MassVoter.com← Seekonk Select BoardSeekonk Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
April 1, 2026
18 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Michelle A. Hines, Gary Sagar, Pamela Pozzi, Michael P. Healy, Christopher Zorra
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Consider the appointment of Solight Sou to the Parks & Recreation Committee for a term to expire June 2028
To appoint Solight Sou to the Parks & Recreation Committee for a term to expire June 2028
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to appoint Solight Sou to the Parks & Recreation Committee for a term to expire June 2028; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favor 3. Consider the appointment of Jessica Murphy to the Commission on Disability for a term to expire June 2027 Jessica Murphy was present. Mr. Cadime stated that he had interviewed Ms. Murphy and expressed his belief that she would be an excellent candidate for both the Commission on Disability and the Capital Improvement Committee, as she had been considered f.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
Consider the appointment of Jessica Murphy to the Commission on Disability for a term to expire June 2027
To appoint Jessica Murphy to the Commission on Disability for a term to expire June 2027
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to appoint Jessica Murphy to the Commission on Disability for a term to expire June 2027; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favor.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
Consider the appointment of Jessica Murphy to the Capital Improvement Committee for a term to expire June 2027
To appoint Jessica Murphy to the Capital Improvement Committee for a term to expire June 2027
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to appoint Jessica Murphy to the Capital Improvement Committee for a term to expire June 2027; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favor 5. Accept the resignation of Ashley Lawrence from the position of Assistant Animal Control Officer G. Saga.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
Accept the resignation of Ashley Lawrence from the position of Assistant Animal Control Officer
To accept the resignation of Ashley Lawrence from the position of Assistant Animal Control Officer
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to accept the resignation of Ashley Lawrence from the position of Assistant Animal Control Officer; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favor 6. Consider the appointment of Isabella Bartlett to the position of Full Time Assistant Animal Control Officer Animal Control Officer Russo was present. She stated that Isabella has been working with the department since March 2025, beginning as a part time kennel worker and transitioning to full time in June 2025. She noted that Isabella has proven to be a p.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
Consider the appointment of Isabella Bartlett to the position of Full Time Assistant Animal Control Officer
To appoint Isabella Bartlett to the position of Full Time Assistant Animal Control Officer effective April 1, 2026
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to appoint Isabella Bartlett to the position of Full Time Assistant Animal Control Officer effective April 1, 2026; it was seconded by G. Sagar, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favor.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Sagar)
A License Hearing: Consider the request from Osamequin Farm, 80 Walnut Street for a one-day liquor license on the following dates: April 18, 2026; May 2, 2026; June 20, 2026; September 12,
To approve the request from Osamequin Farm, 80 Walnut Street for a one-day liquor license on the following dates: April 18, 2026; May 2, 2026; June 20, 2026; September 12, 2026; October 10, 20026 and an event on a date TBD
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to approve the request from Osamequin Farm, 80 Walnut Street for a one-day liquor license on the following dates: April 18, 2026; May 2, 2026; June 20, 2026; September 12, 2026; October 10, 20026 and an event on a date TBD; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
B License Hearing: Consider the request for a Common Victualler license for Whole Foods, to be located at 940 Fall River Avenue, Rich Toppi manager
To approve the request for a Common Victualler license for Whole Foods, to be located at 940 Fall River Avenue, Rich Toppi manager
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to approve the request for a Common Victualler license for Whole Foods, to be located at 940 Fall River Avenue, Rich Toppi manager; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
C Vote to award/sign the BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) of $8,315,833 (Department of Public Works, 320 Fall River Avenue, and South End Fire Station)
To award/sign the BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) of $8,315,833 (Department of Public Works, 320 Fall River Avenue, and South End Fire Station) by reading the following: I, the Clerk of the Select Board of the Town of Seekonk, Massachusetts, certify that at a meeting of the board held April 1, 2026, of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the board in my custody: Voted: to approve the sale of $8,315,833 4.00 percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (the "Notes") of the Town dated April 16, 2026, and payable April 15, 2027, to Jefferies LLC at par and accrued interest, if any, plus a premium of $123,989.07. Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Notes, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale a
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to award/sign the BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) of $8,315,833 (Department of Public Works, 320 Fall River Avenue, and South End Fire Station) by reading the following: I, the Clerk of the Select Board of the Town of Seekonk, Massachusetts, certify that at a meeting of the board held April 1, 2026, of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the board in my custody: Voted: to approve the sale of $8,315,833 4.00 percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (the "Notes") of the Town dated April 16, 2026, and payable April 15, 2027, to Jefferies LLC at par and accrued interest, if any, plus a premium of $123,989.07. Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Notes, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated March 18, 2026, and a final Official Statement dated March 25, 2026, each in such form as may be approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted. Further Voted: that the To.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Sagar)
L Rizzo acknowledged the challenges facing the budget, particularly with respect to regional placements, which are mandated and therefore outside of the Committee's control, yet still
That having convened in an open meeting on April 1, 2026, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Town of Seekonk, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Town Administrator to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated April 2026 for the Seekonk High School located at 261 Arcade Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771 which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority categories for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: "Priority 4 - Prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments, which must be substantiated," which is anticipated given completed and permitted residential construction projects; "Priority 5 - Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion that having convened in an open meeting on April 1, 2026, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Town of Seekonk, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Town Administrator to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated April 2026 for the Seekonk High School located at 261 Arcade Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771 which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority categories for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: "Priority 4 - Prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments, which must be substantiated," which is anticipated given completed and permitted residential construction projects; "Priority 5 - Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility," which would address significant needs for all areas listed in this priority; and "Priority 7 - Replacement of o.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Sagar)
E FY27 Budget Hearing: Continued from March 18, 2026
To continue this item until April 8th at 7PM at the Senior Center
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to continue this item until April 8th at 7PM at the Senior Center; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
G Sagar also requested additional information regarding the $250,000 trackless tractor.
