By Beth David, Editor
Spring is really springing this week. Finally! So this week’s issue is jam packed with all kinds of events coming up, starting this weekend. It’s Earth Day on Sunday (see page 3). The West Island 5K is this weekend, too (see page 5).
Then we get ready for Town Meeting, then all the May events. Then…SUMMER! Woo hoo! We had a mild winter, I know, so why does it seem like it’s been so long? Maybe all that rain, which still isn’t done with us.
Meanwhile, speaking of Town Meeting. See page 12 for an article by Wayne Hayward on some of the bylaw changes that the Planning Board is proposing for this year’s TM. Yeah, that’s just some of them.
They are making an awful lot of changes to a lot of bylaws all at once, and a few in a single TM warrant article. They had one night for one public hearing on the changes.
This is soooooo wrong. Each one of these should have its own hearing where people can weigh in. Giving people two minutes to talk about all the changes is just wrong. Mr. Hayward has his faults, no doubt about it, but he knows Fairhaven’s code better than anyone. We should heed his warnings. Slow down these proceedings. Take up these changes in small bites and vet them thoroughly.
Bylaw changes should be made for logical reasons, not just to benefit a handful of businesses. Some developers should absolutely be forced to jump through hoops for their projects. And some projects should just not be allowed. I understand this new crop of politicians and officials is filled with people screaming “business friendly” and, “Let’s get some revenue in here.” But, most of the time, business friendly means bad for residents.
Next week, hopefully, we’ll have something on the change in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which are basement apartments, attic apartments, garage apartments. The board wants to make these “by-right.” I understand we have a housing crisis and this might help. And I understand people can make money from their properties and the town can tax them higher (get some revenue in here). But I also understand that many of us like our single family neighborhoods and want to keep them single family.
These changes may be the will of the people. In that case, so be it. But I do not believe they have been explored, with ample opportunity for the public to weigh in.
Let’s slow it down, okay? Let’s just slow it down.
If you’re a Town Meeting member, please take the time to understand the repercussions of these bylaws before you vote. If you’re not a TM member, do the same and talk to a TM member who represents your precinct before TM on 5/4.
There’s no big rush. I’m pretty sure we’ll be having a Special TM in the fall. We can do this then if people really want it.
I love Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth, and I wouldn’t mind that revenue here in Fairhaven, but let’s keep it contained on Route 6 and Alden/Bridge. Let’s not let every neighborhood in Fairhaven look like the road to the mall.
Be sure to notice who our advertisers are so you can tell them you saw their ads in the Neighb News. And, thank you for reading my little weekly miracle.
Until next week then, see ya
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes!
•••
Click here to download the 04-18-24 issue: 04-18-24 CookePark
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
