[4:15] Julie

[5:12] Langa from Eversource. We are requesting the approval of one fully

[5:16] owned pole, 108 over 9.5, within the

[5:20] right of way on Green Street. New pole is required to

[5:24] support the proposed secondary electric facilities and service

[5:27] configuration in this area and allow the existing backyard

[5:32] service arrangement to be reconfigured.

[5:36] Thank you.

[5:37] Do we have any questions from the board at this time?

[5:42] Thank you.

[5:45] One question I do have, just because this has come up a lot in the past.

[5:49] Will this require the removal of any trees or

[5:52] any sort of restructuring to

[5:56] the infrastructure there besides the moving of the

[6:00] pole,

[6:02] Ms. Langa?

[6:11] No, it's going to be a brand-new pole, and there will be no tree

[6:15] removal for that to be installed.

[6:18] Excellent. Okay, thank you.

[6:20] Any questions from the board?

[6:22] As this is a public hearing, do we have any questions from the public?

[6:27] If you could please step forward and just state your name and address for the

[6:30] record.

[6:31] Yes. My name is John Heavey. I live at 24 Green Street. Sorry, just one more time.

[6:35] John Heavey. I live at 24 Green Street.

[6:37] Thank you. Welcome.

[6:38] Good evening.

[6:38] I'm right across the street from where the pole's going up.

[6:40] I understand the necessity of the electrical service to 26, our next door

[6:44] neighbor. If she could just clarify, in the backyard,

[6:48] there is a pole and there are lines that run to 26, but also to

[6:52] 24. So my question is, I think I saw the diagram earlier

[6:56] in the day that the lines

[6:59] from the back pole, the backyard pole, to 26 are going to be

[7:03] removed, but the ones to our property, 24, are going to remain.

[7:07] Is that clear? Do I have that right?

[7:09] Salanda, any response?

[7:12] Yes. We heard from the person for 26, so

[7:15] that's what we're going to do. If you were interested in having your

[7:19] service moved to the front of the property, I could have somebody

[7:23] get in touch with you as well.

[7:26] Okay. So in other words, if it were moved to the front,

[7:30] it would eliminate the backyard

[7:33] service that currently exists going to the back of our house?

[7:38] Yes. So what's going to happen is 26 is going to have their

[7:41] line removed from the back-

[7:43] Right

[7:43] ... of the house to the front of the house.

[7:45] If you were interested in doing the same thing, then I could have somebody contact

[7:48] you as well.

[7:49] Yes. That'd be great. Thank you.

[7:51] Okay.

[7:51] Any further questions for-

[7:52] That's it.

[7:53] Okay, thank you. Is there anyone else in the public that wishes to be recognized

[7:56] from the room?

[7:59] Is there anyone else on Zoom?

[8:03] All right. Hearing none, I will now close the public hearing at

[8:07] 6:05 PM.

[8:10] I will entertain a motion to approve petition for job and work order

[8:14] number 27795573 from NStar

[8:18] Electric Company, doing business as Eversource Energy, Verizon New

[8:21] England Inc, to install one new fully owned pole to be

[8:25] labeled 108-9.5 in the right of way of Green

[8:29] Street to provide upgraded electrical service to 26

[8:33] Green Street.

[8:34] So moved.

[8:35] Second.

[8:36] Motion's been made and seconded. Do we have any further discussion on the motion?

[8:40] Hearing none, all those in favor?

[8:42] Aye.

[8:43] Any opposed? Passes unanimously.

[8:47] Thank you.

[8:47] Thank you for joining us.

[8:49] Okay. Bye bye.

[8:51] All right. Up next, I will open the meeting for public comment.

[8:54] Anyone wishing to address the board will be recognized for two minutes.

[8:58] Please clearly state your name and address for the record.

[9:01] As a reminder, the board will not engage in public comment tonight,

[9:05] but will direct you to the appropriate point of contact if

[9:09] necessary. Please, just name and address for the record.

[9:14] Okay, I'll try to talk fast. I only have two minutes.

[9:17] My name is Ray Bermude.

[9:20] Our domicile is in Springfield, Missouri,

[9:24] but my wife has owned a condo at 138

[9:28] Main Street since 2000.

[9:33] When we're not here, she rents her condo.

[9:38] The extensive and excessive noise at the

[9:41] intersection of Main and Huddleston Street

[9:45] is why I'm here.

[9:47] The vehicle exhaust noise when taking off, it interrupts

[9:51] conversations, our sleep,

[9:55] and

[9:56] at times in acquiring renters.

[10:00] So I'm here to express concerns regarding that excessive noise level,

[10:04] disturbance of the peace, violation of local and state ordinances,

[10:08] zoning bylaws, breach of quiet hours, et cetera.

[10:13] So I've done a little bit of research,

[10:16] and so the ordinance and zoning laws as I understand them, which

[10:20] here in Fairhaven, is that there are quiet hours between the hours of 9:00

[10:23] PM and 7:00 AM.

[10:26] And then a regulation was cited,

[10:30] C-310 CMR

[10:34] 7.10,

[10:37] with maximum decibels of 10 dBA, whatever all that means.

[10:42] And so the law generally measures unreasonable noise

[10:46] as what a reasonable person would say is unreasonable,

[10:51] decibel levels, and the time of day.

[10:54] The Massachusetts law. So,

[11:01] the administration regulation and enforcement, as I understand it,

[11:06] is by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,

[11:10] but they defer to the local

[11:13] one that I just quoted, 310 CMR 7.10,

[11:17] has to be less than 10 decibels. I did call and talk to

[11:21] somebody at the regional office of the Environmental

[11:26] Protection

[11:27] Department, and they cited 310

[11:30] CMR 7.52, which allows local

[11:34] enforcement of the noise levels, although they have

[11:38] the jurisdiction, but they allow-

[11:40] So that is your two minutes. Are you requesting more time from the board?

[11:43] Yeah, if I could have just a couple more minutes.

[11:45] Two more minutes?

[11:48] Let's say three.

[11:49] Okay.

[11:49] I'll try to be-

[11:50] Additional minutes?

[11:51] I appreciate it.

[11:52] Additional minutes has been granted, thank you.

[11:54] Okay. And then there's the motor vehicle registration.

[11:58] They have requirements in terms of exhaust limits.

[12:01] This is all from what I understand.

[12:04] But to your owners, after they pass the vehicle registration, they'll take them

[12:08] home, they'll modify their exhaust And it gets outrageous.

[12:13] So basically,

[12:15] because I've talked to the police in the past, a couple of years I've talked to the

[12:18] police. I encountered some policemen a couple of weeks ago

[12:22] who suggested that I come here and talk to you guys, because what I'd like to

[12:26] see happen,

[12:28] first of all, is that the laws and the ordinances and whatever would

[12:32] be enforced, but I understand that's difficult to do.

[12:35] When I talked to the Department of Environmental Protection, they

[12:39] definitely sympathized with us and our concerns with the loud

[12:43] noises. But what I'd really like to see done, because I'm not sure,

[12:47] the police told me they really didn't feel like...

[12:50] While it's annoying, there's not a lot they can do about it.

[12:52] What I'd like to see is a sign posted at that intersection, a

[12:56] warning sign that says, "If you violate

[12:59] our noise ordinances, that you will either be cited,

[13:04] or your license will be suspended, or you'll be fined." So,

[13:08] that's my presentation.

[13:09] Thank you very much.

[13:10] Thank you.

[13:10] And it looks like you have some listening ears in the room as well too

[13:15] . Is there anyone else tonight that would like to be recognized for public comment?

[13:18] Please come forward. Again, just state your name and address for the record.

[13:22] You have two minutes.

[13:23] Joan Welch, 138 Main Street. So I want

[13:27] to reiterate that what you heard was a lot of just mumble jumble,

[13:30] but there are these drag races that go back and forth over the

[13:34] bridge really fast, and motorcycle rallies

[13:38] and things like that. I know a lot of this might die down when it gets colder

[13:42] for the motorcycles, but I don't know about the drag racing, so

[13:46] just letting you know.

[13:48] Thank you very much. Anyone else in the room that would like to be recognized for

[13:51] public comment?

[13:53] Anyone online that would like to be recognized for public comment, please indicate

[13:56] with a raised hand icon.

[14:02] Seeing none, we are going to move on to our next agenda item.

[14:05] So under C, Appointments and Community Items, we have appointment

[14:09] request, Board of Assessors, Rui

[14:11] Pereira. As the board is aware, there is currently an

[14:15] opening on the Board of Assessors due to a recent resignation.

[14:18] The position was advertised, and Mr.

[14:20] Rui Pereira submitted his letter of interest.

[14:24] Included in your board materials is a completed volunteer form and resume.

[14:28] As you will see, Mr. Pereira has several years of experience in the assessing

[14:32] field. Is Mr. Pereira here tonight?

[14:34] Please step forward. The podium is yours. Introduce yourself.

[14:39] Good evening. My name's Rui Pereira.

[14:42] I currently live at 98 Poplar Road in New Bedford,

[14:45] Massachusetts.

[14:46] Can I stop you for just one second? Mr.

[14:48] Hickey, you reached out to town counsel to confirm there's no residency requirement

[14:51] for-

[14:53] I could not reach town counsel, but I did check and

[14:57] found at least

[14:59] informally, there is no residency requirement, and

[15:03] I know we haven't had one either.

[15:05] Okay. I just wanted to make sure that we were being consistent. Please continue.

[15:07] Sorry about that.

[15:08] Like I said, I live at 98 Poplar Road in New

[15:12] Bedford, Massachusetts. I'm currently the Director of Assessing for the

[15:16] town of Bourne. I became aware of the board position

[15:20] here through the internet, and also through Bruce.

[15:23] I've worked with him in the past. He encouraged me to look into applying.

[15:27] So I did apply.

[15:29] My assessing background goes back to 2008,

[15:33] 2009. I've kind of worked my way up the ranks.

[15:37] This is a little bit different for me on the other side of the hat.

[15:39] Usually, I'm kind of directing my board.

[15:41] So now I'm kind of receiving information from the assessor.

[15:45] So it's a little different hat to wear, but I'm sure I can

[15:48] be comfortable in understanding how that role works.

[15:51] Obviously, I'm well aware of the open meeting laws.

[15:55] As far as also the Board of Assessors duty under Chapter 59,

[15:59] Section 21, I'm well aware of those duties.

[16:04] Anybody has any questions?

[16:06] Any questions from the board for Mr. Pereira?

[16:08] No, thank you.

[16:08] Mr. DiCianni?

[16:09] No.

[16:09] Ms. Mella?

[16:10] No.

[16:10] Mr. Bella?

[16:11] What are some of the big challenges that you're seeing as an assessor?

[16:14] It's really catching up with the market sales.

[16:17] Every year we have to kind of analyze our sales, and I've been seeing a kind of a

[16:21] stabilization a bit more. For a while,

[16:24] during those COVID, they call them the COVID sales.

[16:26] It took a lot of towns and cities to kind of catch up to that activity that was

[16:29] going. So now we've kind of been seeing somewhat of a stable

[16:35] values across the board as far as sale prices.

[16:38] So that's kind of been the biggest challenge, has been that, I would say, and

[16:43] just the day-to-day operations. So it's a busy office

[16:47] between processing applications, and we have a lot of for exemptions.

[16:51] Those have to be handled very delicately.

[16:54] A lot of timeframe constraints that the day-to-day job the

[16:58] office handles. That's kind of the challenges.

[17:00] It's just it's an everyday-

[17:01] That was going to be my next question.

[17:02] Yeah.

[17:03] So are you seeing a lot of exemptions being sent into your office?

[17:05] Yeah. The town I work for, we did

[17:10] go into the HEROES Act. So a lot of our exemptions were,

[17:14] we had the base amount, so then the town voted to go to 100%.

[17:18] So a lot of them kind of was pretty much a whole 50% swing in the

[17:21] exemption. So we've definitely seen a lot more applicants.

[17:26] There's a lot of applicants that are not sure once they get the disability letter

[17:29] from the VA. There's not a lot of outreach sometimes, so.

[17:32] But I think that HERO Act, a lot of it was broadcast on the media, and that kind of

[17:36] got people out to apply. So we've gotten a lot of exemptions that have increased.

[17:40] I know in my office, probably went up about 10% from just because of that HERO

[17:44] Act. And then-

[17:45] Okay

[17:46] ... with the excise tax too, they get a full exemption off their excise

[17:50] tax too, or their disability percentage.

[17:53] Thank you, and thank you for applying.

[17:55] No problem.

[17:56] Thank you. And I know that you touched briefly on your familiarity with the open

[17:59] meeting law and ethics.

[18:00] Mm-hmm.

[18:00] One question that we have implemented asking applicants is, how do you approach

[18:04] situations where

[18:06] something that you feel you may want to do may contradict with what is stated in

[18:10] state law? Or if you may have a conflict of interest yourself, how do you typically

[18:14] go about those situations?

[18:15] Typically, if it's something I don't feel comfortable voting or anything

[18:19] like that, especially, I would recuse myself from it.

[18:21] If I know any particular applicant is applying for, I know with this

[18:25] position, you may know someone that's applying for an abatement, what they call.

[18:30] And obviously, you know that person, you may have to recuse yourself from that

[18:34] decision-making a lot. So that would be something I would

[18:38] obviously handle very duly, and I

[18:41] take that very seriously.

[18:43] And obviously, you feel that there's no way that

[18:46] because you're in a much different area and market than we are now, that being in

[18:50] this position in Bourne would have any sort of conflict with Fairhaven?

[18:53] Absolutely not. I actually think it's a benefit.

