March 29, 2024

From the Town Clerk

Posted

Spring arrived and with it our annual Spring Town Meeting that addresses the town budget and other warrant articles that have financial implications. I would like to thank all the people who came out to support our Town Meeting, it was a late one finishing up several minutes before midnight. We had a total of 266 registered voters check in. Precinct 1- 52, Precinct 2- 93, Precinct 3- 68 and Precinct 4 – 53. I would also like to thank the people behind the scenes who make everything run smoothly. Christina Testa and Kristen L’Heureux, Town Administrator’s Office, the entire staff at TV9 for setting up the lights, cameras, sound system and recording it for the folks at home. The Police Department, DPW workers and School Custodians. Thanks to the Registrars and Poll Workers who are always ready and willing to help with the microphones and checking everyone in.
The entire minutes for this meeting can be found on the Town web-site under the Town Clerk’s page.

Annual Spring Town Meeting News
May 13, 2019 Seekonk held its Spring Town Meeting and as you know it is was an important meeting as it dealt with our town budget. Below is an outlined report of the meeting and votes.
Town Clerk called the meeting to order with a quorum of 75 registered voters at 7:03PM
A motion was made to allow the Town Moderator to declare a 2/3 vote on articles requiring that vote. Passing unanimously.

A motion was made to allow non-residents to speak at the meeting. Passing unanimously.
A motion was made to allow the Town Moderator to proceed with all articles, even those that affect him personally. Passing unanimously.
Article 1 - To receive Town Officers or Committees reports. Passed unanimously.
Article 2- Part I - Fiscal Year 2020 Budget. Town Administrator presented the $58,924,512 budget. Town Moderator went line by line asking for questions/comments/discussion. Passed unanimously. Part II Town to appropriate $1,275,134 to defray charges and expenses of operating the Sanitation Enterprise Fund for fiscal year 2020. Passed unanimously.
Article 3- Town to amend section 3.2 of the Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map changing zoning designation of property 102 Burnside from an R-4 Zone to a R-2 –Zone. Passed with a majority 2/3 vote.
Article 4- Town to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $285,000.00 for all services relative to the Pond St. Bridge. Passed unanimously.
Article 5- Salary and compensation for elected officials. Passed unanimously.

Article 6 –Town to transfer the sum of $200,000.00 from Free Cash to the Municipal Capital Stabilization Fund. Passed unanimously.

Article 7- Authorize transfer of money from Dog license receipts to Animal Control Dept. Passed unanimously.

Article 8- Town to authorize the BOS to enter into a lease purchase agreement in accordance with the Provisions of G.L.c44, 21C for a period in excess of three years for the purchase and equipping a new EMS Vehicle/Ambulance, and appropriate $79,000.00 from Ambulance Receipts Reserve Fund for first year payment. Passed with a 2/3/ majority vote.

Article 9- Town to transfer from Municipal Capital Stabilization Fund the sums set forth in the warrant under article 7 for purposes specified, to authorize appropriate Town officials to enter into lease purchase agreements or other contracts for more than three years for such purposes. Motion passed with a 2/3 majority vote.
The following sums to be expended as follows:

1. Year Five (5) of a seven (7) year lease/purchase of an aerial fire apparatus for the Fire Department to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $106,852.00

2. Year Four (4) of seven (7) year lease/purchase of a Fire Engine to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $80,713.47

3. Year Two (2) of a seven (7) year lease/purchase for a Fire Engine to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $87,745.10

4. Purchase and equip an administrative vehicle for the Fire Department to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $45,000.00

5. Funding of Phase III of the Seekonk Public Library project, to be expended under the Direction of The Library Board of Trustees $35,000.00

6. Purchase and equipping a wood chipper for use by the Dept. of Public Works, to be expended under the control of the Board of Selectmen. $70,000.00

7. Purchase and equipping a finish mower for use by the Department of Public Works, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen $20,000.00

8. Purchase and equipping of a heavy-duty truck and sander for use by the Dept. of Public Works to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $180,000.00

9. Purchase and equipping of a maintenance van by the Dept. of Public Works to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $42,000.00

10. Purchase and equipping of a heavy-duty pickup with plow for use by the Dept. of Public Works to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $45,000.00

11. Purchase and installation of lighting, rigging and for Seekonk HS stage to be expended under the direction of the School Committee. $138,761.00

12. Purchase and installation of stage curtains at the Aitken, Martin and Hurley Middle schools to be expended under the direction of the School committee. $55,045.00

13. Purchase and installation of lighting and electrical improvements in the TV Studio at the Seekonk HS to be expended under the direction of the School Committee. $83,682.00

14. Purchase and provided training of new voting machines for local, state and federal elections for use by the Town Clerk to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen $26,500.00

15. Purchase and equipping of a pickup truck with tow and snow plowing capabilities for use by the Conservation Commission and Recreation Dept. to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. $40,000.00
Passed with a majority 2/3 vote.

Article 10- Transfer from Free Cash a sum of $34,000 to fund the cost items for first and second years of collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the Seekonk Public Library Employee Association. Passed with a majority vote.

Article 11 – Appropriate from the Community Preservation Fund 2020 estimated annual revenues the sum of $22,100 for administrative expenses of the CPC for FY ending in 6/30/20. Reserve future appropriation, each item a separate reserve: Historic Resources Reserve $ 44,200 - Community Housing Reserve $44,200. Open Space Reserve $44,200. FY 2020 Budgeted Reserve $287,300. Passed unanimously.

Article 12 - Authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of surplus property or material, exclusive of buildings and land but including compost no longer needed by Town.
Passed unanimously.

