Fairhaven Select Board

• Art. 1 Pay prior-year bill of $221.70 (Polydyne Inc.) from Sewer Retained Earnings Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by the required nine-tenths (9/10) vote at 7:13pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 1 Waive bylaw §50-9 D (collective bargaining agreements) for FY26 contracts Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:14pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 2 Fund FY26 sewer union contract, $32,049 from Sewer Retained Earnings Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:14pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 3 Fund FY26 water union contract, $21,790 from Water Retained Earnings Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:15pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 4 Fund FY26 fire union contract, $35,000 from wage reserve and ambulance receipts Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:16pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 5 Fund FY26 highway union contract, $15,500 from wage reserve Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:17pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 6 Fund FY26 park union contract, $1,185 from wage reserve Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:17pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 7 Fund FY26 clerical union contract, $14,000 from several sources Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by show of hands by majority vote at 7:18pm.”
• Art. 2 · motion 8 Fund FY26 non-union cost-of-living adjustment, $16,500 from several sources Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:19pm.”
• Art. 3 Transfer $297,803 from Sewer Retained Earnings to the sewer nitrogen plant project Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:20pm.”
• Art. 4 Transfer $70,000 from free cash to restore reserves used for Town Hall retaining wall emergency repair Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:20pm.”
• Art. 5 Transfer $50,000 from Public Safety Complex Stabilization Fund for a site/feasibility consultant Passed “Vote: Main motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:31pm.”
• Art. 6 Borrow $500,000 for Glenhaven Avenue water main Phase 2 Passed “Vote: Motion declared carried by a show of hands by the required two-thirds (2/3) vote at 7:34pm.”
• Art. 7 Raise animal control fees: boarding $50/day, cat adoption $300, dog adoption $600 Passed “Vote: Main motion declared carried by a show of hands by majority vote at 7:54pm.”

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

• Art. 1 Instruct the Select Board to appoint a Measurer of Wood and Bark Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 9:50am.”
• Art. 2 Receive the Annual Report of Town Officers Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 9:50am.”
• Art. 3 Hear reports of committees No action “Moved to pass over at 9:50am.”
• Art. 4A Pay prior-year bill of $636.34 (Unum) from free cash Passed “Motion was declared carried by four-fifths (4/5) vote at 9:52am.”
• 4B.A Transfer $132,500 from free cash for separation agreement with prior Town Administrator Passed “Main motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:01am.”
• 4B.B Transfer $57,000 from free cash for Interim Town Administrator salary Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 10:01am.”
• 4B.C Transfer $70,000 from free cash for legal costs Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 10:02am.”
• 4B.D Transfer $32,000 from free cash for police arbitration settlement retroactive pay Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 10:02am.”
• Art. 5 Reallocate $25,000 zoning consultant funds (May 2024 Art. 9A-19) to include legal and environmental consulting Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 10:10am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 1 FY26 general government budget, $3,063,030.74 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 10:30am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 2 FY26 public safety budget, $9,857,640.61 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 10:30am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 3 FY26 education: Fairhaven schools $25,656,166; NB Regional Tech $2,631,268; Bristol County Aggie $332,694 Passed “Main motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:05am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 4 FY26 public works budget, $4,369,700.95 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:06am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 5 FY26 health and environment budget, $190,059 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:07am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 6 FY26 community services budget, $2,075,322.02 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:07am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 7 FY26 non-departmental budget, $12,340,672 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:13am.”
• Art. 6A · motion 8 FY26 debt service, $945,820 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:15am.”
• Art. 6B FY26 Water Enterprise Fund budget, $3,381,197 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:15am.”
• Art. 6C FY26 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget, $3,937,827 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:48am.”
• Art. 6D FY26 Town Cable Enterprise Fund budget, $220,655 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:48am.”
• Art. 6E FY26 School Cable Enterprise Fund budget, $148,694 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 11:49am.”
• Art. 7 FY26 General Fund capital plan (items 1-17) from free cash and ambulance funds Passed “Main Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:07pm.”
• Art. 8 · motion 1 Borrow $800,000 for Glenhaven Avenue water main replacement Passed “Motion was declared carried by two-thirds (2/3) vote at 12:09pm.”
• Art. 8 · motion 2 Transfer $290,000 from Water Retained Earnings for water capital items Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:09pm.”
• Art. 9 Transfer $380,000 from sewer retained earnings for I&I study and a vehicle Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:10pm.”
• Art. 10 Fund reserve-line articles: $995,472 from free cash and $4,200 from Waterway Fund Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:18pm.”
• Art. 11 Accept Chapter 90 state highway aid Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:18pm.”
• Art. 12 FY26 Community Preservation budget: $310,000 reserves and $936,720 in spending items Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:18pm.”
• Art. 13A Create Roger A. Grimshaw Park revolving fund Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:24pm.”
• Art. 13B Authorize FY26 revolving funds and spending limits Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:24pm.”
• Art. 14 Rescind unissued borrowing balance for the Leroy L. Wood Elementary School project Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:25pm.”
• Art. 15 Home rule petition: let retired police serve as special officers to age 70 and change appointing authority Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 12:28pm.”
• Art. 16 Home rule petition for a Town of Fairhaven Charter Passed as amended “Main Motion with 2 amendments was declared carried by majority vote at 1:05pm.”
• Art. 17 Amend Solid Waste bylaw (Ch. 164) to define reusable checkout bags Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 1:16pm.”
• Art. 18 Amend Ch. 50 §3: Annual Town Meeting on a Saturday in May; town election in June Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 1:20pm.”
• Art. 19 Amend zoning: revise Fairhaven Smart Growth Overlay District (40R) map and area (about 89.32 acres) Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 1:39pm.”
• Art. 20A Create a Public Safety Complex Stabilization Fund Passed “Motion was declared carried by two-thirds (2/3) vote at 1:39pm.”
• Art. 20B Transfer $2,500,000 from Capital Stabilization to the Public Safety Complex Stabilization Fund Passed “Motion was declared carried by two-thirds (2/3) vote at 1:42pm.”
• Art. 21 Accept gift of land at 0 Washburn Ave. (Map 27, Lot 334) No action “Moved to pass over at 1:42pm.”
• Art. 22 Citizens petition: add Shade Tree Planting Board and related rules to Ch. 88 No action “Move to pass over at 1:42pm.”
• Art. 23 Citizens petition: allow sale of 100 ml glass single-use alcohol containers (Ch. 83 §5) Failed “Motion declared failed by majority 77 affirmative, 105 negative at 2:14pm. · 77 affirmative, 105 negative”
• Art. 24 Citizens petition: resurface Chase Road from Crescent to Raymond (withdrawn by petitioner) No action “Moved to pass over at 2:17pm.”
• Art. 25 Accept Alves Way as a public street No action “No motion was made. No action taken at 2:18pm.”
• Art. 26 Other business No action “no action was taken at 2:18pm.”

