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Municipal votes · 2026–2027 Board

Fairhaven Select Board

How the Fairhaven Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Pam Kuechler and Richard F. Trapilo joined the board in June 2026; Charles Murphy Sr. and Keith Silvia left. On June 22, 2026 the board chose Andrew Romano as Chair, Natalie A. Mello as Vice Chair and Pam Kuechler as Clerk. Minutes loaded through September 14, 2026. Covers 8 meetings so far, June 15 to September 14, 2026.

A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.

What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.

Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.

Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Vote Transparency Score

Fairhaven Select Board: 7 out of 10 · Mostly open

How easy Fairhaven makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 4, 2026.

  • Minutes postedMinutes are posted for every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
  • Each vote namedThe minutes name the members who voted no, but not each member’s yes vote.Part points: 2/3
  • Posted quicklyMinutes usually go up within about two to three weeks.Full points: 2/2
  • Past years onlineSelect Board minutes from 2020 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
  • Readable textThe minutes are scanned images, so you can’t search or copy the text.No points: 0/1
  • Member photosThe Select Board page shows no member photos.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
  • Each vote named (+1): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
  • Readable text (+1): Save minutes straight from Word or Google Docs as a PDF instead of printing and scanning them. If a scan is needed, turn on the scanner’s “searchable PDF” or text-recognition setting.
  • Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.

How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.

A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.

Board years

Coming up

MassVoter can’t read Fairhaven’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →

What Town Meeting decided

In Fairhaven, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.

Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2025 14 votes: 14 passed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the November 19, 2025 Special Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · May 3, 2025 44 votes: 36 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 failed, 6 no action

Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the May 3, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2024 16 votes: 14 passed, 2 no action

Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the November 19, 2024 Special Town Meeting (scanned).

Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2024 53 votes: 42 passed, 1 passed as amended, 6 failed, 4 no action

Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the May 4, 2024 Annual Town Meeting (scanned).

Not here yet: No minutes are posted yet for the May 2, 2026 Annual Town Meeting, so its results are not included.

Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).

Members

✓ Every meeting 2026Pam KuechlerClerk · Elected townwide · at 8 of 8 meetingsAndrew B. SaundersMember · Elected townwide · at 7 of 8 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026Richard F. TrapiloMember · Elected townwide · at 8 of 8 meetings

"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.

Attendance

From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.

A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.

Meetings

About missing minutes

Loaded: Select Board (Board of Selectmen until 2021) minutes from January 2020 through September 14, 2026, as posted on the town website. Not here yet: minutes before 2020 and minutes after September 14, 2026. The minutes are scanned documents; we read them with text recognition, so some names and titles may read awkwardly; each vote quotes the minutes. Many minutes files also contain attachments, which we did not read. Since 2022 nearly every vote gives the mover, the seconder and a count such as “5-0-0”, and names any member who voted no, abstained or recused; we show those votes as recorded. When the count matches the members present with no one voting no, every member present is shown as voting yes. Before 2022 most votes say “Vote was unanimous” with a count; a few 2-1 votes do not say who voted no and show the count only. Members who recused are left out of that vote. Joint votes with the Finance Committee or School Committee show the count, and only Select Board members named in the minutes. Motions that failed for lack of a second are not listed. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Monday, September 14, 2026 · Regular meeting16 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, August 24, 2026 · Regular meeting16 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, August 10, 2026 · Regular meeting21 recorded votes, 8 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, July 27, 2026 · Regular meeting15 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAbsent: Natalie A. MelloMonday, July 13, 2026 · Regular meeting25 recorded votes, 7 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Aug 24Appoint Hailey Hemingway as aMotion: to appoint Hailey Hemingway as aPassed 3–2 · No: Romano, Trapilo

August 24, 2026: Appoint Hailey Hemingway as a

AppointPassed · 3–2

To appoint Hailey Hemingway as a

Yes: Kuechler, Mello, SaundersNo: Romano, Trapilo

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to appoint Hailey Hemingway as a. Ms. Kuechler seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Saunders, Ms. Kuechler and Ms. Mello in favor; Mr. Trapilo and Mr. Romano opposed. The motion passed (3-2-0) Mr. Trapilo and Mr. Romano opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presentedMotion: to accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presentedPassed 4–1 · No: Trapilo