[18:55] I understand, really, the coastal community.

[18:58] I know a lot of properties here, they're affected by the FEMA 50/50% rules, and

[19:01] it's very similar that we have that issue in Bourne.

[19:05] So I'm very familiar as far as the waterfront landscape.

[19:07] I actually work for the city of Fairhaven as well, so I understand that really the

[19:12] waterfront, the landscape here in this town.

[19:15] Further questions on the board?

[19:16] No, thank you.

[19:17] All right. Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to appoint Rui Pereira to the

[19:21] Board of Assessors for a three-year term.

[19:23] Is it for a three-year term or is it to fill the vacancy?

[19:26] Three-year term.

[19:27] So moved.

[19:28] Second.

[19:29] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion from the board?

[19:32] Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

[19:36] Thank you. Please make sure you see the town clerk to be sworn in, because you may

[19:39] actually be here right now if you want to go.

[19:41] Thank you.

[19:42] We'll email you your time. Congratulations.

[19:44] Thank you.

[19:45] Thank you for volunteering.

[19:46] Yeah, thank you.

[19:47] Up next, we have event request. Southeastern Massachusetts Educational

[19:50] Collaborative Walkathon, October 24th, 2026.

[19:54] We have a representative from SMEC, Ms.

[19:56] Kim Wilmot here, contacted the Selectboard office after

[20:00] speaking with Lieutenant Swain, also here of the Fairhaven Police, to submit an

[20:04] event request for their walkathon.

[20:06] Police and fire are in support of the event and have worked with SMEC on details

[20:10] of the event. The board's packet materials contain their letter and the route

[20:14] details. Would you like to come up?

[20:17] Motion's coming up, just to let the board know.

[20:19] So this has been an event that's gone on for a number of years in the past.

[20:24] The police department and town offices found out about it, and so we're

[20:28] just going through the same process we would go through with any other

[20:31] organizations looking to have some sort of an event like this.

[20:34] So just to give everybody a sense, this is her first time here and

[20:38] SMEC's first time here, but it's an event that's gone on now for a

[20:42] while and been successful.

[20:43] Excellent.

[20:44] Thank you. Yes, we were encouraged to be present in case anyone had any

[20:48] questions. We first started the walk in 2018, so this is

[20:52] our eighth annual because we did not have one in 2020 for obvious

[20:55] reasons.

[20:57] The address at 56

[21:00] Bridge Street is our student services office. That's the starting and ending point.

[21:05] The neighbors have been wonderful.

[21:07] And one day, they actually came out and asked us to turn up the

[21:11] music so they could dance along with us as we got ready to go.

[21:15] Minimal disruption. When we first started planning the event, I met with

[21:18] Lieutenant Sebrell, and we made sure that we had all of the appropriate safety

[21:22] considerations in place, which is a police detail.

[21:25] We pay for two cruisers, one at the beginning, one at the end.

[21:29] But the majority of the walk is actually on the bike path.

[21:33] So we go down Green Street onto the bike path, loop around, and come

[21:37] back. Because we do work with a population of individuals

[21:41] who have a number of differences in their medical and physical

[21:44] statuses, we have a water stop out on the bike path

[21:48] staffed by our staff. We have a nurse on site, and we

[21:52] have a vehicle parked on a side street, so that if anyone isn't able to make

[21:56] the full route, we have one of our wheelchair-accessible vehicles with a driver who

[22:00] can bring them back safely.

[22:02] Do you have any questions from the board?

[22:04] No, thank you.

[22:06] Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the event request for Southeastern

[22:10] Massachusetts Educational Collaborative Walkathon on October 24th,

[22:13] 2026, with any conditions or requirements from police, fire, and

[22:17] public works.

[22:19] So moved.

[22:19] Second.

[22:19] The motions are made and seconded. Any discussion?

[22:23] I have one. I just want to say really quick, congratulations.

[22:26] It's my understanding this is your first walkathon as the executive director.

[22:29] It is. Thank you.

[22:30] So congratulations on your new role. Very well deserved.

[22:34] No one works harder than this woman here.

[22:35] I've had the pleasure of knowing her for many years.

[22:38] Our amazing executive director of 20 years retired.

[22:41] Mm.

[22:42] So

[22:43] yes, it happened.

[22:44] Great.

[22:44] She did.

[22:45] Right.

[22:46] 28th was her last day. Thank you all so much.

[22:48] All right. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

[22:51] Passes unanimously. Thank you very much.

[22:54] Up next, we have request for the Fairhaven Police Department to consider

[22:58] traffic parking control request.

[23:01] No parking sign, Ash Street at the intersection of Adams.

[23:05] No left turn, Bridge Street, exit of 240 Bridge Street.

[23:09] Handicapped parking only sign, 41 Head Street. Lieutenant Swain.

[23:16] Good evening. Oh,

[23:18] hello.

[23:21] Good to see you, sir.

[23:22] Good. How's it? Selectboard. Mr. Hitch.

[23:25] Yes, I have to discuss the items in the agenda with you.

[23:29] Officer Coelho is our safety officer.

[23:32] When these issues arise, Officer Coelho goes out and does a site visit.

[23:37] And then we look into if

[23:42] what's being requested is possible.

[23:46] We either approve it or deny it based off of the site visit,

[23:50] and then we come forward to you for approval.

[23:53] So the first thing we have is a handicap parking sign to be

[23:57] installed in front of 41 Head Street.

[23:59] Oh, I'm sorry, we also conversed with the highway department prior to,

[24:02] so...

[24:05] So the site survey for 41 Hedge Street for the handicap parking

[24:09] sign. Hedge Street is a public way in the town of Fairhaven.

[24:12] The request for the handicap parking sign is for number 41, which is located

[24:16] between Main Street and Cherry Street on the south side of the road.

[24:20] It's currently two-sided parking permitted on the street and the block for this

[24:24] request. The street is approximately 545 feet long

[24:28] and 24 feet wide. There is no center line striping on the street.

[24:32] There are multiple single and multi-family houses on Hedge Street.

[24:35] Many of these homes do not have off-street parking available to them.

[24:39] There are fire hydrants on the north side of the street.

[24:41] The request, the applicant is requesting a handicap parking space in front of

[24:45] her property for use by her,

[24:48] and

[24:50] she has a handicap placard. She stated that although there is a driveway she shares

[24:54] on the property for the elderly father, does not have a placard, and he utilizes

[24:58] the driveway.

[24:59] Recommendation, we would support the installation of the handicap sign at this

[25:03] location.

[25:04] Recommendation, the sign be placed on the west side of the driveway for 41 Hedge

[25:08] Street. There is approximately 27 feet of

[25:12] space between the driveway of 39 and 41 Hedge

[25:16] Street, allowing for the required five-foot step back from these

[25:19] driveways. There is approximately 17 feet for vehicle parking.

[25:23] We do not believe it'll impede the snow removal during the winter months due to

[25:27] placement of the south side of the roadway.

[25:30] There are pictures.

[25:32] Should

[25:34] have presented prior. So we,

[25:37] after conversing with the highway department, decided that we fully support

[25:41] the installation of the handicap parking spots.

[25:46] Just one procedural question.

[25:49] I don't see here, similar to the public hearing that we had, that

[25:53] any of the abutters were notified for any of these positions.

[25:55] Is that typically not

[25:57] part of the procedure to notify the abutters or?

[26:02] I mean, the one on 240, obviously, that's mostly a commercial area, so.

[26:05] Right.

[26:07] Not that we don't generally do it for these.

[26:10] That's a concern.

[26:13] Just a thought because I know both of those streets,

[26:16] very heavy neighborhoods where there's a lot of people, and I don't know if they

[26:20] would have any input. I mean, obviously,

[26:26] the agenda was posted, and it was shared by Mr.

[26:28] Hickey on his report, so we didn't get anything, but I was just curious because I

[26:32] didn't notice any of that, and I feel like it could help prevent further

[26:36] issues from-

[26:37] Yeah, something we can suggest going forward.

[26:40] Do you think it would be something that we should do for these, or would that hold

[26:44] it up too long?

[26:46] If it's something that's requested, we could do it.

[26:48] I don't know if it's necessary. I mean, I guess I would see if the rest of the

[26:51] board has any questions or comments. Mr. Sanders?

[26:54] I'm good.

[26:55] Ms. Teacher?

[26:56] I mean, I guess the only thing I would say is, does she typically park

[27:00] in front of her house for the most part anyway?

[27:03] Well, the other thing to consider too is this handicap spot is not designated

[27:07] strictly for her.

[27:07] Right.

[27:08] It's for anyone who has a placard. And she is well aware of that,

[27:12] that she may come home, and there could be another vehicle in that spot.

[27:15] And obviously, the no parking was requested by you for Ash Street.

[27:19] Yes. And it's a-

[27:20] The Ash Street is to aid with the bus. Oh, sorry, Ms. Teacher, you said.

[27:23] Yeah, I

[27:27] guess what I'm saying is it's not going to increase the amount of cars parking.

[27:31] Correct. She's in the neighborhood anyway.

[27:32] Mm-hmm.

[27:33] It's just designating a spot in front of her house.

[27:35] Right, for her close to her house.

[27:36] Mr. Moore?

[27:38] I'm set. I'm good, thanks.

[27:40] Okay,

[27:41] so hearing no further questions, thank you for your time, unless you had anything

[27:44] else for us.

[27:46] Yeah, we have two-

[27:46] Oh, I thought.

[27:47] Two other ones.

[27:47] Sorry, continue.

[27:48] No, no problem. Yeah, so that was-

[27:50] It's just one

[27:50] ... specifically for that one.

[27:52] The next one is for

[27:56] Adams.

[27:56] Yeah.

[27:57] They're going to read the room. They're ready to make a vote here.

[27:59] Ready to go.

[28:04] Next one's Bridge Street.

[28:07] So what we have,

[28:08] basically

[28:12] what we have here is we're looking to improve the signage and traffic

[28:16] flow.

[28:18] So there currently is a no parking sign on Ash Street.

[28:23] So basically, we request an updating of the no parking sign on the west end of Ash

[28:27] Street, near Adams Street, to improve traffic flow while not limiting the

[28:31] parking for business on the corner.

[28:34] We've received several complaints from residents that live on Ash Street about

[28:37] vehicles parked too close to the corner of Adams Street in violation of

[28:42] town bylaw. Currently, there is no parking here.

[28:46] The corner sign approximately 110 feet from Ash Street

[28:49] on the south side.

[28:51] Vehicles parked in the space on the corner while going to the barber shop,

[28:56] and then we get the residents' complaints.

[28:57] So that sign's on Adams, the one you're talking about, right?

[29:00] No, it's on-

[29:00] It's 110 from Adams

[29:01] ... but it's so far down Ash Street.

[29:03] I don't think people realize the no parking signs there.

[29:06] Mm-hmm.

[29:08] So basically, the request that we're asking for that

[29:12] is to move the sign approximately 29 feet

[29:15] west. Does not change any of the allowed parking because there is

[29:19] a wide driveway cut between this new location and the old location.

[29:23] The reason for the move is to make the sign more obvious to motorists parking on

[29:26] Ash Street, and the previous just stated it's just too far away

[29:30] to be seen.

[29:33] Also, we are looking to install a no park and hit a corner

[29:36] sign across from the south side

[29:40] of the north side to allow room for the school buses and other

[29:43] large trucks to turn onto Ash Street during the

[29:47] morning and dismissal time. It makes it very difficult for the buses to turn if

[29:50] there's a vehicle parked there.

[29:53] And we would also like to add

[29:57] a

[29:59] updated sign at the top of Ash Street with the

[30:04] one-way sign with the hours on it, duplicating the sign on School Street.

[30:08] The one that currently there is really faded, difficult to read.

[30:11] The hours are not listed on the Ash Street side.

[30:13] Yeah, so the one on School Street has the hours.

[30:15] We just want to just duplicate what's on the

[30:18] School Street one.

[30:20] Is that it for the Ash Street one?

[30:21] Yes.

[30:21] Questions from the board?

[30:23] Yeah, I have one question. Right now, is Ash Street a one way at any point in

[30:27] time? Or is it... So currently it says-

[30:30] During school hours. So 7:00 to

[30:33] 9:00 and 3:00 to 5:00 or something like that. Yeah.

[30:38] It just wasn't clear from this.

[30:39] Yeah, they keep the flow of traffic going.

[30:43] Well, thank you. Thank you, Mark.

[30:45] Mr. Chappelle, any questions?

[30:46] No. I do want to go back to the handicap parking sign though, before.

[30:50] Okay, please.

[30:52] Thank you for coming in this evening.

[30:54] In front of our town hall, we have that beautiful space that's open.

[30:58] Any chance we could look at or put handicap parking signs

[31:02] around town hall? I haven't seen any.

[31:05] Yeah, I actually looked into that, at the request of the select board.

[31:08] Okay.

[31:10] There's currently a handicap sign on

[31:14] William Street, which coincides with the handicap entrance to Town

[31:18] Hall.

[31:19] Okay.

[31:19] The reason there isn't one in the front of the building is because there's, I

[31:21] believe, seven or eight steps-

[31:23] Mm-hmm

[31:23] ... to get into Town Hall from the front.

[31:25] Right.

[31:25] So it really doesn't warrant a handicap spot in the front of Town Hall.

[31:30] But there is one on the side.

[31:31] Okay.

[31:32] And one is the compliant number according to the building

[31:35] inspector for the number of employees that we have here

[31:39] at Town Hall.

[31:41] I was thinking not so much the employees, but visitors, people coming in.

