Seekonk Board Awards $1.8 Million Senior Center Contract to Northern Contracting Corp.

SEEKONK — September 23, 2015 — Seekonk selectmen award $1.8 million Senior Center renovation contract and swear in new firefighter. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a general contracting agreement with Northern Contracting Corp. for the Senior Center renovation at $1,804,100 — up from an original $1,760,000 after roofing bids came in roughly 20 percent above the project's allowance — with an amendment requiring a $1,000-per-calendar-day liquidated-damages clause be confirmed before Town Administrator Sean Kadeem signs the contract. The board also swore in Edward Mayer as a probationary third-class firefighter paramedic, filling the fire department's last open slot, and unanimously approved five other appointments: Agnes Martin to the Taxation Aid Fund Committee, Stuart Montgomery to the Arts and Culture Council, Dave Betts as per diem building inspector, and Anthony Arugio as sealer of weights and measures. During public comment, resident Charles Beecham of 127 Allen Avenue pressed the board to prioritize filling the vacant building commissioner position, describing multi-day inspection delays on a small foundation project; Kadeem acknowledged 17 building inspector jobs are currently advertised across southeastern Massachusetts with Seekonk's pay at the regional midpoint.