Street and Building Improvements Dominate Seekonk Selectmen Meeting

With several construction projects, building permits, and a citizen’s call to create a list of concrete goals and objectives discussed, town improvement was the priority at Wednesday night’s Seekonk Board of Selectmen meeting.

About 20 Seekonk residents, many of whom are members of the Seekonk Planning Board, filled the Town Hall Meeting Room on Peck Street to listen to and speak with Town Administrator Michael Carroll and the five members of the Board of Selectmen: Francis Cavaco, Robert McLintock, chairman David Parker, vice chairman William Rice and John Whelan.

Items concerning future construction projects received the most discussion. The selectmen were told that Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. was the engineering firm selected to lead the design and remodeling of the Route 114A intersection, and the board voted unanimously to allow the process to continue to draft a written contract.

McLintock said he agreed with the choice of GPI, calling the company “very professional.” However, with Route 114A being a Massachusetts state road, there was discussion about the logistics of payment and questions as to why the Town of Seekonk should have to pay even a percentage of the bill. The members of the board agreed they would need to see in writing the exact breakdown of responsibilities of payment.

Update on Banna Fire Station

Fire Captain Michael Healy gave an update on the renovation of the Banna Fire Station on Pine Street. He said that all codes were up to date, and that there had been one resident whose property abuts the station property who had had concerns about the construction, but that the matter had been settled through litigation. The board agreed that the members of the project only need to give updates when they need new contracts and permits. They deemed day-to-day permission of spending unnecessary.

Assisted living center in residential zone gets approval

Other construction and renovation-related issues included approving a bylaw that would allow an assisted living facility to be built in a residential zone. While all members of the board were supportive of the community’s need for such a facility, they did express their concerns about future plans regarding parking, landscaping, and impact on the everyday life of the residents who would live near it. The vote ended 4-1, with McLintock opposed.

Town Hall sign will get fresh paint

The board also voted to repaint instead of replace the Town Hall sign, saving some $5,000. The Board also saved $2,500 by choosing to pass on the emergency weather alert function on the existing Code Red (Reverse 911) system, explaining they have plenty of minutes at their discretion to make their own extreme weather notices. They also discussed streamlining the process of obtaining permits.

Resident wants a better website

Resident Lauren Walsh suggested the town should make the permit process easier, and improve the town’s website. She also expressed her concerns about the lack of goals and objectives made clear by the town administration, saying each department should evaluate themselves and see how they can improve.

Resident Arthur Folks spoke to the night’s theme of construction, saying that many of the buildings and parking lots in town are sub-par. “If you don’t start looking at centralized maintenance, shame on you,” Folks said.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 15, at 7 p.m.