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

• Art. 1 Chapter 40R Smart Growth Overlay District zoning bylaw and map amendments (taken up after Article 13) Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 9:57pm.”
• Art. 2 Pay prior-year bill of $535.30 (Med-Tech Resource LLC) from free cash Passed “Motion declared carried by nine-tenths (9/10) vote at 7:33pm.”
• Art. 3 Transfer $301,812.01 from Sewer Retained Earnings to the sewer nitrogen plant project Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 7:34pm.”
• Art. 4 Transfer $20,000 from Water Retained Earnings to water salaries for a retirement payoff Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 7:35pm.”
• Art. 5 Transfer $45,185.84 from Water Retained Earnings for Boston Hill water tank debt Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 7:35pm.”
• Art. 6 Borrow up to $1,000,000 to rehabilitate the Sconticut Neck Road water main Passed “Motion was declared carried by two-thirds (2/3) vote at 7:42pm.”
• Art. 7 Move $8,000 from a 2023 Cushman Park lighting article to a 2024 public works utility trailer article Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 7:44pm.”
• Art. 8 Transfer $250,000 from free cash for grant matching funds Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:05pm.”
• Art. 9 Transfer $23,863 from public safety salaries to IT salaries for a part-time IT tech Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:10pm.”
• Art. 10 Add $118,030 in Chapter 70 state aid to the FY25 school budget Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:10pm.”
• Art. 11 Set Town Clerk salary at $84,080 effective July 1, 2024 Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:11pm.”
• Art. 12 Amend May 2024 CPC item to add Livesey Park as a location for accessible tables (no new money) Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:12pm.”
• Art. 13 Amend zoning Chapter 198 accessory dwelling unit sections to conform to the 2024 Affordable Homes Act Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:48pm.”
• Art. 14 Establish bylaw Chapter 5, Commission on Disability (adopted as written in the handout) Passed “Motion was declared carried by majority vote at 8:28pm.”
• Art. 15 Citizens petition: use firefighter turnout gear funds for a second set of gear No action “Moved to pass over 8:12pm.”
• Art. 16 Other business No action “None”

