Seekonk meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Seekonk Planning Board approves two dealerships, two lot divisions

The Seekonk Planning Board took the most consequential actions of the past two weeks, approving site plans for two car dealerships and endorsing two lot divisions at its August 11 meeting. The board also released surety for a housing development. Other town boards met on routine business, and several upcoming meetings are scheduled, including a Board of Health session on August 26.

Planning Board

The Planning Board voted 7-0 to approve a site plan for Chu Hong Kim car sales at 190 Taunton Avenue (AP 20, Lot 586), which includes 22 display spaces and 4 customer spots (1 handicap). It also approved, 6-0-1, a Pride Hyundai dealership at 800 Fall River Avenue (AP 8, Lot 3), contingent on a drainage easement, with 351 total parking spaces (279 storage, 72 customer/employee). P. Dunn abstained as an abutter.

The board endorsed two Approval Not Required (ANR) lot divisions: one for Paul Medeiros at 49 Chestnut Street (AP 15, Lot 47) to create two buildable lots, 7-0; and one for Kenneth Ruscetta at 64 Arcade Avenue (AP 21, Lot 144), 6-1, with D. Sullivan opposed, after a memo on aquifer protection district concerns. The board also approved a final surety release for Madeira Ventures, Inc. for Jacob Hill Estates, withholding inspection fees, 7-0.

School Committee

The School Committee met on August 17 and considered accepting a $50,000 FY27 Fair Share Security Earmark and $1,722.30 in rebates from Bay State Textiles. The agenda included second readings of four policies (CBI, ECAB, EEAEA, JFBB), discussion of warrant articles for the Fall Town Meeting (Nov. 9, 2026), and appointment of MSBA School Building Committee members. No votes were reported in the agenda-only summary.

Select Board

The Select Board met on August 19 with a wide-ranging agenda. It was scheduled to consider conditional offers of employment to Wesley Meyer and Kelli Buckley as Firefighter Lateral Transfers, common victualler license requests for Country Kitchen (469 Taunton Avenue) and Dave's Hot Chicken (1200 Fall River Avenue), and appointments to the School Building Committee (Elizabeth Elmasian, Shawn Cadime, Jennifer Argo, David Cabral). The board also discussed two Open Meeting Law complaints and was set to accept an $860 donation from Friends of the Seekonk Veterans Memorial Park for Purple Heart signs and flags. No votes were reported.

Other recent meetings

• **Conservation Commission (Aug. 10):** Held public hearings on a septic/well project at 360 Woodland Avenue and a Title V septic system and well at 620 Ledge Road, including a 192-square-foot wetland restoration. No decisions were listed.
• **Veterans Council (Aug. 12):** Discussed a donation to Veterans Memorial Park, reviewed National Night Out, and planned the Holiday Festival and Veterans Day parade.
• **Library Trustees (Aug. 12):** Reviewed policies, approved meeting room uses for 9/24/26 and 10/13/26, and discussed a search for a new board member.
• **Library Building Committee (Aug. 13):** Interviewed four architectural firms for design services.
• **Board of Registrars (Aug. 18):** Tested voting machines for the Sept. 1 State Primary Election.
• **Commission on Disability (Aug. 20):** Approved minutes and discussed role reorganization and training.

Coming up

The Board of Health will hold its annual reorganization on Aug. 26, electing a chairman, vice chairman, and clerk. It will also review a Title 5 inspection report for 1096 Taunton Ave (dated 7/8/2026), consider a proposed EV charging station at 341 Highland Ave (with a Planning Board deadline of Sept. 17, 2026), and discuss a medical director/advisor position. Minutes from March, June, and July 2026 are on the consent agenda.

Seekonk boards meet on collaboration, hiring, and library plans; minutes pending

Seekonk town boards held a series of meetings over the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published, so no official decisions or votes are available. The most significant item on the agenda was a joint meeting of the Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee, and Capital Improvement Committee to explore collaboration models for finance, maintenance, and special education.

