By Beth David
Editor
Fairhaven Town Administrator Angeline “Angie” Lopes Ellison has barred Wayne Oliveira from entering town hall for a period of 60 days starting on 8/17/22. Ms. Ellison sent the letter by email, writing that the move was “due to your inappropriate, threatening behavior that you exhibited on August 11, 2022.”
The letter states that the town has the power under state law to bar residents from using public buildings, “when warranted by that individual’s conduct, in order to protect the rights of peaceful enjoyment of such buildings by other residents, and to provide an appropriate and non-threatening workplace for the staff so that they can serve the needs of the building’s users.”
She also cites Mass. General Law and several cases that have upheld the right of the person who has “lawful control” of the building to exclude individuals from the premises.
Ms. Ellison also states that Mr. Oliveira will not need to access the building for meetings because he can participate remotely.
“Should you require access to Town Hall within the sixty (60) day period in connection with your duties, or in order to access Town services for yourself, please contact my office in advance so we can arrange to have an escort with you to preserve security in Town Hall,” reads the letter. “Any failure to comply with these directives will be deemed a trespass and will be subject to legal action, including but not limited to police involvement and/or a restraining order.”
In a Facebook post decrying the demotion of Mr. Oliveira’s wife Vicki, Mr. Oliveira posted: “Call your Select Board members and let them know your outrage with our current town administrator. Today I was barred from town hall for 60 days.”
In a phone interview Ms. Ellison would not elaborate on the behavior Mr. Oliveira displayed that prompted the order.
In last week’s issue we reported that on 8/11, an ambulance was called to town hall to tend to Ms. Oliveira for an unspecified reason. According to sources, her husband and Ms. Ellison arrived in the room at approximately the same time. At that point, Mr. Oliveira verbally confronted Ms. Ellison and demanded that she not go near Ms. Oliveira.
Ms. Oliveira served as assistant to the TA, which is classified as a “confidential employee,” and is not a union position. It is an at-will position that serves at the pleasure of the TA.
Confidential employees are privy to sensitive information, including personnel matters, ongoing negotiations, and executive sessions.
She has been working in the public works department as the Sewer Department Principal Clerk since Monday, 8/15, at a signficant pay cut. The TA can reassign employees for up to 60 days to any department that has an open position. The reason for the reassignment has not been made public, with Ms. Ellison saying it is a personnel matter, and the Oliveiras saying it is in retaliation for Mr. Oliveira’s opposition to the swap of the TA and Collector offices.
Mr. Oliveira did not return an email by press time asking for comment for this story.
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Click here to download the entire 8/25/22 issue: 08-25-22 MusicNight
Click here to download the Mattapoisett Fire Department Press Release from 8-22-22: MattapoisettFirePR
Click here to download the No-Trespass order against Wayne Oliveira: 2022.08.17 No Trespass- WOliveira
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