Candidates make last pitch to voters

By Beth David, Editor

Fairhaven candidates had two events to make their cases to voters this past week. On Thursday, 3/27/25, the Fairhaven Government Access Department in collaboration with the West Island Im­prove­ment Association held a candidates night where they answered questions asked by WIIA’s Bob Pink, while Derek Frates, Media Director, Fair­haven TV, emceed. All the candidates in the four contested races attended that event.

On Sunday, 3/30, Select Board member, Keith Silvia, held an event paid for by his election commit­tee, causing a bit of contro­versy, because Mr. Silvia has made no secret of his support for Rick Trapilo, who is facing Natalie Mello for an open seat on the Select Board. 

Ms. Mello did not attend that event, posting on Facebook that she had notified the host more than a week before that she would not be attending, and writing: “I chose not to attend today’s debate as it did not align with my values to partici­pate in an unsanctioned conversation hosted by a sitting elected official who has campaigned for my opponent.”

Mr. Trapilo had taken to Facebook to chastise Ms. Mello for not attending.

At the Cable Access event on 3/27 held in the Town Hall auditorium, candidates gave opening and closing statements, and answered the same questions. 

Select Board

Select Board candidates were asked their top priorities; how they would handle differences of opinions with the new Town Administrator; which budget categories need more or less funding; and if they would commit to improving the town’s resilience to climate change-related coastal hazards, like flooding.

In her opening and closing state­ments, Ms. Mello said she “won the lottery” when she discovered Fairhaven almost 20 years ago. She stressed her experience in both management and municipal budget­ing. She said she will collaborate, listen, learn, and make decisions based on facts. 

Ms. Mello also said she supports dynamic growth to reduce the tax burden. The role of the SB is to manage the next Town Administrator for success.

Ms. Mello also asked what is to be gained by looking backward and trying to re-litigate events in the rearview mirror. She asked if people are ready for a fresh perspective. 

“Fairhaven’s future is bright and with the right leadership, this town will retain its amazing character, grow thoughtfully, and prosper,” she said.

Mr. Trapilo stressed his business back­ground, saying that running Fairhaven, with its $63 million budget takes “sound business expertise, and that is exactly what I bring to the table.”

He also stressed his roles as husband, father, grandfather, coach and member of St. Joseph Parish. 

Mr. Trapilo said he has a completely different perspective than Ms. Mello.

“My resume is based on a sound business education and a lifelong dynamic business career,” said Mr. Trapilo, adding he is “strategically focused as a business executive,” with no social agenda.

He said the town is at a crossroads facing financial challenges that require innovative thinking and financial responsiblity.

Ms. Mello said her top priority will include pursuing a new public safety complex that will meet the needs of modern fire and police departments.

Mr. Trapilo said the SB acts as the Chief Financial Officer and that town hall is in “disarray.”

He will also find ways to increase revenues, including asking the state to disburse funds from the interest on the rainy day fund. 

Mr. Trapilo said the SB has to work collaboratively with the TA. The new TA needs to bring out the best in town employees. What happened with the last TA hurt the town as much as her.

Ms. Mello said she agreed with him, adding that she did not, however, hear the word “listening” in his answer.

By listening to the person you disagree with, she said, you are seeking to understand, “and that is the way we get to a true collaboration and how we solve problems.”

Neither candidate came up with a department that needed less funding. 

Ms. Mello said the schools need more and suggested regular joint meetings between the SB and the School Committee. Ms. Trapilo said the school budget was “very well thought out.”

He said the fire and police depart­ments need more funding and the town should get more funding from the state for emergency services.

Both candidates agreed that climate resiliency is an important issue. 

Mr. Trapilo said the utility com­panies should be putting the lines underground. He also said the hurricane barrier needs to be functioning and the fire and police departments need to be prepared for disasters.

Ms. Mello said things are happening faster than people imagined. She said she had to study risks and mitigate risk and plan accordingly. She said the town has to start immediately. 

She said she supports the municipal empowerment act, which would allow the town to raise the hotel tax, which is not a tax on residents. 

School Committee

Four candidates for two seats on the School Com­mit­tee faced four questions each. Incumbents Erik Andersen, and Brendalee Smith, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, are facing challenges from Kelly McGowan Ochoa, and Pattie Pacella. 

They were asked what their priorities would be if federal funding for schools is cut; how they plan on building a stronger relationship with town officials and the community; if they would support con­tinuing train­ing for SC members; and if there are budget cuts, what would have the most impact on students.

In his statements, Mr. Andersen stressed his background in mental health working with kids. He said he has two children in Fairhaven schools, one in the middle school and one in high school. He said his time on the committee included the COVID pandemic.

“I bring a unique perspective,” about going through COVID, looking at it from a mental health standpoint, adding students really struggled. 

He said he is ready to continue to serve with the passion and dedica­tion he has already shown. He noted that he did teach for two years, but decided to go the mental health route. His wife is a teacher.

Mr. Andersen said he has experi­ence with special education plans for students, medical plans, and experi­ence with nonverbal kids. He said both his children had special needs. 

He said he hoped he would get to con­tinue on the SC, and noted his passion, dedication, authenticness, genuineness and experience.

“I love serving the town, I love serving the kids,” he said. 

Ms. Smith said that after being appointed, she poured her heart into the role, making meaningful progress.

“I’m just getting started, and I’m more committed than ever to seeing it through,” she said. 

Ms. Smith noted some achieve­ments of the SC recently, and said she supported the hardship fund.

“I also stood with our community by voting against the Title IX pro­cedures before their repeal,” she said. 

She said she founded “Stop Abduc­tion,” an education program that helps students identify threats. She noted her business experience, but said her most “cherished role” is as a mom to four children. 

I closing she said it has been an honor to serve the community. Students deserve a system the exceeds expectations. 

She said what sets her apart is her ability to listen.

“Your voice matters,” she said.

Ms. Ochoa told voters she is a lifelong educator who has lived in Fairhaven for 25 years. 

“I feel like maybe now is the chance I have to give back,” said Ms. Ochoa, adding that having an educator on the SC can only be a positive thing for the town..

She said she has done a lot of work in New Bedford with the homeless popula­tion and English as a Second Language (ESL) speakers. She is on the town’s Belonging Committee and a Town Meeting member. 

In closing, Ms. Ochoa said she hoped they never faced the “awful scenario” of a budget cut, calling it a nightmare. 

She asked people to think about the last time there was an educator on the SC, “Someone who’s been in the trenches and who knows exactly what is being faced… every day?”

Ms. Pacella told voters she is a Fairhaven High School graduate.

“I’m a mom to a very special little girl who teaches me daily about patience, determination and pers­everance,” said Ms. Pacella. 

As a Finance Committee member she is not afraid to ask questions. All budgets are hurting, expenses are getting higher for the town, commu­nity, and families.

“Fairhaven is a high needs community. I didn’t say special needs,” said Ms. Pacella, noting that 40% of Fairhaven students are low income, 18% have special abilities. You’ll never hear me say ‘disability’ as my daughter is proof of special abilities.”

She said she hopes she can be “part of a positive process by learning, listening and collaborating to make our children be the best to their ability.”

When asked about budget cuts, all four candidates said they could not think of any programs that would be okay to cut.

Mr Andersen said the funding mostly comes from the town.

“We need to rely on the town,” he said, adding that a healthy school system means a healthy town. “Public schools are the backbone of the country.”

He said the town has to “step up” and show the schools that it has their back.

Ms. Smith said the SC talked about creat­ing a contingency fund, although they do not know where the money will come from. 

She said first and foremost is to keep the teachers.

She said the budget needs to be increased by an additional $1 million if federal cuts are made as predicted.

“I think we can do it if we work together and we talk about every aspect of student life, so that not one student is left out of the equation,” said Ms. Smith. 

Ms. Ochoa said she agreed with the idea of a contingency fund. She said state legislators are hoping to get more state aid to schools, but the town has to figure out a way to move forward.

She said public schools make us a great community.

“People want to come and live here for our public schools,” she said. “Obviously we can’t cut complete programs. We’re going to have to whittle away a little bit from each.”

She said they need to keep the student-teacher ratio.

Ms. Pacella said she would hate to see any cut in the school budget. 

She said any cuts could be “detri­mental to our most vulnerable children.”

When asked about building stronger relationships with the town and community, Ms. Smith said there will be disagreements, but people need to listen quietly, and give people time to process the information.

Ms. Ochoa said the schools need to communicate better on what they are doing. She said some students won a national award and she did not know about it, noting the town still as a local paper to help, and that social media has become divisive.

Ms. Pacella said the schools need more transparency. She suggested small working groups between the public and SC and they could bring things to the attention of the Select Board.

Mr. Andersen said transparency and being genuine and authentic are mottos in his life.

He said transparency is key to any committee, and people just have to watch the meetings.

“People want to know what we’re doing,” said Mr. Andersen. 

For the third question, they all agreed that extra training would be valuable to SC members.

The fourth question pressed the issue of what they would cut if forced to by budget constraints.

Mr. Pacella pointed to the last SC meet­ing when transportation was discussed as a possible place to save, by maybe merging bus routes or eliminating some. Mr. Andersen and Ms. Smith both included that in their answers.

Mr. Andersen said, “There’s no easy answer to this one.”

He added that he hoped the town would help them out.

Ms. Smith said they would have to look at each department. She said the suggestion to cut the middle school athletic program does not make sense because athletics help students with mental and emotional health.

Ms. Ochoa said she cannot even imagine getting a 25% cut. She said they could add fees for athletic programs and clubs, or maybe con­solidate or eliminate some adminis­trative positions. 

“We can’t cut classroom teachers, we can’t cut classrooms,” she said, adding they are already “pretty bare bones.”

Planning Board

Three candidates for two seats on the Planning Board faced three ques­tions: In­cum­bent Cathy Melanson, and new­comers, Miles Grant, and Sean Powers. 

They were asked if Fairhaven’s zoning bylaws were too restrictive, or not restrictive enough; what the PB can do to address affordable housing while main­taining the character of Fair­haven; what training they have received and if they will take more trainings if elected.

In her opening and closing statements Ms. Melanson said she has lived in Fair­haven all her life, has four daughters, 13 grandchildren, and one great grand­daughter. She highlighted changes to the bylaws while she has been on the board including the adoption of the 40R overlay district, and changes to the ADU bylaw. She also highlighted her volunteer service when the town planner position was vacant, and streamlining the permitting process with the building department.

She said her experience on the board has given her an understanding of past projects and plans for future growth, and the board needs experience and guidance to address new growth. 

“Our journey together doesn’t end after I’ve been re-elected. It begins anew,” she said. 

Mr. Grant told voters that he grew up visiting his grandparents in Fairhaven, where he could walk to a little store, and  now he walks to an ice cream shop, adding it is “just a fantastic place to live.”

“We need some fresh voices and fresh perspective,” said Mr. Grant, adding that projects like the Oxford Residences might be a model for the town, and noting he is a member of the Livable Streets Com­mittee and volunteers with the New Bedford Science Cafe, the SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network, Buzzards Bay Coalition, and coaches Mariner Soccer. 

He said he had no business interests in town, and was running because he loves Fairhaven and wants to make it an even greater place. 

Mr. Powers said he is a lifelong resident of Fairhaven, attended the Rogers School, Hastings Middle School, and FHS, and raised his family here.

“I love this town,” said Mr. Powers, adding he promised to go to every meeting prepared. “I’m passionate about contributing to the growth and develop­ment of Fairhaven.”

He said he is dedicated to ensuring residents’ voices are heard, and he wants to modernize the town’s bylaws. 

“I’m here to do the research. I’m here to do the trainings. I’m here to ask questions,” said Mr. Powers.

All three said that some of the town’s bylaws were too restrictive.

Ms. Melanson said some strike the right balance.

They all spoke favorably about making the ADUs easier to build to create more affordable housing, and agreed that converting homes to two or three families is one of the things they can look at.

Mr. Powers noted that a lot of single family homes in the center had been two or three families in the past and could be converted back.

Board of Health

Two candidates are running for one seat on the Board of Health: Cristina Lopes, and Brian Meneses, who was appointed to fill a vacancy. They faced two questions: what are the most pressing issues for the BOH; and with the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico resulting in two deaths of unvaccinated people, are they in favor of the MMR vaccine and would they support a town clinic to vaccinate if the outbreak reaches this area.

In her opening and closing, Ms. Lopes said in her work in the medical field conducting home visits she saw people experiencing poor living conditions from economic hardship, hoarding, and factors beyond their control. 

“My experience in the medical field is characterized by its broad and diverse nature,” she said, and includes direct patient care, infection control, and disease prevention

She said she had ideas for addressing public health issues such as mosquito and tick disease prevention 

She pledged to maintain openness and honesty when faced with uncertainty, will work collaboratively with boards and com­mittees, and will strive to empower staff. 

Mr. Meneses, a pharmacist, said he has lived in Fairhaven his whole life, and owns an independent pharmacy in town, and owns a qualified health center in Fall River which serves uninsured and underserved people. He said he is a member of several professional organizations, and was nominated in 2019 for the SouthCoast Emerging Leaders Award, and is a precept for students at two colleges.

He said he has a responsibility to approach issues with an open mind, examine the applicable public health regulations, and apply good considered judgment. 

He said not every issue can be solved to the complete satisfaction of all parties.

“But I strive to do the most good for the majority of our residents,” said Mr. Meneses. 

Both said the most pressing issue facing the board is the effect the wind turbines are having on residents. They both said the BOH is in the process of drafting a letter to the Select Board with three mitigation plans. 

Both said they would support an MMR clinic if there is an outbreak locally. 

Mr. Meneses said he vaccinates people at his pharmacy for other disease, but has not yet given the MMR vaccine. 

He said he would “definitely” look into running a clinic. 

Ms. Lopes said giving resources to people is vital.

“One of the things that I believe in also is rights,” said Ms. Lopes. “You know, religious freedoms and stuff.”

Both events are available on FairhavenTV.com (find Election Candidate Events under Government Meeting Videos), or at https://vimeo.com/showcase/10977750.

The election is Monday, 4/7. Polls are open 10 a.m.–8 p.m. All precincts vote at the Rec Center, 227 Huttleston Ave.

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