By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Tuesday, 9/3, the Fairhaven Board of Public Works interviewed candidates for Highway Department Garage Supervisor, and voted to approve new Sewer and Water rates.
BPW Superintendent Vinny Furtado explained that he and BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton and Highway Superintendent John Charbonneau interviewed seven candidates for the position and selected the two most qualified for the board to meet.
Kevin McCarron introduced himself to the board stating that he was a hard worker and has had many years of experiences with all kinds of machines, from bikes to backhoes to large trucks. He also said that he has a lot of experience with electrical troubleshooting and computer diagnostics.
Mr. Furtado said Mr. McCarron had great experience.
Board member Keith Silvia agreed that Mr. McCarron covered exactly what the department needs.
Mr. Silvia explained that with Mr. McCarron’s experience he can fix pretty much anything and if the garage gets all the right equipment they would not have to outsource repairs.
Mr. Wotton agreed stating that Mr. McCarron can fix anything from a weed whacker to big trucks.
The board than interviewed Derek Faulk, who told the board that he has worked as a scrap yard mechanic, in a garage, with forklifts, and for the last five years has run an automotive repair shop at a big car dealership.
Board member Robert “Hoppy’ Hobson asked if Mr. Faulk had worked with diesel engines, as well as with backhoes, computer diagnostics, and hydraulic planes.
Mr. Faulk said at his current job he works with computer diagnostics all the time and that it is about 90% of his current job.
He also explained that when he worked at the scrap yard he worked with diesel and a lot of other types of engines, but said he might be a little rusty.
Mr. Faulk told the board he is a very hard work and that he is always the first one into work and the last one out.
Mr. Hobson said he was impressed by how much knowledge and experience Mr. Faulk had for his age.
After the two candidates left, the board discussed who they would like to hire. The entire board agreed that both candidates were great.
Board member Cameron Durant said he would recommendMr. McCarron because he had “stellar experience.”
Mr. Hobson and Mr. Silvia agreed that Mr. McCarron’s experience was outstanding.
Mr. Wotton said that the Mr. Charbonneau had also recommended Mr. McCarron for the position.
The board voted unanimously to Mr. McCarron as Garage Supervisor with a six month probation period.
In another matter the board voted to accept an increase in water and sewer rates. The board explained at their last meeting that for tier one residents, which are senior citizens and single resident households for water and sewer, the most the rates will go up is $5 per six month billing period.
The board also said tier two, which is the average family household for water and sewer the rates will go up a maximum of $20 per six months.
At the 9/3 meeting the board briefly recapped their discussions about the rates. The board then unanimously voted to raise the rates as discussed.
In another matter Mr. Hobson mentioned that 56 through 66 Green Street floods when it rains and they are not sure what the issue is.
Mr. Furtado said that he would look into it.
Mr. Hobson also mentioned that there is a drain clogged on Starboard Drive. He said he was concerned about the risk of mosquitoes due to the still water.
Mr. Wotton agreed and said that anything to do with mosquitoes is a priority and is not a laughing matter.
In other business, Mr. Wotton said that the state finally cleared up some of the brush and weeds on Route 6. He said he was not pleased at how long it took them to come and not pleased by the job they did, either.
Mr. Wotton said he no longer wants to deal with the state regarding the maintenance on Route 6, he would like to plan a preventive maintenance plan because he is dissatisfied by the lack of attention the state gives to the town.
Having six-foot tall weeds is unacceptable, he said, and he will no longer allow it to happen.
Mr. Wotton said the solution is to be more proactive and less reactive. He said he would like to invest some town money into getting a spray rig for the town trucks with weed killer and go in every six weeks or so and spray all the weeds along Route 6.
Mr. Wotton said over the winter he will be looking into it for next year.
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entire 9/12/19 issue: 09-12-19 ApplePeach
