School Committee Approves New After-School Program Provider
The after-school program at Aitken and Martin Elementary Schools will now be run by AlphaBest Education Inc., according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The school committee decided to switch from Champions, the current after school provider, to AlphaBest because they put in a lower bid. The vote was close, at 3 to 2, with committee Chairman John Dietel, Ray Grant and Deborah Viveiros voting in favor of AlphaBest and Beth Eklund and Erin Brouillette opposed. Parents were reportedly disappointed and had spoken against the change. The move is expected to save the school department approximately $25,000.