How the Medeiros Farm Project Reached a Standstill

Development of the Medeiros Farm has been plagued by controversy over the last two years. Following a series of votes by the Seekonk Select Board, the project is currently on hold.

Last month, the Board voted not to place active recreational fields on Elm Street. Chair Gary Sagar, Elizabeth Elmasian, and Rob Archambault were in favor, with Chris Zorra and Michael Healy opposed.

The board also voted to conduct a traffic study before proceeding with any expenditures for the project. Zorra and Healy were opposed, with Sagar, Elmasian, and Archambault in favor.

David Sullivan, Chair of the Medeiros Farm Committee, criticized the decision in a recent editorial: “By voting to not allow any active recreation on the Elm St. portion of the property, the Board of Selectmen has completely changed the scope of the project and voided the conceptual plan that was completed previously.”

At the May 2023 Town Meeting, voters approved the appropriation of $150,000 from the Community Preservation Fund to hire a consultant to develop a master plan for the Medeiros Farm project at Elm Street and Lincoln Street.

The Medeiros Farm Recreation and Park Master Plan outlines four objectives: active recreation, passive recreation, historic preservation, and a Community Park.

According to recently revealed documents, Town officials held multiple discussions regarding athletic fields on the Medeiros Farm before the 40 acre property was purchased for $2 million in 2022.

At the Board of Selectmen’s August 4, 2021 Executive Session, Conservation Agent Jennifer Miller explained: “The property was left to Paul Medeiros and he would like to preserve the property as recreation or passive recreation. The properties include open fields, a red historic farm house, and other structures located in the area of Lincoln Street and Elm Street.”

Parks and Recreation Director John Pozzi said “they could fit up to 4 fields. Mr. Medeiros is happy with the fields but does not want to see a parking lot when you come around the corner.”

Another Executive Session was held on October 13, 2021. In attendance were Chairman Justin Sullivan, Zorra, David Andrade, Healy, and Town Administrator Shawn Cadime. Also present were Pozzi, Miller, and Community Preservation Committee Chair John Alves.

The minutes state: “Chair Sullivan asked Mr. Pozzi for information on field usage.”

Pozzi mentioned two new sports have been introduced in town: flag football and lacrosse.  The fields on Cole Street and Water Lane “are now being utilized year-round,” Pozzi noted. 

“D. Andrade asked approximately how many fields will fit on Elm Street. J. Pozzi said they anticipate to fit 4 fields with room for spectators and parking. Mr. Cadime advised the warrant article will include the language ‘not to exceed $2M (for the purchase price).’

Alves reported one estimate was obtained for the property.

At the March 30, 2022 Executive Session, Cadime discussed the proposed Purchase and Sales agreement. The minutes state: “the name of the Athletic Field complex shall be named Anthony K. Medeiros Athletic Fields.”

“D. Andrade said he wants to consider the future needs of the town and have the opportunity to rent the fields. M. Healy suggested only lighting 2 of the fields. The Board asked Mr. Cadime to confirm if CPC funds could be used for turf fields and if an agreement could be reached on lighting.”

Andrade told the Reporter he had no recollection of the discussions and declined to comment further.

At the April 27, 2022 Executive Session, “the board stated they do not want to create a nuisance or interfere with the neighbors’ quality of life. Mr. Cadime met with Mr. Medeiros and Jen Miller last week to discuss lights on the fields. The following was proposed: a curfew of 8:00 p.m. October through March. The lights will be on a controlled system.”

Cadime declined to comment for this story.

Last September, residents from Elm Street and Lincoln Street expressed their opposition to having soccer fields in their neighborhood. They cited traffic and safety concerns. Two citizens’ petition articles were placed on the November 2025 Town Meeting warrant. One was to rescind $825,000 in funding already appropriated for the project. The other was to rescind the appointment of the Medeiros Farm Committee. Both articles failed.

“You should really forget about the fields on Elm and Lincoln,” Sagar told the committee last month. “Because if you go forward with that, I think some neighbors are going to take you to court.”

Sullivan is President of Seekonk Soccer. He was removed as the Select Board’s representative on the committee after complaints that he was no longer a Select Board member. Sullivan didn’t run for re-election in 2025.

Elmasian is now serving as the Board’s representative. Sullivan declined to comment for this story.

“The committee was following the same steps every other building committee has done,” Zorra said.  “They are recreation fields, they absolutely were discussed when negotiations took place with the Medeiros family. Mr. Medeiros was very clear on what could and could not happen regarding all of the property.”

“The warrant article in May 2023 did allow the creation of the Medeiros Farm committee but the article language specified that decisions fell under the direction of the Board,” Elmasian said Monday. “I can't speak for other board members but will say that although funds had been allocated by the residents, it's up to the Board to ensure the funds are spent responsibly. The Committee should have presented the master plan to the zoning board for approval before awarding a design contract.”

“I don’t want to see another project in Seekonk end up as a DPW (voters rejected $40 million for a new building),” Archambault said. “Spending a ton of money and then finding out later we should have done a little bit more. We shouldn’t have been in such a rush.”

“I think some people need to differentiate between the residents' allocation of funds and the Board acting on behalf of the allocation,” Elmasian added. “The residents' allocation of funds does not negate the Board's discretion or direction.  Further, the project calls for a special permit which would be granted by zoning.  Why pay for the design of a project before the permit has been granted?  We're trying to be fiscally responsible.”