When are rules allowed to be broken and by whom? Does the Public have a right to know?

Everyone in Seekonk knows about the rules and regulations of the Town and how they are supposed to function. We have Mass General Law, The Town Charter, and The Town By-Laws.

What happens when the rules are allowed to be broken, bent a little or otherwise ignored?

Let us start with the make up of the Mederios Farm Committee. Article #10 from the Spring Town Meeting of 5/8/23 warrant read, “said Committee to be composed of one MEMBER from each of the following”. It goes on to list 7 government committees including the Board of Selectmen.

Everything was rolling along until the election in April 2025 when the sitting MEMBER of the Board of Selectmen was no longer a MEMBER. Stands to reason that the Board of Selectmen would appoint a new MEMBER to the Mederios Farm Committee as a replacement.

Please keep in mind the former MEMBER could have continued his work voluntarily and attended meetings and contributed input, but he just could not vote. THAT IS THE RULE. That’s what we the people voted on at the Town Meeting.

Recently the current Board of Selectmen saw fit to override OUR Town Meeting warrant solidified vote. They decided on their own to NOT vote for another MEMBER of the new Board and keep the former. The impression of this voter is that all votes at the Town Meeting can only be overturned at another Town Meeting. It is our right as registered voters of the Town to “rethink, reconsider, and revote a warrant article as prepared, approved by counsel and presented to us openly and honestly with a full explanation from whomever requests the article.

The Board of Selectmen took a personal posture for one of their own. This is not right. One of the reasons for their decision is the invaluable input the FORMER MEMBER has with the Committee. Well, what says he must stop? Not being able to vote is no reason to stop being “an asset and someone who keeps the Committee together”. It simply removes his authority to vote. These statements by the current Board are extremely disparaging to the remaining members of the Committee who have worked equally as hard.

Further a statement was also made that another reason for keeping the FORMER BOS MEMBER as a voting member is due to his, “intense relationship with the Medeiros Family.” Sure, if you call a relationship of 2 years that coincidently began around the time the project was on the table intense, but I do not. For an individual who may want something on this property that the Town may otherwise NOT need or want, I guess you could call it intense.

Fear not, however, before anyone complains or whines about this, I informed my friends I was writing this article. My long-time friends, Mr. and Mrs. Medeiros.

Further again, the Town Administration dismissed a member of the Committee siting By-Law Violations for attendance. I guess the Town Administration forgot the extension of the Open Meeting Law in conjunction with the AG’s Office to tele-conference those who cannot participate in person. This has been in place since 2020. To my knowledge it remains. So he arbitrarily dismissed an individual with historical knowledge and value who adds to keeping the Mederios Farm in line with the farming culture of Seekonk. Brilliant !!!

It is interesting to observe that rules are strictly enforced for some individuals, while others appear to be exempt from such enforcement. It depends on WHO you are. Sounds a bit “impulsive and manipulative” to me. They even make a community project political.

Our Charter has remained the same since 1995, despite attempts to update it that have not been successful. In the Charter it reads, “Board of Selectmen” not Select Board. Another override by this sitting Board of using a document that defines our government to satisfy their wants not ours. If you want a name change then follow THE RULES.

Mrs. Pozzi said it best, “No wonder the public does not trust us.” She is right, we do not.
Not like this.


More to come.
Thank you.

Doreen Taylor