August 10, 2026: Accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presented

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presented

Yes: Kuechler, Mello, Romano, SaundersNo: Trapilo

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presented. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Trapilo opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application…Motion: to accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application as…Passed 4–1 · No: Trapilo

August 10, 2026: Accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application as amended

AppointPassed · 4–1

To accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application as amended

Yes: Kuechler, Mello, Romano, SaundersNo: Trapilo

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application as amended. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Trapilo opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Nominate Ken Blanchard under category fourMotion: to nominate Ken Blanchard under category fourFailed 2–3 · No: Kuechler, Mello, Romano

August 10, 2026: Nominate Ken Blanchard under category four

ApproveFailed · 2–3

To nominate Ken Blanchard under category four

Yes: Saunders, TrapiloNo: Kuechler, Mello, Romano

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Trapilo motioned to nominate Ken Blanchard under category four. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion failed (2-3-0) Ms. Kuechler, Mr. Romano and Ms. Mello opposed.” (Motion: Trapilo, second: Saunders)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider…Motion: to table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the…Failed 2–3 · No: Romano, Saunders, Trapilo

August 10, 2026: Table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the late application

ApproveFailed · 2–3

To table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the late application

Yes: Kuechler, MelloNo: Romano, Saunders, Trapilo

From the minutes

“Motion: Ms. Mello motioned to table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the late application. Ms. Kuechler seconded. Discussion ensued, Mr. Trapilo said this goes against what the Board is trying to do, there is a policy and there was a deadline. Discussion continued about the previous Board vote on the handbook and to move forward with seven appointments for the BWG. Mr. Romano stated the handbook process states the Board is under no requirement to fill a position. On the Motion by Ms, Mello to table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the late application. Seconded by Ms. Kuechler. The motion failed (2-3-0) Mr. Trapilo, Mr. Romano and Mr. Saunders opposed.” (Motion: Mello, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working GroupMotion: to appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working GroupPassed 3–2 · see note

August 10, 2026: Appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working Group

AppointPassed · 3–2

To appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working Group

The names in the minutes do not match the count (3-2-0), so individual votes are not shown.

From the minutes

“Motion: Ms. Kuechler motioned to appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working Group. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed (3-2-0) Mr. Saunders and Mr. Trapilo opposed Mr. Saunders recused himself.” (Motion: Kuechler, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for…Motion: to appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for a…Failed 2–2 · No: Mello, Romano

August 10, 2026: Appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for a term through September, 2026

AppointFailed · 2–2

To appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for a term through September, 2026

Yes: Kuechler, TrapiloNo: Mello, Romano

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Trapilo motioned to appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for a term through September, 2026. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion failed (2-2-1) Ms. Mello and Mr. Romano opposed Mr. Saunders recused.” (Motion: Trapilo, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the…Motion: to appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the Budget…Passed 4–1 · No: Trapilo

August 10, 2026: Appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the Budget Working Group

AppointPassed · 4–1

To appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the Budget Working Group

Yes: Kuechler, Mello, Romano, SaundersNo: Trapilo

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the Budget Working Group. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Trapilo opposed.” (Motion: Romano, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 10Approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a…Motion: to approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a bonus…Passed 4–1 · No: Trapilo

August 10, 2026: Approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a bonus of three-thousand-dollars as presented

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a bonus of three-thousand-dollars as presented

Yes: Kuechler, Mello, Romano, SaundersNo: Trapilo

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a bonus of three-thousand-dollars as presented. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Trapilo opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Jul 27Appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for…Motion: to appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a…Passed 4–0 · see note

July 27, 2026: Appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a term through May, 2028

AppointPassed · 4–0

To appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a term through May, 2028

The minutes give the count (4-0-0) but not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a term through May, 2028. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0) Mr. Saunders recused himself.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

From the Fairhaven Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town website. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Member photos: candidates’ own submitted photos, published by Fairhaven Neighborhood News (2021, 2024, 2025 and 2026 candidate statements). Other former members show initials.

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