By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 8/9 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works hired for the Sewer Department, discussed water and sewer rates, and discussed adding pickleball courts to Livesey Park.
The board met with Ken Pottel to discuss adding more pickleball courts. Mr. Pottel said that pickleball has become quite popular because it is a great sport and people of all ages can play. He asked about adding five pickleball courts at Livesey Park. Pickleball courts are one third the size of tennis courts and they are asphalt.
BPW Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said he was concerned about the parking at Livesey Park because there are so many activities that go on there. He said he was all for adding pickleball courts as long as it will not cause a parking issue.
Mr. Pottel explained that they play pickleball mostly in the mornings, so parking should not be a problem.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton asked how much it would cost and if they had a grant for it.
Mr. Pottel said they are doing some fundraising and that it will cost around $150,000 for the five courts.
All the board members agreed that they love the idea and support it. Mr. Wotton said if Mr. Pottel needs any help from BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado or the board to reach out.
In another matter the board met with Pattie Pacella about adding a little library to the East Fairhaven area of Shaw Road near the bike path.
Ms. Pacella said she would like to name it the Longworth Little Library in dedication to Caroline Longworth who was the first woman on the Fairhaven Rotary Club and was a Librarian in town for 40 years.
Ms. Pacella said they already have four or five little libraries throughout town and adding one more in East Fairhaven would be nice. She said she lives right near the proposed location, so she could monitor it frequently.
Mr. Wotton said he thought it was a nice idea as long as Ms. Pacella makes sure to check up on it. Mr. Wotton said that Mr. Furtado would let Ms. Pacella know a good place to put the library, that way it is not in the way of the town landscaping, mowing, etc.
A motion was made to approve of the little library. The motion passed unanimously.
In another matter the board interviewed Tyler Perry for the Sewer System Maintenance Craftsman position. Mr. Furtado announced that Mr. Perry is related to him by marriage and he informed Town Counsel, who said it was okay for Mr. Furtado to participate.
Mr. Furtado said that Mr. Perry has a grade one wastewater license which qualifies him for the position.
Mr. Perry said he went to college for a degree in law enforcement and works in the dispatch office for the Fairhaven Police Department. While he was in college he worked a summer job for the Fairhaven Sewer Department and has six years of wastewater experience.
Mr. Perry said he was interested in the position because there is room for advancement and he would like to work more normal hours. He said his hours in the dispatch office are sometimes overnight.
Mr. Hobson said Mr. Perry seemed very intelligent and that he can advance quickly in the Department.
Board member Frank Coelho agreed that Mr. Perry would be a good addition to the Department.
The board voted unanimously to hire Mr. Perry Sewer System Maintenance Craftsman.
The board then interviewed Seth Arruda for Sewer System Maintenance Man.
Mr. Furtado explained that the position did not require a license, but it was highly recommended to pursue licensure to advance within the department. Mr. Furtado said Mr. Arruda is qualified for the job and he recommended him for the position.
Mr. Arruda said he is 20 years old and he is a hardworking and has had experience in the field.
Mr. Hobson agreed saying that Mr. Arruda comes from a very hardworking family.
Mr. Coelho agreed and said Mr. Arruda would be an asset and once he gets some licenses he will be able to advance within the department.
The board voted unanimously to hire Mr. Arruda as Sewer System Maintenance Man.
In another matter the board discussed the water and sewer rates for the upcoming year. Mr. Furtado recommended a 5% increase for both sewer and water. He explained that they did not raise the water rates at all last year.
The board agreed that the increase was fair and vote unanimously to the 5% increase.
In another matter Mr. Wotton informed the board that they would need to choose one board member to be part of the screening committee for a new Town Administrator. The committee makeup did not initially include a BPW member, but Fairhaven residents came forward and said the BPW should be represented on the committee.
Mr. Wotton said the Select Board has asked the BPW to select one member to be on that committee. Mr. Wotton said he wanted to recommend Mr. Furtado, but they cannot because he is not a town resident. Mr. Wotton recommended Cameron Durant because he has a strong background in Human Resources.
The board agreed and voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Durant to the screening committee.
In another matter Mr. Wotton wanted to apologize for an issue that was brought up at the last BPW meeting. Mr. Wotton said they welcome residents to speak in the open forum part of the BPW, but at the last meeting an employee’s name was brought up by a resident and the board should not have allowed the conversation to continue without the employee present.
Mr. Wotton explained that moving forward they will not allow discussion unless both parties are present.
He said the board would like to apologize to the employee. Mr. Wotton said at the last meeting they did not know an employee’s name was going to be mentioned.
Mr. Wotton said the board never wants to put an employee at risk and if the board had known the employee’s name was going to be mentioned they would have stopped the discussion.
Mr. Wotton said the board wholeheartedly apologizes to the employee and they welcome the employee to come in and speak on the issue either publicly or in executive session.
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