By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board held a public hearing at its 2/9/26 meeting to make changes to the Personnel Policy to align benefits for non-union employees with the benefits just negotiated for employees in the clerical union.
The changes include adding one personal day for full time non-union employees, to give them four instead of three.
The changes also include adding a new tier to time employed and length of vacation, giving employees 30 days vacation a year after they have been with the town for 20 years.
Town Administrator, Keith Hickey, asked the board to approve the changes so all the employees in the building have the same benefits.
No members of the public commented. The board voted to support the changes unanimously.
The board also heard from Recreation Director, Bernadette Barreira, notifying the board that the Rec Center will provide free child care to Town Meeting members on May 2 during TM. The service will also be available at $35 per child to residents who are not TM members but wish to attend the meeting.
Ms. Barreira told the board they wanted to “take away hurdles” for people who want to attend TM.
The Rec Center will provide a safe spot for kids, featuring structured play, crafts and organized games. She said it is the same programing they use for Thanksgiving. Parents will need to provide lunch and snack for their children.
To register and learn more about the details of the program, visit FairhavenRecreation.activityreg.com or visit the Rec Center during regular hours.
SB member, Keith Silvia, said it will hopefully bring more attendance to TM and maybe members will not “take off” right after they vote.
The board also heard from Cathy Melanson for a second time to be appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an Associate member.
Ms. Melanson told the board that she had written out her accomplishments so she wold not forget. She had applied for the slot but was not appointed at the last meeting, when SB chairperson Charles Murphy, and SB member Andrew Saunders were not present.
Ms. Melanson reviewed her experience on a variety of boards, but mostly concentrated on her experience on the Planning Board and volunteering in the Planning Department when the town did not have a Planner. She is currently helping out that office remotely because the town is again without a planner.
Mr. Hickey said he had been concerned about Ms. Melanson spending extended amounts of time in the Planning Office due to the recent turmoil with the Planning Board, so he asked her to work from home.
He said she does get calls from staff and she answers questions.
SB Vice Chair Andrew Romano said he would not be voting for her to be on the ZBA because of her involvement in so many other boards, including PB. He said they need volunteers, but they need diverse volunteers.
Ms. Melanson said her work with the Planning Department has nothing to do with the ZBA. She said she does not go to Planning Board meetings,
“I do not tell them what to do,” she said, adding that what happens in the PB has nothing to do with her, she just helps with giving direction when applications come in.
The board voted to appoint Ms. Melanson to the ZBA as an Associate member, with Mr. Murphy, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Silvia voting “yes”; and Mr. Romano, and Natalie Mello voting “no.”
The board also voted to appoint Bob Espindola to the Open Space and Recreation Committee.
Mr. Silvia said he was “a little bit torn with this” because in a previous meeting, Mr. Espindola had asked the board not to appoint Patrick Carr and Ms. Melanson because of the investigation into the Timothy-Hiller project, and they will be interviewed.
Mr. Silvia said more people are being interviewed, and Mr. Espindola submitted 14 names, including Mr. Silvia’s. He said he was open to that.
“But I think Mr. Espindola should be part of the investigation, also, because I know there’s things that he’s done that aren’t correct,” said Mr. Silvia. “So I’m kind of uncomfortable with appointing him to this until the investigation is done.”
He then sat back and stopped speaking, and Mr. Romano raised his hand to the chair to be recognized.
“So where was that concern a minute ago with Ms. Melanson,” said Mr. Romano. “Or two weeks ago with Mr. Carr.”
Mr. Silvia said he did not get to finish his thought.
“I’m not the type of person you are,” said Mr. Silvia to Mr. Romano. “I’m not going to hold it against him.”
He said he would vote for the appointment, but just wanted it to be known that Mr. Espindola should be interviewed, too.
“If it’s good for one, it’s good for the other,” said Mr. Silvia. “But I will vote positive for him because I don’t hold things against people like that, which seems like you do.”
The board voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Espindola to the committee.
In other business the board:
• Approved the use of Hoppy’s Landing for parking with no fees for the West Island 5K on Sunday, 4/26/26.
• Approved a One Day Beer and Wine License for the Buzzards Bay Coalition Swim on Saturday, 6/20/26.
• Appointed Suzanne Bellanger to the Belonging Committee.
The board also held two executive sessions. One was a joint meeting with the Planning board to review minutes from eight PB meetings dating back to 2022 for possible release. The board did not make an announcement about releasing the minutes. The other was to discuss Civil Service.
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