Joint collaboration meeting (July 29)

The Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee, and Capital Improvement Committee met jointly to discuss potential collaboration models covering finance, maintenance, and special education. The School Committee also provided an update on state and local funding considerations, including supplemental state funding potential and local planning factors. No votes were scheduled.

Select Board (August 5)

The Select Board considered conditional offers of employment to Alexis Francis as a full-time kennel worker and Courtney Monte as a part-time kennel worker. The board also held a ceremonial swearing-in of Police Officers Emma Papargiris, Adam Pacheco, and Michael Combra. A license hearing was held for K&A Auto, a motor vehicle business at 190 Taunton Avenue, owned by Chu Hong Kim. The board also considered signing an agreement for survey, design, procurement, and construction services for improvements to George R. Martin Elementary School, and accepted a $100 donation to the Seekonk Fire Department from Alltrust Credit Union. Other agenda items included setting the Fall Town Meeting date and discussing senior tax assistance and the Town Administrator's annual review.

School Committee (July 27, July 29, August 3)

The Buildings and Facilities Subcommittee met virtually on July 27 to review first-round applicants for the MSBA School Building Committee; the item was listed for discussion only. On July 29, the full School Committee joined the collaboration discussion with other boards. On August 3, the committee considered the second reading of 2026-2027 student and athletic handbooks for the elementary school, Hurley Middle School, and Seekonk High School. It also reviewed a bid award for on-call design services for FY2027-2029, first readings of policies on Superintendent Evaluation, Access to Buildings and Grounds, Bus Driver Examination and Training, Naming New Facilities, and School Choice, and a proposal to name the Cole Street Soccer Fields at the Gallishaw Complex. End-of-year FY26 budget transfers were also on the agenda.

Board of Health (July 28)

The Board of Health planned to reorganize its leadership positions (Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Clerk) as required by the Home Rule Charter. The board also discussed septic system reports and complaints at several addresses, including Longhorn Steakhouse (80 Highland Ave.), a proposed septic system at 95 Sagamore Rd (Faith Christian Center), a complaint of unpermitted installation at 55 Pamden Lane, and Title 5 inspections at 1096 and 1104 Taunton Ave. CPR requirements for tattoo artists were also reviewed.

Parks and Recreation Committee (July 27)

The committee reviewed updates on pickleball, volleyball, the Healthy Kids running club fall season, kickball, and a reminder about National Night Out.

Library Building Committee (August 3)

The committee reviewed responses to a solicitation for temporary library relocation space, evaluated RFQ submissions from firms bidding to design the new library (deadline July 29, 2026), and planned interviews for shortlisted design firms.

Zoning Board of Appeals (August 3)

The August 3 meeting was cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Select Board Meeting Room.

Coming up

The Board of Assessors is scheduled to meet on August 12, 2026. The agenda was not accessible because the municipal website requires a sign-in; no items are listed.

Seekonk boards weigh $253K grant, land changes, and cross-board collaboration in busy two weeks

Seekonk's town boards covered a wide agenda over the past two weeks, with the Select Board set to consider accepting a $253,284.05 MassDOT grant, the Planning Board reviewing a lot line reconfiguration, and multiple boards exploring shared finance and maintenance models. All meetings listed below are agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so items reflect what boards planned to take up, not confirmed outcomes.

Select Board: Grant, hires, and DPW relocation on the table

The Select Board's July 22 agenda included consideration of a $253,284.05 MassDOT grant for the Shared Streets and Spaces Program, a conditional employment offer to Joslyn Moore as a full-time Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher, and a request to lay out Madison Court roadway and forward the recommendation to the Planning Board. The board also planned to discuss early voting hours, annual appointment of election officers, and funding to move Department of Public Works administrative staff to 911 Taunton Avenue.

The Board of Assessors met jointly with the Select Board on July 22 at 5:00 PM in town hall to discuss a possible new tax exemption for senior residents. No other agenda items were listed.

Joint meeting explores collaboration across boards

On July 29, the Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee, and Capital Improvement Committee were scheduled to meet jointly to discuss potential collaboration models covering finance, maintenance, and special education. The School Committee planned to provide an update on supplemental state funding potential and local planning considerations.

