Select Board candidates meet in televised forum

The three candidates for Seekonk Select Board met March 12 for a televised forum, which was taped at TV9 studios. The election is April 6.

Incumbent Michelle Hines and challengers Elizabeth Elmasian and Robert Archambault shared their views on economic development, public safety, and the performance of town officials.

Paul Buckley served as Moderator for the forum.

Elmasian, who works as an attorney, vowed if elected to “find the best solution in not so easy situations.”

Archambault boasted about his volunteer work, noting he would bring “energy and enthusiasm” to the board.

“I deserve my position again,” said Hines, a former police officer as well as a member of the Library Renovation and Repair Committee.  “I want to do what’s best for the town.”

Archambault and Elmasian were dismayed by the low attendance at town meetings.

“The Select Board should have done more to get people engaged in the process,” said Archambault.

Elmasian said there had been “a lot of frustration” among residents, who wanted “accountability and transparency.”

Hines believed the Select Board did everything they could to get residents to attend town meetings.

“People don’t come out,” Hines said. “We’ve tried everything.”

Archambault suggested holding workshops to explain warrant articles to residents so they would have an “educated thought process.”

Elmasian said small town halls would “give people an opportunity to be heard.”

Hines praised Town Administrator Shawn Cadime, saying he “does an excellent job” and is “very professional.”

Archambault was critical of Cadime’s leadership, noting a number of lawsuits filed against the town during his tenure.

“These things shouldn’t be happening,” Archambault said.

Elmasian criticized the Select Board for refusing to put a South End Fire Station on the April election ballot.

“With all the lawsuits, why subject this town to another lawsuit?” Elmasian asked.

Archambault mentioned the “woefully inadequate” staffing for the Fire Department, noting it was a risk to public safety.

“We have an unsafe town,” Archambault said. “You have to find new ideas.”

“We need to be proactive, not reactive,” Elmasian said. “It’s a dangerous situation.”

Hines supports a South End Fire Station and believes the coverage for the south end of town is sufficient due to the mutual aid agreements Seekonk has with neighboring communities.

Hines praised the leadership of the Police and Fire departments, noting it was tough to recruit new personnel.

Another topic of discussion was economic development. The candidates noted many empty buildings on Route 6.

“It’s a tough time,” Hines said. We’ve tried to be business friendly.”

Archambault said it was a “critical” responsibility of the Select Board to attract new businesses to Seekonk.

Elmasian believes the new Whole Foods and Market Basket stores would generate revenue but wants the Select Board to be more aggressive in bringing new businesses to town.

“More can be done,” she added.

The Citizens Debate will air at various times on TV9.