Selectmen are defending the stipend they receive for their work, proclaiming the money is fair reward for the time and effort they put into serving the public.

"We felt we have the ultimate responsibility," said Selectman Michael Brady, noting the board members have had to deal with lawsuits brought against the town.

Selectman John Whelan said the stipend helps to defray costs that members may incur, such as trips out of town.

Brady pledged not to quit the board if voters opt to eliminate the stipend. Selectmen receive a total of $10,800 annually. The chairman gets $2,400, and the other four members get $2,100 each.

Stipends paid to other boards in town area: School board - The school committee gets a stipend of $5,400. The chairman gets $1,400; the other four members get $1,000 each.

Assessors - The board gets a stipend of $6,500. The chairman gets $2,340, and the other two members get $2,079 each.

Zoning board - The zoning board of appeals gets a stipend of $2,027. The chairman gets $531 and the other members get $374 each.

Voters to decide on turning town green initiative town meeting

Voters at the Nov. 30 town meeting will be asked to request that selectmen, school committee members, other town boards and committees, as well as town and school employees pursue the goal of meeting the five criteria for qualifying as a "green community." Meeting this goal would reduce the town's energy use, promote renewable energy, and make the town eligible for grants and loans under the state's Green Communities Act of 2008.

The voter-petitioned warrant article was initiated by the Sustainable Seekonk Energy Committee, a community-based group, with the support of Seekonk's Planning Board, which hired the Horsley-Witten consulting firm to work with their department on the zoning aspects of the Green Communities program. The Energy Group includes the public works chief, the chairman of the capital improvement committee, a planning board member and interested citizens.

An informational session on the green communities warrant article will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the Seekonk High School library, 261 Arcade Ave., starting at 7 p.m. Questions? Call John Hansen at 508-336-2962 or Carol Bragg at 508-336-3594.

Kiwanis Club installs officers

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Seekonk installed new officers at their annual meeting at Johnson & Wales. Governor David Koohy and Lt. Governor Joseph Reddish presented pins to: President, Michael Gross; Vice President, Linda Ferreira; Secretary, Lynn Neves; treasurer, Edith Krekorian.

At the meeting, Seekonk High School Key Club President Esther Henebeng and Key Club Adviser Deanna Marinucci were recognized. An award for outstanding secretary was presented to Neves. Past President Lori Searles was given a plaque for her last year of service. The club's next event will be the annual tree lighting and Santa visit on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at town hall. In addition, the 14th annual Taste of the Town will be held Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at Johnson & Wales Inn on Route 44.

Congrats ...

Congratulations to Seekonk's Rebecca Y. Brady, who received a bachelor of arts in history and international relations from Boston University.

Also at the library ...

The Seekonk Public Library will be offering computer classes to SAILS library cardholders in November and December. A variety of classes are available to help ease the fear of computer use. The following classes will be offered:

Nov. 7 - Internet I: the Basics, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Nov. 19 - Word II, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 - Internet V: Library Resources at Home, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 - Word III: Adding Images, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Registration is required. The classes are open to either Massachusetts residents with a SAILS library card or Rhode Island residents with a Seekonk Public Library card. Call 508-336-8230, ext. 130 to register.

Fundraiser boosts fuel aid

Selectmen Chairman Francis Cavaco will hold a fundraising event for Seekonk Fuel Assistant Program on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Boneyard restaurant on Central Avenue. Cavaco said net proceeds from the event will go toward the fund. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased by calling 508-761-7650.

At the library ...

Library activities include:

The Fabric Book Marks sold by the Friends of The Seekonk Public Library at the Circulation Desk are a very popular item. The Friends have a volunteer who has made these for several years, but she'd like to share this project with someone else who "just likes to do crafts." Stop by the circulation desk and fill out a volunteer application.

A holiday gift sale will be held in the Seekonk Public Library's meeting room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. A percentage of sales will be donated to The Friends of Seekonk Public Library. For more information, call 508-336-8230.

The Friends of the Seekonk Public Library need books for its perpetual book sale, which takes place in the library's lobby during regular hours. Residents can shop any time the library is open. Prices are $1 for hardcover books and most videos, 50 cents for paperbacks, 25 cents for magazines and 10 cents for older magazines. Jeanne Dunne, Friends volunteer coordinator, reports a good selection of books about cooking, crafts for the holidays at a cost of $1 for hardcovers and 50 cents for paperbacks.

Meet state rep

State Rep. Steve D'Amico, D-Seekonk, will hold these office hours:

First Monday of the month - Seekonk Library 410 Newman Ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Second Monday of the month - Rehoboth's Blanding Library 124 Bay State Road, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Help Friends of Friends assist residents

Friends of Friends is a group in town that, since its founding in 1992, helps needy seniors and young families in Seekonk with fuel, medicine and food. The group gets referrals from the Seekonk Human Services Council and local churches and provides assistance through donations. For more information to attend a monthly meeting, call Edith Krekorian at 508-336-8130 or krektv@yahoo.com or call human services at 508-336-6272.

Selectman meets residents

Selectmen Chairman Francis Cavaco will meet residents on Monday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the selectmen's meeting room at town hall. Residents may discuss any concerns or issues. You also may call him at him at 508-761-7650.

At Seekonk Human Services ...

Here's what's happening at Seekonk Human Services:

The men's breakfast will be held at the Ramada Inn in Seekonk at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 12. Bonnie Ryvicker, the community liaison for Community VNA and the hospice of Attleboro, will speak on "Improving Your Memory." All men are invited to attend regardless of age. The men meet on the second Thursday of every month and no reservations are required. The $7.25 cost of the breakfast includes coffee, tax and tip.

Seekonk Human Services is providing a trip to The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant on Thursday, Dec. 3. "Sorry! Wrong Chimney! is a lighthearted Christmas tale full of mistaken identity. Sign up at 508-336-8772. Make out checks to "Friends of Friends" for $46. The bus departs from Human Services at 10 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m.

Applications for fuel assistance are available for those who have never applied. For anyone who received fuel assistance last year, your application should be in the mail. If you did not receive it, call Seekonk Human Services at 508-336-8772.

Shopping trips are being offered by GATRA for any senior citizen who resides in Seekonk. The GATRA van will be picking you up at your home, but you must call 1-800-483-2500 to schedule your pickup time.

Do you have the creative ideas, skills, and interest needed to help shape the future of Seekonk's Department of Human Services and council on aging? The Baby Boomers are coming and, with the worsening economy, families increasingly require services. If you would consider serving on the Human Services Board, call Bernadette Huck at 508-336-8772.

Seekonk Human Services hosts a monthly health clinic with two nurses from South Coast Hospital available to check your blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. Within five minutes of your test you will receive a breakdown of all of your numbers.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselors are available at Seekonk Human Services every day to help with health insurance questions or concerns. Health insurance is now mandatory in Massachusetts. Call 508-336-8772 for assistance.

Food pantry - The food pantry is available on Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. Applications are available at Seekonk Human Services; call 508-336-8772 to make an appointment. At the moment the cupboards at 320 Pleasant St. are virtually bare. Needed are non-perishable canned and dry foods such as soup, meat, fish, pasta sauce, pasta, fruit, pancake mix and cereal. Toiletries are also welcome. Drop off your donations during our regular hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Joseph S. Siegel covers Seekonk for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at joesiegel@cox.net.