By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board held a jam-packed meeting on Monday, 8/10/26 to talk about Flock cameras, board appointments, policies and procedures, and possibly changing the town’s legal representation.
Police Chief, Daniel Dorgan, gave a presentation to the board on the town’s use of Flock cameras. Although largely described as license plate readers, the Flock cameras take a photo of the back of the car and record additional information, including vehicle color, bumper stickers, dents, and other identifying marks.
Chief Dorgan told the board that the town has six Flock cameras and 40 regular cameras in town. He said the system was approved by town meeting in 2018 and is used as an investigative tool to help build probable cause, in conjunction with other information.
Chief Dorgan also told the board that the contract they initially signed has been updated to clarify that the data is owned by the town, not Flock.
The chief also told the board that they recovered a vehicle in Florida, something that would not be possible with the other system.
The cameras have been awash in controversy because it is easy to misuse them. Chief Dorgan said that Fairhaven’s cameras cannot track in real time, but some Flock models can. One of the big differences between Flock and other camera systems is that once a jurisdiction gets permission to search another one, e.g., Fairhaven asks Fall River to search their cameras, then they do not have to ask again. They can log in anytime.
One of the other big differences is that neighborhood groups and other organizations can buy the systems, allowing for a larger group of people, without the same ethics standards as municipalities, to log in.
Jurisdictions across the country have been uninstalling the systems due to misuse by employees. New Bedford has temporarily suspended its Flock system after a police officer allegedly used it to stalk a former lover.
The system can be accessed by anyone with a login from home.
Chief Dorgan said the auditing system is set up to flag any potential abuses. He told the board there are numerous safeguards to prevent abuses.
He said he is happy to speak with anyone who has questions about the system. The board suggested that they set up question and answer session so the public can learn about the system.
Chief Dorgan said he was open to a conversation that is a true Q&A for him to answer questions.
SB Chairperson, Andrew Romano, said he would be happy to facilitate that.
A citizens petition has been circulated to be presented at the next Town Meeting to remove Flock Cameras from Fairhaven.
The board also voted on some changes to the Board/Committees Handbook.
One of the changes was to change the residency language for board appointments from the SB will “typically show appointing preference to” full-time residents, to, “will appoint full-time Town residents. However, the Board maintains the right to appoint non-residents to ad hoc or advisory committees only where outlined by state law.”
They also added the language from the TM vote to limit the number of boards officials can serve on to one for elected officials (the one they were elected to only), and two for appointed officials.
In another matter, the board voted to retain Heather White as general Town Counsel at her new place of employment, Harrington Heep. Petrini & Associates, Ms. White’s former employer, is no longer offering the service. Ms. White will also continue to provide legal services to the public works department for the water facilities upgrades.
Board members, Town Administrator, Keith Hickey, and public works superintendent, Vinnie Furtado all spoke highly of Ms. White and her record with the town.
Staying true to form, SB member, Rick Trapilo, said it was an opportunity for the town to review the cost of legal services and get competitive quotes from a variety of firms. The town has an ongoing need for general TC, Labor Counsel, and Special Counsel services.
The board voted to use Harrington Heep and to also issue an RFP (Request for Proposals) to compare costs.
The board also voted to give Mr. Hickey a $3,000 bonus. Board members cited his professionalism and his skill during the difficult and tense budget season, especially since he was hired in the middle of it.
Mr. Trapilo questioned the additional money, saying real jobs are on the line in other departments because of the town’s financial situation. He said they should defer the decision until they had a better handle on the town’s finances.
Mr. Hickey noted that the bonus comes out to a 1.6% raise, and he agreed to a bonus instead of regular raises or cost of living increases because of the town’s financial situation.
The vote was 4–1 to award the bonus, with Mr. Trapilo voting “no.”
The board also discussed a number of appointments to several boards. They appointed former SB member, Keith Silvia, to the Atlas Tack Working Group; and chose members of the new Budget Working Group (see 8/13/26 issue).
The board also voted not to appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee. Ms. Carr is not a resident, but owns property in town and has a business in Fairhaven. She grew up in Fairhaven and went to Fairhaven schools. She currently resides in Mattapoisett.
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