[31:44] Yeah, it goes based on the usage of the building.

[31:47] Thank you.

[31:48] And I spoke with the highway department, and when they re...

[31:51] After the gas job is done in there, with that street, they're going to improve

[31:55] that handicap spot with

[31:57] additional signage and street markings.

[32:00] Thank you.

[32:01] Sorry for that.

[32:02] No, no problem.

[32:04] If you want to jump right into Bridge.

[32:08] So the request for Bridge Street,

[32:11] this is a request directly from us.

[32:14] So we're looking to install an enforceable no left turn sign

[32:18] on Bridge Street coming out of the

[32:22] T-Mobile/CAN Plaza. The issue, what's

[32:25] happening right now is, vehicles are pulling out.

[32:29] They're taking a left going across those

[32:32] three lanes of traffic.

[32:35] So they go south and then start heading east.

[32:37] They go south out of the parking lot and then-

[32:39] Yes.

[32:40] East.

[32:40] Yes. And we've had a few accidents where the first lane of

[32:44] traffic stops to tell them to go-

[32:46] The other one doesn't

[32:47] ... and realize there's another lane of traffic coming, and they get hit.

[32:51] At a bang, at a boom.

[32:52] Right. So just for the safety of that, that's a very busy

[32:55] intersection.

[32:57] We're looking to put something there that's not DOT

[33:00] regulated.

[33:01] The property owner did put up a sign that's not enforceable

[33:05] from our perspective because it hasn't gone in front of the select board.

[33:09] So basically, it's merely a make places, merely a

[33:13] recommendation, suggestion. But we're looking for something that's legally

[33:16] enforceable.

[33:19] Any questions from the board?

[33:19] I do. So I know just to the east, Alden,

[33:23] GMC, Mazda, they have a similar type sign where you cannot

[33:27] take the left.

[33:28] Mm.

[33:28] I think it's actually engineered into their curb cut.

[33:32] Is that a sign that's what I'll call enforceable, or is that a

[33:36] non-enforceable sign?

[33:37] I believe it is.

[33:38] Without looking at it, I'm going to go with probably not.

[33:40] A lot of the ones you see in businesses, coming out of 7-Eleven and all those, it's

[33:44] just a recommendation that-

[33:46] I'm sure it was a function of the planning board when they approved the development

[33:49] in the first instance because you're not going to purposely build that into your-

[33:52] Right.

[33:52] So my question is, if that one isn't legally

[33:56] enforceable, should we do the same thing

[33:59] in the future?

[34:00] It's something we could definitely look into.

[34:03] I think right over there, the way the curb cut is, it kind of makes traffic have to

[34:07] go-

[34:07] Take it away.

[34:08] Sort of allow.

[34:09] Doesn't mean you do it, though.

[34:10] Yeah.

[34:12] But yeah, it's absolutely something that we can also look into.

[34:15] Thank you.

[34:18] Any other questions from the board?

[34:21] Mr. Chappelle?

[34:23] No, thank you, sir.

[34:24] Anything further from-

[34:26] No, those are the three that we have.

[34:28] Right. So I will entertain a motion to approve the following traffic parking

[34:32] control request from the Fairhaven Police Department.

[34:34] If anyone wants to hold on any of these three, just say hold, otherwise, we'll take

[34:38] it as one motion. No parking sign, Ash Street at the intersection of Adams.

[34:43] No left turn, Bridge Street exit of 240 Bridge.

[34:47] Handicap parking only sign, 41 Head Street.

[34:51] Do we have a motion?

[34:52] So moved.

[34:53] Second.

[34:53] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[34:56] Hearing none, all those in favor?

[34:58] Aye.

[34:58] Any opposed? Passed unanimously. Thank you.

[35:02] Thank you.

[35:02] Thank you for your time.

[35:04] Good night.

[35:05] Up next, we have Consider Creation of Fairhaven Tourism Committee.

[35:08] Resident Jennifer Cardoza contacted the Selectboard office

[35:12] requesting the Selectboard consider establishing a Fairhaven Tourism Committee.

[35:16] Included in your board materials is a detailed proposal provided by Ms.

[35:21] Cardoza.

[35:25] Upon receiving Ms. Cardoza's email expressing her interest in a

[35:28] tourism committee, the town administrator shared that the Economic Development

[35:32] Committee has shared their interest in providing some of the activities formerly

[35:36] provided by the tourism department and suggested

[35:41] she reach out to a member of the Economic Development Committee to discuss

[35:44] collaborating efforts. The town administrator is unsure if the two parties

[35:48] have spoken.

[35:50] Okay. So we did not speak. I'm sorry. We did not have time to reach out to them.

[35:55] We started school, and it's been really busy.

[35:58] I brought this proposal forward because I saw that

[36:01] Middleborough does this. They have a whole group that is

[36:05] Discover Middleborough. Wareham also has a volunteer tourism group.

[36:10] I understand we have EDC, but this would be a completely different

[36:14] charge-

[36:16] I feel that events are really important to the town.

[36:19] Promoting the town is really important.

[36:21] Not just big businesses like Big Y and all those things coming in, but other small

[36:24] businesses and taking the time to promote their events.

[36:28] I don't think EDC does that. I don't even think they have a Facebook page.

[36:32] They do.

[36:34] Correct me if I'm wrong. But Discover Middleborough and The Wareham, they do

[36:38] almost similar what Fairhaven was doing. They do similar events.

[36:42] It would be a

[36:44] complete different charge. Economic development is more business growth and

[36:47] development, attracting businesses and customers.

[36:50] The tourism committee would be tourism and destination promotion, attracting

[36:53] visitors, and showcasing what Fairhaven already has.

[36:56] History, culture, attractions, bringing back the beach events,

[37:00] old time holiday, things like that.

[37:03] Questions?

[37:05] Just to open it up,

[37:07] one comment I have is that I know the EDC

[37:10] is trying to continue some of the events that you listed.

[37:14] Ribbon cuttings, old time holiday.

[37:16] I actually received an email that-

[37:17] I'm not saying that we would do ribbon cuttings. Like that should be EDC.

[37:21] Okay.

[37:21] Like that should definitely be economic development, because that's not even what

[37:25] Discover... Discover Fairhaven was doing that, but they were doing it because they

[37:27] had Fairhaven TV backing them and doing all that and promoting.

[37:31] Sure.

[37:32] I think

[37:33] there is a bit of legwork to be done before approving this tonight.

[37:36] I think because it's kind of up in the air right now who's

[37:40] taking over some of the activities from what technically was Discover

[37:44] Fairhaven and what fell under EDC or what shouldn't.

[37:47] I also think this is a conversation that this board needs to have about this

[37:51] is an opportunity to say, "Is this what we want our economic

[37:55] development committee doing?" Do we want our economic development committee doing

[37:59] Discover Fairhaven, Harbor Fest, food trucks, or do we want to

[38:02] create a separate thing like this?

[38:04] Because right now that would be duplicating efforts, and if we do want

[38:08] to create this committee, what do we want

[38:12] the economic development committee to focus on?

[38:14] Because right now it's been very what Discover Fairhaven was

[38:18] doing. Whether or not that's what it should be, that's what it is.

[38:22] So that's sort of where I'm from. I'm going to open up to the board for questions

[38:25] and comments. Mr. Sanders, if you have any?

[38:27] Thank you.

[38:27] Ms. DiCi-

[38:29] So yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[38:32] So, thanks for your idea.

[38:34] So I'm the liaison to the EDC, and I haven't attended a meeting yet,

[38:38] because it-

[38:39] Because they met pre-

[38:40] They

[38:41] met one time right after I was appointed, and I was in New York.

[38:44] So they haven't met,

[38:46] until their meeting this week, actually.

[38:49] But I did have a little bit of back and forth with Ms.

[38:52] Melanson around sort of what was happening, in part because I'm also involved

[38:56] in one of the other activities for old time.

[38:59] And

[39:00] it does sound like they have some activities that are already planned that

[39:04] they're planning on moving forward with.

[39:06] That seems to be where some of the energy is going.

[39:08] I'm only getting this through email.

[39:10] I haven't been a part of the meeting, so I would be really interested to sort of

[39:13] see,

[39:14] too, what they are thinking their charge is going

[39:18] forward in terms of what Mr. Romano was just alluding to.

[39:22] I also think that we did have some conversation with the City of New Bedford around

[39:26] the sort of promotion of activities and what they're doing in their tourism.

[39:30] We haven't really fleshed that out too much.

[39:32] I think it would be useful or helpful for us to kind of understand what

[39:36] sort of good collaborate, you know, what collaborative

[39:39] activities could happen before we charge the group to do

[39:43] things. I think it'd be sort of nice to solidify that, so then we can

[39:47] come back to the table both with, you know, what does EDC really want to--

[39:52] Should they really be focusing on where do we want them to go, as well as, and

[39:56] then see where there's a void, really.

[39:59] Because I think it sounds to me like that's sort of what you're thinking about.

[40:01] You're like how do we fill a void of not having some of

[40:05] the robust things that we're taking-

[40:07] I mean, it's like the void of the events and the promotion, because now no one's

[40:10] running the Discover Fairhaven Facebook page.

[40:13] Right.

[40:13] The website's

[40:15] gone I think in December. So I mean, who's really going to take that

[40:18] message?

[40:19] Yeah, I think I'm sorry to interrupt you.

[40:21] No.

[40:21] I do think that's probably part of the conversation we

[40:24] should have at EDC too. Like do they envision, are they envisioning that

[40:28] they're going to continue with the Facebook page?

[40:30] If so, how is that going to happen? You know, all of those kinds of things.

[40:33] So,

[40:34] that's kind of where I stand. I

[40:37] do think that there's some more conversation that needs to happen before we-

[40:41] Yeah. And just to clarify my comment, I am 100% not a

[40:45] no.

[40:45] Yeah, no.

[40:46] I feel like I'm a not right now. Let's figure out that and then

[40:50] bring this back. But Ms. Mello, do you have anything to add?

[40:53] Yeah, I mean, thank you for bringing this forward.

[40:58] I think we do need to have more discussion about what roles are.

[41:01] I also have a concern

[41:04] that even if it were a volunteer committee, if this is done under the

[41:08] auspices of the Slack board, there are still going to be resources that are

[41:12] required from the town to have this done.

[41:15] You make mention of town administrator time, town council

[41:18] time.

[41:20] So I would be the last person to get in the way of a

[41:24] volunteer group that wanted to get together to do this.

[41:27] I'm not sure

[41:31] with the information I have available to me right now that that needs to be

[41:34] something that comes from Town Hall.

[41:37] If that makes any sense. Those are my questions that I need

[41:40] answered.

[41:41] Ms. Lopes, before we recognize you, I'm going to recognize to see if Mr.

[41:44] Chapella has anything. Ms. Lopes, did you have something that you wanted to add to

[41:48] this?

[41:53] Hi. Yes, I did. I just wanted to mention,

[41:57] this is a great thought process and I understand

[42:01] the complexity of possibly duplicating

[42:05] some different things, and you don't necessarily want to.

[42:08] I agree with what Pam was saying as well.

[42:11] I think that Jen's idea and where the direction that could

[42:15] be headed could be great for those lost areas without the

[42:19] Office of Tourism now being there, or Discover Fairhaven.

[42:24] I love it It's a fantastic idea, and it also

[42:28] helps other groups come together throughout the

[42:31] town.

[42:33] Like local vendors who have local businesses, and promoting those

[42:37] businesses within the town could also help as well.

[42:40] We are seeing loss now without

[42:44] Discover Fairhaven for promotions.

[42:47] But we also think of it too, when you're coming together as

[42:50] volunteers, this also gives different groups and opportunities to start

[42:54] working together collaboratively, and

[42:58] giving the opportunity for incorporating some sustainability and

[43:02] reuse for different events throughout the town for holidays

[43:06] and decorations and supplies, things of that nature.

[43:09] So I understand Jen's idea, but I also

[43:13] understand your aspect of things, and

[43:17] waiting to see how EDC plans to go about for the future

[43:21] of what they would pick up for the,

[43:24] Discover Fairhaven aspect of things.

[43:27] But I just wanted to give my input, and I thank you all for your time.

[43:30] Before you mute, name and address for the record,

[43:34] please.

[43:35] Christina Lopes, 12 Bernie Street.

[43:37] Thank you very much. Mr. Chipola, did you have anything in response?

[43:40] Yes. Jen, awesome idea. Thank you.

[43:44] I personally believe that economic development

[43:49] is a completely different activity than tourism.

[43:53] I look at economic development, and I would like to hear from them as you did

[43:57] state, Mr. Chair, so we have a clear line of responsibilities

[44:01] for economic development. And hopefully, if we can approve this tourism

[44:05] committee,

[44:06] that their focus is on the big picture items for the town of Fairhaven,

[44:11] development, plazas, businesses, things like that.

[44:16] Whereas tourism,

[44:18] we're a coastal community,

[44:20] attracting people to come into our beach, the festivals that

[44:24] we do. So I agree with you, Mr. Chair, that if we

[44:27] could ask both entities to really define

[44:31] what their roles and responsibilities would be and their focus, I think it

[44:35] would be very productive for the town so that you're not

[44:38] overlapping one another's activities. But great idea, Jen.

[44:42] Awesome. Thank you.

[44:44] Something else I just want to throw out there too is we currently have a

[44:48] Cable Advisory Committee that is struggling-

[44:52] Cable what, sir?

[44:52] Cable Advisory Committee, which struggles to get membership,

[44:56] because of what its current charge is.

[44:58] Cable Advisory has an aspect that needs to be the

[45:02] negotiation of contracts with Comcast.

