South End Fire Station Still a Priority

Members of the Seekonk Select Board outlined their list of goals at their June 24 meeting. One of those goals was a South End Fire Station.

“The priority for this board is safety and security,” Robert Archambault said. “These projects like a South End Fire Station, take years and years in the making.”

Elizabeth Elmasian agreed, saying the new station “is something we have to keep on the back burner.”

Chair Gary Sagar said the station was “number one” on his list.

Sagar had made a motion to place a debt exclusion referendum on the April election ballot at the February 18 meeting. No one seconded his motion.

“The time now is to build it,” Sagar said at the time, noting the architect he spoke with believes “the 8300 square foot building should be able to be built for $9.5 million.”

Fire Chief Shaun Whalen told the board the total cost of the station would be $13.6 million. That figure includes $1.5 million in capital costs and $843,200 for new firefighters and gear.

Two attempts to secure funding for a South End Fire Station were unsuccessful. The project was rejected at the May 2025 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 2025 Town Meeting.