From the Seekonk Town Clerk’s Office

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Town Clerk’s office! We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating holiday traditions with family and friends and may the New Year bring you much health and happiness.

Holiday hours for Town Hall (December/January):

December 24^th - Closing at 12:30pm

December 25^th - Closed

December 31^st - Closing at 12:30pm

January 1^st - Closed

“I Voted” Sticker Contest

We are excited to announce a collaboration with the School Department for an upcoming “I Voted” Sticker Contest. This contest is open to all Seekonk students. For any student attending public schools, forms will be given to them by the Superintendent, Principal, or Teacher. For those students who are home schooled or attending private or trade schools, forms will be available in the Children’s Room at the Seekonk Library and Town Clerk’s Office. 

The specifics and deadlines for the contest are as follows:

• Open to all students.
• Must be created by the student.
• No clip art, AI generated, copyrighted images or designs will be allowed.
• Only one entry per student is permitted.
• Designs should not be political or support a particular candidate or party.
• Both sides of the forms must be completed by the student and their parent/guardian.
• All entries can be mailed or dropped off to the Town Clerk’s Office at the Seekonk Town Hall, 100 Peck Street, Seekonk, MA 02771.
• All entries must be received by the Town Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on January 14, 2026.

A panel of town and school officials (who do not have student(s) attending school) will review all submissions and select one finalist in each grade (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). The winners for each category will be announced at the February 18, 2026 Select Board meeting* (date subject to change). The winning designs will be printed and distributed to voters at the April 6, 2026 Town Election.

Fall Town Meeting News

Seekonk held its Fall Town Meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025 at the Seekonk High School. Below is a summary of the meeting and votes. A complete set of minutes can be found on the Town Clerk’s webpage under town meeting minutes.

The Town Clerk called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. with a quorum of over 75 registered voters (290 registered voters checked into the meeting).

Article 1 - To receive Town Officers or Committees reports.

Action on the motion: Motion passed (204Y, 9N).

Article 2 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds in the treasury or transfer from designated funds that have been reserved for appropriation the sums detailed below in accordance with the Financial Policies of the Town of Seekonk adopted by the Select Board, April 2021, or take any other action relative thereto.

351. The sum of $533,351.85 from Free Cash to the Stabilization Fund.
352. The sum of $533,351.85 from Free Cash to the Municipal Capital Stabilization Fund.
353. The sum of $533,351.85 from Free Cash to the Building & Infrastructure Stabilization Fund.
354. The sum of $533,351.85 from Free Cash to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund.

Action on the motion: Motion passed (200Y, 28N)

Article 3 - To see if the Town will authorize the appropriate Town officials to enter into contracts for more than three years for new or continuing leases for police vehicles, as applicable

Action on Motion: Motion passed (187Y, 50N)

Article 4 - To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash or available funds in the treasury the sum of $285,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing and installing a new Fire Department station alerting system including all costs incidental.

Action on the motion 1: Motion passed (222Y, 20N)

Article 5 - To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $70,000 from Ambulance Receipts for the purpose of upgrading Rescue 3 to full Advanced Life Support (ALS) capability, including the purchase and installation of a Zoll X-Series cardiac monitor, LUCAS CPR device, McGrath video laryngoscope, and other essential EMS equipment, and for all costs incidental.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (231Y, 1N)

Article 6 - To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $43,470 to the Special Education Stabilization Fund.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (219Y, 23N)

Article 7 - To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $85,000 for the purpose of repairing and refinishing the High School Gymnasium Floor, including all costs incidental .

Action on Motion: Motion passed (182Y, 46N)

Article 8 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds in the treasury or transfer from designated funds that have been reserved for appropriation, the sum of $295,000 to fund the cost elements of the first fiscal year of a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the Fraternal Order of Police, MCOP, Local #215, for a term covering the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (202Y, 26N)

Article 9 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds in the treasury or transfer from designated funds that have been reserved for appropriation, the sum of $50,000 to fund the cost elements of the first fiscal year of a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the New England Police Benevolent Association, Inc., Local 126, for a term covering the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (188Y, 30N)

Article 10 - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds in the treasury or transfer from designated funds that have been reserved for appropriation, the sum of $150,000 to fund the cost elements of the first fiscal year of a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1931, for a term covering the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (194Y, 18N)  

Article 11 - To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the PEG Cable Access and Cable Related fund the sum of $146,865 as a grant to Seekonk Cable Access, Inc., the Town’s PEG Access Provider, to carry out its PEG Access Provider functions in FY2026.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (187Y, 42N)

Article 12 – To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the PEG Cable Access and Cable Related fund the sum of $88,569 to Seekonk Public Schools for PEG purposes and for replacement of outdated equipment at the High School TV studio used for PEG purposes, including all costs incidental.