[45:04] But it doesn't have to fall under the Cable Advisory, that's just sort of where it

[45:08] has ended up. But

[45:10] as someone who's been the liaison to that board for the last two years, I can tell

[45:13] you a big thing of what they talk about is how to promote community events and how

[45:16] to work within that. We almost have an opportunity to sort of restructure that

[45:20] board too, to work together with this committee and say, "Okay, we have these

[45:24] events. Now how do we get Fairhaven TV covering it?" So just part of a

[45:28] maybe bigger conversation. Mr. Sanders?

[45:30] So, yeah, thank you for your idea. I agree with what everybody said.

[45:33] It'd be helpful though if you had said Middleborough

[45:37] is very successful at this, and you know Wareham doing it too.

[45:42] Given what you've heard from the board today, if you could, I'll give you a little

[45:45] homework assignment. You don't have to do it if you don't want to, but could you

[45:49] let us know how Middleborough works?

[45:51] Do they have the same dynamic between economic development and

[45:54] tourism? Same thing with Wareham. That'd be helpful.

[45:57] Yeah. Completely, it's separate.

[45:59] It's two-

[45:59] So they have both

[46:00] ... completely separate charges. They have both.

[46:01] Okay.

[46:02] Middleborough is super successful.

[46:04] Their Facebook page has

[46:06] thousands of followers, and they promote every event, and they're

[46:09] literally a volunteer group that promote events, put out events.

[46:14] I didn't look into Wareham too much, but Middleborough is huge.

[46:17] Right. That's good context. Thank you. Good question.

[46:20] So with that being said, would you like us to move forward with any sort of motion

[46:24] tonight, or would you agree that should we-- Something to add themselves?

[46:28] Yeah, I think,

[46:29] so to Mr. Sanders' point, I think it would be, it would

[46:33] almost be helpful to understand how they've separated the charge too, because

[46:37] there's so much overlap there. There appears to be.

[46:40] Like I said, I haven't been to a meeting, so I'm just basing off what I've seen on

[46:43] TV and had communication on. So I think I'd feel more

[46:47] comfortable sort of understanding the dynamic and then helping

[46:51] to determine that charge. I don't disagree with you that there should be a

[46:55] more designated focus on the bigger development pieces.

[46:59] But how do we get there before we kind of move to another

[47:03] committee that could have overlap and then confusion. That's my feeling.

[47:06] I think it's something we could consider going forward once we do that.

[47:11] Would you like us to table, or would you like us to move forward without-

[47:14] You can table it. I was just bringing an idea to everyone.

[47:17] I just wanted to put it out there.

[47:18] So, yep. Let's not set a deadline, so that way we can work through these

[47:21] conversations. Let's table it sort of

[47:25] indefinitely, so that way the board can bring it back up once we sort of work

[47:28] through with the economic development committee to drive a different comment.

[47:32] That's a different comment.

[47:33] Okay.

[47:33] I just wanted to just ask, would you be willing to come back when we're ready to

[47:36] take this up once we've had more conversations?

[47:39] Yeah.

[47:39] Please.

[47:39] Okay, awesome. Yeah.

[47:40] Thank you.

[47:40] Okay.

[47:41] All right, so do we have a motion to table indefinitely?

[47:44] So moved.

[47:45] Second.

[47:46] Motions are made and seconded.

[47:47] Just to table.

[47:49] Okay, it's a motion to table.

[47:51] Any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye.

[47:55] Any opposed? Thank you so much for your time. We'll definitely be in touch.

[47:58] Thank you.

[47:58] Thanks. Thank you.

[47:59] Thank you, Jen.

[48:00] All right, next we have use of auditorium request.

[48:03] Millicent Library, October 22nd, 2026 for an author talk

[48:07] event.

[48:08] The Millicent Library is seeking the board's approval for the use of the town hall

[48:11] auditorium on October 22nd, 2026 for an author

[48:15] talk. Details of the author and the forthcoming

[48:18] details on the author are forthcoming, which they are on your blotter tonight.

[48:22] A flyer with additional details was provided to the office today on the

[48:26] board's blotter. Do we have anyone here online to discuss this

[48:29] event?

[48:32] I don't believe so. Do we have any questions from the board?

[48:35] This is a

[48:36] similar style event that has been hosted in the past.

[48:40] Any questions from the board?

[48:44] No? All right. Hearing none, I will entertain a motion to approve the

[48:48] use of Town Hall Auditorium by the Millicent Library on October

[48:51] 22nd, 2026, contingent upon payment of the custodian

[48:56] and audiovisual fees in accordance with the town's policy as outlined in the

[48:59] application.

[49:00] So moved.

[49:01] Second.

[49:01] Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[49:04] Hearing none, all those in favor?

[49:06] Aye.

[49:07] Aye. Opposed? Passes unanimously.

[49:09] Before we go into executive session, we have review of open volunteer

[49:12] opportunities. As part of the board's effort to highlight volunteer

[49:16] opportunities, the board's packet contains a list of recent

[49:19] resignations and openings that appear on the Volunteer

[49:22] Opportunities page of the website.

[49:25] The town's website,

[49:27] as of the morning of the agenda as posted, is listed as part of the packet.

[49:31] The list may change as openings are identified.

[49:34] Interested applicants should review the page and can contact the town

[49:38] administrator's office with any questions.

[49:40] Resignations since last meeting, we have a Cultural Council, two members, Catherine

[49:44] Tebbs and Donna Cicerone. Probably butchering that, I

[49:47] apologize. I just want to read through really quickly that we are accepting

[49:51] applications for all positions. Special Bylaw Review Committee, open

[49:55] until filled, one member through term completion.

[49:58] Belonging Committee, one member, open until filled.

[50:01] Board of Assessors has been filled tonight.

[50:04] So that has been-

[50:05] That has been filled, yep.

[50:06] Okay, thank you.

[50:08] Table Advisory Committee, two members, open until filled.

[50:11] Cultural Council, two members, three-year term, open until filled.

[50:15] Historic Commission, associate members not to exceed number of full members, open

[50:19] until filled. Lagoa Friendship Pact Committee, one member, open

[50:23] until filled, and Livable Streets Committee, unlimited availability, open

[50:27] until filled. I also would like to indicate for the public tonight that

[50:31] we said at our last meeting of October

[50:35] 10th that we would be doing a boarding committee reappointment night.

[50:39] That has been finally, definitely scheduled for

[50:42] October 14th,

[50:45] 2026 at 6:00 PM. That is the Wednesday following

[50:49] our Tuesday night meeting. That night has changed if you are

[50:53] an applicant, so you will be getting notified.

[50:56] We will also be extending the application period by one week.

[51:00] Any members of the public who are listening,

[51:04] any position that had ended

[51:08] in May that we have extended through the September date,

[51:12] that is considered an open position.

[51:14] Members who have that seat may reapply.

[51:17] Members

[51:19] of the public who would like to apply can apply for any of those open seats and

[51:22] will be considered that evening.

[51:25] If a member who is up for reappointment does not reapply,

[51:29] they've been given over a month's notice to do so.

[51:32] So if we do not receive it by the October date, we will assume that that

[51:36] person is no longer interested in reapplying.

[51:39] They

[51:40] will be receiving up to two to three emails by the time the application

[51:44] period closes. So all applicants will have an opportunity to reapply. Ms. Mellor?

[51:49] I had a question of the Historical Commission about whether we were going

[51:53] to organize it by time so people would know when to show up,

[51:57] so that someone doesn't come from the beginning of the meeting and has to sit there

[52:00] for two and a half hours.

[52:01] So how we were doing it was alphabetical order of committee.

[52:05] Are we going to announce that?

[52:07] That's how we announced it to all the applicants who have-

[52:10] Oh, okay

[52:10] ... applied. We're going in alphabetical order of how it will appear.

[52:14] So, assessors A, B, C, down the line.

[52:17] Unfortunately,

[52:20] we're making a recommendation of how long we think it may take based on how

[52:24] many applicants we receive, but that also depends on if all the applicants show

[52:28] up

[52:30] and how quickly some of the conversation goes.

[52:33] So we're not saying at 6:15-

[52:35] No.

[52:35] Boom. Okay.

[52:36] No.

[52:36] Thank you.

[52:37] It is going to go in alphabetical order.

[52:38] We start at 6:00 PM?

[52:40] That'll be at 6:00 PM.

[52:41] Thank you.

[52:41] Yep.

[52:43] Further questions from the board regarding open positions?

[52:46] All right. Hearing none,

[52:49] we have

[52:50] executive session.

[52:53] I will entertain a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to

[52:57] General Law Chapter 30A, subsection 21A3, to

[53:01] discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an

[53:05] open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and

[53:09] litigating position of the public body, and the chair so declares,

[53:13] AFSCME Highway and Atlas Tech, and to

[53:17] return to open session. Do we have a motion?

[53:21] Just to be clear, we're just doing item D, we're not doing item K,

[53:25] because we have two executive-

[53:26] Correct. We'll go back and do it separately.

[53:27] Okay. So moved.

[53:28] Second.

[53:29] Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[53:32] Hearing none, I'll call for a roll call vote. Mr. Sanders?

[53:34] Newtown moves in favor.

[53:35] I think Peter, yes.

[53:37] Ms. Mellor?

[53:37] Madelyn Mellor, aye.

[53:38] Mr. Ed Chappel, yes.

[53:39] Andrew Romano, aye. 6:51, we are now in executive session.

[1:44:47] We're going to move into E, action discussion items.

[1:44:49] Up first, we have consider amendment to collective bargaining agreement for the

[1:44:53] American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

[1:44:56] Highway, AFSCME. Public Works Director Vinnie Furtado

[1:45:00] will present amendments to the collective bargaining agreement included in our

[1:45:05] board and material packets is the supporting information on the

[1:45:09] proposed amendments. Mr. Furtado.

[1:45:13] Good evening.

[1:45:15] Good evening, everybody.

[1:45:17] So as provided in everyone's packet, I'm

[1:45:21] here on behalf of the Board of Public Works to request

[1:45:25] the reclassification of our garage

[1:45:28] mechanic positions from that of a grade seven

[1:45:33] to that of a grade nine.

[1:45:36] It wouldn't happen as a rite of passage for

[1:45:40] everybody. There would have to be X number of years

[1:45:44] that would have to be satisfied and some

[1:45:49] certifications and whatnot that would have to be achieved.

[1:45:53] But once that level of proficiency was

[1:45:56] achieved, then we're looking for the

[1:45:59] capabilities to promote the staff,

[1:46:03] give them a growth opportunity,

[1:46:07] because nowadays, like I mentioned

[1:46:10] to the board,

[1:46:12] when it comes to vehicle repair,

[1:46:15] you have to be more than someone who can turn a wrench.

[1:46:19] You have to have, with the modernization of the vehicles,

[1:46:23] you need to have the prowess to be

[1:46:27] technologically savvy for the computer systems that are

[1:46:30] located therein. So, as part of

[1:46:35] what has been delegated to the Selectboard,

[1:46:39] as far as

[1:46:42] signing off on what's ultimately negotiated

[1:46:46] by the Board of Public Works, I'm asking since

[1:46:50] the negotiation won't happen until a couple of years from now, give or

[1:46:54] take the beginning of '28, and the sign

[1:46:58] off,

[1:46:59] if the board so approved, wouldn't occur until two

[1:47:03] years from now. Rather than wait the two years, I'm

[1:47:06] hoping that the board will approve the request that

[1:47:11] the Board of Public Works made via the town administrator,

[1:47:15] that you would sign off that if any of our employees

[1:47:19] achieved the required

[1:47:22] certifications and capabilities to work on the

[1:47:26] computers, that there would be a growth opportunity within the

[1:47:30] department. Which again,

[1:47:32] I firmly believe, and the numbers will demonstrate

[1:47:36] that for a small raise, the

[1:47:40] town's going to save thousands of dollars in what would be

[1:47:44] funneled out to

[1:47:46] private concern. Right now,

[1:47:49] every vehicle that we repair in town, they don't pay for

[1:47:53] labor. Obviously, the labor is handled by the staff that we have in

[1:47:57] the

[1:47:58] highway department, the vehicle repair staff.

[1:48:01] And the gentlemen that we have, the whole crew, but especially the

[1:48:05] gentleman that we have heading up the garage, he's really a crackerjack

[1:48:09] with repairs and with the

[1:48:14] computer stuff. So we're really...

[1:48:17] Key DAU folks have asked us to try to look at ways

[1:48:21] we can save money, that we're doing this right now,

[1:48:24] and really with a small shift,

[1:48:29] it's a net savings for the town.

[1:48:32] Questions from the board?

[1:48:33] So, yeah.

[1:48:36] I'll consider this direct examination questions, which are the easiest ones to

[1:48:39] answer.

[1:48:41] Could you explain for the people

[1:48:45] watching

[1:48:46] that although it's the Board of Public Works that's coming in front of us asking

[1:48:50] for this authority to create the position with inside the Board of Public Works,

[1:48:55] is it true that all of the

[1:48:58] town's

[1:49:00] automobiles or vehicles

[1:49:02] are serviced or repaired by the Board of Public Works?

[1:49:06] Maybe that's a bad question. The police cruisers, the fire

[1:49:10] trucks, the ambulances-

[1:49:11] Some schools

[1:49:12] ... all of those automobiles would

[1:49:16] be serviced by these-

[1:49:17] If they're serviced-

[1:49:18] ... positions

[1:49:19] ... if, yes.

