MassVoter.com← Seekonk Select BoardSeekonk Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
July 10, 2024
20 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Pamela Pozzi, Michelle A. Hines, Christopher Zorra, Michael P. Healy
Absent: Justin Sullivan
Every vote, in order
Consider the promotion of James Nelson to the rank of Sergeant
To accept the promotion of James Nelson to the rank of Sergeant
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to accept the promotion of James Nelson to the rank of Sergeant; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved Vote: 4-0 all in favor Kristen L'Heureux, Town Clerk, performed the swearing in ceremony. Sergeant Nelson's wife and daughter were present to pin his badge. 3. Consider the Conditional Offer of Employment for Jonathan McNamara for the position of Firefighter Lateral Transfer Fire Chief Whalen summarized the interviews and application process. Mr. McNamara was interviewed on June 27t.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
Consider the Conditional Offer of Employment for Jonathan McNamara for the position of
That the Board of Selectmen appoint Jonathan McNamara to the position of Firefighter Paramedic for the Fire Department subject to and conditioned upon his successful passage, as determined by the Town Administrator, of the following: 1) successful completion of Attachment A in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Seekonk and IAFF Local 1931; 2) pre-employment background check; 3) satisfactory CORI check; 4) completion of all pre-employment paperwork; 5) physical examination with drug screening
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion that the Board of Selectmen appoint Jonathan McNamara to the position of Firefighter Paramedic for the Fire Department subject to and conditioned upon his successful passage, as determined by the Town Administrator, of the following: 1) successful completion of Attachment A in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Seekonk and IAFF Local 1931; 2) pre-employment background check; 3) satisfactory CORI check; 4) completion of all pre-employment paperwork; 5) physical examination with drug screening; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor 4. Consider the Conditional Offer of Employment for Samuel DeJong for the position of Firefighter Lateral Transfer Fire Chief Whalen summarized the interviews and application process. Mr. DeJong was interviewed on July 2nd and was identified as a great candidate; he has been serving with the Army National Guard and is a firefighter with the Town of Northbridg.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
Consider the Conditional Offer of Employment for Samuel DeJong for the position of
That the Board of Selectmen appoint Samuel DeJong-Ewing to the position of Firefighter Paramedic for the Fire Department subject to and conditioned upon his successful passage, as determined by the Town Administrator, of the following: 1) successful completion of Attachment A in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Seekonk and IAFF Local 1931; 2) pre-employment background check; 3) satisfactory CORI check; 4) completion of all pre-employment paperwork; 5) physical examination with drug screening
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion that the Board of Selectmen appoint Samuel DeJong-Ewing to the position of Firefighter Paramedic for the Fire Department subject to and conditioned upon his successful passage, as determined by the Town Administrator, of the following: 1) successful completion of Attachment A in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Seekonk and IAFF Local 1931; 2) pre-employment background check; 3) satisfactory CORI check; 4) completion of all pre-employment paperwork; 5) physical examination with drug screening; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor Additionally, Chief Whalen thanked the Fire Department for their recent work with two house fires, a traffic fatality, and a microburst. The Department is performing at top notch levels and he is very impressed with their diligence. 5. Recognition of Kathy Coyle on the occasion of 40 years of employment Kathy Coyle, Senior Clerk for the Finance Department, wa.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
A Public Hearing: Consider the request from National Grid to install one JO Pole on Clara Street, beginning at a point approximately zero feet of the centerline of the intersection of
To open the public hearing at 6:23
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to open the public hearing at 6:23; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor. Dave Cabral, DPW Superintendent, was present to explain the matter. He has been in touch with Doug Hyland regarding the location of the proposed pole. National Grid did provide a stake marking the location and DPW went out to verify it; it is 20+ feet away from the garage, so Mr. Cabral has no concerns regarding the location of the pole. Jeff Silva was prese.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Pozzi)
To close the public hearing at 6:25
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:25; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor. C. Zorr.” (Motion: Healy, second: Pozzi)
To approve the request from National Grid to install one JO Pole on Clara Street, beginning at a point approximately zero feet of the centerline of the intersection of Clara Street and Pond Street and continuing approximately 200 feet in a North direction. Installing (1) new P3119-50 between P3119 and P3120 on the East side of the road
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to approve the request from National Grid to install one JO Pole on Clara Street, beginning at a point approximately zero feet of the centerline of the intersection of Clara Street and Pond Street and continuing approximately 200 feet in a North direction. Installing (1) new P3119-50 between P3119 and P3120 on the East side of the road; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
B Public Hearing: FY 25 Trash Fees
To open the public hearing for FY25 Trash Fees at 6:25
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to open the public hearing for FY25 Trash Fees at 6:25; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor. Dave Cabral, DPW Superintendent, was present to discuss the trash fees. They have been working on a new contract after the previous ten-year term that the Town just completed. Mr. Cabral noted that this past year the Town paid $82.00 per ton; this has been renegotiated to $105.00 per ton with the new contract (there are subsequent increases because of this).” (Motion: Zorra, second: Pozzi)
M Healy recommended that these increases be advertised in the Seekonk Reporter so that residents are more aware; he does believe that people have been well-notified of this change,
To close the public hearing at 6:33
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:33; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor. M. Heal.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Pozzi)
