By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on Monday, 6/8/26, the Fairhaven Select Board voted to change the name of Union Wharf in honor of former state senator William “Biff” MacLean, a lifelong Fairhaven resident who died last February at the age of 91.
Only one member of the public, Eleanor Chew, spoke about it, addressing the issue during the public comment period, stating that she was not comfortable with the name change. She said it should be someone with a “stellar reputation, with no major slips.”
She also said that it may be confusing to boaters who use the wharf, and wondered why the vote was happening now instead of after the election, which was happening the next day.
Although the issue was on the agenda, no board members addressed Ms. Chew’s concerns about Mr. MacLeans character..
Mr. MacLean left a complicated legacy. After serving in the Mass. state legislature for decades, he pled guilty to two conflict-of-interest charges, paid a $500,000 fine and lost his state pension.
He never stopped advocating for Fairhaven behind the scenes, and continued to help individuals using the vast network of contacts he had acquired during his political years.
Mr. Saunders told the board that the request was personal for him. He said Mr. MacLean was very important to him and saw something in him.
Mr. Saunders said that the way he got help, though, was not unique.
“He helped a tremendous amount of people in Fairhaven,” said Mr. Saunders, adding he did not do it for personal gain.
Mr. Saunders said when he got out of college, he worked for Mr. MacLean. One of the things he did was introduce a bill to allow unused campaign funds to be donated to a nonprofit. Before that bill was passed, the funds went to the state.
SB member Andrew Romano asked Harbormaster, Tim Cox, if there would be any logistical issues with renaming the wharf.
Mr. Cox said there were no issues with a name change. He also said that as someone who grew up in Fairhaven, as Mr. Saunders did, he also knew of many people that Mr. MacLean helped.
“He helped people that you wouldn’t even know he helped,” said Mr. Cox.
The board voted unanimously to rename Union Wharf after Mr. MacLean.
In another matter, the board voted to remove the voluntary covenant on the G. Bourne Knowles property, which restricts building on the site to 50 condominiums. The covenant was placed on the property in 2006 to restrict a proposed development from being able to expand from its original proposal. The Planning Board will also have to approve the change.
The meeting was the last regular meeting for Chairperson Charlie Murphy, who has served in town government in a variety of capacities for 26 years. He did not seek re-election this year.
In a statement to residents and town employees and officials, Mr. Murphy thanked the many people he has worked with over the years.
He named each department and many individuals, heaping praise on them and the work the have done over the years.
He especially thanked his family members by name, including his wife, Carrie, saying, “I signed up for this, she did not. She has had to put up with the social media, the political highs and lows and the banter, the emails late at night, the going to people’s homes at 3 a.m. to listen to the wind turbines, the missing family events due to town emergencies.”
He said she is the person to thank along with his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Murphy also took the opportunity to remember his mother, Kathleen Kobza Murphy, who was born at home in Fairhaven.
“She always instilled in me to make Fairhaven a top priority,” said Mr. Murphy. “I will Mom and will do all I can to make it te best it can be.”
Mr. Murphy said he will donate the remaining money in his campaign fund to the Fairhaven Animal Shelter.
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