[1:49:21] And the alternative is if we don't have someone to service these,

[1:49:25] what I'll say, more technologically advanced vehicles, we would have to

[1:49:29] hire an outside vendor to service those

[1:49:33] correctly.

[1:49:34] Right. Whereas you would pay the parts and the labor, and the labor

[1:49:38] would be a lot more than the-

[1:49:40] Well, it's going to be much-

[1:49:41] ... for $3 that-

[1:49:43] Based upon training and experience over the last 40 years, do you think it would be

[1:49:47] a net savings to the town?

[1:49:48] Yes, I do.

[1:49:49] Thank you.

[1:49:50] And that's not me just trying to sell it.

[1:49:52] I believe you.

[1:49:53] I truly believe that.

[1:49:55] Thank you.

[1:49:55] Other questions from the board?

[1:49:58] All right. Hearing none, I will entertain a motion to approve

[1:50:02] establishing a senior mechanic position to be placed grade

[1:50:05] nine of the existing wage scale Further, to create a senior

[1:50:09] working foreman position to be placed in grade 10 of the existing

[1:50:13] wage scale.

[1:50:14] So moved.

[1:50:14] Second.

[1:50:15] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[1:50:18] Hearing none, all those in favor?

[1:50:20] Aye.

[1:50:20] Aye. Opposed? Carries unanimously.

[1:50:22] Thank you, everybody who-

[1:50:23] Good night.

[1:50:23] I saw a couple of things later on the agenda, so-

[1:50:26] More than you want.

[1:50:28] All right.

[1:50:37] All right, up next.

[1:50:39] Mr.

[1:50:41] Picado, what item are you sticking around for?

[1:50:47] Here for the agenda.

[1:50:48] This would be a draft local aid letter holding a regional meeting, wastewater

[1:50:52] issues. Is that you?

[1:50:53] Sure.

[1:50:53] Thank you.

[1:50:55] I'd like to entertain a motion to take item E3 out of order.

[1:50:58] Ooh.

[1:50:59] So second.

[1:50:59] Motions were made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, aye.

[1:51:04] Aye.

[1:51:04] Opposed? Passes unanimously. Mr. Picado, the floor is yours.

[1:51:08] We are going to-

[1:51:09] Well, I didn't want to, since it said wastewater-

[1:51:12] Yeah.

[1:51:12] You know, I didn't want to leave-

[1:51:15] Yeah, so let me-

[1:51:15] In case you had any questions about it.

[1:51:17] Yeah. So we're going to enter into discussion on holding a regional meeting to

[1:51:20] discuss solutions to wastewater issues impacting Fairhaven and other South

[1:51:24] Coast communities. Member Rick Chipillo and Town Administrator Hickey met with

[1:51:28] two members of the New Bedford Public Works to discuss ongoing and future

[1:51:32] wastewater concerns. Member Chipillo is seeking board support

[1:51:36] to contact Representative Silvia and Senator Montigny's offices

[1:51:40] to organize a meeting of elected and appointed officials on the South

[1:51:44] Coast to discuss seeking federal aid to address the

[1:51:47] expected increase in costs to treat and dispose of wastewater.

[1:51:51] So I guess I'll turn it over to you first.

[1:51:52] I think that's everything we asked for. That's the description.

[1:51:56] We met last week with

[1:51:59] the City of New Bedford, excuse me.

[1:52:03] We started with CSO

[1:52:06] discharge. We ended up with wastewater costs

[1:52:11] to

[1:52:13] dispose of the variety of types of wastewater.

[1:52:18] Cake.

[1:52:19] Cake remnants.

[1:52:21] Not from Holiday Bakery, though.

[1:52:22] And it was a really good conversation

[1:52:26] about the fact that the opportunities for

[1:52:30] us to dispose of this wastewater waste

[1:52:34] is potentially going to be narrowed and become much

[1:52:38] more expensive.

[1:52:39] So-

[1:52:39] For the town of Fairhaven to get rid of?

[1:52:41] Both.

[1:52:42] Okay.

[1:52:42] Every community that operates a wastewater

[1:52:46] plant is going to potentially face significant increases in the

[1:52:50] cost of disposing of waste

[1:52:53] from the wastewater plant.

[1:52:55] So we,

[1:52:58] during our conversation, suggested to the City of New Bedford, does

[1:53:02] it make any sense? Would they be willing to at least start a

[1:53:05] conversation with other South Coast

[1:53:09] communities to see if we can try to solve that problem as a-

[1:53:11] To regionalize them?

[1:53:13] And they

[1:53:15] seemed interested. Again, just like I'm not, they weren't the

[1:53:18] decision-makers, but they, I think, are willing

[1:53:22] to support at least exploring

[1:53:26] the opportunities to find a solution.

[1:53:28] And so what

[1:53:30] I think we're asking for this evening from the board is

[1:53:34] to allow,

[1:53:37] ultimately, representatives from this board, probably Mr.

[1:53:40] Picado, a member or two of the Board of Public Works, and

[1:53:44] potentially me to

[1:53:46] meet with other South Coast communities

[1:53:49] to brainstorm to see if there's a way that we can work

[1:53:53] with either our local or even our state or federal government

[1:53:58] to provide some financial assistance to

[1:54:04] ultimately reduce the cost of disposal for South

[1:54:07] Coast communities. But didn't want to do that without coming to this board

[1:54:11] first and

[1:54:13] making you aware of what occurred last week and what

[1:54:17] direction we'd like to at least go

[1:54:21] moving forward. Through you, Mr. Chair, can I just give

[1:54:25] you some...

[1:54:25] Yes.

[1:54:26] So right now, the Town of Fairhaven,

[1:54:29] City of New Bedford too, they have a contract with Synagro.

[1:54:34] Synagro

[1:54:35] are the folks who transport our

[1:54:38] waste to an incinerator in Woonsocket, Rhode

[1:54:42] Island,

[1:54:43] and we pay the transportation over there.

[1:54:47] And based on the level of

[1:54:51] dryness, if you will, that we can

[1:54:55] achieve,

[1:54:57] there's a percent solids calculation,

[1:55:00] and the drier, the easier it is to incinerate than if it

[1:55:04] were wet.

[1:55:06] Right.

[1:55:07] But this-

[1:55:07] No.

[1:55:08] It's true. But the balance is

[1:55:11] when

[1:55:13] the material

[1:55:15] is taken away, here in New Bedford and everywhere that has a

[1:55:18] contract with Synagro, it goes in an enclosed

[1:55:22] tanker, like those 9,000-gallon gas tankers.

[1:55:26] So it has to be wet enough to be able to pump, because you're not shoveling it

[1:55:30] into the back of a truck. So it has to be wet enough to be

[1:55:33] pumped into the tanker and

[1:55:37] then brought to Woonsocket. So-

[1:55:41] Woonsocket may be going away, which-

[1:55:43] That is the whole thing

[1:55:45] ... cause additional transportation costs, which what we would like to

[1:55:48] explore, keeping-

[1:55:51] Right

[1:55:51] ... disposal more in the region.

[1:55:54] There is talk that Woonsocket is no longer

[1:55:58] going to be processing the waste

[1:56:01] in 2029. The coach may turn into

[1:56:05] a pumpkin in 2029. So it could be sooner than that.

[1:56:09] Pumpkin. Yes. Did you have anything to add? I'm sorry.

[1:56:13] No, so because of that,

[1:56:16] there are other options. There's Blackstone, there's

[1:56:21] Lowell, there's Cranston, but you'd have

[1:56:25] to jockey for position. So it's a great idea, honestly, to

[1:56:29] see if we can go collectively elsewhere,

[1:56:33] especially

[1:56:35] joining with New Bedford, because we give

[1:56:39] about 10

[1:56:42] trucks per week, give or take, to Synagro.

[1:56:45] About two a day, sometimes a little more, whereas New Bedford's

[1:56:49] probably eight, nine, 10 a day-

[1:56:51] Mm

[1:56:52] ... with the amount of volume. So they would be the

[1:56:55] lead dog. And whatever ultimately would

[1:56:59] happen,

[1:57:01] if we joined with them, they would have more saying power, if you

[1:57:05] will, because they'd be a bigger customer.

[1:57:08] We are just 25 million gallons a day.

[1:57:11] We're three million gallons a day, not that kind.

[1:57:13] Mr. Trapani, did they cover it or do you have anything to add?

[1:57:16] Yes, I do.

[1:57:18] Thank you, Mr. Furtado, as always.

[1:57:21] Mr. Hickey, thank you for allowing me to attend the meeting over in New Bedford

[1:57:25] this past-

[1:57:25] Happy to have you.

[1:57:27] We first went there, Mr. Furtado, and to the board to discuss

[1:57:31] a letter that we were contemplating sending out to EPA

[1:57:35] to get their assist

[1:57:38] in pushing New Bedford to resolve their discharge during rain

[1:57:41] events.

[1:57:43] We met with Mr. Pont, and he's an absolute

[1:57:46] gentleman. And he brought up to us in the meeting,

[1:57:51] residents of Bedford are heavily taxed now for their upgrades to their system.

[1:57:58] They're doing as much as they can with the EPA orders that they have in

[1:58:02] place.

[1:58:03] And Mr. Pont, and please correct me, Mr.

[1:58:06] Hickey, I'm looking at my notes from the meeting.

[1:58:08] He really referenced their discharge, Mr.

[1:58:10] Furtado, as impacting the shellfish.

[1:58:15] And

[1:58:16] he brought up that the regulations for shellfishing had changed,

[1:58:20] making it more stringent.

[1:58:22] And I said, "Okay, I understand that."

[1:58:25] I said very respectfully, I said,

[1:58:28] "In the town of Fairhaven, we have invested some $70 million

[1:58:32] for our nitrogen compliance,

[1:58:35] plus a new plant."

[1:58:38] I said,

[1:58:39] "In the city of New Bedford," I said, "Your plant

[1:58:43] does need upgrades because it has no nitrogen capability."

[1:58:47] And I referenced in the month of July that you have

[1:58:51] discharged approximately 130 million gallons of waste.

[1:58:56] His focus was really not on the dumping of that waste,

[1:59:00] but really on the impact to shellfishing.

[1:59:03] And my end is both on the shellfishing, but what dumping

[1:59:07] that waste, the human waste, the chemicals, et cetera,

[1:59:10] plus the nitrogen into the bay does.

[1:59:16] And I certainly didn't want to be rude,

[1:59:19] Mr. Hickey, because he's a gentleman.

[1:59:21] I could see in his face that he was doing absolutely the best he

[1:59:25] could. He's a good guy. He has limited amount of money for

[1:59:29] 110,000 population city.

[1:59:33] So,

[1:59:35] to this board,

[1:59:38] I would not propose sending the letter that I had drafted.

[1:59:43] I think it would be

[1:59:47] antagonistic,

[1:59:48] and I don't think it would serve any purpose.

[1:59:51] I really think that if this board, and perhaps Mr.

[1:59:55] Saunders and Ms. Keicher, with your contacts,

[1:59:59] if we could try to... What's the expression?

[2:00:02] You can bring a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

[2:00:06] Perhaps if we could have some meetings with the city of New Bedford

[2:00:10] to get their focus more off of the issue of, well, they

[2:00:13] changed the regulation on shellfishing, which is making it now more apparent that

[2:00:17] every time it rains, they shut down the shellfishing beds.

[2:00:21] To recognize that it's really not healthy

[2:00:25] to the whole Buzzards Bay community, from Wareham to Westport,

[2:00:30] to allow the plant to continue the way it is.

[2:00:33] And perhaps that's a conversation with

[2:00:36] your contact with the mayor, because the mayor has now appointed to talk about

[2:00:40] this.

[2:00:42] I referenced a meeting that Mr. Pont was in to Mr.

[2:00:46] Hickey when we were there, that

[2:00:48] Mr. Rasmussen from Buzzards Bay Coalition facilitated a meeting,

[2:00:52] Mr. Furtado, about a year and a half ago, two years.

[2:00:55] In which they said the solution for a holding tank, upgrade to that plant,

[2:01:00] because the residents there have issues with smell, et cetera.

[2:01:03] It's a billion too.

[2:01:05] And Mr. Pont says, "Brett, we don't have that money." And

[2:01:09] I respect that. The residents, the taxpayers in New

[2:01:13] Bedford don't have that money.

[2:01:15] But the residents along the South Coast do not.

[2:01:19] So at that meeting,

[2:01:21] Mr. Saunders, and to the board,

[2:01:24] we did talk about, and Mr. Montigny, Senator Montigny,

[2:01:28] Representative Silvia,

[2:01:30] Mr. Markey, Representative Markey, had talked about

[2:01:33] funding, maybe setting up an MWRA, something on a

[2:01:37] more regional or federal basis to really try to

[2:01:41] help the biggest

[2:01:43] city on the South Coast that has a very antiquated wastewater treatment

[2:01:47] plant. So on the issue of the agenda tonight,

[2:01:52] I do not want to send that letter out. I think it would be...

[2:01:57] I don't think it would serve any purpose.

[2:01:58] I think it would just aggravate the situation.

[2:02:01] That I really think if we could do some brainstorming with Mr. Hickey and Mr.

[2:02:05] Furtado and this board to try to find

[2:02:08] some way to get that city and our elected

[2:02:12] officials to try to resolve that problem, I think that's the best way to do it.

[2:02:17] To go on just to further the conversation, it did come up with the cake,

[2:02:21] Mr. Potato,

[2:02:23] and

[2:02:25] everybody talking about that capability to burn the waste from the treatment

[2:02:29] plant and our collaboration. And then he also did share that that

[2:02:32] wastewater treatment plant, the City of New Bedford has outsourced in

[2:02:36] terms of their ability to find that they thought

[2:02:40] that was the better way to do it.