Action on Motion (199Y, 21N)

Article 13 – To see if the Town will vote to discontinue as a public town way the roadway depicted as “Old Fall River Avenue, Discontinuance Area, Assessors Map 7, Parcel 113”, on the plan entitled: “Discontinuance Plan in Seekonk, MA Bristol County Prepared for the Town of Seekonk, MA”, dated April 24, 2025, prepared by Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (the “Discontinuance Plan”), a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk, said way being no longer needed as a public way, and to transfer from the Select Board for public way purposes to the Select Board for general municipal purposes, including the purpose of conveyance, and authorize the Select Board to convey, any and all land and interests in land within the discontinued Old Fall River Avenue on such terms and conditions as the Select Board sees fit, and for the purpose of confirming or otherwise establishing record rights to maintain the utilities presently located over Old Fall River Avenue, and to enter into all agreements and take all other actions necessary or appropriate to effectuate said discontinuance and to convey and acquire the foregoing land and interests in land.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (157Y, 59N) (2/3^rd vote)

Article 14 – To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to M.G.L. c.40, §59, and M.G.L. c.23A, § 3E and §3F, to:

1. a) approve a Tax Increment Financing Agreement between the Town and Darling Development Corporation/928 Fall River Avenue LLC in the form substantially as on file with the Town Clerk (“TIF Agreement”), as may be amended by agreement of all parties, for property located at 928 Fall River Avenue which property is as described in more detail in such TIF Agreement, and which TIF Agreement provides for real estate tax exemptions at the exemption rate schedule set forth therein; and further
2. b) authorize the Board of Selectmen to execute the TIF Agreement and approve submission to the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) of the TIF Agreement and any Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) “Local Incentive Only Application” for EACC approval , and any necessary documents related thereto, all relating to the project as described in the TIF Agreement and related submissions; and to take such action as are necessary or appropriate to obtain EACC approval, implement those documents, and carry out the purposes of this Article.

Action on Motion: Motion failed (94Y, 137N) (2/3^rd vote)

Article 15 – To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey the property known as “Old Town Hall”, located at 624 Taunton Avenue and shown as Assessors Map 18, Lot 16 inclusive of buildings and land, no longer needed by the Town, on such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen sees fit, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into all agreements and take all other actions necessary or appropriate to effectuate the vote.

Action on Motion: Motion failed (89Y, 167N)

Article 16 – To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey the property known as “County Street Fire Station” located at 170 County Street, shown  as Assessors Map 13, Lot 21, inclusive of buildings and land, no longer needed by the Town, on such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen sees fit, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into all agreements and take all other actions necessary or appropriate to effectuate the vote.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (143Y, 119N)

Article 17 – To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey the property known as “Firefly Golf Course” located at 320 Fall River Avenue, and 763 and 769 Arcade Avenue, consisting of approximately 55 acres, of undeveloped land identified as all of Lots 78, 100 and 101 on Seekonk Assessor Map 14, and Lot 96 on said Assessor Map 14, inclusive of buildings and land, no longer needed by the Town, on such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen sees fit, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into all agreements and take all other actions necessary or appropriate to effectuate the vote taken.

