By Mary Chasse, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 12/13 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works promoted a Sewer Department employee, and also discussed a few items on the Superintendent’s report.
BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado introduced sewer department employee Seth Arruda, who was hired a few months ago.
Mr. Furtado said when they hired Mr. Arruda he had no licenses, but since then has acquired his Grade 2 license. Mr. Furtado said he would like to promote Mr. Arruda to Sewer System Maintenance Craftsman now that he has his licensure.
Board member Steven Riley congratulated Mr. Arruda on his new licensure, and said it is great that Mr. Arruda took the initiative on his own, Mr. Riley told Mr. Arruda to keep adding licenses because you never know when positions may open up.
Mr. Arruda said he was already scheduled to take the test for his Grade 3 license.
Board member Cameron Durant also congratulated Mr. Arruda and said it is first up on his way to superintendent.
BPW Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said he is happy to see young people like Mr. Arruda working for the town, as well as town residents working for the town.
“You’re going to do a great job,” Mr. Hobson said.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton congratulated Mr. Arruda and told him to keep up the good work, and that he was excited to promote him.
The board voted unanimously to promote Mr. Arruda.
In another matter the board discussed some items on the Superintendent’s report.
Mr. Durant asked for updates on the Safe Routes to School project.
Mr. Furtado said there is two million dollars in funding from the state to create ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approved sidewalks, as well as safe bike routes.
He said they are waiting on 25% of the design to move forward, as well as bringing the topic up at Town Meeting.
The project is expected to go out to bid in October of 2022 with hopes to start work on the project the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024.
The board also discussed two projects that are asking for funding from the CPC (Community Preservation Committee). One project requests $240,000 to add six pickleball courts to Livesey Park. The other is from the BMX Track Committee asking for $150,000 to pave the BMX track at Macomber Park.
Mr. Furtado said he spoke with Finance Director/Interim Town Administrator Wendy Graves and got permission to use $2,000 of excess money from the engineering fund to help the BMX owners come up with a complete design of the new track they would like to build.
Mr. Furtado said nothing was decided at the last CPC meeting for those two projects.
In another matter Mr. Durant informed the board that he sent an email to State Representative William Straus asking for updates from the DEP regarding using the landfill for the new recycling center, as well as updates for money for the sewer projects and maintenance and upkeep of Fort Phoenix. He will update the board when he hears back.
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