By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday, 12/30, the Fairhaven Board of Public Works discussed the winter hours for the Recycling Center, and scheduling for the Cable Access Channel.
The board first met with Raymond Arruda about his sewer system on Akin Street. BPW Superintendent Vincent Furtado explained that there is an extension fee and a development fee for adding Mr. Arruda’s residence into the sewer system.
Mr. Furtado explained that Mr. Arruda would not being having the sewer extended therefore Mr. Arruda came to ask to have the extension fee waived.
Mr. Furtado said that Mr. Arruda should only have to pay the development fee because he is not extending the sewer.
The board voted unanimously to waive the sewer extension fee.
In another matter BPW member Cameron Durant asked Mr. Furtado about the upcoming park budget modifications.
Mr. Furtado said that the budget has not been determined yet, but that they will be asking for a higher budget than they currently have.
Board member Robert “Hoppy” Hobson brought up the issue o the new recycling center hours. He sid residents will need a new recycling sticker after January 1st.
Mr. Furtado also explained that the new winter hours for the recycling center are half days on Wednesdays and the second and fourth Saturday of every month.
Mr. Hobson also mentioned that neighbors around Hiller Avenue and Timothy Street are concerned about a new housing development being proposed. He said neighbors have asked him why trees are being cut down and how many houses are being built. Mr. Furtado said he would find out about the situation.
Mr. Hobson also asked about the uniforms for town workers. He said he noticed a lot of workers walking around with old dirty sweatshirts.
Mr. Furtado said that the employees receive 11 shirts and pants and can opt to change out some shirts for sweatshirts or buy extra. He said the employees are responsible for washing them, but some of the stains that happen on the job are hard to get out.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton mentioned that depending on the job an employee is doing that day they may opt to wear an already dirty or worn out uniform that way a newer/cleaner one does not get ruined by a dirty job site.
Mr. Hobson also asked Mr. Furtado if the board could meet with the Cable Access Channel director to discuss the scheduling of BPW meetings running on Channel 18, the government access channel
Mr. Hobson explained that the BPW meetings never air at an appropriate time on TV. He said the channel plays the BPW meetings at 2 a.m.. when no one can watch them.
The only meetings that are shown between 6 and 10 p.m. are the Selectboard and the Planning board, said Mr. Hobson.
Mr. Furtado said he would contact the CAC director when he returns from vacation.
Mr. Wotton took a vote for the meeting to adjourn and to move into executive session to discuss the BPW taking over the tree department.
Mr. Hobson refused to vote to go to an executive session because he wanted to discuss the tree warden issues in open session.
Mr. Wotton informed Mr. Hobson that they cannot discuss the tree warden issues without the presence of Town Administrator Mark Rees.
Mr. Hobson said then he would just make a motion.
Mr. Hobson made a motion to add an article to town meeting suggesting that the BPW be in charge of the tree warden/tree department.
Mr. Wotton said he could not make a motion because it was not on the agenda.
Mr. Wotton made another motion to adjourn the meeting and go into executive session to discuss the tree warden for the second time. All were in a favor except Mr. Hobson.
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