Library Renovations Approved, Fire Station Defeated

The $10.4 million Seekonk Public Library renovation project was approved at Monday’s Town Meeting. The vote was 240 in favor with 74 in opposition. The next step is for voters to approve a debt exclusion in a special election.

A feasibility study was conducted in late 2023/early 2024 and the final report was issued last November. The library, which was built in 1978, is in desperate need of repairs. There was a heating system failure last winter, which caused the library to close its doors.

Voters at the October 2022 Town Meeting rejected authorizing funds to construct a $24 million building. The new building would have replaced the current 14,880 square foot facility at 410 Newman Avenue.

A proposed $9.5 million South End Fire Station was defeated, by a vote of 112 – 108. A two thirds vote was needed to pass. The warrant article was submitted by Voter Petition.

Voters at the May 2020 town meeting allocated $425,000 for the design of the facility at the site of the former school administration building at 69 School Street. The town intends to demolish that property. The 8300 square foot building would have consisted of three components, including dispatch, living quarters, and fire suppression.

Advocates for the project noted the increased number of calls for service in the south end of Seekonk.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime said he supported the project but wanted to make sure the new station was “properly staffed.”

Fire Chief Shaun Whalen explained that if the station were to be built, some firefighters would need to be reassigned from the other two stations. Additional staff would also need to be hired.

Voters approved a budget of $75.2 million for FY’26, which begins July 1. That figure represents a 3.3 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

The largest portion of the budget is education, which totals $35.8 million. Of that amount, $33.7 million is designated for Seekonk Public Schools. That’s a 2.5 percent increase over the current fiscal year. Foundation enrollment is 2, 040 – a decrease of 36 students.

The Tri County Regional School assessment is $2 million, a 44 percent increase. Seekonk represents 8.8 percent of the foundation enrollment, totaling 84 students. The required town contribution is $1 million over a 30 year period. The debt assessment is $635,000.

Other articles which were approved:

• Appropriate $825,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Reserve, as requested by the Medeiros Farm Committee, with such sums to be expended under the direction of the Select Board, for designer services for the Medeiros Farm project at Elm Street and Lincoln Street.
• Appropriate from Ambulance Receipts the sum of $119,797.25 for the second year of a four (4) year lease/purchase for an EMS/Rescue vehicle for the Fire Department.
• Appropriate from the Building & Infrastructure Stabilization fund the sum of $150,000 for repairs to the Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School heating system, including all incidental and related expenses, to be expended under the direction of the School Committee.
• Appropriate from the Building & Infrastructure Stabilization Fund the sum of $300,000 for remediation of asbestos floor tiles at the Seekonk High School.
• Appropriate $97, 623.50 from the Building and Infrastructure Stabilization Fund to pay for the LED lighting upgrades at the Public Safety Building.
• Appropriate $77, 500 from the School Capital Stabilization Fund to fund the second phase of the updated door locks at Seekonk High School and Martin Elementary School.