Development News for Seekonk, Massachusetts

Stipends for Elected and Appointed Officials Reviewed; Town Clerk Salary Increases by 3%

Article 3 addresses stipends for elected and appointed officials, including the select board, school committee, board of assessors, planning board, zoning board of appeals, town clerk, and board of registrars. There are no changes to committee or board stipends, but the town clerk's salary will increase by 3% from fiscal year 2026 to 2027, aligning with cost-of-living adjustments for other unions.

Town Clerk's Office to Treat Saturdays as Holidays for Deadlines

Article 16 proposes accepting Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41, Section 110A, which allows deadlines falling on a Saturday to be treated as if they fall on the following Friday. This change will help the town clerk's office, particularly during elections, by avoiding the need to be open on Saturdays for paperwork and documentation.

Community Preservation Act Funds Allocated for Open Space, History, and Housing

Article 7 concerns the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. The town levies a 1.25% surcharge on property taxes (with the first $100,000 of valuation exempt) and receives matching funds from the state, plus revenue from real estate deals and land court. These funds are allocated into buckets for open space/recreation, historic preservation, and housing development. A minimum of 10% must go to each category, with the remainder in a general budget reserve. A $3,000 administrative expense is also included this year. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to town meeting for fund allocation. This article appropriates the tax money into these buckets.

TV9 Cable Access Channel Budget Request for $149,112

Article 11 addresses the budget for TV9, the Secon cable access channel. The town receives revenue from Comcast, which is used for cable-related activities. This budget covers operations through November. The requested amount is $149,112. The budget was presented to the board of selectman. This pertains to Public Education and Government (PEG) access television.