[2:02:41] Well, they thought they-

[2:02:43] Really quickly, I'm sorry. Before you respond, I just want to check.

[2:02:47] I feel like we're going down a good path, but a path that's a little off what we're

[2:02:50] talking about tonight.

[2:02:52] I apologize.

[2:02:52] So specifically, we're talking about discussion of holding a regional

[2:02:56] meeting to discuss these solutions.

[2:02:58] Yes.

[2:02:58] Are there any questions from members of the board against moving that forward or

[2:03:02] in favor of moving that forward, Mr. Sanders?

[2:03:04] No, I'm going to stay neutral.

[2:03:06] I think the only question that I have, and I agree-

[2:03:08] I have a question, but you go ahead.

[2:03:10] No. No, go ahead, Mr. Sanders. Go ahead.

[2:03:11] No, you finish. You finish.

[2:03:13] I was just curious because I

[2:03:17] thought a committee had been put together,

[2:03:20] and that was maybe that Buzzards Bay meeting, that Buzzards Bay Coalition

[2:03:23] facilitated meeting. I thought there had been a committee that-

[2:03:27] Mm

[2:03:27] ... came together but never actually met.

[2:03:30] Good point, Ms. Kuechle. It was an excellent meeting that

[2:03:35] Mr. Rasmussen put together.

[2:03:38] It was the first and the last meeting.

[2:03:40] Okay.

[2:03:40] And I think that if that meeting could maybe happen again

[2:03:45] to say, "Hey, how can we..." Because there was people in attendance from Westport

[2:03:48] to Wareham.

[2:03:49] Yeah.

[2:03:50] So nothing really happened from it.

[2:03:52] What you're referring to is, yes, we have, it's called the Buzzards Bay

[2:03:55] Water Quality Working Group. Ms. Mello is the current liaison to that,

[2:03:59] but I don't believe that has been a committee that has been meeting.

[2:04:02] Has not met since I've been on the board.

[2:04:04] Okay. All right.

[2:04:06] So that is something that we have. I don't know if that's something we consider

[2:04:09] disbanding and going this route instead. It sounds like this may be more effective.

[2:04:13] I mean, my-

[2:04:14] But Ms. Kuechle, back to you.

[2:04:14] Yeah. My belief is that working together

[2:04:18] with the city and the other communities is the best route to go.

[2:04:22] I've felt that-

[2:04:22] Bill

[2:04:23] ... from the beginning.

[2:04:23] Mm-hmm.

[2:04:23] So I think it's, I'm encouraged to hear that we're headed down that

[2:04:27] road and that this meeting took place and Mr.

[2:04:30] Pont was open and willing to discuss it.

[2:04:32] So I think, based on that, I think that's probably the

[2:04:38] way that we're going to get to some kind of help New Bedford get to some kind of

[2:04:41] solution, I think.

[2:04:42] Mr. Sanders, your question?

[2:04:43] Yeah. Mine wasn't a question, it was more of an observation.

[2:04:46] So,

[2:04:47] yeah. I think we should talk with New Bedford.

[2:04:50] Yes.

[2:04:50] But we also need to invite, if Fairhaven's going to do it, we have to invite

[2:04:53] Mattapoisett-

[2:04:54] Mm

[2:04:54] ... because we have an intermunicipal agreement with Mattapoisett.

[2:04:57] We take their waste here. My question to you, if you could, please, if you know the

[2:05:00] answer, just tell the board, where does Acushnet's waste go?

[2:05:04] I believe Acushnet waste goes to New Bedford. Where does Dartmouth's waste go?

[2:05:07] I know it stays in Dartmouth. Where does Westport's waste go?

[2:05:10] Just so that we can understand the context of how many

[2:05:14] municipalities might be involved in these discussions.

[2:05:17] Well, Acushnet goes to, those folks who have sewage is tied

[2:05:21] into

[2:05:23] New Bedford.

[2:05:24] Dartmouth is either septic systems or they have their

[2:05:28] own treatment plant, so it would go there.

[2:05:31] Mattapoisett, those folks who are tied into the sewer all

[2:05:35] come our way,

[2:05:37] about 550,000 gallons, give or take.

[2:05:41] But yeah.

[2:05:43] So thank you for that. But my other...

[2:05:46] I'll give you another,

[2:05:48] a piece of history. So again, when

[2:05:51] I was going through law school, I worked in the Massachusetts State Senate in

[2:05:55] 1988,

[2:05:56] 1989, 1990. The City of New Bedford

[2:06:00] had some pretty hellacious

[2:06:03] enforcement orders against them from the EPA, and what that

[2:06:06] resulted was the City of New Bedford basically said, "We don't have the money,"

[2:06:10] just like Jamie Pont is saying today, and I agree with you, Jamie Pont is a great

[2:06:14] guy.

[2:06:14] Great guy.

[2:06:15] All right? But the EPA finally said, "Look,

[2:06:18] that's all well and good, but we're going to force you to make the money,

[2:06:22] to find the money, or make the politically tough decision."

[2:06:26] And what they did and what DEP did was they took away New Bedford's general

[2:06:30] permit to issue sewer connections with inside

[2:06:34] the city. Not a sewer extension, but a sewer connection. All right?

[2:06:37] There was a general permit, they took that away, and in essence what that did was

[2:06:40] that shut down-

[2:06:41] Oh

[2:06:41] ... the ability, exactly. You could not issue any new building permits in the City

[2:06:45] of New Bedford. And as John Bullard was the mayor at the time, he

[2:06:49] made the very, very politically tough decision, which was in the

[2:06:53] right interest of the City of New Bedford.

[2:06:56] And if you asked him this today, he would tell you this, but it cost him the

[2:06:59] election.

[2:07:00] Mm-hmm.

[2:07:00] He got beat as the thing. So that's probably, that is the, well,

[2:07:04] I know that's the political quagmire that

[2:07:08] we're not going to face. The City of New Bedford's elected officials will face

[2:07:12] that. I'm just putting it out there-

[2:07:13] Thank you

[2:07:13] ... because that is the message we have to manage.

[2:07:16] I did not know that, sir.

[2:07:17] We have to manage.

[2:07:19] Ms. Mello, did you have a question?

[2:07:20] Yeah. Well, I just, to respond-

[2:07:22] There are tools

[2:07:23] ... that's why the current mayor doesn't want to talk about it at the moment.

[2:07:26] Mm-hmm.

[2:07:27] But I

[2:07:29] agree with Ms. Kuechle as far as this approach I'm much happier with

[2:07:33] than sending threatening letters.

[2:07:35] I think this

[2:07:37] will yield more progress. My question, and

[2:07:41] I've heard this bandied about, and maybe this was just because

[2:07:44] it's catchy, but when you talk about regional, you just talked about a few

[2:07:48] towns, but are we still talking Wareham to Westport or are we tightening

[2:07:52] that up a little bit?

[2:07:53] We only have so much capacity, too.

[2:07:56] We could take a

[2:07:59] south end of Acushnet, if you will, because-

[2:08:02] I'm talking about this regional meeting-

[2:08:04] Oh

[2:08:05] ... is what I'm talking about. So I don't know if that question is for you or if

[2:08:08] it's for Mr. Tripillo.

[2:08:11] I think there's two separate issues.

[2:08:14] First, the issue on the waste removal,

[2:08:18] I think that's separate from this conversation on the CSO discharge-

[2:08:22] Yeah

[2:08:22] ... in New Bedford.

[2:08:24] That issue, for me, is an issue that we need to

[2:08:28] bring in our colleagues from Wareham to Westport.

[2:08:31] They were at that meeting that Buzzards Bay

[2:08:35] had some year and a half, two years ago, because the water impacts the

[2:08:39] whole South Coast community, so I would bring them in.

[2:08:41] I'd bring in Falmouth and Bourne.

[2:08:43] Thank you.

[2:08:44] Because they're on the east side of Buzzards Bay.

[2:08:46] Correct.

[2:08:47] Are they not?

[2:08:48] You're right, Mr. Saunders. So-

[2:08:49] Can I follow up?

[2:08:51] Yeah.

[2:08:51] So as far as the wastewater, which is what you started talking about, which is

[2:08:54] separate from the CSO,

[2:08:56] that's where you're saying that there are particular communities that would be

[2:08:59] involved in this conversation.

[2:09:00] I'm talking about our plant. What he's talking about was New

[2:09:04] Bedford's CSOs and their wastewater plant.

[2:09:10] I guess I'm going to-

[2:09:11] What Mr. Furtado-- There was two different conversations

[2:09:15] with Mr. Ponte, and the primary one was the CSO.

[2:09:20] But then we had a nice conversation.

[2:09:22] He's a great guy, and he was having an open conversation with our

[2:09:26] town administrator to say, "Mr. Hickey, something else that you need

[2:09:30] to be thinking of with Mr. Furtado," because he thought highly of

[2:09:33] Vinnie, "is

[2:09:36] we don't know what we're going to be able to do with our waste," and it's referred

[2:09:40] to as a cake,

[2:09:42] with how that's transported out of the town.

[2:09:44] So, that was the secondary issue that Mr.

[2:09:48] Hickey apprised us on, that that's going to come down the road as a

[2:09:51] cost.

[2:09:52] Can I ask a quick-

[2:09:53] Yes, sir.

[2:09:53] Really quick. Mr. Trapillo,

[2:09:56] what's being proposed tonight, tell me if this covers, to approve Selectboard

[2:10:00] Member Trapillo to contact Senator Montigny and Representative

[2:10:03] Silvia, seeking their assistance to set a meeting of South Coast elected and

[2:10:07] appointed officials to discuss working together to address the cost to

[2:10:11] dispose of wastewater.

[2:10:12] That is-

[2:10:12] Do you feel that covers it?

[2:10:13] Yes, sir.

[2:10:14] Okay. So, did you have something to add, or-

[2:10:16] No, that's fine. I don't want to disagree with Vinnie.

[2:10:19] I think

[2:10:20] there's two issues, and the CSO, I think, was kind of pushed to the side a little

[2:10:24] bit.

[2:10:24] Yes.

[2:10:26] I think what we're trying to find is a solution, a more economical

[2:10:30] solution, to properly dispose of-

[2:10:33] The waste

[2:10:34] Right.

[2:10:34] Yeah.

[2:10:35] So what we feel-

[2:10:36] And maybe I'm just naive, and Vinnie's more of an expert

[2:10:40] than I,

[2:10:41] the more communities we get involved, the less expensive it's going to be per

[2:10:44] community.

[2:10:45] 100%.

[2:10:46] Okay.

[2:10:47] I think it's a matter of reaching out to whoever's interested in looking at this,

[2:10:51] and it could be as far as Westport

[2:10:54] to Wareham.

[2:10:58] Every community who has a wastewater plant, my understanding is, is going to face

[2:11:02] the same challenge as we're talking about.

[2:11:04] 100% agree.

[2:11:05] So the more communities we can get in, I think the more economical,

[2:11:09] and I think the better chance we have of getting some

[2:11:12] state or federal monies to assist us.

[2:11:14] So it seems like the board is pretty much in agreement.

[2:11:17] Yep.

[2:11:18] It seems as though the motion that we have drafted will cover what we're looking

[2:11:22] to do as a first step.

[2:11:23] Mm-hmm.

[2:11:23] Does anyone have any questions regarding something that will pertain to this

[2:11:27] motion, but maybe we haven't discussed tonight?

[2:11:29] Or do I think this is good to get the ball-

[2:11:31] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[2:11:32] Okay. I will entertain a motion to approve Selectboard Member Trapillo to

[2:11:36] contact Senator Montigny and Representative Silvia, seeking their assistance to

[2:11:40] set a meeting of South Coast elected and appointed officials to discuss working

[2:11:44] together to address the cost to dispose of wastewater.

[2:11:47] So moved.

[2:11:48] Second.

[2:11:48] Motions been made and seconded. Any further discussion on the motion?

[2:11:52] Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed?

[2:11:55] Passes unanimously. Mr. Trapillo-

[2:11:57] Thank you.

[2:11:58] Get to work.

[2:12:00] Thank you.

[2:12:00] Thank you, Mr. Furtado, for being here tonight.

[2:12:02] Thank you.

[2:12:03] You're welcome, Mr. Trapillo.

[2:12:05] Back to chemistry class.

[2:12:06] Liquids and gases.

[2:12:07] This is going on off of-

[2:12:09] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Come on, 8:00.

[2:12:12] It's already 8:00.

[2:12:13] Here's trouble.

[2:12:14] Mr. Furtado, please.

[2:12:15] Yeah.

[2:12:17] Just two, because I heard a couple of things.

[2:12:20] Bully lost the election because he decided to locate the

[2:12:24] plant where it was, and where it is, not the standard time scale.

[2:12:28] You remember that.

[2:12:30] True.

[2:12:30] The reason why this all came to a hullabaloo is because the Conservation Law

[2:12:33] Foundation of New England sued the EPA for not imposing the

[2:12:37] Clean Water Act in New Bedford.

[2:12:39] We talked about that outside.

[2:12:40] Okay.

[2:12:42] And as part of all of that, the reason why there's a contract operator

[2:12:45] there is because in lieu of a penalty,

[2:12:50] in lieu of New Bedford being fined, they were forced, the first

[2:12:53] seven years of operation, to have a contract operator.

[2:12:58] And that's why they embarked on that.

[2:13:00] It wasn't because it was any cheaper.

[2:13:03] It was because that's what they were forced to do.

