Politics & Government

Senior Center Measure Passes in Landslide

The $2.5 million bond proposal also needs to be approved at the Town Meeting in June.

The third time was the charm Monday night for a bond measure to pay for the construction of a new senior center in Seekonk. The $2.5 million proposal was approved by a vote of 1,459 to 962 on Monday. Two similar measures were previously rejected.

"It's been a long time coming," said Dave Bowden, chair of the Senior Center Building Committee. "It was the third try, and it finally worked. One of the people who has been with us has been waiting 20 years for this to happen. This is beautiful."

The proposal calls for a temporary override of Proposition 2 1/2 (known as a debt exclusion) to allow a property tax hike to fund a 9,200-square-foot senior center that would be built on a vacant property next to Town Hall on Peck Street. The tax would cost approximately $8 per $100,000 of a property's value and decrease each subsequent year. The $2.5 million bond would be paid off in 20 years.

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Proponents say the current facility for seniors on Pleasant Street is too small and lacks appropriate features for older residents as well as adequate parking. Opponents, including Selectman Francis Cavaco, said the cost was too high.

Next up for the bond measure is the June Town Meeting, where it must also be approved. The Zoning Board of Appeals will vote on the final design.

Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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