By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 6/15/26, the Fairhaven Select Board discussed the possibility of trying to fund the tourism department through donations or grants. The department will be eliminated after 6/30 due to budget cuts. The Proposition 2 1/2 override vote would have saved the department, but the override failed (see page 3). SB member Andrew Saunders was absent from the meeting.
The department is responsible for organizing a number of events during the year, including outdoor festivals and the Old Tyme Holiday.
Town Administrator, Keith Hickey, told the board that he had asked director Alyssa Botelho if she would be willing to continue in the role if the department was funded by grants or donations, and she declined.
SB Vice Chair, Andrew Romano, said he felt the public has a mistrust of gift accounts and how the funds get used. He said the biggest expense of the department is the one salary, and without anyone in the position, he felt it would not help public trust to collect funds, and put them in an account to just sit there.
SB member, Natalie Mello, read a letter from Ms. Botelho elaborating more on her reasons. She said that a municipal department needs stable funding, clear oversight, and long-term planning.
In the letter, Ms. Botelho said she appreciated the enthusiasm and generosity of residents, but she was not willing to continue in the role. As a Fairhaven resident, she said, it has been “an honor” to serve the town for over 10 years. Ms. Botelho also worked in the Government Cable TV department.
“I respect the decision made by voters and leave this role with gratitude,” said Ms. Botelho.
She also said she spoke with Todd Migliacci, who works in the Cable TV department, and took over many administrative duties while Ms. Botelho was away on a Fulbright Scholarship for eight months. He indicated he would be interested in the role if stable funding could be arranged.
Mr. Migliacci just happened to be in the room covering the meeting so he answered the board’s questions.
He said once they figure out how they want to fund the department, he would be happy to talk about taking on the role or some aspect of it.
SB member Rick Trapilo asked about the increased state aid that had been announced. Mr. Hickey explained that the state budget is still not finalized. Only Town Meeting can appropriate the funds, so it would have to wait until the next Town Meeting or Special TM.
Cathy Melanson, Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee; and Erin Carr both spoke in favor of funding the department with donations.
In the end the board voted to table the matter until the next meeting to give Mr. Hickey and Mr. Migliacci time to look at alternatives.
In another matter, the board voted to authorize the Town Administrator to spend up to $50,000 for legal, appraisal, design and engineering services for the police department to move into the old Citizens Bank building at 4 Plaza Way.
Fire Chief Todd Correia and Police Chief Dan Dorgan told the board that the committee had spoken to the owner, and they had toured the building.
Mr. Correia told the board that the building would work well for the police department.
The plan they are exploring is to move the police department to the Citizens building; knock down the police side of the current building on Washington Street, leaving the Fire Department side intact to be able to operate; and reconstructing that building to modernize the Fire Department. He said the estimated savings between that plan and building a new, combined safety complex is about $25 million.
The board also held a public hearing to transfer the aquaculture license and acreage from Stephen Doonan to Matthew Loo.
Harbormaster Tim Cox said that Mr. Doonan started out with a partner, but that person has moved on, so he wanted to give up the license.
The board voted unanimously in favor.
In other business the board:
• Voted not to extend hours of liquor license during summer, a proposal the state has allowed due to the FIFA matches;
• Approved the procession routes and plan with accompanying road closures for the Our Lady of Angels feast on Sept. 5 and 7.
• Appointed Council on Aging Director, Martha Reed, to be ADA Coordinator (Americans with Disabilities Act);
Although it was the first meeting after the election, the board did not reorganize. Mr. Romano said he wanted to wait until SB member Andrew Saunders could be present in case he would be interested in any of the positions to be voted on. The board’s next meeting is Monday, 6/22.
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Click here to download the 6/18/26 issue: 06-18-26 NoKings
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