By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven Town Meeting members will face a variety of articles at the Special TM on Tuesday, 11/14/23.
Several large expenditures are on the warrant, including $20 million in additional funds for the upgrade to the sewer treatment plant. The upgrade is required by law and has been hanging over the town’s head for years. The $20 million will be borrowed and added to $50 million that has already been approved for a total of $70 million in borrowing.
TM will also be asked to approve the transfer of$12,700 from free cash for eight poll pads, which are used to check in and check out voters during elections. The state recommends two per precinct and two backup poll pads. The town currently has six, which is one per precinct. The state is in the process of making the recommendation a requirement.
TM members will also be asked to make two bylaws changes.
Article 12 asks to change the Town Clerk from an elected position to an appointed position. The measure failed at the annual town meeting in May of this year and in 2018. If it passes on Tuesday, it would need to go to a town-wide vote.
Town Meeting will also be asked to change some wording in the bylaw governing the Capital Planning Committee. The new wording reflects changes in the structure of the town offices, such as changing “Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector” to a designee of the Finance Director, with provisions for alternate if there is no Finance Director.
Other changes clear up some language that is in conflict with the Town Administrator Act to clarify roles, etc.
Article 15 will be recommended to pass over because it is improperly written. It asks for Town Meeting to request the Fairhaven Sustainability Committee to reconsider the nips ban. The article, however, passed a previous town meeting and went through the legislative process. The article as written is not the mechanism for having it reconsidered.
Other articles and actions include:
• Article 3 for $75K to fund the sewer labor contracts, from the sewer enterprise fund;
• To transfer $295,959.45 from sewer funds to the sewer capital improvements stabilization fund.
• Article 5 to authorize entering into a water storage tank maintenance contract for up to 15 years.
• To transfer $75K from free cash for easements for the Safe Routes to School program, which requires compensation to homeowners for temporary and permanent easements for the program on Sconticut Neck Road between David Drown Blvd. and Hiller Ave;
• To transfer $70K from free cash for emergency replacement of the fire alarm panel in town hall;
• To approve including exterior renovations to the appropriation already approved for the Manjiro Cultural Center from Community Preservation Act funds, which requires no additional funding;
• To authorize the Select Board to enter into a lease, power purchase and energy storage agreement for a solar canopy in the parking lot at the Recreation/Senior Center building.
• Accept Alves Way as a town public way.
•••
Click here to download the 11/9/23 issue: 11-09-23 PickleballLivesey
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
