Selectmen Consider Lowering Quorum for Town Meeting

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen are considering reducing the number of voters required to constitute a quorum at the June 22 town meeting. The Board will meet on a virtual platform on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m, to discuss whether, “with the Moderator’s input and approval, it should lower the quorum to ensure that the meeting can efficiently and effectively undertake its responsibilities,” according to a notice on the town website.  The meeting will be conducted via Zoom with public access to allow the public to follow the deliberations in real time.

Meanwhile, residents who do attend the meeting will be required to follow social distancing protocols to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The meeting is going to be held in the auditorium at Seekonk High School. Town Administrator Shawn Cadime told the board of selectmen that every third seat would be restricted for use and the gymnasium would be used to handle the overflow of attendees. “The Board of Health has put together their draft guidelines of what they want to see,” Cadime noted. Instead of delivering the microphones by hand to each row, anyone who wants to speak will have to get up and walk over to a microphone stand. Cadime said sanitary wipes and hand sanitizer would be available at various locations.

To minimize the possibility of long lines, there will be one check-in table for each precinct. Cadime said anyone who wants to pre-register to attend can visit the town website: www.seekonk-ma.gov.