Fairhaven Police Chief Mike Myers, who is retiring as of 8/10/24, poses with Select Board members after receiving a proclamation at their meeting on 7/15/24, L-R: SB member Keith Silvia, SB Chairperson Stasia Powers, Chief Myers, SB members Andrew Saunders and Andrew Romano. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 7/15/24, the Fairhaven Select Board presented retiring police chief, Michael Myers, with a proclamation noting some of the accomplishments of his and the department’s during his 31 years as a police officer, including 15 as chief.
During his tenure the department made “great strides in the advancement of technology, implementing the use of tasers as a less-lethal force option, equipping all patrol vehicles with mounted radar units, laptop computers, and dashboard cameras, establishing a drone unit, and enhancing its marine unit, while also acquiring two ATVs, an electric low-speed vehicle, electric bicycles, and a jet ski,” reads the proclamation.
He is the longest serving Fairhaven Police Chief to date.
The proclamation also notes that the department has become fully accredited with the Mass. Police Accreditation Commission, and was re-accredited last month.
The proclamation recognizes and commends Chief Myers, “for his dedicated and distinguished service to the community, and extend our heartfelt appreciation for his contributions to the safety and wellbeing of our Town. Be it further resolved, that we extend our best wishes to Chief Myers for a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement, effective August 10, 2024.”
Chief Myers spoke briefly to the board, thanking them and other boards and administrations before them. He said he always felt the department was supported by the town and town officials.
Chief Myers said it was an honor to serve the town and said the “citizens are tremendous.”
He said he always felt support and love from the community and hopes the department has been able to provide that back to them.
Chief Myers also praised his department and officers, saying they are dedicated and do a tremendous job.
“I couldn’t do those things without them,” he said.
He thanked his family, including his wife, Wendy, and his son Matthew, who is a police officer in Mattapoisett.
“You can’t do this career without the support of family,” said Chief Myers. “Having their support is what got me through.”
In another matter, Chairperson Stasia Powers administered the oath to young Izabella Cardoza as a Junior Deputy Tree Warden, to: “pledge to protect, plant, and care for trees to the best of my abilities.”
Ms. Cardoza earned her JDTW certificate and badge.
The also discussed, and ultimately put on hold, a request by the Buzzards Bay Coalition for the board to support a Conservation Restriction that will be held by the Fairhaven Conservation Commission on about 11 acres of land, called the Trott Properties.
Allen Decker from the BBC told the board that the BBC intends to buy the property and has applied for a grant that would require a CR on the property if the grant is awarded. He said the CR would protect all the land from development.
According to the documents, there are two houses on the property, and the CR will go around those houses. But the BBC will own them, too.
The property abuts a salt marsh on its eastern end. The western end, about 9.6 acres, is uplands and buildable; about 1.25 acres is wetlands, said Mr. Decker.
Mr. Decker said the BBC had no intention to develop the property. The organization will create some passive recreation, such as hiking, and the property will be open to the public.
The property is accessible off Camel Street, which is off Sconticut Neck Road.
Mr. Decker said if they do receive the grant, they will then return to the board with a specific CR.
Fairhaven Conservation Agent, Bruce Webb, submitted a letter on behalf of the Conservation Commission supporting the CR being held by the ConCom, which was submitted with the grant application.
SB member Andrew Saunders questioned if the property would be taken off the tax rolls.
There was some discussion with Mr. Saunders, Mr. Decker, and Town Administrator Angie Lopes Ellison about whether or not all property by a 501c3 nonprofit is required to be tax exempt.
Ms. Ellison referred Mr. Saunders to the appropriate Mass. General Law, while Mr. Decker said the property would be tax exempt because it would have a CR on it and would be open to the public.
Mr. Saunders was not convinced, and said he wanted more clarity before voting to help take the property off the tax rolls
The BBC, however, is already poised to buy the property. They are asking for the CR now, rather than later, because of the nature of the particular grant they are applying for.
Mr. Saunders said that just because an organization is a 501c3, it does not mean they do not make money. He said he wanted to take a look at all the town’s CRs and see what it is doing to the tax levy.
He said every time they place a CR on a property, they are “degrading the tax levy.”
Ms. Powers said she would rather stop development on properties like this one because they will face a much bigger price tag when water levels rise.
She said the should focus on “smart development in areas that aren’t going to be in water.”
Mr. Decker pointed out that the property is included in the town’s planning documents as a parcel to be protected because it bolsters resiliency rom climate change on Sconticut Neck.
It gives the saltmarsh a place to migrate to as sea levels rise, he said.
Mr. Saunders said he, too, wanted to see the land preserved, but he wanted clarification on the tax exempt status of the property.
Ms. Ellison said she would forward the MGL language to the board.
The documents showed a possibility of eight house lots, but Mr. Decker said it was potentially five.
The board did not vote on the proposal, but will take up the matter at another meeting.
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