Opponents Fail to Stop Medeiros Farm Project   

Opponents of the Medeiros Farm project were unsuccessful in their attempt to rescind $825,000 in funding at Monday’s Town Meeting.

85 voted in favor, with 148 in opposition.

The town’s legal counsel noted a portion of the $825,000 has already been spent with contracts signed to provide for services. Rescinding those funds would potentially open the town up to legal liability for breach of contract, said attorney Joseph Fair.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime said the Select Board has entered into a contract for $216,000 for OPM (Office of the Project Manager) services.

“We’re in the process of going out for designer services, so what was approved at the last town meeting was for design services,” Cadime explained. “That’s going to give us detailed construction documents and design for that property. No construction will take place. It has to come back to Town Meeting. At that point we will have a total dollar amount associated with the project if it’s phased or not phased, that will be presented. We’re looking to do the studies that are being requested.”

After the studies are completed and presented, Town Meeting would then need to appropriate additional money for the project, Cadime added.

The Town of Seekonk bought the property for $2 million. At the May 2023 Town Meeting, the Town voted to appropriate $150,000 from the Community Preservation Fund  to seek, hire, and direct a consultant to develop a master plan for the Medeiros Farm project at Elm Street and Lincoln Street. A seven member committee was appointed to oversee the project.

The Medeiros Farm Recreation and Park Master Plan outlines four objectives: active recreation, passive recreation, historic preservation, and a Community Park.

Another article proposed to rescind the vote to form the Medeiros Farm Committee. That measure failed with 76 votes in favor and 143 in opposition.

At the committee’s September 29 meeting, residents expressed concerns about multiple soccer fields being placed on the land.

Ken Kazarian, who opposes the project, has requested for more studies to be conducted.

“Nothing can be done without funding,” said David Sullivan, Chairman of the Medeiros Farm Committee. “It seems to be counterproductive for what they’re trying to look for.”

“We gave the (committee) $150,000,” Kazarian said. “From that, they should have been able to come up with a plan, a couple of plans, and a cost for this project. This is going to be a very expensive project and they’re not telling you how much it’s going to cost.”

Other speakers expressed reservations about the way the committee members were appointed by the Select Board.

“The process, as defined in the warrant, was not followed,” said Doreen Taylor. “There’s a lot of questions still pending about the Master Plan for this project.”