To accept the FY25 Trash Fees with DPW continuing mattress pickup at 65.00 per mattress under the current program
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to accept the FY25 Trash Fees with DPW continuing mattress pickup at 65.00 per mattress under the current program; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor C. FY24 Year-end Transfers Jenn Argo, Finance Director, was present to review the year-end transfers; they are as follows: • Town Administrator's payroll o Due to contractual increases and vacation buyouts • Snow and ice payroll o Due to snow stipends that came in after Town Meeting • Snow and ice expenses o For various repairs and parts for the trucks • Park.” (Motion: Healy, second: Pozzi)
C FY24 Year-end Transfers
To accept the FY24 Year-end Transfers as presented
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to accept the FY24 Year-end Transfers as presented; it was seconded by C. Zorra, and it was unanimously approved.” (Motion: Healy, second: Zorra)
S Cadime recommended that this be approved and accepted. Seekonk is one of several communities that have applied for this grant - if the Town doesn't utilize it, it will go to another
To accept two Trail Kiosks made available through the Blueprint for Public Health Excellence Grant
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to accept two Trail Kiosks made available through the Blueprint for Public Health Excellence Grant; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Healy, second: Pozzi)
E Consider the appointment of KP Law as Town Counsel
To appoint KP Law as Town Counsel
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to appoint KP Law as Town Counsel; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favor F. Read into the record the Moderator's appointment of Christopher Rizzo to the Finance Committee Chair Hines read the Moderator's appointment of Christopher Rizzo to the Finance Committee.” (Motion: Healy, second: Pozzi)
G Accept the resignation of Adeline Bellesheim from the position of Conservation Agent
To accept the resignation Adeline Bellesheim of from the position of Conservation Agent
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to accept the resignation Adeline Bellesheim of from the position of Conservation Agent; it was seconded by C. Zorra, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Healy, second: Zorra)
H Accept the resignation of Ryan Brennan from the position of Truck Driver/Laborer for the Department of Public Works
To accept the resignation of Ryan Brennan from the position of Truck Driver/Laborer
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to accept the resignation of Ryan Brennan from the position of Truck Driver/Laborer; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
I Accept the resignation of Officer James Lonergan from the Police Department
To accept the resignation of James Lonergan from the Police Department
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to accept the resignation of James Lonergan from the Police Department; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 4-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
K Consider the approval of the June 5, 2024 open session minutes
To approve the June 5, 2024 open session minutes with the correction of the Town Administrator under Medeiros Farm Liaison Report instead of Justin Sullivan
The minutes record this vote as 5–0, all in favor, but list 4 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to approve the June 5, 2024 open session minutes with the correction of the Town Administrator under Medeiros Farm Liaison Report instead of Justin Sullivan; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote 5-0 all in favor OTHER BUSINESS – Nothing at this time. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: A. Department of Public Works Building Committee – Nothing new to report. S. Cadime did acknowledge Firefighter Keith Bosse for receiving the Richard N. Bangs outstanding student award; he just graduated the academy and this award is highly prestigious and given to only one student. The Fire C.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
F Seekonk Public Library Feasibility Study/Building Assessment (P. Pozzi) – Nothing new to report.
At 6:51 to adjourn open session to enter into executive session to reconvene in open session for potential contract approval. A) To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual per MGL c 30A § 21(a) (1) as having the discussion in open session would be detrimental to the litigation or bargaining position of the town. B) To conduct strategy Page 9 of 10 Board of Selectmen July 10, 2024 sessions with respect to negotiations with the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator per MGL c 30A § 21(a) (2) as having the discussion in open session would be detrimental to the litigation or bargaining position of the Town. C) To conduct strategy sessions with re
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion at 6:51 to adjourn open session to enter into executive session to reconvene in open session for potential contract approval. A) To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual per MGL c 30A § 21(a) (1) as having the discussion in open session would be detrimental to the litigation or bargaining position of the town. B) To conduct strategy.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Healy)
To enter into open session at 7:54 p.m.
From the minutes
“P. Pozzi made a motion to enter into open session at 7:54 p.m.; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Roll Call Vote: 4-0 all in favor Pozzi-Aye; Michelle Hines-Aye; Chris Zorra-Aye; Michael Healy – Aye P. Pozz.” (Motion: Pozzi, second: Healy)
To approve the contract for the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen/Town administrator as amended
From the minutes
“P. Pozzi made a motion to approve the contract for the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen/Town administrator as amended; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Roll Call Vote: 4-0 all in favor Pozzi-Aye; Michelle Hines-Aye; Chris Zorra-Aye; Michael Healy – Aye P. Pozz.” (Motion: Pozzi, second: Healy)
To close open session at 7:55 p.m.
From the minutes
“P. Pozzi made a motion to close open session at 7:55 p.m.; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Roll Call Vote: 4-0 all in favor Pozzi-Aye; Michelle Hines-Aye; Chris Zorra-Aye; Michael Healy – Aye Respectfully submitted, Chris Zorra, Clerk Prepared by: Catherine Testa Items Distributed at the July 10, 2024 Board of Selectmen Meeting • Letter from the Chief of Police requesting the promotion of James Nelson to the rank of Sergeant • Interview summary and recommendation from Fi.” (Motion: Pozzi, second: Healy)
From the Seekonk Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. Every vote in these minutes has a count, and most name anyone who voted no or abstained. We check every count against the members named and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Photos of current members: Town of Seekonk Select Board page (seekonk-ma.gov). Former members show initials.
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