From the Seekonk Town Clerk

May is a beautiful time of the year in New England. It also great time of the year to get out and explore all the many walking trails we have in Seekonk.  Here is a list of a few trails to enjoy: Martin Wildlife Refuge/Burr’s Pond Dam, Fall River Avenue (across from The Old Grist Mill; Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue; Turner Reservoir Loop, 400 Pleasant St., Rumford, RI; Gammino Pond Preserve, 463 Newman Avenue. If you haven’t heard Gammino Pond Preserve recently added a new trail called The Storybook Trail. This trail was designed with families in mind as it is based on nature-themed storybooks. Each season will feature a different story to help explore the trail in a new and fun way. A big thanks to Jennifer Miller the Conservation Agent and our hard-working Department of Public Works for all you do to make the trails in Seekonk fun and safe destinations to explore with friends and families.

Annual Fall Town Meeting
The Annual Fall Town meeting took place on March 27, 2021, after months of being postponed below is list of highlights.

Article 3 - A motion was made and passed to appropriate from free cash $48,000 for purchase and installation of irrigation wells and control panels for Water Lane athletic fields.

Article 4 – A motion was made and passed to appropriate $157,000 from free cash to purchase and install guardrails, pave, landscape and do other site work at the Town Hall playground.

Article 5 – A motion was made and passed to appropriate $50,000 from free cash to make repairs and upgrades to the Public Safety Building.

Article 7 – A motion was made and passed to appropriate from free cash $500,000 to fund the construction of an ADA compliant sidewalk, new curbing, and wooden guardrail along the side of Arcade Ave. from 540 arcade Ave. (Seekonk Human Services) to the intersection of Arcade Ave and Ledge Rd. Also, to include a pedestrian light (and to look into the cost of a full traffic light) at the intersection of Arcade Ave. and Ledge road.

For the full minutes of the March 27^th town meeting please go to the Town Website

Annual Town Election
The Annual Town Election took place on April 5, 2021 below are the results.

Eligible voters: 11,334. Total votes cast: 1,236 (10.91%)

Precinct 1 - 225 votes. Precinct 2 - 380 votes. Precinct 3 - 310 votes. Precinct 4 - 321 votes.

Board of Assessors – Paul Buckley

Board of Assessors – Edward McGovern (write-in win)

Board of Selectmen - Michael Healy

Board of Selectmen – Christopher Zorra

Housing Authority – Claudette Lockwood

Library Board of Trustees – Sharon Connors

Library Board of Trustees – Cynthia Corbett

Planning Board – Sandra Escaler (write-in win)

School Committee – Noah Escaler

School committee – Kimberly Sluter

Water Commissioner- Joseph Chauvin

Congratulations to everyone who won.

Annual Spring Town Meeting
The annual Spring Town Meeting will take place 7pm on Monday, May 10 at the Seekonk High School Auditorium. Please come out and participate in this very important budget meeting.

Annual Town Census Update
The Town Census reflects our current population total which as of April 22, 2021 is “unofficially” 13,979. This is not an official total because we still have not received all census forms. If you have not done so please send in your census/street listing forms as soon as possible.

2021 Dog Licenses
Don’t forget to license your dog(s). There will be a $20 late fee per dog imposed on license renewals after May 31^st.  This office apologizes for the delay in processing the dog licenses this year. We have a new software program and it is taking us longer than we anticipated to get it up and running. Thank you for your patience if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.

Yard Sale Permits
Please be advised, if you’re thinking about having a yard sale that you need a yard sale permit. You can get them online at the www.seekonk-ma.gov  under Department/Town Clerk /downloadable forms. It is $5.00 a day with a total of 4 per year. There is also a page outlining the bylaw concerning yard sale signage. It is not permitted to use telephone poles to post any type of sign.  If you are going to have a yard sale please abide by the rules of the town. Thank you.

Water Department Annual Meeting
The annual Water Department meeting will take place 6:00pm on Tuesday May 11, 2021 in the large maintenance garage, 50 Water Lane. Their warrant includes the budget for the next fiscal year. If you have town water and are interested don’t forget to go to this important annual meeting.

