Seekonk Approves Town Budget

Voters approved a $66.5 million town budget for 2023 at Monday’s town meeting.

 That figure is a 4.95 percent increase over FY’2022. $30.8 million is designated for the Seekonk School Department. That figure is a 2.6 percent increase over the current fiscal year which ends June 30. Chapter 70 funds have increased by $431, 257 for a total of $7.2 million. 77 percent of the funding ($23.6 million) is coming from the town. Foundation enrollment is 2,087.

Resident Doreen Taylor proposed a budget amendment for the purpose of creating a $1 million reserve fund for the school department.

“This is going to entail working with the school committee to update their 2010 budget policy to (allow) more open communication and transparency with where our money goes in the educational system,” Taylor said.

The amendment failed. The vote was 41 in favor and 89 opposed.

Other articles which were approved:

• Salary and compensation for elected and appointed officials, including the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Town Clerk
• Appropriation of $85, 506 from the Ambulance Receipts Account for the lease payment for the fourth year of a four year lease purchase of an ambulance/EMS vehicle for the fire department
• Vote to dissolve the Banna Station Building Committee
• Vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or the School Committee to negotiate with qualified vendors for a lease agreement to develop a photovoltaic electric power production facility at town owned properties, with no cost to taxpayers