By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Historical Commission held a special/emergency meeting on 7/10/25 to discuss alleged harassment and verbal abuse of members and volunteers by a resident. The same individual reportedly verbally attacked commission members while they were engaged in their official duties on two occasions.
HC chair Mike Kelly said the situation created a “threatening environment” that has caused stress among committee members.
On Homecoming Fair day, the individual engaged in an obscenity laden rant against volunteers staffing the old firehouse/jail on Washington Street.
On July 4, said Mr. Kelly, the same individual, “began to spout all manner of obscenities at me in public.”
Although the HC did not name the person, which is standard protocol, unless the person is present and able to defend himself, it was apparent that the person in question is Wayne Oliveira. Not only is he the commander of the Fairhaven Village Militia, a title that was named, but this is not the first time he has been accused of the specified behavior. He was banned from Town Hall for 60 days in 2022 after an alleged altercation with the town administrator. Mr. Oliveira denied that his behavior was threatening. (See 8/18/22, 8/25/22, 9/1/22 issues.)
At the 7/10/25 meeting, Mr. Kelly said the July 4 issue centered around the flag flying at Fort Phoenix. He said that he left the flag with Militia members, but was confronted by the individual who said the flag had been lost. The flag was ultimately located.
HC member Nate Bekemeier related the incident that happened at the fire house. He said he extended his hand to the individual to thank him for his good work to the town over the years, and was rebuffed.
“But I will say, I’ve never been abused like this. Never want to be abused like this again in my life, and don’t believe anyone else on this planet should ever be abused like that,” said Mr. Bekemeier.
The board discussed the limitations of what can be done about a person who is not a town official. If people feel physically threatened, they should call the police.
In the end they decided to send a letter to the Select Board setting out their concerns and asking for the board to agree to a code of conduct.
On Monday, 7/14/25, Mr. Kelly sent his resignation to the Select Board. In a letter outlining the commission’s accomplishments during his tenure, Mr. Kelly also said, “…there is only so much abuse a person can take.”
He also asked the Select Board to do more to protect volunteers: “I hope that in the future, the Selectboard will move more quickly to protect and defend volunteers and commission members from the hostile actions of a small but vocal group. While we all accept a level of scrutiny and invective when we put ourselves forward, the level of unjustified vitriol & abuse allowed in Fairhaven Town Government is truly breathtaking.”
Find Mr. Kelly’s letter on our website: www.NeighbNews.com
The meeting is available on demand at FairhavenTV.com
•••
Click here to download the 7/17/15 issue: 07-17-25 MusicNight
Click here to download Mike Kelly’s resignation letter: MikeKellyResignLetter
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
