By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday, 8/21 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works discussed a driveway violation and hiring an engineering company.
The board met with Tammy Lemaire from Reis Asphalt about a driveway violation at 44 Grandview Avenue.
Board member Robert “Hoppy” Hobson explained that Reis Asphalt built a second driveway on the property without getting a permit, and that it is a $300 fine for an illegal driveway. He said that Reis Asphalt is on the approved contractor list for the town, therefore they should have known better and gotten a permit for the driveway beforehand.
“Next time it will be a $500 to $1000 fine,” Mr. Hobson said. “Or take you off the list.”
Board member Brian Wotton explained that there will be a $300 fine for Reis Asphalt and a $300 fine for the homeowner. He said that Reis Asphalt can eat the extra $300 and just pay the homeowner’s fine as well, in which case Reis Asphalt will be charged the $600 and the homeowners will not be fined.
Ms. Lemaire agreed that Reis Asphalt would pay the $600 with no charge to the homeowner.
BPW Chairperson Michael Ristuccia asked the board if anyone had viewed the new driveway.
Mr. Hobson explained that he has seen the driveway.
“Looks good,” Mr. Hobson said. “We would have approved it.”
Mr. Wotton made a motion to assess a $600 fine to Reis Asphalt and if there is a secondary offense, they could be removed from the contractor list.
The motion passed unanimously.
Board member Cameron Durant suggested they look into other areas like Dartmouth and New Bedford compare how much they fine for similar violations. The board agreed to research fines from surrounding municipalities.
In another matter, the board discussed proposals for water discharge permit negotiations with the federal Evironmenal Protection Agency and the Mass. Departmtent of Environmental Protection.
BPW Superintendent Vincent Furtado told the board that they are looking to hire an engineering company to help with upcoming E.P.A negotiations He said an engineering company is needed to help explain and present the science to the E.P.A.
Mr. Furtado explained that he and Sewer Department Superintendent Linda Schick interviewed engineering companies back in March. Mr. Furtado said that both he and Ms. Schick liked Tighe and Bond Inc. (T&B).
Hiring Tighe and Bond Inc. to help with negotiations will help the town get what is necessary for the wastewater treatment plant, said Mr. Furtado. The contract with T&B would not exceed $15,000 and could save the town millions.
Mr. Durant asked Mr. Furtado if the town would also need legal counsel for the negotiations. Mr. Furtado explained that the town will also have environmental legal counsel.
He said the board will have to hire Stantec, a design engineering firm, to be at the negotiations, as well, because Stantec will need to know what to design in regards to the treatment plant. The Stantec contract will not exceed $10,000, said Mr. Furtado.
Town Meeting has already appropriated the money.
The board voted unanimously to hire both firms.
In another matter, Karen Vilandry attended the meeting because she wanted to discuss the issues at Cooke Park and to show the board some documents.
Mr. Wotton was going to make a motion to reopen the Cooke Park discussion, but was interrupted by Mr. Ristuccia and Mr. Hobson. They both explained that the Cooke Park issue could not be discussed because it was not on the agenda.
Mr. Hobson said that people who do not agree or want to speak on the issue were not present.
Mr. Furtado explained that no decision can be made about Cooke Park until an archeological consultant is hired to investigate, therefore there would be no reason to discuss Cooke Park anyway.
The board suggested if Ms. Vilandry wanted to discuss Cooke Park, she should ask for it to be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
After the meeting adjourned, Ms. Vilandry continued to try to engage in conversation with board members, and presented them with paperwork.
Mr. Ristuccia again stopped her and insisted that if she wanted to discuss Cooke Park, it would have to be on the agenda.
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