By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board had a full agenda on Monday night, 11/6/23, including a long executive session and staffing updates.
The board first met in executive session for more than 40 minutes to discuss possible litigation involving Rasputin’s Tavern, which has been under fire for violations including serving intoxicated indviduals, disturbances of the peace, and serving alcohol after hours (see 11/2/23 issue).
The board found the bar guilty of several violations at its 10/23 meeting, but held off on penalties for more information, continuing the matter to the 11/6 meeting. The board again continued the matter to get more information.
In another matter, the board met with the School Committee to fill a seat left vacant when Kyle Bueno resigned to move for job out of state.
Five candidates vied for the slot: Erik Baumann, Eleanor Chew, Tracy Francis, Nicole Pacheco, Brendalee Smith.
Members of both boards had a chance to question each candidate, who also filled out volunteer applications online.
The two boards voted to appoint Nicole Pacheco to fill the vacancy.
The board also met Michael Jenney in person, the town’s new Veterans Services Officer.
Mr. Jenney had joined a previous board meeting remotely, but welcomed the opportunity to meet in person.
He told the board he realized he had “extremely large shoes to fill,” referring to his predecessor Brad Fish.
“But I look foward to that challenge,” said Mr. Jenney, adding he would do his bes to “make sure that the veterans of Fairhaven are taken care of the way they deserve to be.”
Mr. Jenney is a veteran of the US Air Force and has been involved in many different veterans organizations over the last 14 years.
“I’m very honored to have the opportunity to pursue this full time,” he said.
In another matter, the board approved three Street sign requests by the police and Board of Public Works.
The board approved “Deer Crossing” signs on Bridge Street east of Mill Road; no overnight parking at Pope Beach; and limited parking on Bridge Street between Middle and Main where the BPW has a pumping station.
Fairhaven Police Lt. David Sobral told the board that the BPW asked to limit parking in front of the pump station because there have been problems getting deliveries. The board approved a restriction Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At Pope Beach, an abutter asked for the signs prohibiting parking overnight. Lt. Sobral said he could find no record of signs being there years ago, so he reapplied as a new request.
The problem, he said, is that people are staying all night, partying, and littering. When asked to leave, they note that there is no sign prohibiting them from being there.
If there are signs, he said, the police can enforce it.
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Click here to download the 11/9/23 issue: 11-09-23 PickleballLivesey
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