By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 5/17 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works hired a Heavy Motor Equipment Operator, and discussed a water and sewer abatement with a town resident.
BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado announced to the board that the new Sewer Superintendent, Rene Robillard, was again not able to make the meeting because he is still ill.
Mr. Furtado suggested that the board still set Mr. Robillard’s salary at the meeting even though Mr. Robillard was not able to make it.
Board member Cameron Durant asked if there was something else Mr. Robillard wanted to discuss with the board.
Mr. Furtado said that Mr. Robillard just wanted to introduce himself to the board and the town.
BPW Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said that Mr. Robillard has worked for the Sewer Department for 30 years and deserves to start as Superintendent on Step Four of the salary scale.
The board voted unanimously to set Mr. Robillard’s salary at Grade 20, Step Four.
In another matter the board voted to keep Mr. Hobson as the BPW representative on the Marine Resources Committee. BPW Board member Frank Coelho said he was not interested in being on the Marine Resources Committee anymore, because he had finished all his projects with them.
The board voted unanimously for Mr. Hobson to remain the Marine Resources Committee representative.
In another matter the board interviewed Jared Amaral for Heavy Motor Equipment Operator.
Mr. Furtado said he highly recommended Mr. Amaral and Highway Superintendent John Charbonneau did, too.
Mr. Amaral said he had 18 years experience as a machinist, and has been working with trees the last few years.
Board member Marcus Ferro said he trusted the recommendations of Mr. Furtado and Mr. Charbonneau.
Mr. Hobson said he was very impressed by Mr. Amaral, and someone like him would be good for the department.
The board voted unanimously to hire Mr. Amaral as HMEO.
The board also met with resident Derek Camara about a water abatement on Sebec Street.
Mr. Furtado explained that Mr. Camara had an unusually high water bill due to a toilet leak recently. Mr. Furtado explained that water abatements are not allowed, but there could be a possibility of a sewer abatement.
Mr. Camara said he was just looking for some help and that he had no idea there was a toilet leak until he got the high water bill from the town. When he saw the bill, he went looking for a leak and found one in his toilet.
Mr. Camara said that there has to be something the board can do and that he is just looking for some compassion. He also said if the town issued water bills more frequently he would have been able to catch the leak sooner.
Mr. Furtado explained that the new water meter system will be able to detect a leak much quicker.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton asked Mr. Camara if he has a bill from a licensed plumber that fixed the toilet to prove he had a leak,
Mr. Camara said he fixed the toilet himself but he has his bank statements that will show the parts he purchased to fix the toilet.
Mr. Wotton explained that if Mr. Camara brings in those documents and they can prove that it was leak and did not go through the sewer, Mr. Camara might be able to get an abatement for the sewer.
Mr. Wotton said abatements for water do not happen.
Mr. Durant explained that the water was used and was paid for by the town, so it does not matter that it was a leak; the water was still used, which is why they cannot give water abatements.
Mr. Hobson said he sympathizes with Mr. Camara, but there is nothing they can do about the water.
Mr. Wotton said again that if Mr. Camara can bring in his bank statements showing he fixed a leak and that they can prove it did not go down the sewer then they can possibly give a sewer abatement. Mr. Camara said he would get the documents the board needs for the next meeting.
Mr. Furtado also announced that Town Beach stickers are officially on sale.
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