Seekonk Town News

The Clerk’s Corner

Florice Craig

It’s August and Halloween decorations are already appearing on retailer shelves. A little spooky! I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather and squeezing in as many beach and barbeque moments as they can before September rolls around. At the Annual Town Meeting June 7, 2021, the Town voted with a 2/3 majority to go to ballot to appropriate $2,700,000.00 to fund the construction and renovation of the Seekonk Connolly Field and the Mooney Track.

The date for the Special Town Election is August 30, 2021, 7am to 8pm at the Seekonk Senior High School 261 Arcade Ave.

The last day to register to vote for this election will be August 11, 2021.

If you are going to be away or can’t make the election, please apply for an Absentee Voting Ballot. To receive a ballot, you must first fill out an application. The application is on the Town Clerk Page of the Town of Seekonk Website, under the heading “Downloadable Forms”. Please print the form, fill it out and either drop if off in the drop-box outside Town Hall, bring it into the Town Clerk’s office, or mail it to Attn: Town Clerk, 100 Peck St. Seekonk, MA 02771. For all voter information please do not hesitate to call us at: 508-3362920 and we will be glad to help you.

The Ballot question will read: “ Shall the Town of Seekonk be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and onehalf, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund the construction and renovation of the Seekonk Connolly Field and Mooney Track, including furnishings and equipment, which project costs shall include, but not be limited to, demolition, landscaping, paving, utility and other site improvements related to the project, associated architectural, engineering and other professional and legal expenses and fees, and all other costs incidental or related thereto? Yes or No

The first day back to school is Wednesday September 1, 2021. Labor Day will be celebrated on Monday September 6th all schools and Town offices will be closed for the holiday. Have a wonderful month and remember the Town Clerk’s office welcomes inquiries from all citizens seeking assistance, or information in relation to services provided by the Town of Seekonk.

SEEKoNK 508-336-8523 Celebrate Seekonk

September 18th 11:00 - 4:00 at the Seekonk Library

In 1636 Samuel Newman and his congregation made their way the 40 miles from the Plymouth Plantations into the vast new world to begin a distant settlement called Seaconcke.

We are celebrating the history, culture and creative spirit that is Seekonk. We’ve got food, live music, art, storytelling, activities for kids and seniors. Don’t miss this chance to Honk if you Love the Konk!

Seekonk Animal Shelter news

Rhonda is a 5 ½ year old spayed female. She is up to date on vaccines and Heartworm tested. As you can see, she is a fullfigured gal who would love to have family to walk off her pounds. Rhonda was surrendered by her family when they split up and moved. They were unable to take her to where they moved to. Rhonda loves people, but must be only pet and no small children due to her size. Looking for a home with experience with large breeds. If you are interested in meeting Rhonda, please visit her at the Seekonk Animal Shelter, 100 Peck St, or call us at 508-336-6663 for more information. Rhonda

“The Show Must Go Online” Musical Raises Food for Doorways

L to R: Zoe, Owen and Evie Graf dropping off food donations to Doorways. The donations were raised by the Aitken-Martin School musical production.

Aitken and Martin School students collaborated to present a spring musical “The Show Must Go Online” – a completely online musical production directed by virtual learning teacher Michele Graf. Last year’s spring 2020 planned production had been “Covidcancelled”, and this show was an opportunity for the young performers to stretch their wings and participate in a fun activity. The group – actors and directors – jointly decided to charge admission to the virtual production in the form of food donations to Doorways food pantry. The show was a huge success, and the actors collected several shopping carts full of food for the Doorways food pantry. The volunteers and clients of Doorways would like to thank the cast the show for their support.

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In late June, Doorways finally was able to re-introduce indoor shopping after a break of fifteen months. “With indoor shopping, food donations are more important than ever” said Diane Fox, food buyer for Doorways. “Food donations bring variety, and variety adds a lot of value to the indoor shopping experience.” Food donations can be dropped off to Doorways on Saturdays between 8:00 and 10:00 at the North School (2 North Street) in Seekonk. Donations to Doorways can also be sent to PO Box 295, Seekonk, MA 02771. As always, thank you for your support.

