Meet the candidates

By Beth David, Editor

Candidates for office in Fairhaven’s local election this Monday, 4/4/22, participated in a Meet the Candidates night sponsored by Fairhaven’s Govern­ment Access channel last Thursday, 3/24.

Candidates for two of the three contested boards, Select Board and  Board of Health, showed up. Candidates for Planning Board, the other contested race, did not participate.

This election, voters will be asked to choose three for Select Board. With this election, the board will expand from three to five seats. The top vote getter will serve three years, the second will serve two, the third will serve one before needing to run again. After that, all seats will have three year terms. There are five candidates running for those seats.

See page three for details on the election. 

Each candidate gave opening and closing statements, and each answered the same questions for their boards.

Board of Health incumbent Peter DeTerra faces a challenge from new­comer Heidi Hacking.

In his opening statement, Mr. DeTerra emphasized his experience from his years on the board and the many certifications and classes he has under his belt.

Ms. Hacking emphasized her pro­fessional experience as a nurse, in risk management, and quality improvement. She said she hoped her experience would bring diversity ot the board and her ability to lead would also be helpful.

Both were asked how they would demonstrate a commitment to collabora­tion to the board.

Mr. DeTerra said he would con­tinue with what they are doing, including public service announce­ments.

Ms. Hacking said collaboration was extremely important and she has learned in her professional life that she can get much more done with collaboration. She said she would work with other depart­ments, such as the Board of Public Works.

Answering a different question, Ms. Hacking said the town’s response to COVID 19 was “fine.”

The problem, she said was on the state level. 

Mr. DeTerra said the board worked “hand in hand” with scientists and restaurants.

Both said they would continue a program to control ticks and mosquitoes and educate the public on how to protect themselves using signage on the bike path and other places where the public enjoys the outdoors.

Both also said they favor expanding the recycling center to accept more items, including hazardous waste, such as oils and other items accepted on the every-other-year hazardous materials day.

In closing, Ms. Hacking said she was a believer in moving forward and trying something new and trying to improve the current situation.

“As you can see, I’m a lifelong learner,” said Ms. Hacking, adding that she would like the opportunity to expand her education to other areas, such as septic and sewer.

She also said she was running to give back to the community. She did not know at first that there was a stipend. She said she would not accept the money. 

Ms. Hacking said she hopes to bring to the role her experience in healthcare and her capacity to understand policy, common sense, critical thinking, and leadership.

The town is headed in the right direction, she said, and she wants to share in it.

Mr. DeTerra said years ago all members were certified in various areas. He said it was important for him to be certified so he is able to make the right decisions. 

He said he wants to work with the public works department on moving the recycling center, and hopes to take more hazardous materials.

If not, he said, the materials will end up on side streets.

“I love this town,” said Mr. DeTerra. “And I want to serve.”

The Select Board candidates include incumbent Stasia Powers, Leon Correy, Cameron Durant, Cathy Melanson, and Charlie Murphy. 

They answered questions on a variety of issues, including how they would handle employee issues in town hall; how they would help the new town administrator; the large expenditures coming up, such as the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade and new public safety complex; and properties such as the Rogers School building and Atlas Tack.

In her opening statement, Ms. Powers said she felt her family was “very lucky to live in this fine community.”

She said her parents taught her to be respectful no matter what and that community is important. She said they taught her to surround herself with good people and help her community. And if you want change, you should “step up.”

She also reviewed some of her accomplishments in the eight months she has been on the board.

Mr. Correy noted that he also ran in the recall election last July. He said he had to introduce himself to voters then, his background and why people should vote for him. 

“I lost,” he said. but there was more to it than that. 

He said he needed to really take the time to show voters who he is. He has been doing that in this campaign. 

He also had a few accomplish­ments to talk about from the last few months, including working with Rep. Straus for improvements to the intersection of Bridge Street and Route 6; and the committees he has been serving on.

He said these things show how hard he has been working for voters. And he has knocked on thousands of doors to find out what issues are on the minds of voters.

If he is willing to work that hard to earn your vote, he said, imagine how hard he will work to serve as a board member.

Mr. Durant touted his experience on the Board of Public Works, saying they have a $10 million budget and are responsible for one of the largest projects the town has ever seen: upgrading the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

“I’m excited for this new opportunity,” said Mr. Durant, adding he is excited about policy, and looks forward to the Department of Revenue report, the new charter, the work on the Rogers School building, and working on a public safety complex. 

He said he knows with his experience on the BPW he is “ready for the challenge.” 

He said his grandparents were very dedicated to the town, and he will be communicative and collaborate as much as possible.

Cathy Melanson said she has lived in town her whole life, graduated from Fairhaven High School, and married the boy next door. 

“This is my town,” she said. “This is where I love to be.”

