Stamp Out Hunger Campaign Coming Up
It’s that time of year when kind individuals, such as yourselves, can help the less fortunate in our area. How? By leaving non-perishable food by your mailbox or on your porch, to be picked up by your local letter carriers or their helpers, on Saturday, May 12.
Each year, for the past 25 years, on the second Saturday in May, Letter Carriers from every 50 States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, deliver mail and pick up food left by their postal patrons. Last year, nationally, over 75 million pounds of food was picked up and eventually delivered to local pantries, shelters and food banks that helped local needy individuals.
“Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is the biggest one-day food drive in this country. According to Postmaster General, CEO, Megan Brennan, “The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive comes at an especially important time for our country’s school children and their families. Planning the collection on May 12, ahead of the summer months, will enable communities to provide timely assistance to millions who rely on school lunch programs the rest of the year.”
So you see, you can make a difference. All you need to do is to inspect your cupboards and donate non-perishable food that is NOT outdated and place it near your mailbox or on your porch, by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 and your postal carrier, or helper, will do the rest.
Thank you in advance and, together, we can make a difference in someone’s life.
Gerry Payette, U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier, Ret.
Do Not Change Town Clerk Job
Town Meeting Members and Citizens of Fairhaven
I am writing this letter to urge you to vote to defeat/indefinite postpone Article 33 at this coming Town Meeting.
There are a myriad of reasons to keep the Town Clerk’s position as elected. There are no consuming valid reasons to vote to change it to an appointed one as proposed by the Majority report filed by the Town clerk Study Committee.
The Minority report stands in opposition to this.
We have had an elected Town Clerk since 1812, and have been served by 16 Town Clerks. This process has worked exceptionally well and the office has and does provide very valuable services to the town.
Having the position changed to appointed will in no way improve that quality of service….it only consolidates ultimate political power in the Town Hall.
Most importantly, it would take away the “Right To Vote” of the citizens of Fairhaven. You, as citizens, would be disenfranchised and lose your democratic right to vote for officials you choose to serve you.
Once you relinquish this right, you will never get it back. The proponents advocating to change to an appointed office are urging you to give up your right to vote.
I request that the citizens of Fairhaven ask their Town Meeting representatives to vote “Indefinite Postponement” on Article 33.
Respectfully, Bernard F. Roderick, Vice Chair, Town Clerk Study Committee
Support Maintenance of Rogers School Building
The Rogers School building clearly evokes an emotional debate which is always most welcomed. A passionate cause leads to open dialogue, meetings, input and a commitment to action which is just what is happening.
The Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen and the Rogers Study Committee heard clearly the residents’ unwavering passion and commitment on keeping our historic town buildings, skyline, landscape and seaside charm. These buildings such as: Rogers, Town Hall, High School, Millicent Library, Academy and others are part of the jewels of our town which make it unique in every way.
We are proud Fairhavenites when it comes to our heritage, history, fiscal responsibility and our future.
The Rogers Study Committee is diligently working in exploring all options and possibilities of use for the Rogers building. We certainly know the importance of the building and history of being the first building gifted in 1885 by our town benefactor, Henry Huttleston Rogers. We realize the role it has played in shaping our town’s past and we now must focus on the role it will play in our town’s future.
Article 14 Section G for $252,000 is to provide needed repairs and restoration which will preserve the Rogers building over a 10-year period and secure the building from future deterioration. This funding greatly benefits the town’s ability to market, promote and find a proper use.
This article has a multifaceted approach to continue the efforts to find a proper reuse of the building. The historic building and land (just under an acre) is in the center of our town and in a densely populated neighborhood, including a playground.
This article will also fund the building to be placed on the Historic National Register. Then and only then we can apply for Federal and State grant money. This is a major step forward in demonstrating our residents’ and town’s commitment to our history and to show our efforts in seeking a sustainable and well suited public/private partnership or other avenues which will benefit all of Fairhaven.
As we have seen there are no guarantees that a sole private developer will properly, appropriately, and timely renovate the building with the best interest of the neighborhood and town residents. There is, without a doubt, a severe risk factor to the Town in turning the building and land over and relinquishing all say or control. The negative impacting factors of not getting this done right will be felt throughout the neighborhood, community, families and town for many years to come. All these concerns have to be addressed without politics and rash decisions.
It will take time. Article 14 Section G is an economically sound and wise investment not just for today but also for the years to come. The article is supported by our Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator and the Rogers Study Committee. If we do nothing, then the costs each year will continue to grow exponentially and fall solely on the taxpayers to resolve without any grants or funding.
We urge Town Meeting Members to vote yes to support article 14 section G on May 5th.
Thank you, The Rogers Study Committee
Don’t Let Rogers School Fall Into More Disrepair
I’m sure you have noticed the eyesore property between Main and Middle Streets south of Pease Street. This land was gifted to the town in 1904 by the Delano family with the stipulation that the property be used “for park/public purposes only.” And for a long while the town people enjoyed the park and tennis courts there. But then the town decided to get it off the books and sold it in 1961 for under $7,500, essentially abdicating control and responsibility.
Park Motors owned it for a while and when their building was demolished, the result is what you see now — a dust bowl private parking lot.
Back then the town didn’t have a vision for the property’s future and they perceived it as a maintenance burden. It became so neglected that they could truthfully say it was “no longer suitable as a park.” Today, passersby just look at the rubble lot and wonder why? On whose watch did this happen?
This is one history that should not be repeated.
With the upcoming town meeting on May 5 you can make your voice heard by letting your town meeting member representatives know that you don’t want to see the Rogers School fall into more disrepair or to see it as a demolished lot with no town control over its future. If it is to be sold, a “historic preservation restriction” will insure that the new owner will be required by law to maintain the exterior of the building.
Don’t let Rogers’ gift be swept into the dust bin of what could have been. The future can be a bright one if we don’t abandon it for a quick buck and the momentary gratification of clearing it from the books.
Yes, it is true that maintenance is not free, but it goes a long way to presenting a beautiful and vibrant town. The building is a worthy structure that needs care and preservation until, with pro-active vision, it can be useful and add value to the town again.
Let it be known that Fairhaven is not only a town with a great historic past — it is a town willing to invest in its future. If not, this time around it will be on our watch.
Cathy Delano, Fairhaven
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Click here to download the entire 5/3/18 issue: 05-03-18 WI5K