Planning Board: Lot line reconfiguration at 259 Taunton Avenue

The Planning Board's July 21 agenda included an Approval Not Required (ANR) application for 259 Taunton Avenue and 194 Pleasant Street, covering AP 15, Lots 1, 267, and 268. The proposal seeks to eliminate Lot 267 and reconfigure Lot 1 to 18,959 square feet and Lot 268 to 13,837 square feet, separating a commercial area from a dwelling.

School Committee: Policies, handbooks, and MSBA applicants

The School Committee's July 21 agenda included approval of minutes from June 8, 2026, and policies on meal payment collection (EFD), access to buildings and grounds (ECAB), bus driver examination and training (EEAEA), and naming new facilities (FF).

On July 27, the Buildings and Facilities Subcommittee met virtually to review first-round applicants for the MSBA School Building Committee. The item was listed for discussion only, with no votes scheduled.

Board of Health: Reorganization and septic system reviews

The Board of Health's July 28 agenda called for reorganization of its chairman, vice chairman, and clerk positions as required by the Home Rule Charter. The board planned to review a Title 5 inspection report for Longhorn Steakhouse at 80 Highland Ave., a proposed septic system at 95 Sagamore Rd (Faith Christian Center), a complaint of unpermitted septic work at 55 Pamden Lane, and a Title 5 inspection at 1096 Taunton Ave. with a well at 1104 Taunton Ave.

Parks and Recreation and Veterans Council

Parks and Recreation met July 27 to review updates on pickleball, volleyball, the Healthy Kids running club fall season, kickball, and a National Night Out reminder. The Veterans Council met July 22 to review a Memorial Day Parade after-action report and discuss National Night Out (August 4) and the 6th annual Holiday Festival.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Library Building Committee:** Review of temporary relocation space responses and evaluation of RFQ submissions for a library designer (deadline was July 29, 2026), with interviews for shortlisted firms to be planned.
• **Aug. 3 — School Committee:** Second reading of student handbooks for elementary, Hurley Middle School, and Seekonk High School; bid award for on-call design services FY2027-2029; first reading of policies on superintendent evaluation, building access, bus driver training, facility naming, and school choice; consideration of naming the Cole Street Soccer Fields at the Gallishaw Complex; and end-of-year FY26 budget transfers.
• **Aug. 3 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Meeting cancelled. Next regular meeting is September 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Select Board Meeting Room.
• **Aug. 5 — Select Board:** Conditional job offers to Alexis Francis (full-time kennel worker) and Courtney Monte (part-time kennel worker); ceremonial swearing-in of police officers Emma Papargiris, Adam Pacheco, and Michael Combra; license hearing for K&A Auto's Class 2 license at 190 Taunton Avenue; $100 donation to the Fire Department from Alltrust Credit Union; and approval of survey, design, and construction services for George R. Martin Elementary School improvements.

Seekonk boards weigh housing, fire station funding, and school policies in busy July stretch

Housing and land use lead the agenda

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled public hearings July 6 on two notable land-use matters: a 40B comprehensive permit for 36 multi-family units, including 10 affordable, at 95 Sagamore Road, and a special permit for a legal non-conforming lot at 1 Wynne Street. The board also planned to reorganize and approve minutes from May 4 and June 1. Minutes from the July 6 meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

The Conservation Commission met July 13 to hold public hearings on several Notices of Intent, including replacement of the Newman Avenue GP3 public water supply well at 50 Water Lane, sidewalk reconstruction on Arcade Avenue between Newman Ave and Mill Street, and an amended NOI for garage construction, driveway removal, and septic upgrade at 55 Burnside Avenue. The commission also had a Certificate of Compliance request for a Public Works Facility at 0 Fall River Avenue and an enforcement order ratification for 55 Burnside Avenue. Minutes are not yet available.

