By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 7/14/25, the Fairhaven Select Board discussed new security measures for the annual Our Lady of Angels Feast this September, and required the OLOA association to install a metal detector at the entrance before they would approve the alcohol license required for the three-day feast starting on 8/31. The board also made a number of appointments to several boards, but postponed an item to discuss the “promotion process” for the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Lt. Kevin Swain told the board that the department met with the association and came up with some security enhancements that include more officers working the feast grounds, especially at night; some changes at the gate openings; bag checks; cameras; and metal detectors.
He said the association had agreed to a “majority” of the changes.
SB member Natalie Mello asked what was left out.
Association president, John Barbosa, said they did not want to use metal detectors because they felt it would only create long lines. He said they felt the bag checks and ID wrist bands for alcohol purchases would be sufficient.
The board went back and forth with Mr. Barbosa and Lt. Swain discussing details of how the entrance and exits would work; the ID wrist bands; and the placement of officers.
SB member Andrew Romano noted that last year, he was vocal that the feast should have been shut down completely after a drive-by shooting on Alden Road of a 19-year old who sustained non life threatening injures. Police shut the feast down for the night, but it resumed the next day.
Mr. Barbosa noted that the shooting was two blocks away, and at one point said they are getting blamed for something that did not happen on the grounds. He said their responsibility is what happens on the grounds, not on the street two blocks away.
“You really think that?” said SB member Andrew Saunders.
Mr. Barbosa said he understood that the feast brought the people there.
Mr. Saunders said the feast was the “proximate cause” of the person being there.
In the end, the board voted to approve the alcohol license, and Mr. Barbosa said he was sure the association would buy the metal detector.
The Select Board also voted to appoint Alexander Kuechler to the Historical Commission to fill a vacancy. Three other people had also applied: Patrick Carr, Benjamin Hevey, and Jay Lanagan.
Mr. Carr, who is a member of the elected Planning Board and a member of the appointed Zoning Board of Appeals, withdrew his application, citing the latest meeting of the Historical Commission (see page 3). He made a number of complaints and accusations, including that the HC at that meeting did not allow public comment; they revised the agenda late in the day; and they voted to recommend someone for the open seat without notifying the candidates or inviting them to speak.
He said it was inappropriate for the HC to vote on a recommendation, saying no other board has ever done that.
“Since when,” he said does the Historical Commission feel its “their place” to do that and not follow “due process.”
In a bit of irony not lost on those who attend meetings regularly, Mr. Carr has addressed the Select Board repeatedly during the Public Comment section for months to rail against the SB’s decision last year not to re-appoint Kenneth Kendall to his position on the ZBA; and Mr. Carr has addressed the board during Public Comment at nearly every meeting for months demanding that the board rescind that vote and rescind the vote for Geoffrey Sullivan at its 5/12/25 meeting, insisting that they choose either Mr. Kendall or Cathy Melanson, or an associate member.
Mr. Carr, who is the chairperson of the ZBA, said the associate members did not know of the opening.
In another bit of irony, Mr. Carr had promised that he would resign from the ZBA in 2023 if he got elected to the Planning Board (see 3/23/23 issue/ candidate statement).
Mr. Kuechler told the board he wanted to join the HC because he has been helping with the antique fire trucks since he was “a kid.” Most people in town have seen him over the years helping his grandfather, John Rogers, with the trucks. Mr. Kuechler now often drives the trucks giving rides during events.
“I know I’m young and don’t have much experience,” said Mr. Kuechler, but added that he sees the opportunity as a chance to learn.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” said SB member Keith Silvia, noting that Mr. Kuechler helped his grandfather for a lot of years.
Benjamin Hevey introduced himself saying he loves the town and he won’t be involved in any drama.
“I just want to do my job,” he said.
A history teacher at Fairhaven High School, Mr. Hevey said he teaches a local history class and invites local speakers to talk about Fairhaven’s history. He said he would like to bridge the gap between the town and the high school.
He also noted that Mr. Kuechler was a former student.
Jason “Jay” Lanagan got a chuckle when he told the board he did not know it was a competitive process.
He said he has had a career is fixing up historic buildings and has worked with historical commissions in New Bedford and with state agencies. He is familiar with a variety of regulations regarding historic properties.
SB member Andrew Saunders disclosed that Mr. Lanagan was represented by Saunde who handled the case about seven years ago. He said he did not believe there was any conflict.
“In that spirit,” Mr. Romano disclosed, in classic small-town fashion, that Mr. Lanagan went to his wedding; he grew up with Mr. Kuechler; and Mr. Hevey was his history teacher.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Kuechler. Mr. Murphy also noted that the HC had a new vacancy that would be filled at the SB’s next meeting (see page 3), and encouraged the applicants to let the SB office know if they were still interested. Members of the public can apply on the town’s website.
The board also voted to appoint Jason Lanagan, Patrick Carr, and Patricia Estrella to the Atlas Tack Working Group; voted to appoint Kerri Cummins to the Commission on Disability; and Nancy Santoro to the Council on Aging.
In another matter, the board voted to update the mission statement of the Economic Development Committee. Chairperson Cathy Melanson told the board that when the former town administrator made changes to the structure of some town departments, it changed the staff connection the EDC has in town hall.
The Planning and Economic Development department was changed to Land Use and Planning. The EDC is now under Community Development/ Discover Fairhaven, with Alyssa Botelho as the staff liaison.
The board discussed the changes and possible confusion because the Land Use department also meets with developers and coordinates with businesses.
Mr. Romano said he wanted to be sure that Ms. Botelho would not be getting zoning questions.
“So what you’re saying is the Economic Development Committee can’t create it’s own mission statement,” said Ms. Melanson to Mr Romano.
She said EDC has nothing to do with Planning.
The board voted to adopt the changes the EDC requested.
In another matter, the board tabled a discussion on the “Zoning Board of Appeals Promotion Process,” an item added to address the previously mentioned process for choosing members of the ZBA.
SB member Keith Silvia and ZBA chairperson Patrick Carr have insisted that the board should be required to appoint an Associate Member to a full voting position if one becomes available and not go outside the ZBA.
Mr. Romano said he wanted to know if they were going to discuss future appointments or past appointments. He said if the item was to go back and change a vote, he would not support it. If the discussion was about going forward, he said he would.
However, Mr. Murphy said they could not go into detail because they were tabling it until they could arrange a joint meeting with the ZBA.
Mr. Saunders said he would be in favor of an open debate about prospective votes and retrospective votes.
The board voted to table the item.
In a related matter, during the public comment period, ZBA Associate member, Kristen Russell said she was surprised that the open full time seat had been filled “without notice.”
She said she was the most senior associate member, and it was only reasonable for her to expect to be considered for the full time slot.
She noted that the ZBA has faced challenges recently, the turnover has been constant, and the latest appointment made it worse. It is the kind of thing that drives people away, she said. The board needs stability and a “clean break from the drama of the past.”
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Click here to download the 7/17/15 issue: 07-17-25 MusicNight
Click here to download Mike Kelly’s resignation letter: MikeKellyResignLetter
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