Memorial Day Ceremony  
The annual Memorial Day Parade will not take place this year because of Covid restrictions. There will be a ceremony at 11:30AM at the Veterans Memorial Park, 410 Newman Ave. TV-9 will be there to broadcast it live

Community Information
Once a year I print this information I hope you find it helpful.

Often times in the Town Clerk’s office we get many phones that start out with “I don’t know if this is the right department but…” and we are always happy to direct the person to the correct department. I would like to take this time to give an alphabetical list of the departments in Town Hall and a brief description what they take care of.

Assessor’s Office 508-336-2980 – Questions regarding how a property is assessed. Real estate, personal property, vehicle, boat excise tax and farm animal tax. Assess values to commercial, industrial, residential, personal property. Process exemptions for veterans and elderly. Abatements for personal property, real estate and motor vehicles. Measurements of parcels maintained on maps. Maintains deeds from 1966 to present.

Building Department 508-336-2990 – Questions regarding obtaining building, electrical, gas, plumbing and pool permits. Investigates zoning by-law questions and/or violations. 

Collector’s Office 508- 336 2930 – Questions regarding bills and payment of: Real estate and personal property tax bills. Motor vehicle excise tax bills, disposal/trash bills, Municipal Lien and Certificate of Good Standing issued.

Conservation Department 508 -336-2944 – Responsible for protection of Seekonk’s natural resources. Wetland and Water Resource permits. Questions regarding, development near wetlands and streams, passive recreation. Investigates wetland violations and illegal discharges into storm drains, water bodies and streams. Accepts donations of land for preservation.

Council on Aging/Human Services 508–336-8772 – 540 Arcade Ave. Responsible for GATRA Dial-A Ride Service, senior activities, events and trips. Meals on Wheels, food and fuel assistance

Health Department 508-336-2950 - Oversees all aspects of Title 5, licenses septic installers, engineers, food service facilities, piggeries. Inspects food service facilities, pools, motels, tanning salons, health spas. Investigates tenant-landlord disputes. Investigates potential illegal dumping.

Planning Department 508– 336-2962 – Questions concerning subdivisions, re-zone requests, site plans, zoning by-law revisions, Form A plans.

Parks & Recreation 508–336-2942 – Field use permits, building use permits, seasonal and family programs.

Public Works 508–336-7407 – Questions concerning trash pick-up, recycling, landfill passes. Maintains town roads and municipal facilities. Tree Warden.

Selectmen/Town Administrator 508-336-2910 – Budget information and purchasing information. Alcoholic beverage licenses, amusement, antique / second-hand, entertainment, selling motor vehicles, vending machine licenses. Personnel/employment information. Town by-law information.

Town Clerk’s Office 508-336-2920 Questions concerning business certificates, dog licensing, voter registration/ election information. Yard sale permits, marriage licenses, census/new resident information. Notary service, Justice of the Peace, raffle and bazaar permits. Seekonk Cemetery, records and deeds. Vital records: marriage, death, birth, genealogical records.

Treasurer’s Office 508–336-2970 – Departmental receipts, tax titles, employee payroll and benefits. Town/School retiree health insurance.

 Veteran’s services 508–336-8772 – Compensation, pension, insurance for veterans. Discharge difficulties. Employment, educational, vocational training. Help with alcoholic/drug treatment, hospitalization and domicile care. At-risk homeless and housing. Gold Star parents. Loan information- SBA and VA. Care of Graves. Advocacy with other government agencies.

Water District 508–761-8170- Questions concerning drinking water usage, quality and bills.

Zoning Board of Appeals 508–336-2961 Appeal of a decision made by building inspector or town official. Special permits and variances.

Town Hall will be closed Monday May 31, 2021 in observance of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the day that’s set aside to remember with gratitude and pride all those who served and died for our country and our freedom. Please remember to thank a Veteran.

Have a wonderful month. As always thank you for taking the time to read my monthly updates and remember the Town Clerk’s office welcomes inquiries from all citizens seeking assistance, or information in relation to services provided by the Town of Seekonk.