Another Chance for South End Fire Station

The Seekonk Select Board voted Wednesday to place a referendum for a South End Fire Station on the November election ballot. A debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax increase, will need to be approved before the project can go forward.

The Board remains sharply divided on the issue. Chair Gary Sagar, Elizabeth Elmasian, and Rob Archambault were in favor, with Chris Zorra and Michael Healy opposed. 

Previous attempts to secure funding for the project have failed. A warrant article was rejected at the May 2025 Town Meeting by a vote of 112 – 108.  A second attempt to authorize $9.5 million in funding for the project was rejected by voters at a special Town Meeting last September.

Last February, Sagar’s attempt to place a debt exclusion referendum on the April election ballot was unsuccessful. “The time now is to build it,” Sagar said, noting the architect he spoke with believes “the 8300 square foot building should be able to be built for $9.5 million.”

However, Fire Chief Shaun Whalen told the board the total cost of the station would be $13.6 million. That figure includes $1.5 million in capital costs and $843,200 for new firefighters and gear.