Oliveira’s Wife Disputes Account
This letter aims to correct inaccuracies presented at the Historical Commission meeting on July 10, 2025.
On June 30 an email was sent to Veterans Agent Mike Jenny and Historical Commission Chairman Mike Kelly, requesting the bunker be opened and the flagpole be unlocked. On July 4th morning, Mr. Kelly unlocked the flagpole, removed the flag, and reportedly tossed it on a bench. Two Militia members observed the unattended flag, folded it, and placed it in a secure area because they were participating in the parade.
As Wayne Oliveira prepared to start the ceremony, he called Mr. Kelly to ask about the flag’s location, as it was needed for the National Anthem. Mr. Kelly shouted, “Your comrades, check with your comrades!!!!” Mr. Oliveira hung up on him.
Later, while Militia members were cleaning up, myself and Mr. Oliveira were at the flagpole. Select Board member Natalie Mello approached and stood to my right. Mr. Kelly then hastily approached us. He immediately and confrontationally stated, “I guess you found my flag.”
Mr. Oliveira responded, “No, this is our flag.”
Mr. Kelly then yelled, “You better find my flag, that was an expensive flag, ask your comrades; they took it, check with your comrades; your comrades have it !!!”
A verbal altercation ensued between Mr. Kelly and Mr. Oliveira. I attempted to intervene, telling both to “shut up.”
A Militia member then took responsibility for moving the flag and he and another member encouraged Mr. Kelly to leave, with Mr. Kelly shouting as they walked away. Mrs. Mello* was present throughout and did not intervene, seemingly encouraging Mr. Kelly’s behavior. Mrs. Mello** stated at the meeting that she “felt threatened.”
If this is true, why didn’t she just walk away or not approach Mr. Oliveira with Mr. Kelly in the first place? As a Select Board member, she had an obligation to step in and de-escalate the situation.
Mr. Kelly could have spoken with any of the other Militia Members at the Fort, but instead he chose to confront Mr. Oliveira and initiate an argument.
At the emergency Historical Commission meeting, Mr. Kelly spent over 30 minutes disparaging and defaming Mr. Oliveira, failing to mention his own role in the incident. He also failed to mention that Select Board members Charlie Murphy and Andrew Romano had already requested a joint meeting between Mr. Oliveira and Mr. Kelly to address the issues. Mr. Oliveira agreed, but Mr. Kelly stated he would only meet if Mr. Oliveira dropped his open meeting law complaint and apologized to the Historical Commission. Most people’s conditions would simply be to ask for civility and to not walk away until a resolution is found.
On July 12, Mr. Kelly continued to disparage Mr. Oliveira and the Protecting Society on a town-run social media page.
Mr. Kelly needs to take responsibility for his own actions.
Vicki Oliveira, Fairhaven (Witness to the incident on July 4th)
*The writer is married to Wayne Oliveira.
**“Mello is Natalie Mello’s birth name, she is not “Mrs.” Mello.
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