Sagar Says Majority Supported Fire Station

Although an effort to construct a new South End Fire Station in Seekonk was unsuccessful, Select Board member Gary Sagar intends to keep pushing for the project.

“Despite the roadblocks, the rhetoric, by a majority vote, (town meeting voters) said they wanted a South End Fire Station,” Sagar said on May 27.

The vote for the $9.5 million project at the May 12 Town Meeting was 112 in favor and 108 in opposition. However, a two thirds vote was needed for the article to pass. The warrant article was submitted by Voter Petition.

Sagar asked Board Chair Michelle Hines to hold a discussion of the station at a future meeting.

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.

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.