Seekonk election draws ‘huge’ turnout, nonbinding tax hike question fails

SEEKONK – Voter turnout in Monday’s annual town election was strong as residents faced an unusual four races and a ballot question.

A total of 2,589 registered voters cast ballots at the high school, the lone polling location in town. That equated to 21.48% of Seekonk’s 12,051 registered voters, a turnout percentage that roughly doubled that of the two other area towns that voted Monday, Wrentham and Plainville.

“We had a huge turnout,” Assistant Town Clerk Lorraine Sorel said.

Typical town election turnouts run about 10%.

Select board member Christopher Zorra, 1615 votes, and former board member Michael Healy, 1,597 votes, bested former board member David Viera, 1,030 votes, for two three-year select board terms.

Zorra is the board’s vice chairman. Healy, the town’s former fire chief, had resigned last November from the select board he chaired, citing time constraints, so in essence he regained his seat. Viera is also a former fire chief.

For school committee, Alicia MacManus, 1,647 votes, and Lisa Rizzo, 1,549 votes, won out over Joshua Troiano, 906 votes, Scott Thomas, 195 votes, and Luis Sousa, 483 votes, for two expiring three-year seats.

Troiano is a 2023 Seekonk High School graduate. Kim Sluter and Noah Escaler didn’t run for re-election for the school board.

Kristen L’Heureux is the new town clerk, capturing 842 votes, edging out Sandra Escaler, 488 votes, John P. Pozzi Jr., 484 votes, and Christopher Rizzo, 632 votes. Escaler ran for the post in 2020.

Florice Craig retired as town clerk last summer and there are two years left in her term.

And in the election’s fourth race, for a three-year water commission seat, George Ryder defeated Irene Frechette, 1,236 to 760 votes. Frechette serves on the housing authority.

A ballot question asking if voters would support a tax hike to pay for the town’s share of the new Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School lost 1,163 to 1,101.

Since the question was mistakenly labeled nonbinding, it wouldn’t automatically have brought a tax increase even if it was approved.

Seekonk sends about 86 students to Tri-County and its share of the new high school is about $1 million a year.

The proposed tax hike would cost the owner of a $250,000 home about $57.50 more per year, according to estimates. If it doesn’t pass, the town will have to initiate budget cuts.

Selectmen are expected to bring the ballot question before voters again.