Select Board: fire station, licenses, and mutual aid

The Select Board's July 8 agenda included considering whether to place a debt exclusion question for the South Fire Station on the November state election ballot. The board also scheduled a public hearing on an annual alcohol license for Tavern in the Square at 1125 Fall River Ave, acceptance of a $500 donation to the Seekonk Animal Shelter in memory of Jo Ann Peace, a mutual aid agreement with the City of Pawtucket Police Department, and consideration of leasing three school buildings to South Coast Educational Collaborative. Minutes have not been published.

School Committee prepares for 2026-2027

The Seekonk School Committee met July 6 to review and vote on documents for the upcoming academic year. Agenda items included approval of 2026-2027 School Committee Goals, reconsideration of revisions to the district wellness policy, first readings of student handbooks for elementary, middle, and high schools, a first reading of the 2026-2027 athletic handbook, and approval of the superintendent evaluation process. Minutes are not yet available.

Other boards and committees

The Finance Committee met July 8 to discuss year-end transfers for the current fiscal year and the committee's future direction, with approval of minutes from April 28 and May 11 also on the agenda. The Commission on Disability met July 16 to approve March 2026 minutes, hold a community discussion with a five-minute speaker limit, reorganize commission roles, and follow up on a previously raised motorcycle question. Its next meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2026.

Coming up

• **July 21 — Planning Board:** Review of an Approval Not Required application to reconfigure three parcels at 259 Taunton Avenue and 194 Pleasant Street, including elimination of one lot and boundary adjustments to separate a commercial area from a dwelling.
• **July 21 — School Committee:** Discussion of policies on meal payment collection, access to buildings and grounds, bus driver examination and training, and naming new facilities.
• **July 22 — Select Board:** Consideration of a $253,284.05 MassDOT grant for the Shared Streets and Spaces Program, a conditional employment offer to Joslyn Moore as Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher, laying out Madison Court, early voting hours, and moving DPW administrative staff to 911 Taunton Avenue.
• **July 22 — Board of Assessors (joint with Select Board):** Discussion of a potential new tax exemption for senior residents, 5:00 PM at town hall.

All recent meeting outcomes listed above are based on agendas only; official minutes have not yet been published. Readers are encouraged to consult town records for confirmed results.

Seekonk boards weigh 40B housing, fire station funding, and school contracts in early July meetings

Seekonk's boards and committees covered a wide range of issues in late June and early July, from a 36-unit housing proposal to a potential ballot question on the South Fire Station. All meetings listed below are reflected by agendas only; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Zoning Board of Appeals — 36-unit 40B project at 95 Sagamore Road

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled public hearings on two major applications for its July 6 meeting. The first is a 40B comprehensive permit for 36 multi-family units, 10 of them affordable, at 95 Sagamore Road. The second is a special permit request for a legal non-conforming lot at 1 Wynne Street, with the owner listed as 67 West Avenue. The agenda also included board reorganization and approval of minutes from May 4 and June 1, 2026.

Select Board — South Fire Station debt exclusion and other items

The Select Board's July 8 agenda included consideration of placing a debt exclusion question for the South Fire Station on the November state election ballot. If approved by voters, a debt exclusion allows the town to raise property taxes temporarily to pay for a specific capital project.

The board also planned to hold a public hearing on an annual alcohol license for Tavern in the Square at 1125 Fall River Ave, accept a $500 donation to the Seekonk Animal Shelter in memory of Jo Ann Peace, consider a mutual aid agreement with the City of Pawtucket Police Department, and discuss leasing three school buildings to the South Coast Educational Collaborative.

School Committee — custodial union contract and lease renewals

On June 30, the Seekonk School Committee was scheduled to vote on a three-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 101 for custodial and maintenance personnel, covering July 2026 through June 2029. The committee also planned to approve a three-year lease renewal with the South Coast Educational Collaborative. An executive session was set to discuss collective bargaining and real property matters.

A separate Buildings and Facilities Subcommittee meeting on June 30 focused on space issues in the district, scheduling building tours for committee members, and developing the MSBA Building Committee. No votes or binding decisions were scheduled for that session.