[2:13:05] And they have a residency requirement over there.

[2:13:08] And if you're a wastewater guy-

[2:13:10] Yes, sir

[2:13:10] ... and the city leaves you, where are you going to go?

[2:13:14] So they took a lot of the employees.

[2:13:17] So when the seven years had elapsed, where are these people going to go?

[2:13:21] Away.

[2:13:21] So they stayed there. And with the residency requirement, the city didn't have

[2:13:25] enough folks to fill it.

[2:13:26] Thank you.

[2:13:26] But I wanted to make that clear, because I know somebody who lived through all of

[2:13:30] that.

[2:13:30] Here you go.

[2:13:31] Thank you.

[2:13:32] All right, moving back, we are going to go back to E2, discussion

[2:13:36] on draft local aid letter.

[2:13:40] Selectboard member, Rick Trapillo, will review a draft letter seeking the support

[2:13:44] of other South Coast communities to forward to their legislative

[2:13:47] delegation, seeking additional funding from the Commonwealth.

[2:13:50] Thanks.

[2:13:51] Mr. Trapillo, really quickly,

[2:13:54] I did see an email from Ms. Hart asking if you had an

[2:13:58] updated letter. We don't have anything in our packet tonight.

[2:14:01] Would you like to table this conversation, or do you have something?

[2:14:04] I think that letter would be counterproductive right now.

[2:14:07] This is pertaining to local aid?

[2:14:09] This is the local aid letter.

[2:14:10] We're back to discussion on draft local aid letter, not the CSO.

[2:14:13] Oh, I apologize. My-

[2:14:15] But we don't have a-

[2:14:16] Still thinking.

[2:14:16] That's okay, but we don't have a draft letter today, so I don't know if it's been

[2:14:19] updated.

[2:14:20] I did not update it,

[2:14:22] but it is September.

[2:14:24] Yep.

[2:14:24] We did say, I think when we first met in June, that we would look at it

[2:14:28] this fall.

[2:14:30] It's getting a little cooler.

[2:14:33] I don't think it would hurt us to perhaps at our next meeting and

[2:14:36] earn to say,

[2:14:38] we need to do something to reach out to our elected officials to increase our

[2:14:42] local funding. So,

[2:14:45] I'm in favor of working with the draft that I submitted some time

[2:14:49] ago or waiting to our next select board meeting.

[2:14:54] But it's something I think we should do.

[2:14:55] I think it's something that we could galvanize some support from our elected

[2:14:58] officials to get funding.

[2:14:59] Could you do me a favor?

[2:15:00] Yes, sir.

[2:15:01] Could you, after this meeting, but before the next one, go just

[2:15:05] take one more pass through your letter-

[2:15:06] Yes

[2:15:07] ... make sure it's where you want it. Send it to Amy for us to review.

[2:15:09] Okay.

[2:15:10] And then that way we can vote on that. I agree with you.

[2:15:12] I think we did say we're going to push it to the fall.

[2:15:15] I think-

[2:15:16] Done. I'll do that. Thank you.

[2:15:17] Perfect. Just so that way we have it in front of us to go over.

[2:15:20] I just have a question on this.

[2:15:20] Yep.

[2:15:21] Nope, you.

[2:15:22] No, go ahead.

[2:15:22] I'm sorry.

[2:15:24] No, you're good. Go right ahead.

[2:15:25] I was just curious because I know one of the things we talked about related to this

[2:15:29] was sort of talking further with MMA about what their-

[2:15:33] Mm-hmm

[2:15:33] ... advocacy

[2:15:34] sort of program, what they were planning on doing for the fall.

[2:15:38] I don't know if you had had a chance to have that conversation or if there's

[2:15:41] somebody that-

[2:15:42] I haven't, but I can.

[2:15:44] Yeah.

[2:15:44] Would you be able to-

[2:15:45] Share that with Mr. Trapelo.

[2:15:47] Yeah, I think it would be helpful.

[2:15:48] Prior to the next meeting?

[2:15:49] Yes, sir.

[2:15:49] Thank you. Mr. Savitz?

[2:15:50] My only comment was, it's a timing comment.

[2:15:53] I think it's a good time to do this now.

[2:15:55] The budgets go into effect in July of a given year.

[2:15:59] The governor will be submitting his or her budget, I think it's going to be a her

[2:16:03] budget,

[2:16:04] probably in January or February. They're writing that

[2:16:08] budget currently,

[2:16:10] so now is the time to sit down with members of her staff

[2:16:14] presently that are writing that budget to say, "Hey, we need more local aid." But

[2:16:18] yeah, the sooner the better.

[2:16:20] So, if you could

[2:16:21] contact MMA and you could send the draft, maybe you guys could discuss before

[2:16:25] sending it-

[2:16:25] Sure

[2:16:25] ... to the board and then... Okay, excellent.

[2:16:27] Good suggestion.

[2:16:28] So we will table...

[2:16:30] Well, I guess, do we have a motion to table E2?

[2:16:34] Removed.

[2:16:34] Second.

[2:16:34] Motions are made and seconded for the discussion. All those in favor?

[2:16:38] Aye. Passes unanimously. All right.

[2:16:41] Up next, consider proposal to transition correspondence from the

[2:16:45] select board agenda to the town website.

[2:16:48] In support of the town administrators goals, specifically goal number five,

[2:16:52] improve public communication and transparency, Ms.

[2:16:55] Hart has proposed transitioning the board's correspondence from an agenda item to

[2:16:59] the town's website. This initiative would provide a central

[2:17:03] location and ongoing access versus searching through agendas, packets,

[2:17:07] or attachments

[2:17:09] into the board's minutes. The board's packet contains a memo outlining the

[2:17:12] details

[2:17:14] and benefits of this proposal. So just to provide you all just a

[2:17:18] little bit more background, I had a conversation, it was brought

[2:17:21] up by Ms. Hart,

[2:17:23] just in an effort to avoid any confusion, but also

[2:17:29] make this easier to find. I appreciate

[2:17:32] her being very proactive with this and putting this

[2:17:35] together. I know it seems like a small change, but I think it would

[2:17:39] be very beneficial in the future, especially

[2:17:43] as items keep coming back around. This will put a central

[2:17:47] location instead of saying, "We discussed that sometime in

[2:17:50] 2024, dig in." It'll all be there. So any

[2:17:54] further questions from the board, or did that pretty much-

[2:17:56] I think it's a good idea.

[2:17:58] Questions from the board on this side?

[2:18:00] All right. Hearing none,

[2:18:02] I will entertain a motion to approve to transition board correspondence

[2:18:06] from the select board agenda to the town website, providing a central location for

[2:18:10] access to the public.

[2:18:11] We got it.

[2:18:13] Oh, sorry. Oh,

[2:18:16] Ms. Carr?

[2:18:24] Hi. Thank you.

[2:18:26] Can you hear me?

[2:18:27] Yes. Do you have your name and address for the record, please?

[2:18:29] Erin Carr, A Marina Drive, Mattapoisett.

[2:18:32] I was curious if the board would consider keeping it in a

[2:18:36] centralized location, but also keeping it on

[2:18:39] the select board's packet, since some residents go through the

[2:18:43] packets, and it helps them become aware of certain

[2:18:47] things.

[2:18:49] Otherwise, they'd have to proactively be going on the website

[2:18:53] and might not consider doing that, or remember to do that.

[2:18:58] I think the thought process is that this would be in a similar spot, like it

[2:19:02] would be sort of instead of where you would go to find the packet, you would go

[2:19:06] here instead.

[2:19:07] Okay.

[2:19:07] So it would be kind of the same process for pulling it up.

[2:19:11] It'd actually be easier.

[2:19:12] Yeah, it would be easier than having to search through the packet.

[2:19:17] Does anyone on the board have any-

[2:19:19] No.

[2:19:21] I like the transparency issue, and I like the ease issue.

[2:19:24] Okay. So just to make sure.

[2:19:28] Do we have a motion?

[2:19:31] So moved.

[2:19:31] Second.

[2:19:32] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[2:19:35] All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Passes

[2:19:39] unanimously. Moving on. Town administrator report, Mr. Hickey.

[2:19:42] Mr. Chair, just to let the board know, I attended the first

[2:19:46] budget working group meeting on September 8th, and the members

[2:19:50] agreed to meet every other week on Tuesday evenings.

[2:19:53] The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 22nd.

[2:19:57] Anne Carrero and I plan to attend each of those meetings.

[2:20:01] Unfortunately, our conservation agent, Kelly Camara,

[2:20:05] has put in her resignation letter.

[2:20:07] I believe we have a question on that, Adam.

[2:20:09] Sorry. I was just curious as to whether the budget working group may determine who

[2:20:12] their chair is.

[2:20:13] Yes. Ken Blanchard is the chair.

[2:20:16] Thank you.

[2:20:18] Mr. Lopes is the vice chair, and Mr. Gallagher is the clerk. Perfect.

[2:20:22] Thank you.

[2:20:25] Our conservation agent, Kelly Camara, has unfortunately tendered her resignation.

[2:20:28] Her last day of employment was last week.

[2:20:31] We are looking at different options to fill that role

[2:20:35] The building commissioner, the health agent.

[2:20:37] Do you mind if I add something really quick?

[2:20:38] Agreed.

[2:20:39] In a similar timeline,

[2:20:44] it sort of happened reversed. We had a conservation agent, and we had a

[2:20:47] planning director resign. That sort of became a land use thing.

[2:20:52] Now we're seeing the reverse, where we have a new planner and the conservation

[2:20:55] agent is resigning. I just want to stress, I don't think it would be a

[2:20:59] good idea to go back to that land use agreement.

[2:21:01] Agreed.

[2:21:01] Okay. I just wanted to put that out there because-

[2:21:04] I appreciate that

[2:21:04] ... I don't think that would be... I think it'd be going backwards.

[2:21:07] No, I appreciate that.

[2:21:08] Thank you.

[2:21:10] Our building commissioner, health agent, public works director, and I will be

[2:21:12] hosting a meeting tomorrow night, West Island residents,

[2:21:16] here at the town office building at 6:00 to discuss their concerns over current and

[2:21:20] possible future development and the impact on the environment it's having on and

[2:21:24] around the island.

[2:21:26] It'll be held upstairs in the auditorium.

[2:21:29] I don't have a number of how many people are going to be there at this point, but

[2:21:32] I've asked if they could provide us a ballpark so we can make sure we've got the

[2:21:35] room set up

[2:21:37] to have enough people.

[2:21:39] Hoping it'll be a productive meeting.

[2:21:41] Yes.

[2:21:41] And continue to fast forward, I feel-

[2:21:43] I just wanted to make a comment to the board on that.

[2:21:45] I know we have all been contacted by members of West Island.

[2:21:48] If you're planning on attending this meeting, please let

[2:21:52] Mr. Hickey know, because right now we do not have a posted select board meeting.

[2:21:57] So if we have more than three of us-

[2:22:00] Well, the two of you.

[2:22:01] More than two of us go for a discussion that we've all already started

[2:22:05] engaging in, I'm not. We-

[2:22:07] So I'm planning on going, because I was the one who invited Mr.

[2:22:10] Hickey to the meeting on West Island that we had.

[2:22:13] So I would like to follow up with that.

[2:22:16] I would like to attend. So if either of you were also planning on attending-

[2:22:19] I'm going to be out of town.

[2:22:20] And I'm going to be in a library trustee. So, all right.

[2:22:22] So you two will be good to attend, and we won't have to post a meeting.

[2:22:25] Thank you, Mr. Hickey.

[2:22:26] No worries. Hopefully it's a productive meeting.

[2:22:30] There's a lot of questions that I think that they have, and hoping

[2:22:34] that they get a lot of answers out to them,

[2:22:38] so at least they understand the process.

[2:22:40] May not always agree with everything that's being said, but at least they'll have a

[2:22:42] better understanding.

[2:22:44] The latest appeal on the sale of the Rogers School was held on

[2:22:48] September 10th. Attorney Wade indicated that the judges on the panel

[2:22:52] were well-informed and hopeful of the decision we made in favor of the town.

[2:22:55] She felt good about the presentation.

[2:22:58] The appeals court takes typically about 130 days to render a decision, so we're

[2:23:02] looking at sometime around

[2:23:04] January, unfortunately for that.

[2:23:07] And I also was invited to attend a business

[2:23:11] breakfast and panel discussion that's been organized by

[2:23:14] Senator Mark Silvia, I apologize for the typo,

[2:23:18] and the Economic Development Committee on Thursday the 17th of September.

[2:23:22] The Vice President of Business Development for Mass Development and the Regional

[2:23:25] Director of the South Coast,

[2:23:29] Cape and Islands, another typo, sorry,

[2:23:33] for Massachusetts Office of Business Development will be guest speakers.

[2:23:37] Anne and I have had meetings already with the two

[2:23:41] individuals from the Commonwealth about some of the local

[2:23:45] commercial properties that are in town, both in the 40R districts and

[2:23:50] as well as some other properties that are eligible to be developed.

[2:23:53] So we're looking forward to putting some faces with names and attending that

[2:23:57] meeting, and hopefully garnering some interest in ferry.

[2:24:01] Be happy to answer any questions anybody has.

[2:24:05] Questions from the board?

[2:24:06] All right.

[2:24:07] Well, thank you.

[2:24:07] With that, we will be moving on to board member items, committee liaison reports.

[2:24:10] Mr. Sanders.

[2:24:11] I don't have anything to add. Didn't have any meetings that

[2:24:14] occurred. Marine Resources was canceled.

[2:24:17] There was a conflict with the harbor master. Thank you.