Article 13 – Authorize the Treasurer with approval of BOS to borrow in anticipation of revenue for the FY beginning 7/1/19 in accordance with provision of GL, Ch44 Sec 4, and to renew any notes in accordance with the provision of GL, Ch44 Sec. 17. Passed with a unanimous vote.

Article 14– Transfer money from Free Cash to FY 2019 Town Operating Budget line item #68 (snow & ice payroll) to FY 2019 Town Meeting Operating budget line item #69 (snow & ice expense).Passed with a unanimous vote.

Article 15– The Town to vote to accept the Provisions of G.L. c64N, sec 3 to impose an excise of three (3) percent on retail sales of marijuana for adult use. Passed with a majority vote.

Article 16 – Town to enact the Seekonk Single Use Plastic Bag Ban Bylaw as presented in the Seekonk Town meeting Warrant, Article 16. Passed with a majority 2/3 vote.

Article 17- Transfer the sum of $73,247.82 from Ambulance Receipts account for the
lease payment for the last year of a four (4 ) year lease purchase of an ambulance/EMS vehicle for the Fire dept. Passed unanimously.

Article 18 - 18-1 –1 Town voted to amend the Zoning Bylaws Section 2.8 Site Plan. Passed with a 2/3 majority vote. 18-2 Town voted to amend the Zoning Bylaws section 3.2 Zoning Map. Failed to pass a 2/3 majority vote. 18-3 Town voted to amend the Zoning Bylaws section 4.2 Use Table. Passed with a 2/3 majority 18-4 Town voted to amend Zoning Bylaws Section 4.3 Sec. 4.3.2 Non-conforming Use and Structures. Passed with a majority vote. 18-5 Town voted to amend the Zoning Bylaws Section 5.1.4 Dimensional Regulations Table. Passed with a 2/3 majority.

Article 19 –Town to appropriate from Free Cash the sum of $95,000 for a feasibility study for the construction of a new DPW facility. Passed with a majority vote.

Article 20- Town to vote to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $300,000 for design, purchase, equipping, furnishing and installation of a playground to be located on the Town Hall campus, 100 Peck St. Motion to indefinitely postpone Article 20. Passed with a majority vote.

Article 21- Town to amend the Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map as it pertains to the “front” portion of the property located at 800 Fall River Ave. (commonly known as the “Showcase Cinemas’ property). A motion was made to reject the Warrant Article 21 in its entirety. Motion to vote “yes” to reject Warrant Article 21 in its entirety. Passed with a unanimous vote.

Article 22- Town to appropriate the sum of $10,500,000 to design, renovate, construct and furnish the Mildred Aitken Elementary School Expansion project,, including site preparation, demolition, and any incidental or related costs, which amount shall supplement the 1,000,000 borrowing approved by the November 19, 2018 Town Meeting under Article 11; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen is authorized to borrow such amount under G.L. c.44, Section 7(1) or any other enabling authority and to issue bonds and notes of the Town therefor; and that any ‎premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less ‎any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be ‎applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with G.L. c. 44, §20, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs ‎by a like amount; and that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to take any other action ‎necessary to carry out this project; provided, however, that this vote shall be expressly contingent upon approval by the voters at an election of a ballot question, in accordance with G.L. c.59, §21C(k), to exempt from provisions of Proposition 2 1/2, so called, the amounts necessary to pay the principal and interest on any debt authorized by this vote.
Passed with a 2/3 majority vote. (This article will to a Town wide ballot vote)

Article 23- Town vote to appropriate the sum of $ 1,750,000 to design, renovate or reconstruct and furnish the Mildred Aitken Elementary School with air conditioning in the existing building, including all incidental and related costs; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow such amount under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 7(1) or any other enabling authority and issue bonds and notes of the Town therefor; and that any ‎premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less ‎any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be ‎applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with G.L. c.44, §20, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs ‎by a like amount; and that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to take any other action ‎necessary to carry out this project; provided, however, that the vote taken hereunder shall be expressly contingent upon approval by the voters of the Town at an election of a ballot question, consistent with the provisions of G.L. c.59, §21C(k), to exempt from provisions of Proposition 2 1/2, so called, the amounts necessary to pay the principal and interest on the debt authorized hereunder.
Passed with a 2/3 majority vote. (This article will to a Town wide ballot vote)

Motion was made to dissolve meeting at 11:57PM. Passed unanimously.

Special Election

There will be a special election held June 10, 2019 because of the passing of Articles 22 and 23. The Questions on the Ballot will read:

Question 1:
Shall the Town be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to design, renovate, construct and furnish the Mildred Aitken Elementary School Expansion project, including site preparation, demolition and any other incidental or related costs?
Yes or No

Question 2:
Shall the Town be allowed to exempt from provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, to design, renovate or reconstruct and furnish the Mildred Aitken Elementary School with air conditioning in the existing building, including any incidental or related costs? Yes or No

I hope everyone comes out to vote on June 10th.

As of June 1st Dog License renewals are past due. There will be a $20.00 late fee per dog imposed on license renewals. The license fees are $10.00 for spayed or neutered dogs. $20.00 for un-spayed or un-neutered dogs. If you are late renewing please remember to add $20.00 per dog to the above fees.

We are still updating census data and will be sending out post cards to residents who did not remember to answer the census this winter. If you receive this post card PLEASE mail it back so we can update your census information. Failure to respond to census mailings for two consecutive years will result in the removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls per MGL Ch. 51 4c.

Have a wonderful June 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.

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