By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 6/28 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works hired for Sewer Department, approved of an ice cream vendor, and met with owners of Jersey Mike’s.
The board first met with resident Mike Ristuccia about approval for an ice cream vendor on Town Beach. Mr. Ristuccia said he was speaking on behalf of his grandson Max Ristuccia who will be running the ice cream cart.
Mr. Ristuccia said they have sold ice cream in years past at Town Beach and would love to start doing it again this year. He said his two grandsons would be selling the ice cream out of a push cart and would be selling on most weekends and weekdays, as long as the weather is nice.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton explained that after Mr. Ristuccia gets approval from the BPW he must also get approval from the Board of Health. Mr. Ristuccia is a member of the BOH.
Board member Cameron Durant said the ice cream cart sounded great and he could not wait for it.
The board voted unanimously to approve the request.
In another matter the board met with Chris Hall, the owner of the sandwich franchise Jersey Mike’s, about an external grease trap waiver for their new up incoming location at 217 Huttleston Avenue.
Mr. Hall explained that they do not cook on the property. His other Jersey Mike’s locations have an internal grease trap underneath the counter and they have never had any issues.
Mr. Durant said he was very excited that they were opening a location in Fairhaven. He said that when he was in college in Providence he used to have Jersey Mike’s all the time.
BPW Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson agreed that it would be a nice addition to the town. Mr. Hobson said he would be fine with granting the waiver, but if any grease issues start happening Mr. Hall will have to install an external trap.
Mr. Hall agreed.
Mr. Wotton said that there will be an inspection to check for grease issues every six months.
The board voted unanimously to allow Jersey Mike’s to have an internal grease trap instead of an external one.
In another matter the board interview Jared Amaral for Sewer System Maintenance Craftsman. BPW superintendent Vinnie Furtado said the Sewer Department has a few vacancies due to employees getting promoted.
He explained that Mr. Amaral currently works for the Highway Department and is the only employee that expressed interest for the Sewer position. Mr. Furtado said they have two openings for Sewer System Maintenance Craftsman and both positions were posted internally. He said he has not posted the positions for the public yet.
The open positions require licensure which Mr. Amaral does not yet have.
Mr. Amaral told the board he is willing to take classes and work towards getting his licenses, and is looking for advancement within the town.
Mr. Furtado recommended that the board hire Mr. Amaral and require him to get the required Grade 3 license.
Mr. Hobson said he liked that Mr. Amaral applied to the position and that there is a lot of opportunity for advancement in the Department.
Mr. Wotton asked if six months is long enough to obtain the correct licensure.
Mr. Furtado said yes depending on test dates. He suggested making it a requirement that Mr. Amaral at least obtains a Grade 1 license within six months and is working towards the Grade 3.
The board voted unanimously to hire Mr. Amaral as Sewer System Maintenance Craftsman with the stipulation that he must obtain at least a Grade 1 license within the first six months.
In another matter the board discussed selling beach passes. Administrative Assistant Becky Vento informed the board that beach pass sales are going very well and they are on track to cover all beach costs and break even by the end of the season.
Mr. Wotton said he was happy to hear that they will be able to cover the costs considering they are only allowing Fairhaven residents to purchase passes.
Ms. Vento said they sold 52 passes just that day alone.
Board member Marcus Ferro also asked if Mr. Furtado could invite the new Tree Warden to a BPW meeting to discuss collaboration and ideas in an executive session. Mr. Ferro said he thinks it would a good idea to meet with the Tree Warden and get on the same page with him before the next Town Meeting.
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