Candidate Statements: Fairhaven Select Board

Natalie Mello

I am running for Select Board for Fairhaven for several reasons. Six of those reasons have names and are my granddaughters — I want to be a role model as they grow up. I want them to know that they can have an impact on their local community and can make a positive difference. I believe I can do that by serving on our Select Board. 

I am convinced that this town needs to start moving forward in a unified way to recover from our financial setbacks. Doing that requires leaving the past behind and working in a collaborative way to get all boards, commit­tees and commissions working together for the common good of all Fairhaven.  

We need to hire an excellent Town Administrator with experience managing a town out of our financial situation. My experience in searches for high level positions — at WPI, as a School Committee member for the Wachusett Region, and at the organization from which I retired — prepares me for this responsibility. 

I am committed to fiscal accountability and transparency. Having worked for non-profits my entire career, I know what it means to stretch a dollar and to work within a budget that can’t be increased by charging more from clients. I have also served on the boards of many nonprofits where this lesson was driven home time and time again. 

I am the product of an excellent public education, as are both my sons. I understand that a key democratic responsibility is to fund public education at the level that is needed to responsibly educate our schoolchildren. We must figure out how to drag Fairhaven from the bottom of the net school spending list in MA without compromising current programs while also paying our educators what they deserve. 

There are opportunities for Fairhaven to work collaboratively with other towns to regionalize services that needn’t be replicated. While some of this exists (Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission), there are more opportunities. Acushnet is looking to regionalize their school system — this could be a win/win for both towns. Perhaps we could explore ways to utilize our existing resources (DPW vehicle maintenance) for the use of other towns while generating revenue to benefit Fairhaven. 

My experience in collaborative problem solving is an asset I can bring to Fairhaven. Approaching hot topic issues with an open mind, listening to all sides and making decisions based on factual information and Fairhaven’s current by-laws are essential to moving forward in a productive way. I have been meeting with various town department heads, not to tell them what I will do for them, but rather to listen to what their concerns are. I understand that if elected, I will be one of five Select Board members. Understanding the role and responsibilities of the Select Board, I vow to listen, research and learn so that I can help identify the best solutions for Fairhaven. 

I respectfully ask that you vote for me on April 7th — a vote for positive, forward-looking change in Fairhaven.

 

Richard “Rick” Trapilo

I humbly ask for your vote to join the Fairhaven Select Board. With years of business leader­ship, financial oversight, and executive hiring experience, I am eager to bring practical, results-driven decision-making to our beloved town. 

As I’ve shared in many conversations with my fellow residents, Fairhaven deserves financial responsibility and leadership guided by common sense. Many town issues don’t require complex solutions — just sound fiscal management and strategic decision-making. 

To understand who I am, look no further than my roots. I was raised in a hardworking family, the son and daughter of Polish immigrants, in a three-family home with five siblings and one bathroom. Somehow, we all made it to St. Kevin’s Grammar School by 8:30 AM every morning. My parents were frugal out of necessity — we never left a room without turning off the lights. That upbringing instilled in me the values of discipline, hard work, and responsibility — principles I carry with me to this day. 

Experience That Matters

I have been fortunate to build a successful career in business and leadership, serving in executive roles and on both public and private boards. My experience includes: MBA, Fairhaven Planning Board; Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development Commissioner, Finance Board member; Fairhaven-New Bedford Harbor Plan Committee Board; International President, Tech Industry, Board member public and private sector, Husband, Dad, Grand Dad, Coach, St Joseph Parish member. 

A Clear Plan for Fairhaven 

✔ Hiring a Qualified Town Administrator. Our town deserves strong leadership. If elected, I will work diligently with the Board to hire a highly qualified town administrator — one who is clearly vetted to meet Fairhaven’s leadership needs. We will establish measurable performance goals and review them quarterly. I will also ensure that costly hiring mistakes — like the unexplained $600,000 departure of the previous administrator — do not happen again under my leadership. 

✔ Stopping Wasteful Legal Battles Fairhaven taxpayers should not have to bear the bill for unnecessary litigation between town departments. Our historic high school should not be the battleground over a storage shed. With so many pressing needs — educating our children, supporting our teachers, and improving infrastructure — we must resolve this dispute immediately and focus on real priorities. 

✔ Fighting Against Unfair Tax Increases Every resident is feeling the burden of rising costs: property taxes, heating bills, and everyday expenses. Now, our Governor is proposing the “Municipal Empowerment Act,” which would allow local boards to increase fees on residents. I firmly oppose this proposal. Instead, I will push for Fairhaven to receive its fair share of Massachusetts’ nearly $9 billion rainy-day fund to ease the financial strain on our community. 

Leadership That Listens 

I bring decades of corporate and entrepreneurial leadership and a deep commitment to responsible governance. Fairhaven deserves leaders who listen, act with trans­parency, and respect the trust of the residents they serve. That is the leadership I am prepared to bring. 

I respectfully ask for your vote. Let’s work together to build a stronger, more financially responsible Fairhaven. 

•••

Click here to download the 3/6/25 issue: 03-06-25 Seagull

Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal