By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Planning Board held a meeting on Tuesday, 9/23/25 that lasted less than five minutes after four members walked out.
The agenda, after two revisions, had a “Public Informational Q&A regarding the Timothy Street and Hiller Avenue Subdivision Project.”
Deleted was the section that said Dave Davignon, project engineer, would share information about the project. Q&A would be directed to the Land Use and Planning Director, Bruce Webb.
Many abutters were present.
As soon as the meeting started, Kevin Grant read a statement that read in part: “Madam Chair, due to the absence of legal counsel, which has been repeatedly requested for tonight’s proceedings, I do not feel it is wise to continue, nor is it fair to the residents.”
He said he would not take part in the proceedings and advised other members to do the same. He walked out, followed by PB members, Jessica Fidalgo, Miles Grant, and Sean Powers.
“Well, this is all new to me everybody, thank you,” said PB chairperson Dianne Tomassetti.
She said because there was no longer a quorum they would have to table the issue to the next meeting on October 14.
Someone in the room asked if there had been requests for town counsel.
“I can’t exactly explain to you but at the time there was seemingly no need for counsel so they were not invited,” said Ms. Tomassetti.
Bob Espindola, an abutter to the project, asked that the documents distributed be read into the record, or he should take them back.
Ms. Tomassetti suggested that he take his documents back.
PB member Patrick Carr asked if any board member in the past two weeks asked for town counsel to be present.
“Not one,” said Ms. Tomassetti.
“Not true,” called someone from the room, who was later identified to the Neighb News as resident, Amy Goyer.
“We’re not asking anybody to talk right now,” said Mr. Carr.
He repeated his questions, were there any submissions or requests for town counsel by any board member.
“I’m not aware of any,” said Ms. Tomassetti. “Thank you. This meeting has now ended.”
A bit later on Facebook, PB member, Kevin Grant, posted a series of screen shots* which show a back and forth between him and Ms. Tomassetti, and between him and Interim Town Administrator, George Samia, asking for Town Counsel, from 9/23/25, the same day as the meeting.
In those exchanges, Mr. Grant asks for TC to be present. Ms. Tomassetti responds that TC will be available by text if necessary, but will not be at the meeting. She says that the meeting is informational only, so TC is not required.
*Screenshots are available below
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Click here to download the 9/25/25 issue: 09-25-25 Medieval
Click here to download the Planning Board texts: KevinGrantDocs
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