Kennel Worker (Full Time) Job Posting

The Town of Seekonk seeks qualified applicants to serve as Kennel Worker. This is a non-union, full-time, 40 hours per week, benefit eligible position with a salary of $15.00 per hour. The Kennel

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Worker will work under the general direction of the Animal Control Officers. The position is responsible for providing food and water, medications, minimal grooming, and exercise to various types of animals, including cleaning of the facility, while maintaining proper disease control protocols. Duties also include but are not limited to the assistance with animal adoptions, basic janitorial and some clerical duties. The position also performs all other related work as required by the Animal Control Officers. This position functions as a part of the overall Animal Control team to ensure effective and efficient operations and wellbeing of animals in the care, custody, and control of the Town.

This position is scheduled fulltime, the current schedule is Tuesday through Saturday 7:00AM – 3:00PM daily, the schedule may be subject to change. Candidate must be able to work some holidays, overtime as needed and be flexible with schedule changes and short notice requests.

The Town of Seekonk requires a physical exam, drug screen and CORI check post-offer. A complete job description is attached and an employment application can be obtained at http://www.seekonk-ma. gov/administration/pages/employmentopportunities

Qualified individuals should send a completed application, resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 100 Peck Street, Seekonk, MA 02771

rave out as Seekonk Fire Chief

By Joe Siegel

David Rave is out as the town’s Fire Chief, following the dismissal of domestic assault charges last week in Warwick District Court.

“The Board of Selectmen voted to rescind the appointment of David Rave as Fire Chief effective July 23rd, following a disciplinary hearing that was held on July 21st,” Town Administrator Shawn Cadime said in a statement.

Rave, 53, was arrested June 18 at his Cranston home. He was ordered held on

a $1000 personal recognizance. Rave had been placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest.

Rave began working for the town last August following the retirement of former Chief Michael Healy, who is currently a member of the Board of Selectmen.

In 2019, selectmen had hired a consulting firm to screen candidates. Public Safety Consultants, LLC of Pocasset were paid $11,900 each for the police and fire departments.

Cadime declined to comment on the search to replace Rave.

Superintendent Rich Drolet has won the praise of the Seekonk School Committee for his job performance during the past year. Each committee member contributed to the evaluation. Drolet was graded proficient on instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture. “The overall score is proficient and that is what we will be submitting to the state,” Committee Chair Kim Sluter said Monday.

“The 2020-21 school year marks one year of the most challenging school years on record,” Sluter noted. “Dr. Drolet has demonstrated that he is well-prepared to manage a variety of crises and the Covid-19 pandemic created adverse conditions for even the most experienced school superintendent. Dr. Drolet was able to stay focused when faced with this evolving emergency situation. Dr. Drolet brings transparency and impeccable honesty to each conversation and his key strength of empathy coupled with his exemplary work ethic served him well during this time. We were able to modify goals based on the changing situation.”

Prior to joining the district in 2018, Drolet had been the director of curriculum for Uxbridge Public Schools. He has a doctorate in education leadership from Johnson & Wales University and served as North Cumberland Middle School (in Cumberland, RI) principal for five years, following two years as assistant principal.

Drolet also served as an assistant principal in Berkley, Mass., and as a math teacher in Natick. messages from residents who were concerned about a building project Sagar has planned for the north end of town. “There is nothing personal here,” Sullivan said, noting there could be the perception of a conflict of interest if Sagar remained on the board. “I have residents who are reaching out to me with a deep concern of somebody who has been sitting on the (zBA) for 20 years.”

“I made myself available to everyone,” Sagar noted, adding he had obtained approval for the project from the Planning Board and had also appeared before the Conservation Commission. Sagar, a former selectman, explained “residents didn’t educate themselves on the process.” zoning Board Chairman Keith Rondeau thanked the board for reappointing Sagar, who Rondeau said “has a really good record in town.”

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime, who recommended Sagar’s reappointment, said he was “extremely disappointed in how the process played out.” Cadime said the board of selectmen would “need to have a dialogue” with other boards to avoid a repeat of the turmoil in the future.

Seekonk School Chief Earns High Marks on Evaluation By Joe Siegel

Superintendent Rich Drolet

Seekonk Selectmen outraged by ZBA resignation Threats By Joe Siegel

The Board of Selectmen voted Wednesday to reappoint Gary Sagar to the zoning Board of Appeals. Two members of the zoning Board had threatened to resign if Sagar was not reappointed.

Selectman David Andrade called the members’ ultimatum “completely unacceptable.” “This is our appointment,” Andrade continued. “We never said we were going to not appoint (Sagar). We simply wanted to have a discussion.”

“You’re trying to hold the town hostage,” Chairman Justin Sullivan said to Sagar, who said he never “solicited” any of the zoning Board members to resign on his behalf. Sullivan had received