By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday, 2/5 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works met with a few residents about issues they have with the FY19 choices for road work. The aboard also discussed plans for the recycling center.
Vice Chair Brian Wotton chaired the meeting because because chairperson Mike Ristuccia was absent.
The board first met with Fairhaven resident Joan Joseph who lives on Sconticut Neck Road on the corner of Billy’s Way.
The BPW recently voted to have Billy’s Way paved in their FY19 road work funds, which will be voted on at town meeting. BPW Superintendent Vincent Furtado said that Billy’s Way had been petitioned to be paved for the last four years and when the residents of the street petitioned again this year the BPW figured it was a good time to finally pave the road.
Ms. Joseph explained that the two residents that petitioned to have the road paved are only two people of at least five that live on Billy’s Way. Ms. Joseph and two other Billy’s Way residents are very much against the road being paved.
Ms. Joseph said they were not notified that Billy’s Way was being voted to get paved and did not find out until the BPW voted to recommend the road.
She said she bought her land 31 years ago because she liked the dirt road with its beachy feel. Ms. Joseph said that the residents who bought their houses on a dirt road knew what they were getting into when they moved there.
She also said there really was no need for the road to be paved because there are no water drainage issues.
She explained that one of her main concerns about paving the road would be the speed of the drivers. Even now, on a dirt road, people speed down the street. She said that if the road were paved people would most likely speed even more.
Ms. Joseph explained that she wanted to ask the board if there is anyway the BPW could withdraw their vote for Billy’s Way.
Board member Brian Wotton explained that the vote was just a recommendation for Town Meeting, so the road is not officially getting paved yet.
Board member Robert “Hoppy” Hobson suggested that residents go to Town Meeting and speak on the issue; maybe the Town Meeting members will take their side.
Board member Cameron Durant explained that 75% of the residents on a road need to be in favor.
Mr. Wotton agreed with Mr. Durant saying that two houses on the street want it paved and three do not, which makes Ms. Joseph and the other residents against paving, the majority.
Administrative Assistant Kathy Tripp suggested the BPW send a letter to the Selectboard to see if they can withdraw the road because 75% of the abutters do not want it to be paved.
Mr. Furtado said he believed he could pull the recommendation, but he is not sure which street the board would like to add in its place.
In another matter the board met with Fairhaven resident Ellen Ouellette of Billy’s Way about dirty water. Ms. Ouellette brought a jar of brown water to the board to show them what had come out of her faucet.
Mr. Wotton explained that when a resident notices dirty water like that they should immediately call the town, which will then come and flush out the hydrants.
Mr. Wotton said residents should not open the faucet or use hot water because it will only allow more dirty water in.
He said that the water is treated in Mattapoisett, but the pipes in town are 100 years old and sometimes have a break, which can cause dirty water The town does not have the money to replace all the pipes.
Mr. Furtado said that in July they plan to start a new flush program to flush the whole town.
In another matter Mr. Wotton said that they need to discuss plans about moving the recycling center to make room for the upcoming nitrogen permit upgrade that is needed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mr. Wotton said that the Public Works property on Bridge Street seems like the only option of where the recycling center could be relocated.
Mr. Furtado said that the town currently has a study being conducted, which is looking at all the buildings in town, so he could ask them what a good destination for the recycling center would be.
Mr. Wotton said that they need to come up with a plan. He said the Town of Dartmouth has a $100,000 tub grinder that grinds their debris into wood chips, which they sell. He told the board that Dartmouth makes a good profit from their recycling center, which is something the Fairhaven BPW should consider.
Mr. Hobson also mentioned that he believed the recycling center should be open year round for the last Saturdays of each month, which would be 12 Saturdays.
“I’m just looking out for the people who work all week,’ Mr. Hobson said.
Ms. Tripp suggested maybe just closing the recycling center for Saturdays during January and February.
Mr. Hobson agreed that that would be a good idea for next year.
In another matter, Mr. Durant suggested the board start a subcommittee to help find grants and funding for the Sewer Department upgrades and the nitrogen permit costs.
Mr. Wotton suggested two people from the board be on the subcommittee, one being Mr. Durant.
The board tabled the discussion for the next meeting when BPW Chairperson Mike Ristuccia would be present.
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