Action on Motion: Motion failed (20Y, 257N)

Article 18 – INDEFINITELY POSTPONED

Action on Motion: Motion passed (224Y, 10N)

Article 19 – To see if the Town will vote to accept the layout identified and described as follows, Palmer River Road as shown on a Plan of land entitled “11 Lot Definitive Subdivision Plan of Jacob Hill Estates” Assessor’s Map 17 Lot 79 recorded with the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 495, Page 19-20, which was approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Seekonk on January 15, 2014, copies of which are on file with the Town Clerk, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain any necessary easements or other interests therein in connection therewith.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (181Y, 19N)

Article 20 – To see if the Town will vote to accept the layout identified and described as follows, Rose Ann Court as shown on a Plan of land entitled “ Definitive Subdivision Plan of Farmland Estates” Proposed Residential Definitive Subdivision 349 & 337 Lincoln Street, Seekonk, Massachusetts, Assessor’s Map 16 Lot 52 recorded with the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book  500, Page 19, which was approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Seekonk on September 21, 2010, copies of which are on file with the Town Clerk, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain any necessary easements or other interests therein in connection therewith.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (163Y, 23N)

Article 21 – To see if the Town will vote to accept the layout identified and described as follows, Berson Road as shown on a Plan of land entitled “Definitive Subdivision Plan of Berson Estates” in Seekonk, Massachusetts, Assessor’s Map 28 Lot 20 recorded with the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 531, Page 20, which was approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Seekonk on May 11, 2021, copies of which are on file with the Town Clerk, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain any necessary easements or other interests therein in connection therewith.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (177Y, 27N)

Article 22 – To see if the Town will vote to accept the layout identified and described as follows, Cooper Road as shown on a Plan of land entitled “Definitive Subdivision Plan - Final of Pine Brook Court” in Seekonk, Massachusetts, Assessor’s Map 21 Lots 18, 277, 305 recorded with the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 529, Page 24, which was approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Seekonk on November 24, 2020, copies of which are on file with the Town Clerk, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain any necessary easements or other interests therein in connection therewith.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (221Y, 22N)

Article 23 – To see if the Town will vote to accept the layout identified and described as follows, Logan Court as shown on a Plan of land entitled “Definitive Subdivision Plan of Caleb Estates” in Seekonk, Massachusetts, Assessor’s Map 6 Lot 40 recorded with the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book  484, Page 33, which was approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Seekonk on December 13, 2011, copies of which are on file with the Town Clerk, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain any necessary easements or other interests therein in connection therewith.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (185Y, 10N)

Article 24 – INDEFINITELY POSTPONED

Action on Motion: Motion passed (224Y, 10N)

Article 25 – To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $1,600,000 from the Building & Infrastructure Stabilization Fund for the purchase of a parcel of land and building, to be held for general municipal purposes, located at 911 Taunton Avenue in Seekonk, consisting of approximately 3.35 acres of land identified as Lot 0106 on Seekonk Assessor Map 17, and for all costs incidental and related thereto, and to further authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire said land and building and to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments as may be necessary to affect said purchase.

Action on Motion: Motion passed (221Y, 34N) (2/3^rd vote)

Article 26 – Petition for the Rescission of the Vote Creating the Medeiros Farm Committee

1. Petition for the Rescission of the Appropriated Funding for the Medeiros Farm Project

Action on Motion: Motion failed to rescind (85Y, 148N)

Article 27 – Voter Petition

1. Petition for the Rescission of the Vote Creating the Medeiros Farm Committee

Action on Motion: Motion failed to rescind (76Y, 143N)

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the Fall Town Meeting at 10:42 PM

Action on motion: Motion passed

UPCOMING NEWS AND REMINDERS FOR 2026

The Annual Seekonk Town Election 2026 will be held Monday April 6, 2026. Nomination papers for offices up for election will be available in the Town Clerk’s office on December 18^th. The deadline to return completed nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 5:00PM. You must obtain a minimum of 50 signatures from Seekonk registered voters. A street address (not P.O. Box) is required from each person signing your papers. Please make sure the signatures and addresses are legible, otherwise they cannot be counted.

Elected positions for the April 6, 2026 Annual Town Election

• One seat for the Board of Assessors (3-year term)
• Two seats for The Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)
• One seat for the Planning Board (5-year term)
• One seat for the School Committee (3-year term)
• Two seats for the Select Board (3-year term)
• One seat for the Water Commission (3-year term)

IMPORTANT REMINDER - 2025 YEAR-END REPORTING

Every incumbent candidate who holds public office and every non-incumbent with activity (balance, liabilities, receipts or expenditures) must file a year-end report.

