By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday, 11/7 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works discussed a wide range of topics, including the hiring of a full-time Sewer System Maintenance worker, sports storage bins at Livesey Park, and the BPW’s contract with ABC Disposal Service.
The president of the Fairhaven youth football and cheer, John Alves, met with the board to discuss adding more storage at Livesey park. Mr. Alves explained to the board that the youth football team currently has one metal storage container that holds the equipment for game days.
He told the board that the team needs another storage bin to hold all the equipment. He asked the board if they would allow him to put another storage bin next to the current one.
Mr. Alves admitted that the metal storage bins are unappealing to the park atmosphere. He said maybe adding someone trees or shrubbery around them would help them blend in with the park better.
The board agreed that youth sports activities are important and should be accommodated for.
Board member, Robert “Hoppy” Hobson suggested moving the storage bins after the football season is over.
Mr. Alves said the season only runs from August to mid November.
Mr. Hobson suggested they leave the bins at the park for those four months, then move them and store at them the BPW building until the bins are needed again the following August.
Public Works Superintendent, Vincent Furtado explained that Mr. Alves would have to sign an agreement just in case the storage bins got damaged while being stored in the BPW building.
“Is it going to open a can of worms,” board member, Kathy Sturtevant questioned.
“I am absolutely for the kids,” she said, but added that she was concerned that more sports teams and programs would want to store things.
“The metal container is a temporary fix,” said BPW chairperson Michael Ristuccia
He explained that adding another storage container for now will work, but in the meantime a long-term fix should be in progress.
At a previous meeting, board member arrod Lusier had brought up the issue of the storage bins at Livesey Park. Mr. Lusier had mentioned revamping an old storage building that is currently unused at the park.
The board asked Mr. Alves if renovating the old storage building and sharing it with all Fairhaven youth sports and other programs would be something he would be interested in.
Mr. Alves agreed that renovating the building for storage for everyone to use would be great for the park.
Mr. Lussier suggested to cut costs on renovating the building they should contact NB Voc-Tech to see if it is a good project for students to work on.
Mr. Ristuccia said that he had spoken with an engineer that is willing to do the work with little to no cost. He also suggested to Mr. Alves that maybe the football and cheer teams could have a fundraiser to raise money for the renovation of the building.
The board voted to allow Mr. Alves to add an extra storage container for a short time, while they work on renovating the building for storage.
In another matter the board held interviews for a full time Sewer System maintenance worker. The board interviewed two part-time employees that have been working in the sewer department for about three and a half months. The two candidates for the position, Tom Botelho and Nick Parker, both started working for the department around the same time and showed equal amount of experience.
Mr. Furtado explained that both candidates were hired as part-time employees, but now there is one full-time spot open.
“I wish we had two positions open, because I would recommend both of them,” Mr. Furtado said.
Mr. Hobson told Mr. Botelho and Mr. Parker that they need to start working on getting their water treatment licenses within six months to a year.
“I’m eager to get all the licenses. I am willing and I want to,” said Mr. Boelho.
Mr. Furtado explained to the board that both Mr. Parker and Mr. Botelho came to his office last week. Mr. Furtado explained that he has already begun teaching Mr. Parker and Mr. Botelho and will continue to, so they can get their licenses as soon as possible.
Sewer Department Superintendent, Linda Schick attended the meeting to support both of her employees.
“They are both a breath of fresh air,” Ms. Schick said. “I would hire them both tonight.”
Mr. Ristuccia agreed, but said “we can’t hire both, we only have one full-time opening right now.”
“No matter who gets hired, don’t feel discouraged, because we will find a place for you,” Mr. Ristuccia said.
Ms. Schick asked the board if regardless of who gets the full-time position, if it would be possible to give both men a raise because they are such great employees. She informed the board that both men were making $12/hour currently.
The board agreed that both men should get a raise to $15/hour.
When the interviews ended Mr. Botelho and Mr. Parker left the room.
Mr. Wotton explained that the only thing that stood out between the two guys was that Mr. Botelho started working a couple days before Mr. Parker.
Board members agreed that both candidates were great employees and had an equal amount of experience and passion for the job.
A motion was made to hire Mr. Botelho for the full-time position; it was seconded and agreed upon by everyone except Mr. Lussier.
Mr. Lussier explained to the board that he felt Mr. Parker spoke in a more detailed way about his experience than Mr. Botelho did. But Mr. Lussier agreed that both men were great for the position.
Mr. Botelho was hired.
In another matter, Mr. Furtado informed the board that on November 14 the support beam for the Causeway Bridge will be delivered and workers will begin. The traffic will be restricted to one lane until the work is finished.
Mr. Ristuccia also informed the board that he is making plans to meet with ABC Disposal to discuss their contract. He said that ABC has been picking up all kinds of trash that is not supposed to be picked up. ABC has also not been using their new garbage truck to pick up trash. Mr. Ristuccia said that the town is losing money because of it and recycling has gone way down. He hopes to meet with ABC Disposal before the next meeting.
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