By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board spent a bit more time than usual at its 7/17/23 meeting discussing police details for Our Lady of Angels Feast, which will be held at the OLOA feast grounds September 2–4.
Lt. David Sobral of the Fairhaven Police Department told the SB that he felt there needed to be two more police officers on the paid detail during certain hours of the feast. He said the last two years, especially last year, there had been problems with younger feast-goers spreading out into the neighborhood and causing a nuisance. Lt. Sobral said if they had two more police officers, they would be able to walk farther away from the gates to keep the troublemakers from loitering in front of houses.
Lt. Sobral said the two officers would be able to walk along Jesse and Daniel Streets at night. One problem is people driving around the barriers and parking in front of driveways.
Lt. Sobral said they are not looking to stop the feast in any way, but it is in a residential area, and residents have a right to access their homes. They should have protection, too, he said, noting that most neighbors are “pretty cooperative” and like the feast.
If people do block driveways, they can be ticketed or towed, but if an officer is there, it should alleviate the problem, he said.
Neighbors have parties, too, noted Lt. Sobral, it is a “highly traveled area” during the feast.
John Barboza, president of OLOA, said it was not just parking, it is kids “hanging around the street.”
Mr. Barboza said the problem is that the officers working the feast are not Fairhaven officers and they are not doing what they should be doing. He said they all stay at the gate and do not walk the grounds or the surrounding area.
“Why should I be responsible for something that’s not on the feast grounds,” said Mr. Barboza, adding he does not mind so much paying for one more officer, but two is a high cost. “It’s just taking money away from these charitable donations.”
SB member Keith Silvia said it seemed to be escalating a little bit more each year. The people who complained to him, he said, did not want to stop the feast, they just wanted more police presence.
Mr. Barboza countered that he would be paying for two more police officers to stand around at the gate “with the other guys.”
He said he cannot make them do anything.
Lt. Sobral said he worked the feast one day last year and it was a mix of Fairhaven officers and outside officers. He said he told them what to do, but he could not be there the whole time. They try to get local officers, he said, but it is not always possible.
Town Administrator Angie Lopes Ellison suggested coordinating a meeting with the detail officers to tell them what they should be doing.
In the end the board voted to require the additional officers during the hours that Lt. Sobral requested.
SB member Charlie Murphy recused himself from the vote because he is an officer of OLOA.
In another matter, the board set a Special Town Meeting date of 11/14
Public Works Superintendent Vinnie Furtado said the cost of the upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment plant is significantly higher than the original estimate of the $50 million that Town Meeting already appropriated. Due to new federal regulations, the town needs to upgrade the plant by December of 2025.
Mr. Furtado said he will ask TM for an additional $20 million.
He also said that the town has about $5 million in loan forgiveness; and Mattapoisett, which owns about 20% of the plant will pay a share; and ARPA funds will also be used for some. In the end, the town will not use the whole $70 million he is looking for.
Ms. Ellison explained to the board that Mass. General Law does not allow for the town to enter into a contract unless all the funds are there.
The lowest bid was $62 million, said Mr. Furtado, adding that he expected costs to go up even more due to inflation and the Build America Buy America Act. He said he expected a 10-40% increase.
The item will be on the warrant of the STM in November.
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