Fairhaven Board of Public Works members and staff wish Cameron Durant farewell at his last meeting with a fun little photo, L-R Standing: BPW Chairperson Brian Wotton, BPW Office Manager Rebecca Vento, BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado; seated: BPW Vice Chair Robert “Hoppy” Hobson, Mr. Durant. Photo courtesy of BPW member Anne Morton Smith.
By Mary Chasse, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 7/25 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works met with two people about driveway waivers and briefly discussed a project at Memorial Park. The board also thanked board member Cameron Durant for his years of service, as it was his last meeting.
Mr. Durant stated that he was hired as the new Human Resources Director for the town and must leave the BPW.
BPW Vice Chair Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said he wanted to give a big thanks to Mr. Durant for his service to the BPW. He said Mr. Durant will be a huge help to the new Town Administrator, and hopefully Mr. Durant can help the BPW have a good relationship with the new TA.
Mr. Hobson added that Mr. Durant has done a great job and it was great to have a young person on the board. Mr. Hobson told Mr. Durant he is a good guy and he is going to do a great job as HR Director.
Mr. Durant said leaving the BPW was bittersweet and he felt like he could cry.
BPW chairperson Brian Wotton also thanked Mr. Durant for all he has done for the BPW. Mr. Wotton said they need to have the Select Board announce that the BPW is looking for a new board member to replace Mr. Durant and for residents to send in letters of interest.
The board also met with resident Eric Britto about a driveway he was working on without a driveway waiver. Mr. Britto explained that he went before the board previously to ask for a driveway waiver for his driveway on Manhattan Avenue about a year ago. He said he is now working on his driveway on the Bay Street side and he did not realize that he never got a driveway waiver for it. He apologized and said that he thought he got driveway waivers for both.
Mr. Britto said he immediately stopped the project when he got a letter from the town, and went to the BPW office to get all the correct paperwork done. However, he was informed that he had to go before the board. He apologized and said he just wanted to get it all sorted out.
BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado said he remembered Mr. Britto coming in for a driveway waiver for the first side of his driveway.
Mr. Britto said for the first side of the driveway he made it more decorative with cobblestone and pea stone and wanted to do the otherside of the driveway so that they both match. He said he would pay a fine and do what he needs to do to finish the project.
Mr. Wotton said Mr. Britto would need a driveway waiver for the width of the driveway, and he would have to sign paperwork agreeing that it is Mr. Britto’s responsibility if the town damages the cobblestone apron with a plow accidentally.
The board voted unanimously to grant the waiver for a 40 foot opening and a cobblestone apron.
The board also met with Joshua Ferreira about a driveway waiver on Spring Street. Mr. Ferreira said he wanted to extend his driveway and make it into an L-shaped driveway. He said he just wanted to be able to fit least two cars in the driveway.
The board voted unanimously to grant the waiver.
In another matter the board discussed the Conrad Roy lll Memorial 5k Walk/Run. Mr. Furtado explained that they need the approval of the board to allow the organization to use Fort Phoenix. The walk/run will take place on Saturday, 9/10/22, and will start and end at Fort Phoenix from starting at 9 a.m.
BPW Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said the Roys are a great family and they are doing this for their son. He said it is a good thing.
The board approved the event unanimously.
Mr. Furtado also told the board that he has been informed that people would like the paths and sidewalks at Memorial Park to be paved. He said he would look into the cost and see if they could us Community Preservation Act funds for the project. The memorial is on the corner of Green and Union Streets.
In another matter Mr. Furtado said he met with the tree warden and the police chief about standardizing operating procedures for how the tree warden should be notified. He sai he was still waiting for information.
In other business, Mr. Furtado explained that the board needs to figure out what time to have BPW meetings going forward. Board member Marcus Ferro was absent from the meeting again due to his work schedule having changed. Mr. Furtado said the board needs to decide on a time that can work for everyone.
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