Candidate Statements: Fairhaven Select Board

There are three people running two seats on the Fairhaven Select Board in the 6/9/26 issue. Here they are in alphabetical order.

My name is Miles Grant and I’m ask­ing for your vote for Select Board on June 9. I’m running because I want to help make sure the challenges we face are debated thoroughly, collaboratively, and civilly, and are guided by a vision for sustaining Fairhaven as a vibrant community and wonderful place to raise a family. 

I believe in building a brighter future together, and I’ve worked to put those values into action, both as a citizen and as a candidate. As a Planning Board member, I’m working toward bylaw and zoning reform that could encourage growth while main­taining the charm of our historic neigh­bor­hoods. In my advocacy commu­nications career with the Massachusetts-based nonprofit Part­ners In Democracy, I’ve spoken to both Democrats and Republicans to build support for statewide solutions to make our government more open and responsive. 

Talking to Fairhaven residents all across town over the last few months, it’s clear there’s a lack of trust in what happens at Town Hall. My top priority is working to rebuild confidence in town government. No matter what you look at — our schools, safe streets, clean water, responsible growth, and on and on — we aren’t going to solve our problems any other way than by working together.  

We’ve made progress over the last year. I was honored to be among first-time candidates elected in 2025, all driven by genuine commitment to honesty, transparency, and accountability.

We must pair optimism with a clear-eyed view of the challenges we face. Our schools have long been a point of pride across our community, and our students, parents, teachers and staff are doing incredible work. But today we spend less on our schools than our neighbors — in some cases much less. Right now, we’re at risk of falling below the state-mandated annual net school spending requirement, which could have dire consequences.  

We need a long-term solution. I would seek joint meetings between the Select Board and School Committee to make sure our values are aligned, our solutions are coordinated, and our communication to voters is loud, clear, and heard well before the budget is due. Any increase in revenue must be paired with raised expectations, and we must budget with trans­parency and accountability. And while I’m already lobbying for more much-needed local aid, waiting for the state to rescue us is not a plan. 

I believe we don’t have to consign ourselves to a future of less. Our police officers should not have to beg for a roof that doesn’t leak onto their files. Our firefighters deserve better training facilities. And our animal shelter and its dedicated volunteers deserve our support.  

To borrow a line from Teddy Roosevelt, we should strive to turn over Fairhaven to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value. It’s time to turn the page on the politics of division and cronyism that have gripped Town Hall for too long. I hope to prove myself worthy of your trust. 

Pam Kuechler

I am proud to be a life­long resi­dent of Fairhaven, where I have raised my family and dedicated my career to serving our community. I am running for Select Board because I believe in Fairhaven’s future and in our ability to work together to make it stronger. I currently serve as the Executive Director of PACE, Inc., our local Community Action Agency, where I am responsible for a 150 Million dollar budget and 10 distinct programs that address housing and heating needs, early childhood education, workforce development, and food insecurity. Each day, I work to support individuals and families in building stability and creating opportunity. 

My candidacy is grounded in proven leadership and experience. I have served Fairhaven for nearly two decades as a Town Meeting Member. I spent 15 years on the School Commit­tee, helping guide our district from a period of challenge and controversy to one recognized for excellence. As chair for more than half of my tenure, I worked closely with the superin­tendent, fellow committee members, town leadership, and department heads to align priorities and develop responsible budgets. Even when resources were limited, we built strong relationships that allowed us to find solutions supporting students while respecting the needs of other town services. That experience reinforced my belief that progress depends on communication, trust, and collaboration. 

Today, we are at a critical turning point. We face a budget crisis that threatens to erode the progress we have made not only in our schools, but across all town services. The decisions before us will have lasting consequences. Meeting this moment will require creativity, shared responsi­bility, and willingness to work together.

Throughout my 35-year profes­sional career, I have worked with federal, state, and local leaders to advocate for programs that support seniors, strengthen families, and expand access to high-quality early education. This work requires collaborat­ion, problem-solving, and the ability to turn ideas into action, all skills I will bring to the Select Board. 

I believe there is no single solution to the challenges we face. Real progress depends on working together across departments, sectors, and neigh­bor­ing communities to develop thought­ful, practical solutions. Our town administrator deserves strong, con­structive support to build on what is working, improve what is not, and pursue new opportunities that strengthen our financial future. 

Fairhaven is a remarkable commu­nity with tremendous assets, yet in recent years too much energy has been lost to division rather than progress. It is time to refocus on what is possible. By investing in thoughtful planning, strengthening regional part­nerships, and using our Master Plan to guide decisions, we can move forward with clarity and purpose. Setting shared goals will help ensure we remain intentional about our direction. 

Sustained success requires per­sistence. Challenges will arise, but strong leadership means staying focused, adapting when needed, and continuing to move forward. I am ready to hit the ground running on day one, bringing my experience and skills to help build a future that our community deserves. I respectfully ask for your vote on June 9. 

Richard “Rick” Trapilo

Why Vote for Rick Trapilo?

I am ask­ing for your vote to serve on the Fair­haven Select Board. I will bring independent, experienced leader­ship grounded in real-world business discipline.

I will be a business-trained profes­sional on the Select Board who will not default to a Proposition 2½ override as the first solution to our financial challenges. Rather than ask our already overburdened residents to pay more through higher property taxes, fees, utilities, and insurance, I believe we must first fix what is clearly a broken municipal financial model.

I believe the Select Board functions best when its members work together, listen to one another, and partner with the Town Administrator, fellow board members, and residents to achieve practical, lasting solutions. Respectful collaboration and shared responsi­bility are essential to moving Fairhaven forward.

On day one, I will propose both short- and long-term actions.

First, I will propose an Efficiency Working Group made up of volunteer Fairhaven residents with strong financial and operational experience, reporting directly to the Town Administrator. Their mission will be to conduct a comprehensive review of all departments to identify cost savings, eliminate inefficiencies, and introduce innovative strategies. This includes evaluating regionalization, privatiza­tion, and consolidation where appro­priate, always with the goal of maintaining or improving services.

Second, I will propose to continu­ously advocate beyond our town borders. I will work with like-minded municipalities to push our state leaders to return a greater share of the tax dollars we send to Boston. This is our money, and our communities need relief now. Increased state aid can provide critical short-term support.

Finally, we must build a long-term economic growth plan. With guidance from experienced professionals, we can encourage smart residential and commercial development that reflects Fairhaven’s coastal character while strengthening our tax base.

I hold a Master of Business Ad­ministra­tion and have built successful small businesses while leading teams within international corporations. I have managed complex budgets, met payroll, and made difficult decisions to ensure long-term sustainability. I understand revenue strategy, cost control, and accountability, skills essential to guiding Fairhaven through ongoing financial challenges.

My commitment to Fairhaven is already proven. I have served on the Planning Board with professionalism and respect, contributed to regional economic development initiatives, and helped advance the Fairhaven Master Harbor Plan.

My responsibility as Chair of the Atlas Tack Working Group, has led efforts to address one of our most serious environmental challenges in the heart of our community. Spear­heading data-driven collaboration with state and federal agencies, I have worked to protect public health while advancing solutions for long-term cleanup and redevelopment.

If elected, I will continue to be a strong advocate for protecting our harbor and bay, and for holding others accountable for actions that impact our shared natural resources.

Fairhaven needs leadership that listens, acts decisively, and makes fact-based decisions, not political ones. We need leadership that serves all residents.

I will bring to the team common sense, financial experience, and a relentless focus on doing what is right for our community.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

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Click here to download the 5/7/26 issue: 05-07-26 TownMtg

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