By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday 11/30 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works discussed landscaper/contractor permit fees for the recycling center for 2021, voted on a water meter tampering policy, and briefly discussed the process for the BPW to take over the Tree Department.
The board first met with professional landscaper Matt Paulson who was concerned about the increase in fees for the recycle center. He said he heard the fee could go as high as $500 and he and many other landscapers in town were wondering why.
Mr. Paulson said with COVID restrictions, it has been hard to get to the recycling center. He thought maybe they would get money fees discounted, not raised.
BPW Superintendent Vinnie Furtado explained that at this time of year they always discuss raising fees and the board felt like they had to raise all the permit fees, not just the landscaper fee because the recycling center did not bring in enough money to cover the costs of running it. The board felt the landscaper increase would be fair because it is a one-time fee whereas other municipalities charge by the load.
Mr. Paulson agreed that a one-time fee is cheaper and said that he understands raising the costs. His issue, he said, is that center’s hours are inconvenient. He has to wait until the next day sometimes because it closes too early.
Vice-Chairperson Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said he pushed to extend the recycling center hours on Wednesdays in the winter, and they would love to have it open every day, but the town needs a new recycling center first. He said there is not enough room and the town is not making enough money to hire an employee to work there full-time.
Mr. Furtado explained that the fees only cover the cost of operating the recycling center.
Mr. Hobson said he understood that waiting can mess up the jobs for the next day. Board member Frank Coelho agreed, stating that when they relocate the recycling center they will, hopefully, be able to expand the hours of operation.
Mr. Paulson suggested in the future possibly allowing out-of-town landscapers to purchase a permit, but at a higher price. Mr. Furtado said there is not enough capacity now, but when the town expands the center there might be.
Chairperson Brian Wotton suggested they consider keeping the center open for an extra 45 minutes for contractors only, when they discuss spring hours.
In another matter, Mr. Furtado announced that he received new information about the BPW independent study an hour before the meeting. He received a detailed plan from the engineering company explaining the different areas the company would be evaluating to help the BPW save money.
Mr. Furtado gave each board member the information, but the did not have time to read it before the meeting. Mr. Furtado explained that there are quite a few areas in the plan that he feels are not necessary to be included in the study. The plan the company proposed would cost $23,200. Mr. Furtado said he thought the scope of the plan should be smaller.
“Where are we going to get the money,” Mr. Hobson asked, and suggested getting a grant.
Mr. Furtado said they would have to put an article in at Town Meeting.
Board member Marcus Ferro asked Mr. Furtado if he thought the study was worth it.
Mr. Furtado said he did not think it was worth it to do a $23,000 study, but possibly do a scaled down study. He said the BPW is not wasting money because there are rules and laws about town spending, but there might be small ways they could be saving money in some areas.
The board will discuss it at another meeting.
Mr. Furtado also presented two water meter tampering policies to be voted on. Policy A would define what tampering means, and imposes a $1,000 fine to anyone who tampers with a water meter resulting in a reduced water bill.
Policy B would state everything from policy A, but the fine would be $500–$1000 and the board would be able to choose the fine based on the evidence of tampering that is presented in each individual’s case.
Mr. Hobson said he thought the fine should be $1,000 no matter what.
“I don’t care if it’s my daughter or my friend,” Mr. Hobson said. “You turn the meter around and get caught, you pay.”
Mr. Ferro said he did not want to take the board’s discretion away, adding in most cases the fine should be $1,000, but it would be good to have the discretion if there is a case that is not malicious.
Mr. Coelho said the fee should be the same no matter what. For example, he said, if the town administrator was caught tampering, maybe the board would only fine him $500 to stay on his good side, but if a known troublemaker was caught the board would charge the full $1,000 fine.
Board member Cameron Durant said he agreed with Mr. Ferro that the board’s discretion was important, but if they leave the fine up to the board’s discretion, the board takes the responsibility of being fair and equitable.
Mr. Hobson made a motion to accept policy A, which is a set fine of $1,000. Mr. Coelho seconded the motion with Mr. Wotton, Mr. Durant, and Mr. Ferro against.
Mr. Ferro made a motion to accept policy B. The motion passed with Mr. Wotton and Mr. Durant also in favor and Mr. Hobson and Mr. Coelho against.
In another matter the board briefly discussed a conversation they had in a previous executive session about the possibility of the BPW taking over the Tree Department.
Mr. Furtado said he spoke with town counsel and he said the board would have to submit an article to town meeting.
Mr. Hobson said if the board wants to take the department over then they should include the town manager and the Selectboard in the decision/discussion.
Mr. Furtado said they also need to include the tree warden.
Mr. Ferro said that the board has discussed taking over the Tree Department in response to residents asking the BPW about tree issues so frequently. He said many residents want the BPW to be in charge of trees.
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