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Municipal votes · 2024–2025 Board

Fairhaven Select Board

How the Fairhaven Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Andrew B. Saunders and Andrew Romano joined the board in April 2024; Leon Correy and Robert Espindola left. On April 8, 2024 the board chose Stasia Powers as Chair. Covers 29 meetings, April 8 to April 7, 2025.

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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Board years

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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

Andrew RomanoMember · Elected townwide · at 29 of 29 meetingsAndrew B. SaundersClerk · Elected townwide · at 27 of 29 meetingsKeith SilviaMember · Elected townwide · at 29 of 29 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.

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, April 7, 2025 · Regular meeting6 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, March 31, 2025 · Regular meeting5 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Stasia PowersMonday, March 24, 2025 · Regular meeting32 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAbsent: Andrew B. SaundersMonday, March 17, 2025 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, March 10, 2025 · Regular meeting14 recorded votes, 0 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.

Apr 7Recommend Adoption of Article 4BMotion: to recommend Adoption of Article 4BPassed 4–1 · No: Silvia

April 7, 2025: Recommend Adoption of Article 4B

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To recommend Adoption of Article 4B

Yes: Murphy, Powers, Romano, SaundersNo: Silvia

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to recommend Adoption of Article 4B. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)

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

Mar 31Issue the response with the revisions to the draft…Motion: to issue the response with the revisions to the draft by…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Saunders

March 31, 2025: Issue the response with the revisions to the draft by Attorney Heather White

ApprovePassed · 3–0

To issue the response with the revisions to the draft by Attorney Heather White

Yes: Murphy, Romano, SilviaAbstained: Saunders

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to issue the response with the revisions to the draft by Attorney Heather White. Mr. Silvia seconded. The motion passed (3-0-1) Mr, Saunders abstained.” (Motion: Romano, second: Silvia)

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

Mar 24Recommend Yield to Petitioner for article 23, Citizen’s Petition,…Motion: to recommend Yield to Petitioner for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend…Failed 2–2 · No: Powers, Romano

March 24, 2025: Recommend Yield to Petitioner for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw, Chapter 83 Alcohoi, Beverages & Drugs §5

ApproveFailed · 2–2

To recommend Yield to Petitioner for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw, Chapter 83 Alcohoi, Beverages & Drugs §5

Yes: Murphy, SilviaNo: Powers, Romano

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Murphy motioned to recommend Yield to Petitioner for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw, Chapter 83 Alcohoi, Beverages & Drugs §5. Mr. Silvia seconded. The motion failed (2-2-0) Mr. Romano and Ms. Powers opposed.” (Motion: Murphy, second: Silvia)

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

Mar 24Recommend Indefinite Postponement for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend…Motion: to recommend Indefinite Postponement for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw,…Failed 2–2 · No: Murphy, Silvia

March 24, 2025: Recommend Indefinite Postponement for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw, Chapter 83 Alcohol, Beverages & Drugs §5

ApproveFailed · 2–2

To recommend Indefinite Postponement for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw, Chapter 83 Alcohol, Beverages & Drugs §5

Yes: Powers, RomanoNo: Murphy, Silvia

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to recommend Indefinite Postponement for article 23, Citizen’s Petition, Amend Bylaw, Chapter 83 Alcohol, Beverages & Drugs §5. Ms. Powers seconded. The motion failed (2-2-0) Mr. Murphy and Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Romano, second: Powers)

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

Feb 24Appoint Groux-White Consulting, LLC as the Town Administrator search…Motion: to appoint Groux-White Consulting, LLC as the Town Administrator search firmPassed 3–1 · No: Silvia

February 24, 2025: Appoint Groux-White Consulting, LLC as the Town Administrator search firm

AppointPassed · 3–1

To appoint Groux-White Consulting, LLC as the Town Administrator search firm

Yes: Powers, Romano, SaundersNo: Silvia

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Groux-White Consulting, LLC as the Town Administrator search firm. Mr. Saunders seconded. Mr. Romano amended his motion to appoint Groux-White Consulting, ILC as the Town Administrator search firm, for an amount not to exceed what’s in their proposal plus advertising costs. Mr. Saunders amended his second. The motion passed (3-1-0) Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)

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

Feb 10Appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Conservation Commission for a…Motion: to appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Conservation Commission for a term…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Silvia

February 10, 2025: Appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2027

AppointPassed · 4–0

To appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2027

Yes: Murphy, Powers, Romano, SaundersAbstained: Silvia

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2027. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Silvia abstained.” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)

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

Feb 10Appoint Karen Goodhue to the Conservation Commission for a…Motion: to appoint Karen Goodhue to the Conservation Commission for a term…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Silvia

February 10, 2025: Appoint Karen Goodhue to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2027

AppointPassed · 4–0

To appoint Karen Goodhue to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2027

Yes: Murphy, Powers, Romano, SaundersAbstained: Silvia

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Karen Goodhue to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2027. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Silvia abstained.” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)

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

Feb 10Appoint Karyn Ferreira to the Conservation Commission for a…Motion: to appoint Karyn Ferreira to the Conservation Commission for a term…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Silvia

February 10, 2025: Appoint Karyn Ferreira to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2026

AppointPassed · 4–0

To appoint Karyn Ferreira to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2026

Yes: Murphy, Powers, Romano, SaundersAbstained: Silvia

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Karyn Ferreira to the Conservation Commission for a term through May, 2026. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Silvia abstained.” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)

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

Feb 10Do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges…Motion: to do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Murphy

February 10, 2025: Do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against Ruy daSilva and to decide what action to take, if any, up to and including discipline or removal on February…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against Ruy daSilva and to decide what action to take, if any, up to and including discipline or removal on February 26, 2025 at 6:00p.m

Yes: Powers, Romano, Saunders, SilviaAbstained: Murphy

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against Ruy daSilva and to decide what action to take, if any, up to and including discipline or removal on February 26, 2025 at 6:00p.m. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Murphy abstained.” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)

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

Feb 10Do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges…Motion: to do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Saunders

February 10, 2025: Do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against Patrick Carr and to decide what action to take, if any, up to and including discipline or removal on February…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against Patrick Carr and to decide what action to take, if any, up to and including discipline or removal on February 26, 2025 at 6:00p.m

Yes: Murphy, Powers, Romano, SilviaAbstained: Saunders

From the minutes

“Motion: Mr. Silvia motioned to do a public hearing to hear complaints or charges against Patrick Carr and to decide what action to take, if any, up to and including discipline or removal on February 26, 2025 at 6:00p.m. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Saunders abstained.” (Motion: Silvia, second: Saunders)

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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