[2:24:21] Thank you. Ms. Keches.

[2:24:23] There is an EDC meeting this week. I unfortunately will be away,

[2:24:27] so I don't have anything to add. They have not met since

[2:24:31] the meeting

[2:24:33] Mm-hmm.

[2:24:34] So, I did have a question, though.

[2:24:37] Mm-hmm.

[2:24:38] As we are proceeding and we talked about having the joint

[2:24:42] meetings with Fin Com and school committee,

[2:24:45] have we made any decisions about sort of like the format and the things that

[2:24:49] we're going to discuss at those meetings and-

[2:24:52] Yes

[2:24:52] ... and when they're happening and all of that?

[2:24:56] Like, where are we at with it?

[2:24:58] So,

[2:24:59] I reached out to the school,

[2:25:04] more than once.

[2:25:05] Mm-hmm.

[2:25:05] Asking for

[2:25:08] your interest and a timeline. I've given

[2:25:11] them a couple of dates.

[2:25:13] Mm-hmm.

[2:25:13] Late September, which will have to be revised to October.

[2:25:16] Yeah.

[2:25:17] I haven't heard back. The finance committee, I'm sure, is absolutely going to

[2:25:21] need and is going to do that for the challenging board or the

[2:25:25] board that I think is going to

[2:25:28] have more of a challenge in trying to establish a meeting date with the school

[2:25:31] committee.

[2:25:31] Mm-hmm.

[2:25:32] I'm hoping that at their meeting Wednesday evening we'll have that

[2:25:35] discussion and try to

[2:25:39] provide some dates-

[2:25:40] Mm-hmm

[2:25:40] ... to the select board. I think that

[2:25:45] we've had it once. There were some good points and bad points probably with

[2:25:49] that, and if we can try to take

[2:25:51] away and figure out how to improve on those.

[2:25:55] Mm-hmm.

[2:25:56] And I don't know of any format that's really been formally discussed and decided

[2:26:00] upon. Whatever, hopefully, it's just going to be an open, honest

[2:26:04] conversation about where we stand and what the goals are.

[2:26:07] Okay. Thank you.

[2:26:10] I did happen to have a quick conversation with the chair of the school committee,

[2:26:13] not related necessarily to this, but just mentioned that we had

[2:26:17] been having conversations-

[2:26:20] ... and keeping it open to look forward to the opportunity-

[2:26:24] Great

[2:26:24] ... to have this.

[2:26:25] So I know that in their budget process, typically they're just in

[2:26:29] the early stages developing the upcoming year's budget.

[2:26:32] Mm-hmm.

[2:26:34] I think my comment would be that they may not be as far along

[2:26:38] as

[2:26:39] perhaps we might be in terms of thinking

[2:26:43] ahead, but

[2:26:44] just knowing how that process typically works.

[2:26:47] So I would just, if there's anything I can do to help facilitate that-

[2:26:51] Sure

[2:26:51] ... I'm happy to do that.

[2:26:52] Sure.

[2:26:52] Yeah, and look forward to seeing what

[2:26:57] road that takes.

[2:26:59] Starting early and being clear about the parameters and

[2:27:03] who's got what responsibility-

[2:27:05] Mm

[2:27:05] ... and all of that, I think is really helpful in thinking about where

[2:27:09] we have to go and the obligations that we have-

[2:27:12] Absolutely

[2:27:12] ... in terms of unions and all of that.

[2:27:15] So thanks, Paula.

[2:27:18] Yeah. So I've been

[2:27:20] busy.

[2:27:21] Busy.

[2:27:24] I attended the Commission on Disability, which met on

[2:27:27] September 10th. They will meet again on October

[2:27:31] 8th.

[2:27:33] There weren't any major issues that

[2:27:36] need to be reported on. I also went to the Historical

[2:27:40] Commission meeting, which was on September

[2:27:44] 8th, and I do want to make people aware

[2:27:48] that Chris Kelly, who was the former director of the local

[2:27:52] government programs at the Massachusetts Historical Commission, he has been hired

[2:27:56] as a consultant to the town through CPC funds,

[2:28:01] to help to update the survey of historical properties

[2:28:04] throughout town. So he has already been to town.

[2:28:07] You may see people out taking photos, but he's going to be doing a

[2:28:10] presentation on October 20th at 6:00

[2:28:14] in Town Hall that's open to everyone.

[2:28:17] So he will be explaining what he's doing, what's supposed to come out of it,

[2:28:21] and if you have any questions or any interest in that,

[2:28:24] please

[2:28:25] attend that meeting.

[2:28:29] I will be attending the SRTA meeting

[2:28:33] next week on September 24th at 2:00.

[2:28:36] And then just that meeting that I attended on Ross Island on

[2:28:39] September 3rd with five folks that has

[2:28:43] progressed to this meeting that Mr. Hickey has coordinated.

[2:28:46] So

[2:28:47] that's what I've been up to.

[2:28:49] Busy.

[2:28:50] Mr. Cannella?

[2:28:50] Three updates. Thank you again, Mr.

[2:28:52] Hickey, for allowing me to go to the meeting with Mr. Jamie Point.

[2:28:56] Meetings like that can only be helpful to both the town

[2:29:00] of Fairhaven and the city of New Bedford.

[2:29:04] Not to belabor it, but the issue with the CSO,

[2:29:07] I think the board's made the right decision with how we proceed, and thank you, Ms.

[2:29:10] Keichler, for that advice.

[2:29:13] Also, the secondary conversations that come out were invaluable

[2:29:17] with the disposal of the cake and why they still keep

[2:29:21] that wastewater treatment plant privatized.

[2:29:24] The second meeting I had was with CIRPTED.

[2:29:27] I am on the nomination committee for their commissioners, and we did select

[2:29:31] the nominees that will be announced next week at their gala dinner.

[2:29:35] So if anybody wants to attend that, it's kind of a fun night.

[2:29:39] Mr. Mark Silvia, Representative Silvia, will be a guest speaker, so that's

[2:29:43] a nice event. And lastly, I want to thank the board

[2:29:47] sincerely for supporting the budget working group.

[2:29:53] I was sitting there and looking at the quality of the people

[2:29:57] that the town had stepped forward to volunteer their

[2:30:01] time,

[2:30:02] and I was so impressed.

[2:30:05] Every one of them understood the severity of the situation. Mr.

[2:30:08] Hickey gave a great presentation on the budget. Thank you. Mr.

[2:30:13] Hickey answered some pretty tough questions in terms of where he would look at

[2:30:17] for some out-of-the-box thinking.

[2:30:19] And everybody on the group said that they're looking not to be FinCom

[2:30:23] 2.0, but to really look at contributing new ideas to

[2:30:27] the long-term health and viability of the

[2:30:31] town. And everybody spoke from their hearts, stating that they

[2:30:35] have children, they have grandchildren, and they're doing this for those grandkids.

[2:30:39] So it was really quite a group of people.

[2:30:42] So we did elect a chair, Mr. Blanchard,

[2:30:46] a vice chair, Mr.-

[2:30:49] Lopes

[2:30:50] ... Lopes, sorry, and clerk, Mr. Gallagher.

[2:30:53] So we're meeting.

[2:30:56] Mr. Hickey has already sent out some information on the town of Dedham

[2:31:00] for their budget working group, because so many municipalities are facing this

[2:31:04] issue. So thank you again to this board for putting that group

[2:31:07] together, and now the work begins.

[2:31:12] For myself, no sustainability meeting yet, but we do have a Halloween

[2:31:16] costume swap Dropbox in the lobby

[2:31:19] of the town hall and also in other town buildings.

[2:31:23] The Library Board of Trustees meeting is tomorrow. I will be attending that.

[2:31:27] Belonging committee, like I had mentioned in a previous meeting, had taken some

[2:31:31] time off, but we'll be revamping and meeting in

[2:31:35] October. I do have, and I don't believe this is something

[2:31:39] that we can vote on tonight, Ms. Hart, unless you can clarify, but I

[2:31:43] do believe it would be in the board's best interest to

[2:31:47] formally dissolve the Dog Park Study Committee.

[2:31:51] We have had such a challenge getting members and

[2:31:55] a lot of frustration from members who have stepped up and not been

[2:31:59] able to do anything because we've been unable to get a quorum.

[2:32:02] And I think now that we are seeking applicants for

[2:32:06] positions, it would be in our best interest to just sort of say we're no longer

[2:32:09] seeking applicants for that committee.

[2:32:12] We don't have the funds to start a dog park right now, and I think that the

[2:32:15] BPW has been tasked with doing an overhaul of the parks and doing a

[2:32:19] study there. So I think that's an opportunity for it to come back if it ever needs

[2:32:23] to. Do we

[2:32:26] need to vote on that or?

[2:32:28] Okay, so

[2:32:30] just a thought from the board. I don't know if you

[2:32:32] have any strong feelings either way, send it my way.

[2:32:36] Office hours I had today,

[2:32:38] I would call it another success. I had four total attendees.

[2:32:42] Three in person, one on Zoom.

[2:32:45] Nice full discussion, a lot of it surrounding

[2:32:49] traffic on Route 6,

[2:32:52] specifically during

[2:32:56] the turn off of Mill Road and the turn off of over

[2:32:59] near East Haven Schools. I said I would send these concerns

[2:33:03] over to the proper areas. And also just about

[2:33:07] how we make our appointments,

[2:33:10] and questions surrounding the appointment process.

[2:33:12] So that was good to be able to have those conversations. Do you have a comment?

[2:33:17] I have an addition to what I said.

[2:33:18] Okay. And then the last thing I just want to put out is just a reminder to

[2:33:22] the board, as per our protocols,

[2:33:26] make sure that you're sending requests for department heads,

[2:33:30] either to Mr. Hickey to facilitate to department heads or to

[2:33:33] myself to pass to the appropriate channels to try to set

[2:33:37] up to put on an agenda. We want to make sure that we're not sending

[2:33:41] requests to department heads directly, as such to not give kind of confusion on

[2:33:45] where the orders are coming from.

[2:33:46] Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

[2:33:48] But so that was just a request I said I would mention

[2:33:52] before. Do you have one more thing to add?

[2:33:53] I did, and I wonder if we can add this to it.

[2:33:56] I don't expect a conversation about it, but I wonder if we could add this to a

[2:33:59] future agenda, is I've been asked by more than one constituent

[2:34:03] about if we have any policies on AI.

[2:34:06] Mm-hmm.

[2:34:07] And so nobody's prepared to talk about it tonight,

[2:34:11] but I will write something.

[2:34:12] Maybe type something in if you want.

[2:34:14] I can go to ChatGPT.

[2:34:16] What I would ask, if you could just send to-

[2:34:20] You and Mr. Hickey

[2:34:21] ... Mr. Hickey and myself as well.

[2:34:22] Yep.

[2:34:22] Just sort of specifically what you're like, is it how it

[2:34:25] pertains to board and committees? Is it who's using it? Is it when it can be used?

[2:34:29] Just so that way we have some guidelines on the conversation.

[2:34:31] Happy to, thank you.

[2:34:32] Because I think if we have an overarching AI conversation, we'll be here well past

[2:34:36] 8:05.

[2:34:36] Yep.

[2:34:38] Anything else to add for board and committee members? Good to move on?

[2:34:41] All right.

[2:34:42] We have our minutes. We have to accept the open

[2:34:46] session minutes of August 24th, 2026.

[2:34:49] I'll entertain a motion to accept the open session minutes as

[2:34:53] presented.

[2:34:53] Moved.

[2:34:54] Second.

[2:34:54] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[2:34:57] Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye.

[2:35:00] Aye.

[2:35:00] Opposed? Passes unanimously. Next, we have executive

[2:35:03] session minutes. I will entertain a motion to accept the executive session minutes

[2:35:07] of August 24th, 2026 as presented.

[2:35:11] Moved.

[2:35:11] Second.

[2:35:12] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[2:35:14] Hearing none, all those in favor?

[2:35:16] Aye.

[2:35:17] Aye.

[2:35:18] We have email, Moore Town's pause/terminate flock

[2:35:21] agreements. Office of Attorney General open meeting log

[2:35:24] 2026-112. I will entertain a motion to

[2:35:28] accept the correspondence as listed on the agenda.

[2:35:31] Moved.

[2:35:31] Second.

[2:35:32] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[2:35:35] Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye.

[2:35:37] Aye.

[2:35:38] Aye.

[2:35:38] Any opposed? Passes unanimously.

[2:35:41] Our next regularly scheduled select board meeting is Monday, September 28th,

[2:35:45] 2026 at 6:00 PM. Lastly, we have an executive session.

[2:35:49] I will entertain a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to

[2:35:52] General Law Chapter 30A, subsection

[2:35:55] 21A3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining

[2:35:59] or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect

[2:36:03] on the bargaining or litigation position of the public body and the chair.

[2:36:07] So declares ABCC, re: Fourth and Long Inc.,

[2:36:11] DBA Rescue Inn's Tavern, and not to return to open session.

[2:36:14] Moved.

[2:36:15] Second.

[2:36:15] Motions are made and seconded. Any further discussion?

[2:36:18] Hearing none, we're going to call for a roll call vote. Mr. Sanders?

[2:36:21] Andrew Sanders, in favor.

[2:36:22] Ms. Pichler?

[2:36:22] Pam Pichler, in favor.

[2:36:23] Ms. Mello?

[2:36:25] Natalie Mello, aye.

[2:36:25] Mr. Chiappetta?

[2:36:26] Carlo aye.

[2:36:27] Germano, aye. It is 8:33. We are adjourned.

Select Board 9/14/26

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