LIVE COVERAGE: Sept. 28 Board of Selectmen Meeting

Sept. 28 Board of Selectmen Meeting

9:29 p.m.: A Seekonk resident said all town roads shouldn't be held to MassHighway Standard due to finances.

9:08 p.m.: Officials confirm notices have been posted within 48 hours of the session time, making the meeting legal.

9:03 p.m.: The Recreation Department did not post a meeting notice for Thursday's session at the former - therefore the meeting is illegal, say Selectmen Francis Cavaco.

9:00 p.m.: The Board of Health and Recreation Committee still have not posted minutes to the town's website.

8:53 p.m.: The town administrator does not have a report tonight.

8:38 p.m.: Some rubbish from Hurricane Irene is still lying on roads, reports the Department of Public Works Superintendent. 

8:35 p.m: The Board of Selectmen approved a bid for catch basin cleaning to Vigeant Equipment Company.

8:05 p.m. - Selectmen are discussing a policy change that would mandate all Chapter 90 money to meet MassHighway Standard. Selectmen McClintock said that roads have not been taken care of properly and he has different standards for road repair work compared to the Department of Public Works Superintendent because he lives in town. Bob Lamoureaux said the state criteria would be very expensive to adhere to and is not necessarily a "better" guideline for town roads. Selectmen tabled the discussion for a future meeting.

7:50 p.m. - Selectmen Cavaco is asking gas company engineers why parts of the road are sinking after roadwork is completed. Selectmen McClintock said roadwork on Newman Avenue completed by the gas company was shoddy. Selectmen agree to meet with gas company engineers in a month to discuss the state of road repairs.

7:40 p.m. - According to the town clerk, Seekonk's 200th anniversary hats are available for $10. Long sleeve shirts that were designed by students are also for sale. A dinner dance at Johnson & Wales Inn will be held in January. Tickets are $50.

7:39 p.m. - Selectmen decided to move the polling place discussion to a future meeting.

7:30 p.m. - Gary Sagar says the Martin Elementary School gymnasium should be used for elections. He would like to see the voters be able to have a say in the matter. Chairman David Parker said there's been less than 10 complaints in three years. The town clerk said if someone can't make it to the polls they can fill out an absentee ballot.

7:20 p.m. - Gary Sagar is asking that additional polling places be available to voters; currently the Seekonk High School is the lone polling place. According to Sagar, two voting locations would be affordable due to state reimbursements. Town Clerk Jan Parker rebutted saying one central polling place is the best option as people can be directed to correct precincts and workers can properly monitor stations. And while the November presidential elections will draw an increase of voters, Parker said police will help regulate the parking. The farthest voter from the high school has to drive about six or seven miles. 

7:03 p.m. - A member of the Board of Library Trustees of the Seekonk Public Library announced the sudden passing of Sharon St. Hilaire, the library's director. A book will be available at the library's front desk for the public to share their memories of the director. The book will be given to her family.

It was anticipated that Selectmen would discuss the Department of Public Works and dispatch collective bargaining agreements in executive session.