By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on Monday, 11/8/21, the Fairhaven Select Board discussed the Town Administrator search, saying they were on track to interview candidates within the next two to three weeks, and hopefully hire someone who could start as soon as mid-December. The board also announced that the legislation changing the board to a five-member body has been signed by the governor.
Select Board chairperson Bob Espindola told the board that the Collins Center informed the board that the screening committee has chosen finalists for the board to interview for the Town Administrator position. The Collins Center is still conducting background checks on the candidates, but should be ready with the names soon. He said the board would probably need to set up a special meeting for the interviews.
Mr. Espindola thanked screening committee members by name for their work.
SB member Stasia Powers said it was a “good group of people,” adding, “Well done.”
SB member Keith Silvia recused himself and left the room for the discussion due to a conflict of interest as his wife is the Council on Aging Director and the TA is her direct supervisor.
In another matter, the board approved the Seasonal Population Increase Estimation Form to be sent to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Attorney John Markey spoke to the board, explaining how he estimated the increase in seasonal population, using the 2010 census and information from the two hotels and one B&B. Based on that information, he estimated a population increase of 1,570.
The form will be submitted with the annual filing to the ABCC. It will allow the Select Board to add seasonal liquor licenses. Filing the form does not automatically grant the licenses, it just gives the town the option to do so.
Mr. Markey said the seasonal licenses will not affect the number of marijuana facilities allowed because that is based on package stores.
The board also discussed next steps for the Broadband Committee’s work to get a town owned fiber optic system in town.
A pilot project would be first, with three access buildings and up to 100 homes volunteering to test out the system. The final system would be six stations to be able to provide service to every home in town. The consultant is in the process of identifying town owned buildings and properties that are suitable for the project.
The whole project would cost $21 million, but costs to individual home owners would depend on how many people opt into the system. The plan is to get a private entity to build out the system.
Mr. Espindola said the service would still be cheaper than the currently available internet access in Fairhaven, and it would be much faster. Estimated cost per household is about $4,000, that could be spread out over 10 years.
Mr. Espindola also told the board that the town was officially notified that the governor signed the legislation changing the SB from three to five members. He also said Acting Town Clerk Linda Fredette informed the board that the change can take place for the April election. She submitted a list of questions and answers explaining the process.
In April three seats will be up for election: the seat that is expiring in 2022 and the two new seats.
The new expiration dates will be determined by number of votes. The person with the most votes will receive a three-year term, the second a two-year term, the third a one-year term. After that all seats on the board will have three year terms.
At the special town meeting in February, an article will be submitted to allocate funds for the two new positions.
The board acknowledged the work of state Sen. Mark Montigny and state Rep. William Straus in pushing the legislation through so quickly in the legislature; and town moderator Mark Sylvia who also wrote and worked on behalf of the town.
Acting Town Administrator Wendy Graves told the board that town officials had a meeting with state Rep. William Straus to discuss federal money expected to filter down to the municipalities. Ms. Graves said the four major areas of grant money the town will most likely pursue are upgrades to both water and sewer, the project at Union Wharf, and town owned broadband.
Select Board chairperson Bob Espindola said that Rep. Straus gave concrete advice on how to structure a grant application to maximize the town’s chances of winning a grant. Mr. Espindola said the process is “extremely competitive” despite the amount of money available.
The board also briefly discussed inquiries by residents who had damage to cars and property by town trees that fell on their property during the last storm. Mr. Espindola explained that even though it is a town tree, if it falls on private property, the property owner is responsible for damage. Ms. Graves said residents can still send a claim to her office and they will forward to the insurance company for a determination on liability.
The board also voted to support the Polar Plunge on January 1, 2022. Organizers are keeping the event low key, eliminating the music and other activities that encourage lingering on the beach. Participation is still encouraged for the plunge, which will take place at 10 a.m. on 1/1/22, at Fort Phoenix.
In other business:
• The board set a public hearing date to discuss the 61A property at 732 Sconticut Neck Road for the next meeting on 11/22. The board is not required to publish another legal notice because it is a continuation.
• Set February 15, 2022 for a special Town Meeting, providing the town moderator agrees with the date. Articles would have to be submitted by 1/16.
• Voted to send a thank-you letter to the town of Franklin for mutual aid rendered during the last storm.
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Click here to download the entire 11/11/21 issue: 11-11-21 PJKeating
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