By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 1/20/26, the Fairhaven Select Board approved the appointment of Bruce Cabral as Principal Assessor. Town Administrator, Keith Hickey, said the screening committee forwarded two names to him. He met with both candidates and said he was “very pleased” to recommend Mr. Cabral.
Mr. Hickey also said the tentative start date is 2/9, but that Mr. Cabral wants to get started sooner. He may go in for a day or so before the 2/9 official start date.
Mr. Cabral expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. He said he was eager to start working “in this beautiful community.”
Select Board Vice Chair, Andrew Romano, who ran the meeting because Chairperson Charles Murphy joined remotely, said the committee received 11 or 12 resumes. They spent “multiple days” going through them. Mr. Romano said he was impressed by Mr. Cabral’s application.
SB member Natalie Mello echoed that sentiment, saying “I’m very impressed by your credentials and you’ll be a great addition to the team.”
Mr. Romano thanked former assessor Joanne Correia who has already started a new job, but has been working in Fairhaven after hours to keep things going in the Assessors Office.
Mr. Romano said she was instrumental in giving the town time to find someone.
Mr. Cabral is a Massachusetts accredited assessor, and has worked as an assessor or assistant assessor in six Mass. municipalities. He is also a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser. He earned a BS from Bentley College in 1986. Mr. Cabral is currently the Assistant Assessor in Falmouth. He previously served as Director of Assessing in Bourne.
The board voted unanimously to approve the appointment.
SB member Keith Silvia joined the meeting late, after the vote; SB member Andrew Saunders did not attend.
In another matter the board approved two requests by Alyssa Botelho, Director of Tourism, Community & Economic Development, to celebrate Fairhaven’s 214th birthday at an event on 2/22/26.
Ms. Botelho said the event, an outdoor celebration, will be held on the date of Fairhaven’s incorporation as a town in 1812. The event is designed as a “relaxed, family-friendly winter event.”
The outdoor event will be held in front of Town Hall, or inside if there is inclement weather. It will include vendors, food trucks, community groups with tables, fire pits with s’mores, music and a tented gathering area. There may also be a few appearances by notable Fairhaven historical figures to “add a fun, educational element.”
The board approved a one day alcohol license, and permission to change the clock tower lights to blue and white that day.
In other business the board:
• Approved a one-day alcohol license at St. Joseph School on 2/11, for the PTO’s charcuterie making event.
• Approved use of the town hall for the Fairhaven Scholars for Dollars Awards Ceremony on May 20.
• Approved the release of the executive session minutes from 1/12/26.
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Click here to download the 1/22/26 issue: 01-22-26 Snow
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