Selectmen Reject Money To Recruit Call Firefighters

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen rejected a $500 grant that would have gone to aid in the recruitment of additional volunteer firefighters by a 3 to 2 vote, with only Selectmen John Whalen and Bob McClintock in favor of accepting the grant.

“We want to work with the town and the fire chief (Alan Jack) to get an ad in the local newspaper and recruit some more firefighters,” said Lt. James Garrott, a volunteer firefighter.

Garrot said he would have also considered advertising on the local television station Cable 9.

The grant came from the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Selectman Francis Cavaco expressed concern over the motivations behind the grant and why it was coming “all of a sudden.” Cavaco said he had talked to the town’s financial advisor and Chief Alan Jack and the town hadn’t received any grants for the volunteer fire department in the past 10 years.

The concern was that the acceptance of the grant would tie the town into retaining the call volunteer firefighters even if it decides to move solely to the use of full-time firefighters, though Selectman Dave Parker said that acceptance of the grant would not have any effect on that.

However, Parker, along with selectmen Francis Cavaco and Bill Rice, ultimately voted against accepting the grant.

Two selectmen join board of health

The selectmen appointed two of their own, Bob McClintock and Francis Cavaco, to the Board of Health.

The two were the only candidates for the two vacant seats after Chris Pelletier and fellow selectman Bill Rice pulled out.

Rice had his name removed from consideration because he believed there could be a potential ethical issue with the board appointing its own members.

However, Parker said there would be no ethical issue as there were no other options and a lack of interest in the town in filling the positions.