Seekonk Select Board Votes 3-2 to Put South Fire Station Debt Exclusion on November Ballot

SEEKONK -- July 8, 2026, Seekonk Select Board splits 3-2 to put South Fire Station debt exclusion on November ballot. The board voted at its July 8 meeting to place the Proposition 2 1/2 override question on the November 3, 2026 state general election ballot, with Chair Gary Sagar, Clerk Robert Archambault, and member Elizabeth A. Elmasian voting yes and Vice Chair Michael P. Healy and member Christopher Zorra voting no. The question asks whether Seekonk may bond for the design, engineering, and construction of a new fire station at 69 School Street; a simple majority at the ballot and a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting are both required before the project can proceed. In other action, the board unanimously approved a new all-alcohol license for Tavern Opco LLC, doing business as Tavern in the Square, at 1125 Fall River Avenue, a 9,700-square-foot restaurant with seating for 341, representing the chain's 19th Massachusetts location, and approved three-year lease renewals with the South Coast Educational Collaborative for space in three school buildings, generating approximately $500,000 annually for the school department. Finance Director Jennifer Argo reported the town is projected to close fiscal year 2026 roughly $1.1 million under budget, with estimated free cash of approximately $2.2 million and motor vehicle excise collections coming in at 112.9 percent of budget.