By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 5/3 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works reorganized, and also discussed the new Sewer Superintendent and plans for interviewing for the Assistant Sewer Superintendent.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton was absent from the meeting. Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson chaired the meeting.
The board reorganized, voting for chairperson and other position.. Board member Cameron Durant immediately nominated Brian Wotton to remain Chairperson. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Durant then nominated Mr. Hobson as Vice-Chairperson. Board member Frank Coelho nominated Mr. Durant to become the Vice-Chair.
Mr. Hobson asked if there was a second for Mr. Durant becoming the new Vice-Chairperson.
Board member Marcus Ferro asked Mr. Durant if he wanted him to second the nomination. Mr. Durant said no he did not want the nomination.
No one seconded Mr. Coelho’s nomination, so the motion died..
Mr. Hobson asked if there was a second for himself to remain BPW Vice-Chairperson. Mr. Ferro seconded the nomination and Mr. Hobson, Mr. Ferro, and Mr. Durant voted in favor, with Mr. Coelho voting against. The motion passed.
Mr. Durant, who had been the clerk, then nominated Mr. Coelho for Clerk. Mr. Ferro seconded the nomination with Mr. Coelho, Mr. Durant, and Mr. Ferro all voting in favor, and Mr. Hobson voting against it. The motion passed for Mr. Coelho to become the new BPW Clerk.
The first appointment on the agenda was to meet with the newly appointed Sewer Superintendent Rene Robillard to introduce him, as well as discuss his salary.
BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado explained that the BPW voted to hire Mr. Robillard at the last BPW meeting. Mr. Furtado said that unfortunately Mr. Robillard was not be able to make it ot that meeting, so they would have to reschedule.
Mr. Furtado said that Mr. Robillard was feeling sick and had planned to join the meeting via Zoom, but as the day went on he started to feel worse.
Board members agreed that it was no problem and they could reschedule the appointment
In another matter Mr. Furtado informed the board that the Livesey Club would be painting the concession stand at Livesey Park. He said they would be painting the Fairhaven High School Blue Devil on it.
Mr. Furtado also informed the board that he met with the Planning Board and they approved all the 2021 roadwork. He said he is meeting with the Planning Board again to get the 2022 roadwork approved.
Mr. Furtado also explained to the board that they will need to start doing interviews for Assistant Sewer Superintendent now that they have promoted Mr. Robillard to Sewer Superintendent.
Mr. Furtado said they already hadone candidate from outside the Department. He said he would like to bring that candidate in front of the board, as well as a candidate who is already within the Fairhaven Sewer Department.
Mr. Coelho said he had a problem with the discussion, as it was not on the agenda.
Mr. Furtado said he was just mentioning some information that he did not put in his Superintendent Report. Mr. Furtado said that is fine and they can put it on the agenda for next meeting.
In another matter Mr. Durant asked Mr. Furtado what the status of the recycling center study. Mr. Furtado said that it was on hold because the engineering company could not get access to the records they need because it has been closed due to COVID. Mr. Furtado said he would check on it.
Mr. Hobson asked Mr. Furtado when the new water meters will be getting installed.
Mr. Furtado said they are in the process of hiring a company to help with the installation process, but it looks the Water Department will start installing the new water meters by June.
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