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

• Art. 1 Instruct the Select Board to appoint a Measurer of Wood and Bark Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 9:40am.”
• Art. 2 Receive the Annual Report of Town Officers Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 9:41am.”
• Art. 3 Hear reports of committees No action “Motion declared passed over at 9:41am.”
• Art. 4 Pay prior-year bills from free cash ($2,191.90 Stryker; $195.00 GCG Associates) Passed “Motion declared carried by four-fifths (4/5) majority vote at 9:42am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 1 FY25 general government budget, $3,160,518 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:29am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 2 FY25 public safety budget, $9,929,993 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:33am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 3 FY25 Fairhaven Public Schools budget, $24,702,183 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:33am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 4 FY25 New Bedford Regional Technical High School assessment, $2,626,000 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:34am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 5 FY25 Bristol County Agricultural High School assessment, $310,100 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:35am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 6 FY25 public works budget, $4,379,011 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:38am”
• Art. 5A · motion 7 FY25 health and environment budget, $195,507 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:39am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 8 FY25 community services budget, $2,129,289 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:45am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 9 FY25 non-departmental budget, $11,669,792 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:50am.”
• Art. 5A · motion 10 FY25 debt service, $1,094,605 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:50am.”
• Art. 5B FY25 Water Enterprise Fund budget, $3,248,586 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:52am.”
• Art. 5C FY25 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget, $3,945,797 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:52am.”
• Art. 5D FY25 Town Cable Enterprise Fund budget, $215,473 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:53am.”
• Art. 5E FY25 School Cable Enterprise Fund budget, $144,054 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:53am.”
• Art. 6 General Fund capital plan, 11 items totaling $1,328,206 from free cash (road work, vehicles, fire gear, cruiser, IT) Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:54am.”
• Art. 7A Water capital budget: $50,000 from Water Retained Earnings for a portable trailer Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:54am.”
• Art. 7B Borrow $1,000,000 for Sconticut Neck water tower maintenance Passed “Motion declared carried by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at 10:55am.”
• Art. 8A Sewer capital budget: $825,000 from sewer retained earnings (I&I study, pump, South Street pump station) Passed “Motion declared carried my majority vote at 10:56am.”
• Art. 8B Transfer $2,328,760.07 from Sewer Capital Improvements Stabilization Fund to the sewer nitrogen plant project Passed “Motion declared carried by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at 10:57am.”
• Art. 8C Transfer $280,364.48 from a 2017 sewer capital article to the sewer nitrogen plant project Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:58am.”
• Art. 9A Fund 19 reserve-line items totaling $987,981 ($937,981 free cash, $50,000 Ambulance Reserve Fund) Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:59am.”
• Art. 9B Raise retiree COLA base from $16,000 to $17,000, $89,000 from free cash Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 10:59am”
• Art. 10 Accept Chapter 90 state highway aid Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:00am”
• Art. 11A Borrowing authorization for a municipal fiber optic program No action “Motion was made and seconded to pass over this article at 11:00am”
• Art. 11B Establish a municipal fiber enterprise fund No action “Motion was made and seconded to pass over this article at 11:00am”
• Art. 12 FY25 Community Preservation budget: $230,000 reserves and $1,182,800 in spending items Passed “Main motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:21am.”
• Art. 13 Authorize FY25 revolving funds and spending limits Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:21am”
• Art. 14 Transfer $72,780.15 in opioid settlement funds from free cash to the Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:21am”
• Art. 15 Change description of a May 6, 2023 funding line to allow remaining $5,300 for assessment audits Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:22am”
• Art. 16 Adopt G.L. c.59 §2A(a) for assessing new construction Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:22am”
• Art. 17 Amend Chapter 119 Fire Department permit fee schedule Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:23am”
• Art. 18 Amend bylaw Chapters 87, 205 and 405 as written in the warrant Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:24am”
• Art. 19 Amend stormwater management bylaw (Chapter 194) and related sections Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 11:37am”
• Art. 20 · motion 1 Zoning: amend Ch. 198 §16 and §§32.1-32.1.D on accessory apartments Failed “Motion declared failed by majority vote at 12:36pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 2 Zoning: parking setback exception for properties with accessory, mixed-use or multi-family housing (§27.C(1)) Failed “Motion declared failed by majority vote at 12:41pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 3 Zoning: amend §§15.C(2), 16, 19, 29.A-B and 33 (new use definitions and table entries) Failed “Motion declared failed by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at 12:54pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 4 Zoning: amend Ch. 198 §29.6 Failed “Motion declared failed by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at 1:00pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 5 Zoning: amend Ch. 198 §32.2 Failed “Motion declared failed by two-thirds (2/3) by majority vote at 1:17pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 6 Amend bylaw Chapter 65 Passed “Main motion declared carried by majority vote at 1:34pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 7 Amend bylaw Chapter 306 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 1:36pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 8 Amend bylaw Chapter 316 Passed as amended “Main motion as amended declared carried by majority vote at 1:51pm”
• Art. 20 · motion 9 Amend bylaw Chapter 322 Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 1:52pm”
• Art. 21 Establish bylaw Chapter 158 §3, Flow Neutral (as printed in April 23, 2024 replacement appendix) Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 2:15pm”
• Art. 22A Amend Chapter 76 Tree Warden bylaw Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 2:25pm”
• Art. 22B Establish Chapter 88 Public Shade Tree bylaw Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 2:26pm”
• Art. 23 Citizens petition: $1,718.24 from streetlight account for a light on pole 30412 across from Bass Creek Road Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 2:29pm”
• Art. 24 Citizens petition: home rule petition for an all-alcohol restaurant license for Southcoast Pickleball LLC Passed “Motion declared carried by majority vote at 2:34pm”
• Art. 25 Citizens petition: repeal the bylaw ban on sale of alcohol 'nip' bottles (Ch. 83 §5) Failed “Motion declared failed by majority vote at 2:50pm”
• Art. 26 Other business No action “None”

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