By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Tuesday 3/9 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works discussed roadwork on Billy’s Way with concerned neighbors, and finance issues with upcoming roadwork. The board also discussed presenting an article at Town Meeting that would make the Tree Warden position appointed instead of elected.
The board first met with with Alain Lachet and Jean Pierre Lachet via Zoom about roadwork and drainage issues on Billy’s Way.
Superintendent Vinnie Furtado explained that Billy’s Way was approved to be paved and to receive new drainage, but for the project to happen Conservation Commission requires that some had to boulders be removed. Ms. Pierre said that they had told the ConCom that they would like the boulders to be put back after the work was done.
Mr. Furtado said the boulders were not put back and to do that the BPW needed to vote to send him back to ConCom to ask for approval.
Board member Frank Coelho asked if the Lachet family can go in front of ConCom to ask for the rocks. Mr. Furtado explained that because the appeal period is over, the BPW is supposed to ask.
BPW Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said he thought it was ridiculous to send Mr. Furtado in front of ConCom for a rock. Mr. Hobson said it was just a rock and it did not mean anything.
BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton said he agreed with Mr. Hobson.
Mr. Coelho said there should be a way that the neighbors can go in front of ConCom, that they should have the right to ask for the rock back. He said the issue has nothing to do with the BPW. Mr. Hobson agreed with Mr. Coelho.
“I’m good with that,” Mr. Hobson said. “Let them go to Con Com, not us.”
After some back and forth and competing motions, the board voted to ask the neighbors to go to ConCom and if they are unsuccessful, the board will send Mr. Furtado.
In another matter Mr. Furtado informed the board that he would be submitting an article to Town Meeting that will make the Tree Warden position an appointed position rather than elected. He said that article will just be the first step in trying to get the Tree Warden position to be run by the BPW.
Mr. Furtado explained that with the budget cuts this year that it is not the right time for the BPW to take on the Tree Department, but the article will start the process for the change.
Mr. Hobson asked if they could remove the Tree Warden for being incompetent. Mr. Furtado said that they cannot do that because the Tree Warden is elected. If the BPW wants the Tree Warden position to be part of the department, then changing the position to an appointed position is the first step.
Mr. Hobson said that making the Tree Warden position appointed is not going to help. He said that two out the three Selectboard members could appoint the same person. Mr. Furtado said the Selectboard could appoint the BPW to take over the Tree Warden position.
“Or they could not,” Mr. Hobson said. “You got two Selectmen don’t like the BPW and after last week they ain’t too happy with us.”
In another matter the board discussed the idea of the BPW independent study again. Mr. Furtado said he received a significantly smaller quote for a less in depth financial study for the department.
The study would be for 1-2 days and would focus on touring each department, looking at documents and the five-year capital plan, and speaking with employees.
Mr. Furtado said after the company reviews everything they would present a summary to the BPW, including ways they can save money. It would take the company about five weeks to complete the work and it would cost $4500.
Mr. Hobson said it was a waste of money. Mr. Coelho said it was a reasonable price compared to the other companies they have looked at.
Mr. Durant said that it was a good price, but the study is not as in depth. The first proposal they received was too in depth and this proposal seemed too narrow of a focus.
Mr. Wotton said he thought this study could be good, but the BPW does not have the money right now. He suggested that the board revisit this study in about six months, and the board voted to do that.
At that point Mr. Wotton explained that this is the time in the meeting for residents to speak up about any things they are concerned about in town, but no one ever comes forward. He said the BPW is more than happy to help with anything, but the board cannot help if the residents do not tell them.
“For all you Facebook complainers, this would be the time that you want to get that Facebook complaint out there,” Mr. Wotton said. “Call us!”
Mr. Wotton said that he and other members monitor Facebook pages as well as they can but… “some we are blocked from because we know the truth.”
“So, if you have anything, Facebook complaining gets you nowhere,” Mr. Wotton said, adding that residents should call into the meeting or contact a board member.
Mr. Furtado also told the board that he met with the Finance Committee about last year’s roadwork that was not able to get done because of a typo in the Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Furtado said he is pretty sure they will get the money to do last year’s roads, as well as this year’s.
At the meeting they did give him a hard time and made getting the money for last year’s roads look “iffy”, but he said he believes they will get it.
“If we don’t get the money I really hope the residents in town throw their hands up because that’s $340,000 gone from someone’s typo,” Mr. Wotton said. “Those roads did not get paved because someone made a typo in the town warrant.”
Mr. Wotton said FinCom approved the money and now they are trying to take that money away from residents.
“If that doesn’t make you furious, I don’t know what does,” Mr. Wotton said. “Like I said I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to protect you, speak up for you, and to do the right things for this town.
Mr. Wotton said he wants residents to be aware of things that are happening in town.
“Some people say I’m crazy, but I’ll tell you what, I got 50 messages from last meeting thanking me for speaking my mind,” Mr. Wotton said. “I’m here to represent you and make sure this town is taken care of because I want my kids to live in a great community that I grew up in.”
“These things they are doing behind closed doors…it is what is starting to make this town butt heads with everybody,” Mr. Wotton said. “Can’t you see it…do you see it yet…its happening, open your eyes.”
“Mr. Furtado has been fighting for this town for a long time,” Mr. Wotton said “He’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met and we really appreciate you around here.”
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