On July 6, the School Committee was set to review and vote on several administrative documents for the 2026-2027 academic year, including School Committee Goals, revisions to the district wellness policy, first readings of student and athletic handbooks, and the superintendent evaluation process.

Board of Assessors — senior tax exemption discussion

The Board of Assessors met June 30 with Town Administrator Shawn Cadime to discuss the potential implementation of a new real estate tax exemption for senior residents. No vote or specific exemption amount is listed in the agenda.

Finance Committee — year-end transfers

The Finance Committee's July 8 agenda included discussion of year-end transfers for the current fiscal year, a broader discussion on the committee's future direction, and approval of minutes from April 28 and May 11, 2026.

Board of Library Trustees — membership and schedule

The Board of Library Trustees met June 29 to review the search for a new board member and consider moving meeting dates to Mondays. The agenda included a potential executive session on collective bargaining or litigation strategy.

Coming up

Conservation Commission — Monday, July 13: Public hearings include a water supply well replacement at 50 Water Lane (NOI #SE69-1018), sidewalk reconstruction on Arcade Avenue between Newman Ave and Mill Street (NOI #SE69-1019), and an amended NOI for garage construction, driveway removal, and septic upgrade at 55 Burnside Avenue. The commission will also consider a Certificate of Compliance request for the Public Works Facility at 0 Fall River Ave, discuss the Heritage Haven 40B project, and address Enforcement Order #2026-04 for 55 Burnside Avenue.

Seekonk boards took up farm project bids, school contracts in late June; zoning board set to weigh 36-unit housing proposal

The Seekonk Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to hold a public hearing today on a 40B comprehensive permit for 36 multi-family units, including 10 affordable, at 95 Sagamore Road — the most consequential land-use item on the town's current meeting calendar. The hearing is one of several upcoming meetings where decisions are expected, while minutes from late June meetings have not yet been published.

Recent meetings — outcomes not yet confirmed

All meetings held between June 22 and June 30 were agenda-only; minutes have not been published, so no votes or decisions can be confirmed.

Select Board (June 24): The agenda listed conditional job offers for Abigail Cabral as Human Services Receptionist/Program Assistant and Michelle Puhacz as Human Services Community Liaison Coordinator, a common victualler license for Wingstop at 1201-1205 Fall River Ave, Unit 8, and a joint meeting with the Medeiros Farm Committee to discuss awarding a designer service bid to CHA. Other items included a drone policy discussion for public safety and general government use, and signing a deed for 911 Taunton Avenue.

Medeiros Farm Committee (June 24): Scheduled to discuss the Medeiros Farm Project, consider awarding a designer service bid to CHA, and approve invoices for KCM.

School Committee (June 30): Agenda included a vote on a three-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 101 for custodial/maintenance personnel (July 2026–June 2029) and approval of a three-year lease renewal with the South Coast Educational Collaborative. A separate Buildings and Facilities Subcommittee meeting was scheduled to discuss space issues, schedule building tours, and develop the MSBA Building Committee, with no votes planned.

Board of Health (June 24): Listed a variance request at 79 Bergeron St to reduce a setback from 10 feet to 9 feet, approval of minutes from January 7, March 24, and May 27, 2026, and a report on denied septic plans.

Board of Assessors (June 30): Scheduled to meet with Town Administrator Shawn Cadime about a potential new real estate tax exemption for senior residents.

Library Building Committee (June 22): Set to review a Request for Services for project designers and discuss options for relocating library services during construction.

Parks and Recreation Committee (June 22): Agenda included an update on the Healthy Kids Running Club fall season, a Medeiros committee report from the chairman, and summer updates from the coordinator.

Human Services Council (June 22): Scheduled to review activity and outreach statistics, discuss emergency assistance, and review the monthly newsletter.

Coming up

Zoning Board of Appeals (July 6): Public hearings on the 40B permit at 95 Sagamore Road and a special permit for a non-conforming lot at 1 Wynne Street (67 West Avenue owner). The board will also reorganize and approve minutes from May 4 and June 1, 2026.