She said she is “blessed” to live in Fairhaven and have the family she has, including 13 grandchildren.

Ms. Melanson noted her experi­ence as a business owner in Fairhaven, and her roles on a variety of elected and appointed boards in town. With her fiscal responsibility and knowledge of business, she said she is “more than capable.” She first joined town govern­ment as an elected member of the Planning Board, where she is still a member, after the confusion she felt as she tried to build her business and navigate through the permitting process.

She said a five member Select Board will provide the opportunity for more ideas.

Mr. Murphy, who has served on the Select Board said he was “eager” to continue listening to the concerns of citizens. He is the CEO of MO LIFE which employs 70 people and is building back up after COVID. 

As a licensed mental health counselor, he is trained to be a good listener, he said. 

He has been meeting with different departments and said both police and fire need more personnel. 

More resources will be coming into town, he said, now that events are back after the pandemic. 

The town needs to help people on fixed incomes and lower cable bills.

Answering a question, Ms. Powers said the town’s biggest challenge for the next 12 months will be getting the new Town Administrator up to speed. She said a lot of projects will be asking for ARPA funds (American Rescue Plan Act).

Mr. Correy said the biggest challenge is “staring down the barrel of two massive projects,” the WWTP upgrade and safety complex. We have to find ways to bring money into town so we do not have to raise taxes.

Mr. Durant agreed that big expendi­tures are the challenge coming up. He said it will “cascade into a lot of different areas,” but it is fortunate we can use ARPA funds for some of it.

Ms. Melanson said she echoed her fellow candidates that the WWTP is the biggest challenge. The recycling center has to move because of the upgrade. 

She also noted that the new TA has a lot to learn about the town. 

Ms. Melanson said all boards,   commit­tees, and departments need to work together.

Mr. Murphy said those challenges are not within 12 months. He said the biggest challenge now is the work­force. He said the town needs to retain police and firefighters, teachers, and public works workers.

“We have got to be the town that has the best,” said Mr. Murphy.

Candidates were also asked how they would help the new TA, Angie Lopes Ellison.

Mr. Correy said he would help foster an environment of communica­tion, noting that was a problem the last couple of years. He said the board needs to introduce her. 

“It’s not just her job, it’s my job, too,” said Mr. Correy.

Mr. Durant said the board sets the tone for collaboration at town hall, but noted that the board members have no authority or power. He said he would operate in the open, not behind the scenes.

He advocated for a Human Resources professional. 

Ms. Melanson said that when the Ms. Ellison starts, the board needs to listen to her, and then work along with her. 

“Transparency is going to be a big thing,” said Ms. Melanson, adding that they need to let her do her thing.

“If we start micromanaging her, it will not work out well for her or us,” she said, adding we are one team, one town and we will move forward.

Mr. Murphy agreed they should listen to Ms. Ellison, adding not every idea will be approved, but they will respond in a professional manner so they can get the “very best we can do for our town.”

Ms. Powers said they need to work with Ms. Ellison to find out what they can do to help her accomplish the goals that the board has and that Ms. Ellison has.

She said they need to help her under-stand why they have the policies and goals they have and work collaboratively to achieve them.

Candidates were also asked how they would define budget priorities, especially with the big projects coming up.

“Everybody has their own priorites,” said Ms. Powers, meaning different departments. 

She said the capital planning process that the town follows rates each project and should be used. 

Mr. Correy said that in addition to the process, there is a “little bit of common sense that has to come into play.”

The board needs to distinguish from what the town wants and what it needs.

Mr. Durant said the WWTP is some­thing the town must do, but the safety complex is just a building. He said first responders would rather have more staff than a new building. 

Fire and police need more people, and the PD has asked for a social worker, he said. 

“We ask too much of our first responders,” said Mr. Durant.

Ms. Melanson, who is on the capital planning committee, said the projects are on a five year plan.

She said everything is ranked, and it is the best way to be fiscally responsible. 

Safety equipment for first responders, she said, is “right up there because their safety is our safety.”

Mr. Murphy said we have a capital planning committee, and a plan for putting money in the stabilization fund. He said that money helps keep borrowing at a lower rate. That money and other revenue funds are also for emergencies, and should not be dipped into unless necessary.

“We need to be ready for unplanned priorities,” such as water, sewer and other infrastructure emergencies.

Candidates also answered ques­tions about personnel management; what they would like the town to do with the Rogers School and Atlas Tack buildings; what can be better about a five-member board; a mistake they made and how they fixed it. 

Kyle Bueno, who is uncontested for his seat on the School Committee also participated.

The event is running on Channel 18 and is available on demand at www. FairhavenTV.Com and https://livestream.com/fairhavenlive/events/8101110/videos/230111510 

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