By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 8/25/25, the Fairhaven Select Board recognized Lt. Chauncey Burr, a Fairhaven Firefighter/Paramedic, who recently retired after nearly 34 years with the town.
The board also approved a letter to try to get more local aid from the state, and discussed the ongoing litigation with the Rogers School.
The board presented a proclamation to Mr. Burr, noting he was a “pioneer” in emergency medical care for the town becoming one of its first paramedics and “setting a high standard for emergency response, patient care, and operational safety.”
The proclamation also notes his involvement with youth sports and Boy Scouts, “fostering the next generation of Fairhaven’s citizens with the same dedication and heart he brought to the fire service.”
Fire Chief Todd Correia said that Mr. Burr has been a colleague throughout his whole career and his input was “invaluable.”
Mr. Burr simply said “thank you,” to the board.
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- Chauncey Burr (CENTER) poses with town officials after being recognized on his retirement after nearly 34 years with the Fairhaven Fire Department, L-R: Fairhaven Select Board members Andrew Romano and Keith Silvia; Assistant Town Administrator, Anne Carreiro; Mr. Burr; SB members Natalie Mello, Andrews Saunders, and Chairperson, Charlies Murphy. Photo courtesy of Andrew Romano.
Board members Andrew Saunders and Andrew Romano, and Assistant Town Administrator, Anne Carreiro, all recounted specific instances when Mr. Burr helped them in emergency situations.
The board also approved a letter to State Sen. Mark Montigny and State Rep. Mark Sylvia asking that they work with the legislature to increase local aid from the state. The town of Fairhaven is facing a $1.5 million deficit next year. Almost every municipality in the state is facing deficits due to the restrictions of Proposition 2 1/2, which puts a cap on property tax increases; and local aid that has fallen, not increased to keep up with inflation.
The letter says the forecasted revenue shortfall in Fairhaven is “directly attributable to the reduction in Local Aid from the Commonwealth.”
The letter asks that the state use the interest from its stabilization fund, estimated to be more than $400 million, to give all or some to the 351 municipalities in the state.
The fund, often referred to as the state’s “Rainy Day Fund,” has more than $8.6 billion in it. Using the interest will not affect that total.
“We (unfortunately) report that it is fiscally raining in Fairhaven and we could very much use help from this fund to close our deficit,” reads the letter.
The board voted to send the letter, and also to draft two other letters based on the same information. One will go to the Mass. Municipal Association, which lobbies for cities and towns; and one would go to other municipalities in the state to be used as a template for them to also reach out to their representatives.
In another matter, the board received an update on the Rogers School litigation. A developer has sued the town after the town accused the developer of breach of contract.
The developer, Zachary Mayo of New England Preservation and Development, LLC, sued. The case has been in making its way through the courts for several years.
The town asked for a summary judgment in its favor (which would end the litigation) back in March. In July, the judge denied the town’s request, citing “a question of fact” due to specific language in the rider to the Purchase and Sales Agreement, and ordered the case go to trial in January..
SB member, Andrew Saunders, who is an attorney, said he has been following the case closely and was surprised at the judge’s decision.
He noted several reasons why he was surprised, including that the plaintiff had not filed an opposition.
Ms. Saunders said that knowing the court and its backlog of cases, he believes it will not be heard in January, but will be postponed.
“This is just kicking the can down the road,” said Mr. Saunders.
He asked that the item be placed on the agenda as an executive session item.
“Because I myself have some ideas on how we can address this,” he said.
The board also heard from Beth Ann Gallagher, Chairperson of the Fairhaven Cultural Council, with a brief explanation of what kinds of projects the council funds, and announcing that they are currently seeking applications for the current round of funding. The council will hold a public information session on September 9. Find them on the town’s website for information on how to apply for grants: https://fairhaven-ma.gov/cultural-council/
Types projects that have been funded are the NFIA music night, the movie, “Sweet Freedom,” the “Golden Girls” acting workshop for seniors, school field trips.
In other business, the board also auction announced that the town’s annual auction will take place on Saturday, 9/20, and listed the items that will be available for the public to bid on. The list is available in the SB packet on the town’s website and from the public works department.
The board also responded to an Open Meeting Law complaint by Patrick Higgins alleging that the SB violated the OML when it did not list all the names candidates for poll workers on the agenda. In its response, the board noted that the names were included in the packet that was online, but acknowledged they should have been on the agenda itself, and promised to be sure to do so in the future.
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