By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 12/6/21, the Fairhaven Select Board reinstated its mask mandate, requiring all who enter town hall, including employees to wear face coverings if they are not able to stay at least six feet apart. The board made the change after receiving information from Health Agent David Flaherty, who informed the board that COVID cases in Fairhaven and surrounding areas are increasing.
For more information, visit the town’s website https://www. fairhaven-ma.gov or call the Fairhaven Health Department at 508-979-4023, Ext. 125.
The board did not hold the tax classification hearing, saying only that there was an issue with the posting of the meeting. The hearing will be held on Thursday, 12/9, at 4 p.m.
The board updated the public on the Town Administrator search. Mary Flanders of the Collins Center notified the board in an email that the search has been extended to 12/15.
“And like any process, a new deadline means different candidates,” wrote Ms. Flanders. “We already have a handful of new applicants.”
The screening committee will meet in the next two weeks to review resumes and plans to hold interviews in early January.
The board did hold the hearing on the 61A property at 732 Sconticut Neck Road known as Salt Winds. The town has the right of first refusal on the property because it has received a tax break for agricultural use. The owner has an offer for $700,000 for three parcels and the town must match that price.
The board voted unanimously to assign its right to buy the property to the Buzzards Bay Coalition. BBC President Mark Rasmussen told the board that the property will be preserved and will be open to the public. The three parcels include Lots 1, 2 and 4, with lot 2 having a residence that is a garage with a two-bedroom apartment above and a 321,399 square foot lot. Lot 1 is a 30,580 sf parcel of land; lot 4 is a 45,286 sf parcel of land.
Mr. Rasmussen told the board that the property will connect to an existing property owned by the Fairhaven-Acushnet Land Preservation Trust known as the Mononadach Marsh, and will connect to the shore on the western side of SNR.
The acquisition does not include the main house seen from the road or a smaller residence behind it.
Mr. Rasmussen called it a “signature Fairhaven property” that should be preserved for a number of reasons, including that it has USDA Prime Farmland Soils; will maintain scenic views of open fields and water from Sconticut Neck Road; will allow for coastal adaptation to climate change as 50% of the property is identified as “likely upland conversion to saltmarsh” due to rising sea levels; will provide new public walking trails; and will support wildlife and coastal water quality.
Mr. Rasmussen said the BBC may ask for Community Preservation funds to complete the sale.
After the hearing was closed and the vote taken, Robert “Hoppy” Hobson broke in remotely, saying he tried to comment while on Zoom, but was not able to. He complained that the board was shutting people out by using remote means.
“You’re not letting people speak,” said Mr. Hobson.
He said no one knows what is going on the that property, that it is four different pieces and he said the board did not know what it was doing.
Mr. Espindola assured him they did know exactly what they were doing, and also told Mr. Hobson that the hearing was closed.
“You’re giving away something you don’t even know what it is,” said Mr. Hobson.
Mr. Espindola noted the town was not “giving away” anything.
“I’ll be glad when there’s five selectmen,” said Mr. Hobson, because, he said “you guys have no clue.”
Then he corrected himself, two guys and a girl,* he said.
Mr. Espindola suggested that Mr. Hobson get a lesson on using Zoom, and said town employees would be happy to help him.
In a rather cryptic discussion, Select Board Chairperson Bob Espindola announced the resignation of John Hinds from the Belonging Committee, but, uncharacteristically, did not read his letter.
The letter is, however, included in the SB packet online, and contains some vague and negative reasons.
“So three strikes and I’m out!” reads the letter. “I’ve been to the two meetings and have had three conversations that I would say were uncomfortable, dictatorial, and unprofessional.
“One in the meeting two after the meetings.”
He continues to say that there “could be an issue with the D&I [Diversity and Inclusion] part of the Belonging Committee.”
He then wishes the committee “all the best.”
Mr. Silvia said he wondered if the board should have Mr. Hinds attend a meeting.
“I thought this group was to bring people together,” said Mr. Silvia, adding it seems like it is “dividing.”
He said he wanted to bring both sides in.
Neither Mr. Hinds nor the committee chair, Leon Correy, provided any input during the meeting.
The board accepted the resignation, and Mr. Espindola will contact Mr. Correy and Mr. Hinds for more details on the resignation.
During committee liaison reports SB member Keith Silvia told the board that the Historical Commission has found an old photo that shows street lamps around Town Hall. There has been some controversy around the HC’s efforts to place what it calls “Victorian” style lamps on Center, Walnut, and William Streets.
The board also made two committee appointments: Sue Makepeace to the Commission on Disabilities, and Louise Ponte to the Commissioner of Trust Funds.
The board also voted to renew liquor licenses, common victualer licenses and licenses for auto sales and repair shops. A number of licenses were approved pending the payment of taxes/water and sewer bills. Some were approved pending the completion of building inspections, but none were denied outright.
The board met in executive session to discuss “complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member or individual.”
*Editor’s note: There are two males and one female on the board. The editor would like to assure voters that board member Stasia Powers is a grown woman and not a girl.
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