By Beth David, Editor
Town of Fairhaven Government Access TV held a candidates night on Thursday, 5/28/26, in the town hall auditorium. About 35 people showed up in person, and the event ran live on Channel 97, and livestreamed on FairhavenTV.com. Wayne Oliveira a moderated, Cable TV Director, Derek Frates asked the questions.
Fairhaven will hold its annual election on Tuesday, 6/9/26. All elected offices will be on the ballot, including Town Meeting members by precinct. Voters will also face three ballot questions. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (See page three for story.)
Five of the six Planning Board candidates participated, including: Jennifer Cardoza and Andrew Panek who are vying to fill one seat with an unexpired term; Kevin Grant (incumbent) and Mona Phillips who are vying for two full term seats; incumbent, Sharon Simmons, did not participate.
For two seats on the Select Board, all three candidates participated: Miles Grant, Pam Kuechler, Rick Trapilo.
Candidates for contested races were allowed an opening and closing statement, and they all answered the same questions.
Candidates for uncontested races had an opening statement and answered questions.
The first question for Select Board candidates asked if they supported the Proposition 2 1/2 override that will be on the same ballot.
Miles Grant and Pam Kuechler said they supported the override, Rick Trapilo said he did not.
Miles Grant said he supported the override to support the schools. He said every community in the state is facing the same challenges because of inflation and declining state aid.
He said if we are going to stick with our shared values, the override is something we have to do.
Ms. Kuechler said the override is one of the tools the town needs to get us out of the mess we are in. She said the down needs a strong economic development plan, and she hoped the town would hire a planner/economic development director soon.
Mr. Trapilo said he does not support the override because the Finance Committee is not supporting it. He said they worked on the budget for months and voted no because of their “due diligence.”
This year is the “tip of the iceberg,” he said, and passing the override is just “kicking the can down the road.”
The town’s financial model is broken and has to be fixed, and an override will not fix it.
All three candidates said they had experience that prepared them for the role of SB member.
Miles Grant noted his time on the Planning Board and the importance of bringing in responsible growth to the town. He said he has knocked on doors and talked to hundreds of voters and they want someone who is running for the right reasons. He said he has no business interests in town and believes he can help rebuild trust in town government.
Ms. Kuechler, who served on the School Committee for many years, noted her job as Director of PACE, a nonprofit, that helps people in a variety of ways. She said she understands the role of the Select Board, and believes hiring a town planner is important. She stressed collaboration and using a variety of methods to get the job done, saying the town needs to be strategic in how the town resources are structured.
Mr. Trapilo noted his experience as a successful corporate executive and small business owner.
He stressed more than once that the town’s financial model is broken and the town needs to live within its budget, something every taxpayer has to do every day.
He also said the town needs to grow responsibly and be guided by common sense, honesty, transparency, and leadership that puts people first.
SB candidates answered six questions.
Planning board candidates answered four questions, including how to protect the town’s infrastructure against ever increasing storms and coastal flooding; the role of 40B housing and the need to balance housing needs with neighborhood needs; how to preserve the town’s distinct coastal character; how can the board move forward and communicate without a town planner to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Kevin Grant said he chose Fairhaven, he was not born here. And he told the story of his first day living in Fairhaven and the innocence of a young boy who approached him to use the older man’s phone so the boy could call his mother so she would not worry about him.
“I was struck at how open and friendly and safe this kid felt,” said Kevin Grant.
Ms. Phillips noted her time on the Zoning Board of Adjustment in small town in New Jersey. She has been involved in some environmental activism at the state level and has worked for nonprofits.
She said knocking on doors she learned that people mistrust government and do not think town officials have residents’ interest at heart. She the board does not have a monopoly on good ideas, and the town needs help from people with different perspectives.
Ms. Cardoza said she is a mom with two daughters. He goal is to make sure people feel hear and respected. She is not running with an agenda. She wants to make sure development decisions are carefully considered.
Mr. Panek said when he moved to Fairhaven, he wanted to get involved. He spent summers here as a child
“I love this town,” said Mr. Panek, and moved here as soon as he could when his wife retired from the military.
He works at PACE and led them through software change. He is a professional contractor and wants to use his experience for the town.
Some candidates who are unopposed also participated including: Justine Frezza, running for re-election to the Board of Health; Erik Baumann running for School Committee; Michael Sherman running for an unexpired term on the School Committee.
The candidates night will run on Channel 97 until the election and is available on demand on FairhavenTV.com
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