Seekonk: The Year in Review

2025 was notable for a series of decisions on major building projects and town property sales in Seekonk.

Last July, voters approved a debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax increase, to pay the cost of the $10.4 million renovation project at the Seekonk Public Library.

A feasibility study was conducted in late 2023/early 2024 and the final report was issued in November 2024. Advocates for the project said 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.

“This is already a compromise. We’re not coming for a new building,” Library Director Kathleen Hibbert told the Select Board last March. “We know that ship has sailed but we have been waiting 25 years to make improvements to the building.”

The home of former Seekonk Select Board member Justin Sullivan was destroyed by fire on April 21. Sullivan and his family were travelling outside of the country at the time. Both of the family’s dogs perished in the blaze.

Crews first arrived to find heavy fire on the first floor and back of the house at 29 Emily Way. Fire Chief Shaun Whalen noted the area was outside the town’s water district due to the lack of active fire hydrants.

The State Fire Marshal later concluded the cause of the fire was undetermined.

Repeated efforts to secure funding for a South End Fire Station were unsuccessful. The project was rejected at the May 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 the September 15 Town Meeting.

As required by law, the article needed a two-thirds majority to pass. 216 votes were in favor, with 118 in opposition.

The Select Board rejected a request from member Gary Sagar to hold another vote on funding for the station at the November Town Meeting.

“I believe it’s needed,” Board member Michael Healy noted. “From day one, I’ve stated that staffing is the issue. (The fire department) has been understaffed and undermanned.”

Healy, a former Fire Chief, believed response times could be improved with a new station, but that would come with a price.

“We’re putting the life of every single firefighter in greater jeopardy because they operate unsafely to this day,” Healy added. “It’s time for it to change.”

Opponents of the Medeiros Farm project were unsuccessful in their attempt to rescind $825,000 in funding at the Fall Town Meeting. They expressed concerns about multiple soccer fields being placed on the property on Elm Street and Lincoln Street.

In 2022, the Town of Seekonk bought the property for $2 million. A seven member committee was later appointed to oversee and develop a master plan for the project. Justin Sullivan, serving as the Select Board’s representative on the committee, said the Medeiros Farm would be used for many different sports, not just soccer, due to a shortage of fields in town.

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

In a 3 to 2 vote at the September 3 meeting, the Select Board approved the bid award for OPM (Office of the Project Manager) services to KCM Group. Chair Michelle Hines, Healy, and Chris Zorra voted yes, with Sagar and Pam Pozzi in opposition.

Sagar had urged the board to “pause” work on the project.

“There’s a lot of turmoil within the neighborhood and they ultimately have a big say in this. It’s in the town’s best interest because I see us walking into another large lawsuit. This whole project needs a special permit from the zoning board,” Sagar said.

A proposal to sell the Firefly properties was soundly rejected by voters at the Fall Town Meeting. There were 20 yes votes, with 257 in opposition.

At the November 2024 Town Meeting, voters authorized the Select Board to purchase the “Firefly Golf Course” property located at 320 Fall River Avenue, along with 763 and 769 Arcade Avenue for $6.9 million. The properties, consisting of 55 acres, were owned by developer Charles Tapalian.

Sagar explained there was an “interested buyer” who offered $10 million for the property. Sagar noted the “substantial tax revenue” which would be generated from the sale.

Board member Pam Pozzi expressed her opposition to the sale, noting the property could be used as a park or a golf course.

“We did not have a plan for (the property),” Hines said.

Some residents believed the land could be used by the school department.

Last May, the School Committee approved the district’s entry into the state’s School Choice program by a vote of 3 to 2. Chairman Bob Gerardi, Lisa Rizzo, and Alisha MacManus voted in the affirmative with Kyle Juckett and Emily Field in opposition.

MacManus amended her initial motion to designate five open seats for each grade level at Seekonk High School through the 2028-2029 school year.

Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell said each student accepted under School Choice is accompanied by a $5000 yearly tuition revenue from the state.

Opponents of School Choice spoke during a Public Hearing at the May 19 committee meeting.

“By enabling School Choice, you are setting the district at a deficit,” said David Andrade. “Every student that goes through our school system costs us $18,000 a year.”

Gerardi believes School Choice is necessary: “It’s declining enrollment at the high school which does reduce opportunities for our students. Not all of our programs are full.”

The committee also held numerous discussions about grade reconfigurations in an effort to address classroom overcrowding.

The school committee applied to the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) last April to address building needs. The MSBA requested additional information about the community’s hopes for this project to meet identified needs, such as overcrowding at the elementary level and the outdated heating system at Hurley Middle School.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime explained there are multiple building and infrastructure needs for the schools. The MSBA Building Feasibility Study is in the works. The heating system at Hurley is “a major item we need to stay on top of and keep in our sights.”