By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven’s annual Town Meeting members passed a $61.4 million general fund operating budget, plus another $7.6 million in enterprise funds for a total operating budget of about $69 million on Saturday, 5/3.
Town Meeting also approved $936,720 in spending from Community Preservation Act funds for nine projects and administrative costs.
The day came with dire warnings from the Finance Committee, Select Board, and Interim Town Administrator, all pointing to next year shaping up to be impossible for balancing the budget. With expenses outpacing revenue, and the state not increasing aid by much, the outlook is grim. The town is looking at possible layoffs and cuts to services next year.
“Unless the cavalry comes over the hill,” said Interim Town Administrator, George Samia. “And I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Mr. Samia presented a plan for the town to try to tackle next year’s problem. The key point was that the town cannot wait long to get started.
TM members were asked to fill out a survey asking their preferences to address the projected FY27 deficit including support of a full Proposition 2 1/2 override, full budget cuts, a partial override with some budget cuts, regionalization with Acushnet to share some services and costs.
The projected deficit ranges from $1.6 million to $4.8 million depending on the depth of revenue loss. All scenarios result in layoffs, including firefighters, police officers, highway employees, and school employees.
Mr. Samia assured TM members that Fairhaven is not alone. He said the town is actually in much better shape than most municipalities in the state.
“You’ve done everything right,” he said. “History caught up to you.”
He said 60–70% of municipalities are in “much worse” shape than Fairhaven.
He advised the town to start planning now to decide how to handle next year’s deficit.
“I sincerely hope I’m wrong,” said Mr. Samia, but added that “all the red flags are out.”
The first article that got a bit of discussion was 4B/1, which asked for $132,500 from Surplus Revenue to pay the balance of the separation agreement with the former Town Administrator. TM member Jeff Osuch asked for clarification on where the rest of the money came from. The total payout for the separation is $366K, with $100K from insurance, the $132,500 from Surplus Revenue, and the rest from existing salary accounts.
Patrick Carr made a motion to change the amount from $132,500 to $1, calling the settlement a “fiscally irresponsible decision” made by the Select Board.
Town Counsel, Heather White, told TM that the town would still be bound by the terms of the agreement and would simply have to get the money somewhere else.
The amendment failed, and TM voted to transfer $132,500.
The School Department budget got a bit of discussion, with TM member Steve Riley offering an amendment to decrease the amount by $200K. The $25,656,166 School Department budget is $953,983 higher than last year, not including costs to NB Voc-Tech and Bristol County Agricultural.
Mr. Riley said that the town has $500K in salary reserves for raises and the schools took $400K, leaving only $100K for the rest of the town.
“And I think that’s disgusting,” said Mr. Riley.
Superintendent Tara Kohler told TM that their request was $1 million more, and they cut it because they realize the situation the town is in. She said the current amount will result in four teacher postions eliminated. She would not specify which positions exactly, saying it depends on enrollment next year and what student preferences are for classes.
She said things do change, for instance, they have four more Special Ed students who need transportation to the tune of about $200K that has not been included because they just found out about it.
She said the town is only 2% over net school spending (the state’s mandated minimum per student), with most districts being around 26%.
“It’s super embarrassing,” said Ms. Kohler.
“Its appalling that we are even having this conversation,” said Kevin Grant.
He said education should not be based on whether their parents can afford to send them to private schools.
“This is our community. Our children are our future,” said Mr. Grant. “If you want more of my money, come get it.”
Mr. Samia said the other contracts were not decided yet, but he was hopeful there would be enough to cover them.
In the end the amendment failed, and TM voted for the requested amount.
TM also authorized up to $25,000 for costs associated with adding another lot into the 40R Plazas District; for litigation with the Hiller Avenue project; and contingency funds for the community grant project.
A lot on the corner of Alden Road and David Drown Boulevard was left out because it was thought to be mostly wetlands. A new owner has requested that the lot be added in to allow more flexibilty with building.
Bruce Webb, Land Use and Planning Director, said the lot has “signficant” uplands and can be developed.
Article 19 then authorized adding that lot to the 40R district.
TM member Wayne Hayward questioned why the small lot, just under an acre, was left out. He said the developer should pay for costs associated with including it in the 40R, not the town.
Planning Board member Patrick Carr said it was “overlooked” because it was such a small parcel. Then he said the developer could put 30 units there, but wants to put 12-15 there to have units along the bike path.
Any development would have to adhere to the standards in the overlay district.
TM passed the measure.
TM also authorized $1,753,084 in spending from the general fund capital plan, with most funds coming from Free Cash.
Some discussion revolved around $175K to replace the elevator at Fairhaven High School.
Ms. Kohler explained that the elevator has a life span of 20 to 30 years, and it is 27 years old. She said at this point, 80 students need the elevator for a variety of reasons, including injuries or permanent mobility issues. She said it is costing $5–10K a year to keep it maintained.
TM approved the $175K.
Article 13, which created a Revolving Fund account for Grimshaw Park, also got some discussion.
Wayne Hayward said that the park was created for the use of senior citizens in Fairhaven. The new account would only allocate 15% of funds generated from fees from events held at the park to the Council on Aging. The rest goes to the general fund.
COA Director, Martha Reed, said Grimshaw Park is for use by the COA. She said they are working with Community Development to increase the use of the park. Money will go to upkeep not done by the BPW and hopefully to install bathrooms.
TM passed the measure.
TM also passed the Charter which consolidates the three special acts and some bylaws into one governing document. It also changed the number of School Committee members and Planning Board members to make them both odd numbers.
Several amendments were made and approved.
Bob Espindola submitted an amendment to the Select Board section specifying that the board will reorganize after the election, instead of just “annually.” That amendment passed.
Seth Baumgartner submitted an amendment to make it harder to recall an elected official. Instead of requiring that recall petitioners collect 20% of the total number of registered voters, Mr. Baumgartner suggested 30%.
That measure failed.
Brian Monroe, a current School Committee member who announced he is not running for re-election at the end of his term, suggested changing the number of SC members to five, not seven.
That measure passed.
The change to make the Planning Board a nine member board instead of eight stayed.
The charter will have to be approved by the state and then approved by a townwide ballot.
Future changes to the charter will require a vote by Town Meeting, approval by the state, and a townwide ballot.
TM also passed Article 18, which changes the day of the annual election from the first Monday in April to the second Tuesday in June.
•••
Click here to download the 5/8/25 issue: 05-08-25 CherryBlossomFest
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
