By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board and School Committee met jointly on Monday, 10/27/25, to appoint a replacement for long time SC member, Colin Veitch, who has resigned. The two boards asked a series of questions to two candidates who applied: Kystal Lunn; and former long time SC member Donna McKenna. Ms. McKenna was chosen unanimously.
SB member Andrew Romano recused himself saying he had a “substantial financial relationship” with one of the candidates.
Both candidates said they would run for the elected seat in June whether they were chosen or not.
Ms. McKenna told the board members that she had applied for a position with the town and left the school committee last year. In the 2024 election, Ms. McKenna ran for Select Board instead of her seat on the School Committee.
Ms. Lunn said she has been volunteered in various organizations, including at Hastings Middle School; has been involved with Special Education. She said her time on the Commission on Disability could be a help to the SC.
Ms. Lunn said her catalyst to apply is that she has a different perspective and sees things differently than they have in the past.
Ms. McKenna said it was her passion, she enjoyed her time on the board and looked forward to the collaboration she remembered.
Neither one would directly answer the question on which programs they would cut if the budget required cutting the budget.
Ms. McKenna said it was a difficult question to answer. She said they would have to look at the overall budget to see where they could cut. She said she would not want to cut teachers, sports or activities.
“So I’m not really sure how to answer that question,” said Ms. McKenna.
Ms. Lunn said every aspect of the schools is important, there is not one they do not need.
She said they would have to look at the budget to see “where you can take a little from here, and a little from there.”
In another matter, Town Administrator, Keith Hickey, told the board that Diane Tomassetti tried to rescind her resignation from the Planning Board. Mr. Hickey said that because the letter was received by the Town Clerk that it could not be rescinded. Ms. Tomassetti is free to apply for the open seat. The board will accept applications on the website until 10/31/25. Visit https://fairhaven-ma.gov/volunteer-opportunities/
In other business, the board approved a Veterans category for the Recreation Center. Veterans can now pay the same rate as seniors: $35 for a play card (use of the gym but not the exercise room), instead of $70 for residents; and $50/$100 for nonresidents. For the full facility, veterans who are Fairhaven residents will pay $80 instead of $120; non residents will pay $160 instead of $240.
The board also appointed former Harbormaster, David Darmofal, to the Marine Resources Committee.
SB member Andrew Saunders, who is the SB liaison to the MRC, said Mr. Darmofal will be “ideal” for the MRC and has the “institutional knowledge” and the background.
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