By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 8/3/26, the Fairhaven Board of Public Works approved a request by Southcoast Mobile Fitness to place a portable toilet at Cushman Park.
The organization uses the park for classes on Sunday mornings.
Peter Masciantonio told the board that although they have access to the permanent facilities at the park, they are far away from where the organization holds its classes.
Mr. Masciantonio said he is grateful to be allowed to be in Fairhaven. He said they had 100 people the weekend before.
Mr. Masciantonio and John Morin, also discussed different programming plans with the board. The organization hopes to have some children programming.
They said they hope to organize a wellness weekend that would include a road race/walk, food trucks, activities, etc. The board directed them to other town departments to get permitting.
In another matter, the board held off on voting on a request by the Fairhaven Pickleball Association (FPA) and the Fairhaven Tennis Association (FTA) to make changes to the scope of work slated to take place at Livesey Park.
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) approved funds for repairs and resurfacing for the basketball courts and pickleball/ tennis courts.
As the town was preparing the Request for Proposals, the organization kept changing the scope of the project. They said they would pay the difference, according to BPW Superintendent, Vinnie Furtado, and Highway Superintendent, Josh Crabb.
However, it became a bit unclear if the group wanted simply to add to the scope of the project, or if they wanted to change the parameters of the grant-funded project.
The board decided to hold off on voting until they could get clarification from the group on exactly what changes they want to make to the CPC-approved project.
In a follow-up phone interview, Mr. Furtado said his department would send a letter to the FTA and FPA recommending that they go back to the Community Preservation Committee to inform them of any possible changes to the scope of the project to make sure they are in compliance with the parameters of the grant.
CPC grants are funded by a surcharge on property taxes. All projects are discussed in a public hearing and must be approved by the CPC and by Town Meeting.
The board also heard from residents during the public comment period.
James Anderson addressed the board about an increase in accidents on the bike path, which is being resurfaced.
Mr. Anderson read a letter from Mary Lahota, who crashed due to the drop-off where the newly applied asphalt layer ends. It is a drop-off of several inches.
Ms. Lahota has required surgery, a plate and screws.
“Our once safe path is now a dangerous path,” said Mr. Anderson, quoting from the letter.
BPW Chairperson, Brian Wotton, said the bike path is an “active construction site,” and the work is not done. He said the drop off will have loam and grass seed and slope down and be graded from the top of the pavement.
“The job is not done,” he said.
The only option would be to close it for the whole project.
Mr. Furtado said the job will be finished on 8/18 unless rainy weather causes delays.
He also said that as soon as he heard about the accident, he and Mr. Crabb added 25 signs warning of the danger.
BPW member, Robert “Hoppy” Hobson, said there is construction on roads all the time and they don’t shut down the roads.
“I feel sorry for the lady,” said Mr. Hobson.
Mr. Wotton reiterated that there are signs “all over the place” and cones and barrels, so people use it at their own risk.
“Then the job is done I promise you it’s going to be the best bike path you‘ve eve seen,” said Mr. Wotton.
“It sounds like you are blaming the victims here,” said Mr. Anderson.
When Mr. Wotton reiterated that the work was not complete, Mr. Anderson said, “who the F—- would know that?”
Mr. Wotton shut him off from speaking via his remote connection.
“Because of your swearing,” said Mr. Wotton.
The board also heard from John Medeiros who wants to have the Rogers Bell restored so it can be displayed.
The town has two historic bells in storage, under the custodial care of the BPW. One is from the Oxford School. That bell has been authenticated as made by Paul Revere’s company and is very valuable. The Oxford Bell will be displayed in a secure setting on the lawn of the Town Hall after the work is done on the retaining wall.
There are no plans, however, for the bell that was in the Roger School. Mr. Medeiros is hoping to get permission to have it included in parades and other town events.
He showed the board an article and other information from a bell on Cuttyhunk that he played an instrumental role in refurbishing, that was then placed on a trailer and included in parades.
Mr. Medeiros said the town of Fairhaven can do the same with the Rogers Bell. It does not have to be a Revere Bell to be a valuable artifact.
Mr. Wotton said the board would gladly house the bell or move the bell, but they had no authority over it. The Select Board has jurisdiction over the bell.
The board also gave permission to the Greater New Bedford Garden Club to maintain some plantings at the Old Stone Schoolhouse. A representative of the club said some of the trees were donated by the club, but have been neglected for years. The BPW approved the request, on the condition that the Historical Commission has no objection.
The board also approved some change orders and a work change directive for work being done at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the wells in Mattapoisett.
The board also approved David Quintal, JDQ Excavating to work in the town layout as a drainlayer.
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