By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 12/15/25, the Fairhaven Select Board appointed two of four people who applied for associate member positions on the Historical Commission. At the last meeting, two people vied for one spot, but the board learned that they can appoint associate members to any board in the same number as the board, in this case seven, making the total count 14.
After that determination, four people applied to join the HC: Nils Isaksen, Gary Lavalette, Patrick Carr, and Matthew Paulson.
SB member Andrew Romano questioned whether the HC had to have 14 members plus the SB representative.
“I would say ‘yes,’” said SB member Andrew Saunders. He said the purpose of the associates is to serve and vote if regular members are absent, and there could be a situation when all seven members are not there.
“I don’t see the risk or the down side,” said Mr. Saunders.
SB member Keith Silvia agreed with him, saying if people are willing to give their time it’s a great thing.
Mr. Romano said he did not think they needed that many.
Mr. Isaksen, who is on the Rogers Re-Use Committee and the Bell Committee, told the board he is interested in the history of the town. He noted his work on the Town Hall light project and the Paul Revere bell project.
He said he learned about Henry Huttleston Rogers in high school and couldn’t believe what he learned.
SB member Natalie Mello asked Mr. Isaksen if he would keep his street light project separate from his HC duties. Mr. Romano asked if he would keep his Rogers Re-Use Committee business separate.
Mr. Isaksen said he would be able to do that if necessary.
Mr. Lavalette was not at the meeting, noting in his application he is in bowling league on Monday nights. In his application, he noted that he had been a member of the HC for nine years and knows all the duties and the properties they are responsible for. s
Mr. Lavalette was removed from the HC by a vote of the Select Board on 8/7/23. (See FNN 8/10/23 issue.)
Mr. Carr, who is on the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Economic Development Committee, Harbor Steering Committee, SRPEDD Environmental Committee, 40R working group, Atlas Tack working Group, told the board about some of the projects he has been involved in, including removing the cupola and Paul Revere Bell from the Oxford School building. Mr. Carr owns a crane company and volunteered his time and equipment for that project, the Rogers School bell removal, and other projects over the years.
He said he wanted to be part of focusing on the town’s historical preservation.
Mr. Romano reminded Mr. Carr that he had applied for the another position in August and Mr. Romano said he believed then and still did that Mr. Carr could be an asset to the board as a private citizen, without being a member.
Mr. Carr said there are many members on multiple boards. He noted he would not be a voting member. He said if he has to recuse himself, he will and whenever he was asked to recuse himself in the past he has.
Mr. Paulson was also not present. He was working his shift as a firefighter.
Mr. Romano noted that Mr. Paulson was a member of the Protecting Society and that would be three member on the HC. But Brian Messier, who was appointed at the last meeting chimed in to say he resigned from the Protecting Society.
Ms. Mello said she understood that the HC has oversight of the buildings that the Protecting Society uses, but not the Society itself.
Mr. Silvia made a motion to take all four candidates at once. However, Mr. Saunders had to recuse himself from the vote on Mr. Carr, and SB chairperson, Charles Murphy said he had to recuse himself from the vote on Mr. Lavalette, so they had to take separate votes.
Mr. Romano said he would not vote for any associate positions for the HC. He said just because they can does not mean they should.
Mr. Silvia said if people come forward to volunteer, they should be allowed to.
The board first voted for Mr. Isaksen, who was appointed 4-1, with Mr. Romano voting “no.”
Then Mr. Silvia made a motion to appoint Mr. Lavalette, but it did not receive a second, so the motion failed.
Mr. Silvia motioned to appoint Mr. Carr. After a silence, Mr. Murphy seconded the motion.
Ms. Mello said she would have to vote against Mr. Carr. Despite the things he has been involved in helping in town, she noted his behavior on some of the boards. She said past behavior is a good indication of future behaviors.
The vote was a 2-2 tie, with Mr. Silvia and Mr. Murphy voting in favor and Mr. Romano and Ms. Mello voting “no.” Mr. Saunders abstained.
Mr. Carr addressed the board asking for Ms. Mello to elaborate on her comment about his “bad behavior,” adding he did not understand how a SB member would make that kind of statement about someone who has volunteered.
“I am leaving the room,” said Mr. Saunders, adding as he walked to the door, “I can’t have anything to do with this.”
Ms. Mello said it was not “character assassination,” it was observations she has seen.
It is not behavior she wants to see in board members.
Mr. Carr asked for a sample.
“I’m done,” said Ms. Mello.
“I’m just asking for reason,” said Mr. Carr.
“I gave you my reason,” said Ms. Mello.
Mr. Silvia said that Mr. Carr has tried three times to get on the HC, adding he did not know if it was a “personal thing.”
Mr. Romano said he did not believe anything that goes before the board is a “personal thing.”
Mr. Silvia said he felt they should appoint people who want to volunteer, asking what does it show to other people who want to volunteer.
The board also appointed Mr. Paulson to the HC, 4-1, with Mr. Romano voting “no.”
During the public comment period, Mr. Isaksen said he thought the vote on Mr. Carr was “not a good thing.”
He said Mr. Carr does a lot for the town and the HC needs people like him.
Mr. Isaksen said not putting Mr. Carr on the HC was a “very bad move.”
Erin Carr also spoke to defend her father. She said she was hopeful he board would step up and put ego aside. She said as far as behavior is concerned, he was criticized but no examples were given.
Just because someone has a loud voice does not mean he has bad behavior, she said. Some people have quiet voices and very bad behavior.
Ms. Carr also said she felt it was treading on “discriminatory practices.” She said she hoped that they as SB members would be leaders and try ot unit, and not “continue on the divisive path we have been on for far too long.”
In other business, the board voted to create a full-time embedded Mental Health Clinician in the police department.
Police Chief Daniel Dorgan and Lt. Kevin Swain said the money would come from the opioid settlement funds.
Chief Dorgan told the board that the clinician would be available to all town departments. The Council on Aging Director, Health Agent, Fire Chief, a counselor with Bristol County Outreach, and the Veterans Agent sent letters in support of the program.
Board members said they were in favor as long as the money did not come from taxpayers.
The police department provided statistics and evidence to show that having a mental health clinician on staff makes it easier to follow up with people and connect them with services.
The board voted unanimously to create the position.
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