To accept the Capital Improvement recommendations that will be put forth at the May 11 Spring Town Meeting
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to accept the Capital Improvement recommendations that will be put forth at the May 11 Spring Town Meeting; it was seconded by M. Healy, and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favo.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Healy)
H Discussion and Board recommendation regarding the request for a waiver of an Earth Import/Export permit for a Comprehensive Permit to be located off Sagamore Road
To recommend denying the waiver of an Earth Import/Export permit for a Comprehensive Permit to be located off Sagamore Road
Yes: Healy, Hines, Pozzi, ZorraAbstained: Sagar
From the minutes
“M. Healy made a motion to recommend denying the waiver of an Earth Import/Export permit for a Comprehensive Permit to be located off Sagamore Road; it was seconded by C. Zorra, and it was approved. Vote: 4-1 in favor (G. Sagar abstention.” (Motion: Healy, second: Zorra)
G Sagar reiterated his request that the Board consider the alternative committee structure.
To open the warrant at 8:29 pm
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to open the warrant at 8:29 pm; it was seconded by M. Hines, and it was unanimously approved. Roll Call Vote: 5-0 all in favor.” (Motion: Zorra, second: Hines)
To add the language from the schools for the school building committee to the warrant as an article
The minutes give only the count (4–1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion to add the language from the schools for the school building committee to the warrant as an article; it was seconded by M. Healy and it was approved. Vote: 4-1 in favor (G. Sagar present) C. Zorr.” (Motion: Zorra)
At 8:32 p.m. to close the Town Meeting Warrant
From the minutes
“C. Zorra made a motion at 8:32 p.m. to close the Town Meeting Warrant; it was seconded by M. Healy and it was unanimously approved. Vote: 5-0 all in favor G. Saga.” (Motion: Zorra)
To table Item I to April 8th
Yes: Hines, Pozzi, Sagar, ZorraNo: Healy
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion to table Item I to April 8th; it was seconded by P. Pozzi and it was approved. Roll Call Vote: 4-1 in favor Pam Pozzi-Aye; Michelle Hines-Aye; Chris Zorra-Aye; Michael Healy – Nay, Gary Sagar – Aye L. Rizz.” (Motion: Sagar)
To adjourn the School Committee Meeting at 8:34 p.m.
From the minutes
“L. Rizzo made a motion to adjourn the School Committee Meeting at 8:34 p.m.; it was seconded by A. MacManus, and it was unanimously approved. Community speaks – Andrew Tessier, a newly elected School Committee member, stated that he is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Board. John Alves, 25 River Street, acknowledged Ms. Pozzi's final meeting and expressed appreciation for her dedication and service over the past three years. He also expressed his hope to welcome Ms. Hines back as Chair at the next meet.” (Motion: Sagar)
D Bristol County Advisory Board (P. Pozzi) – Nothing new at this time.
At 8:42 p.m. to adjourn open session to enter into executive session to reconvene in open session for potential contract and agreement approval. A): To conduct strategy sessions with respect to negotiations pertaining to opioid litigation per MGL c 30A § 21(a) (3) as having the discussion in open session would be detrimental to the litigation or bargaining position of the town
From the minutes
“G. Sagar made a motion at 8:42 p.m. to adjourn open session to enter into executive session to reconvene in open session for potential contract and agreement approval. A): To conduct strategy sessions with respect to negotiations pertaining to opioid litigation per MGL c 30A § 21(a) (3) as having the discussion in open session would be detrimental to the litigation or bargaining position of the town; it was seconded by P. Pozzi, and it was unanimously approved. Roll Call Vote: 5-0 all in favor Pam Pozzi-Aye; Michelle Hines-Aye; Chris Zorra-Aye; Michael Healy – Aye, Gary Sagar – Aye.” (Motion: Sagar, second: Pozzi)
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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