Candidates and committees should use form M102. If you qualify, you can use the M109 form instead of M102. You qualify if you: 1) have no balance; 2) have no receipts or expenditures in 2025; 3) have no committee; and 4) have no liabilities. The forms can be found at https://www.ocpf.us/Publications/Forms or if you need a copy, please let us know and we will print one for you.

ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST - MUST BE COMPLETED YEARLY

Absentee ballot applications for 2026 are available in our office or on our website. If you want to be put on the permanent absentee ballot mailing list, please fill out the form and check off "for all elections". If you know you will be out of town for a certain election you can request an absentee ballot for that election only, as well.

This form can be found on the Town Clerk’s webpage at https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/280/Town-Clerk or by calling our office (508) 336-2920.

To qualify as an absentee voter:

• You will be away from your town on Election Day
• You have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling location on Election Day
• You have a disability that prevents you from voting at your polling location
• You are on active military duty
• You are a U.S. citizen living outside the U.S.
• You are requesting an emergency absentee ballot due to hospitalization
• You are currently incarcerated for a reason other than a felony conviction

ANNUAL CENSUS

The 2026 Annual Town Census will be mailed to all households by mid-January. Please update and/or make any changes to the form, sign, and return it to us by February 28, 2025. It can be returned by mail, in-person, or leaving it in the drop box located at town hall.

Why it is important that you return your census. The information collected is used to prove residency, update voter rolls, veterans’ benefits, birth records, help predict future school enrollment, establish precinct lines, and qualify for state/federal funding.  

Completing a census form does not register you to vote. If you are a registered voter, there will be a party affiliation by your name (i.e. D, R, U, etc.). Updates to your party affiliation can be made in person at our office or by going online to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DOG LICENSING PROCUDURES

The Town Clerk’s Office is now processing dog licensing ONLINE!  Please visit the Town Clerk’s page on the Town of Seekonk website and select “Apply for a Dog License.” New dog licenses can be submitted any time and renewals on existing licenses for 2026 will become available on January 1st.

The benefits to online processing include important expiration & renewal reminders that are sent directly to your e-mail, quick & easy payments, communication directly to the Town Clerk’s team regarding the license and ability to print copies of your license any time for doggy daycare, boarding or grooming services. Payments can still be made in-person or by mail, but the licensing process does now require online registration. If you choose to mail your payment and have your license returned by mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return.

Fees for licensing: Spayed/Neutered = $10 per dog, Un-Spayed/Un-Neutered = $20 per dog.  Licensing fees are waived for residents over the age of 70, however late fees & violation fines will still apply.

Massachusetts General Law requires dogs to be licensed annually, with proof of current rabies vaccination. SEEKONK DOG TAGS EXPIRE MARCH 31st.  Failure to comply will result in issuance of M.G.L. violation & fine.  If your license remains delinquent after May 31st, late fees of $25 per dog will also apply.

If you have any difficulty completing your application online, please call us and we are happy to walk you through the process over the phone OR you can stop by our office with your valid rabies certificate and we can assist you at our kiosk station.

Reminders

If you have any questions regarding your taxes, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930.

Disposal Bills:

• Fiscal Year 2026 disposal bills were mailed on September 18, 2025 and were due October 21^st ($315.00 per unit). Demand notices were mailed November 18^th and are due by December 2^nd. Please contact the Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930, if you have not paid the prior years disposal for an updated balance.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax:

• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax commitment #6 will be issued on December 8^th and due January 7, 2026.
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax commitment #5 is now on demand and due by December 22^nd.
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 1^st, 2^nd,  3^rd  and 4^th commitments are now with the Deputy Collector (781-944-8504).

Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes:

• Further collection notices will be issued for any unpaid Fiscal Year 2025 balances.
• Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills were mailed the first week in July.
• The first quarter  payment was due by August 4, 2025.
• The second quarter was due by November 3, 2025
• Actual Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills will be mailed at the end of December
• The third quarter will be due February 3, 2026 and fourth quarter will be due May 4, 2026.

We would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and hope they are filled with health, laughter, family and friendship.

As always, please contact us (508) 336-2920 or by email at townclerk@seekonk-ma.gov should you have any questions. Thank you.

~Kristen and Shandra