Voters deliver upsets in Fairhaven

By Beth David, Editor

Voters in Fairhaven ousted two incumbents in the local election on Monday, 4/7/25, including two-term Planning Board incumbent, Cathy Melanson. Voters also did not re-elect Brendalee Smith to the School Committee.

Fairhaven had four contested races this year: Select Board, which had an open seat, as Stasia Powers did not seek re-election; School Committee, which had four candidates for two seats; Board of Health, which had two candidates for one seat; and Planning Board, which had three candidates for two seats.

In the Select Board race, newcomer Natalie Mello beat out former Plan­ning Board member Rick Trapilo, 1122 to 982*. Mr. Trapilo’s term was up on the PB, and he chose to run for Select Board instead. It was Ms. Mello’s first attempt at a townwide seat in Fairhaven.

As is the custom in Fairhaven, Government Access ran the results live on Channel 18 and online at FairhavenTV.com, giving all candi­dates a chance to address voters one last time. The SB held a meeting before the election results, so all five SB members were present.

In her remarks, Ms. Mello thanked the voters and her volunteers.

“I appreciate the confidence people have in me. I couldn’t be prouder of the campaign we ran,” said Ms. Mello, adding that she looked forward to getting to work immediately.

In a separate interview, Ms. Mello told the Neighb News she felt relieved and hopeful. 

The key to her victory she said was, “Knocking on doors and running a clean, above-board campaign.”

In his public remarks, Mr. Trapilo congratulated Ms. Mello and also outgoing SB member Stasia Powers. 

“My congratulations to Natalie on behalf of the town,” said Mr. Trapilo. “I wish you success.”

“It was a close race. The town got what it voted for,” Mr. Trapilo told the Neighb News  later. “I’m happy for Ms. Mello. Best wishes to the town, sincerely.”

Mr. Grant thanked everyone who supported him and voted for him.

“I’m overwhelmed and grateful for the support,” he said, and congratu­lated Mr. Powers, and thanked Ms. Melanson for her service.

Mr. Grant said that on the cam­paign trail he heard about how things will be different and changes to come.

“And I think this is just the beginning to me in terms of delivering on some of those things we talked about,” said Mr. Grant. 

Afterwards, he told the Neighb News, “The hard work has just begun. I’m grateful for the town’s trust in me.”

He said he heard a lot of concerns from people on the campaign trail and there is a lot of skepticism from people about if change can happen.

Mr. Powers thanked everyone, saying they all did a “fantastic job.”

He said he would be getting started as soon as he could and was looking forward to the first meeting.

Ms. Melanson told voters that her 13 grandchildren have been telling her to spend more time with them, nowt maybe she can.

She noted that she is on other boards.

“And I will never stop working for this town,” said Ms. Melanson, adding she knows the law, has offered a lot, and can still offer more.

She wished Mr. Powers and Mr. Grant good luck.

“And I’m not done yet. That’s all I have to say.”

In the School Committee race, newcomer Kelly McGowan Ochoa topped the field with 1102 votes, followed by incumbent, Erik Ander­sen, with 1041. Brendalee Smith, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, lost her seat, coming in third with 699 votes. Pattie Pacella drew 630 votes.

Mr. Andersen told voters he was “very thankful that I get another three years to work for this beautiful town and beautiful people and beautiful kids.”

Afterwards he said he felt relieved.

“I’m glad it’s over,” said Mr. Andersen. “And I feel very humble.”

He said it was his first election in the “trenches,” because his last one was uncontested. 

“I did it being myself,” he said.

He did not knock on doors, but he did have some signs printed; he went to both candidate events; and he was active on Facebook.

“And I have a lot of good friends, which is how I was able to spread the word,” he said.

Ms. Ochoa told voters she looked forward to working with the school committee and “doing the best I can for these kids.”

“We worked hard. We started in January and worked hard,” she told the Neighb News later. “Now the real work begins.”

Ms. Smith told voters that she could not say enough about the process.

“Because that’s where we get to meet so many amazing people,” she said. “So I have to say thank you for an incredible opportunity to stand with so many of you about great things for our students, for our school commu­nity and of course for our town.”

She said the town is in great hands with Mr. Andersen and Ms. Ochoa.

“Our School Committee will be blessed to have the both of them participate as a school committee member,” said Ms. Smith, adding that she hopes to continue to work in some capacity with the school department.

Ms. Pacella thanked everyone and congratulated the other candidates.

“We really got along really well, so I’m happy for them as well,” said Ms. Pacella. “And unfortunately for the rest of the town and for all of you, I’m still on the Finance Committee.”

In the Board of Health race incum­bent Brian Meneses, who had been appointed to fill a vacancy, retained his seat against challenger Cristina Lopes, 1021 to 900.

Mr. Meneses thanked everyone who voted and said he wanted to continue to work with the other BOH members and Town Hall staff, “to continue doing what we’re doing.”

He also thanked Ms. Lopes for run­ning saying she did an “excellent job.”

Ms. Lopes thanked voters and her supporters.

“And though I didn’t win, I still want to advocate for all of those people here in town,” she said, adding if anyone needs anything they can reach out to her.

Uncontested races included: Town Clerk, with Interim Clerk Elisabeth Horan elected with 1613 votes; Commissioner of Trust Funds, with incumbent Barbara Acksen receiving 1317 votes; Board of Public Works, with incumbent Anne Morton Smith receiving 1410 votes; 

“I’m just so happy,” said Ms. Horan. “I’ve never been happier pro­fessionally, and I’m thankful.”

SB member Andrew Romano got everyone to give a standing ovation to outgoing SB member Stasia Powers.

“And thank you for trusting me for the past 18 years,” she said amid the clapping. 

Then she banged the gavel one last time to end the meeting.

Turnout was 16%, with 2165 voters out of 13,516 registered voters casting ballots. 

Election will be available on de­mand at www.FairhavenTV.com. It was not uploaded by press time.

*Numbers are unofficial. They will be certified later this week. 

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