Select Board (July 8): Will consider placing a debt exclusion question for the South Fire Station on the November state election ballot, hold a public hearing on an annual alcohol license for Tavern in the Square at 1125 Fall River Ave, consider a mutual aid agreement with the City of Pawtucket Police Department, and vote on accepting a $500 donation to the Seekonk Animal Shelter in memory of Jo Ann Peace. The board will also consider leasing three school buildings to the South Coast Educational Collaborative.

School Committee (July 6): Will vote on 2026-2027 School Committee Goals, reconsider revisions to the district wellness policy, hold first readings of student handbooks for elementary, middle, and high schools and the athletic handbook, and approve the superintendent evaluation process.

Finance Committee (July 8): Will discuss year-end transfers for the current fiscal year, the committee's future direction, and approve minutes from April 28 and May 11, 2026.

Seekonk Boards Eye Wingstop License, Medeiros Farm Bid; 40B Housing Decision Looms

Seekonk’s boards and committees tackled a full slate of business over the past two weeks, with the Select Board considering a common victualler license for a national chicken chain, a drone policy for public safety, and a designer services bid for the Medeiros Farm project. Meanwhile, the Zoning Board of Appeals is poised to decide on a 36-unit 40B development on Sagamore Road this week.

Select Board takes up Wingstop, drones, and Medeiros Farm design

At its June 24 meeting, the Select Board was scheduled to vote on conditional job offers for two Human Services positions—Abigail Cabral as Receptionist/Program Assistant and Michelle Puhacz as Community Liaison Coordinator—and a common victualler license for Wingstop at 1201-1205 Fall River Ave, Unit 8. The agenda also included discussion of a drone policy for public safety and general government use, and a joint meeting with the Medeiros Farm Committee to consider awarding a designer service bid to CHA. Additional business included signing a deed for 911 Taunton Avenue and a paving contract. No minutes were yet available to confirm the outcomes of those votes.

Other recent meetings

• **Human Services Council** (June 22): Members reviewed activity and outreach statistics, discussed emergency assistance, and went over the monthly newsletter.
• **Library Building Committee** (June 22): The committee reviewed the Request for Services for project designers and evaluated options for relocating library services during construction.
• **Parks and Recreation Committee** (June 22): The panel heard updates on the Healthy Kids Running Club fall season, the Medeiros committee, and summer programs; leagues gave five-minute reports.
• **Board of Health** (June 24): A variance request to reduce a setback from 10 feet to 9 feet at 79 Bergeron St. was on the table, along with approval of minutes and a report on denied septic plans.
• **Medeiros Farm Committee** (June 24): In addition to the joint meeting with the Select Board, the committee was set to discuss the farm project, award the designer service bid to CHA, and approve invoices for KCM.
• **Board of Assessors** (June 30): The board discussed the potential implementation of a new real estate tax exemption for seniors with Town Administrator Shawn Cadime.
• **School Committee** (June 30): In open session, the committee was scheduled to vote on a three-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 101 for custodial/maintenance personnel (July 2026–June 2029) and a three-year lease renewal with the South Coast Educational Collaborative. A subcommittee also discussed space issues, building tours, and MSBA Building Committee development.

Coming up

• **Zoning Board of Appeals** (July 6): The board will hold public hearings on a 40B comprehensive permit for 36 multi-family units, including 10 affordable units, at 95 Sagamore Road, and a special permit for a non-conforming lot at 1 Wynne Street. Board reorganization and approval of previous meeting minutes are also on the agenda.
• **School Committee** (July 6): Members will vote on the 2026-2027 committee goals, reconsider revisions to the district wellness policy, give a first reading to student and athletic handbooks for next year, and approve the superintendent evaluation process.
• **Select Board** (July 8): A public hearing on the annual alcohol license for Tavern in the Square, consideration of a debt exclusion vote for the South Fire Station on the November ballot, a vote on a mutual aid agreement with Pawtucket police, acceptance of a $500 animal shelter donation, and a possible lease of three school buildings to the South Coast Educational Collaborative are scheduled.
• **Finance Committee** (July 8): Year-end transfers and a discussion on the committee’s future direction are planned.