Seekonk Special Election: $3M Radio Replacement For Police, Fire

SEEKONK, MA – Seekonk will hold a special election on Tuesday, Aug. 8 to vote on a 10-year bond for the Seekonk Public Safety Radio Project. The bond is the final step in replacing the radio system used by the police, fire and communications departments, according to Police Chief Greg Mace.

The current system – which includes remote receive sites, portable radios and mobile radios – is 11 years old and utilizes the telephone lines. In a press release, Mace said public safety departments have experienced numerous system failures due to dead zones in these lines.

The approximately $3.02 million proposal would replace the current receive sites with sites that utilize "point-to-point" technology rather than the telephone lines. It would also replace mobile and portable radios with multi-band radios, which are expected to be mandated by the FCC in 2023.

According to Mace, the impact on the median residential tax bill would be $45 at the start and is expected to be reduced to $33.44 by the end of the 10-year bond.

Polling will be open on from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Avenue.

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