MassVoter.com← Fairhaven Select BoardFairhaven Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
October 27, 2025
14 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Charles Murphy Sr., Andrew Romano, Natalie A. Mello, Keith Silvia, Andrew B. Saunders
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Ms. Mello wil! represent the Select Board and Mr. Monroe will represent the School Committee in the interview
Appoint Donna McKenna to the Fairhaven Schoo] Committee for a term through Town Elections in June, 2026
To appoint Donna McKenna to the Fairhaven Schoo] Committee for a term through Town Elections in June, 2026
Abstained: RomanoJoint vote with another board; the count includes both boards. Only Select Board members are shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Monroe motioned to appoint Donna McKenna to the Fairhaven Schoo] Committee for a term through Town Elections in June, 2026. Ms. Pickup seconded. The motion passed (9-0-1) Mr. Romano abstained.”
Adjourn the School Committee meeting
To adjourn the School Committee meeting
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Pickup motioned to adjourn the School Committee meeting. Mr. Andersen seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).”
Mr. Romano returned at 6:57pm
Enter into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation where the chair declares that an open session would have a detrimental effect on the Town's litigating posi
To enter into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation where the chair declares that an open session would have a detrimental effect on the Town's litigating position (NEPD v. Town of Fairhaven) and s. 21(a)(6) to consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property where the chair declares that an open session may have a detrimental effect on the Town's negotiating position (Rogers School property) and return to Open Session
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to enter into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation where the chair declares that an open session would have a detrimental effect on the Town's litigating position (NEPD v. Town of Fairhaven) and s. 21(a)(6) to consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property where the chair declares that an open session may have a detrimental effect on the Town's negotiating position (Rogers School property) and return to Open Session. Ms. Mello seconded. Roll Call Vote. Mr. Saunders, Ms. Mello, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Romano and Mr. Silvia in favor. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Take item D3 out of order
To take item D3 out of order
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to take item D3 out of order. Ms. Mello seconded, The motion passed (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Consider Appointment of David Darmofal to the Marine Resources Committee
Appoint David Darmofal to the Marine Resources Committee for a term through May, 2026
To appoint David Darmofal to the Marine Resources Committee for a term through May, 2026
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr, Saunders motioned to appoint David Darmofal to the Marine Resources Committee for a term through May, 2026. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Mr. Murphy closed the public hearing at 7:35pm
Approve three concurrent transactions as follows: approve the transfer of an All Alcohol License from Gamache Restaurant dba Courtyard Restaurant previous owner Matthew Gamache to Sail House Tavern, LLC new owner Howard
To approve three concurrent transactions as follows: approve the transfer of an All Alcohol License from Gamache Restaurant dba Courtyard Restaurant previous owner Matthew Gamache to Sail House Tavern, LLC new owner Howard S. and Linda L. Plaud located at 109 Middle St, Fairhaven, AND, approve a change in location from 270 Huttleston Ave. to 109 Middle St Fairhaven, MA, AND, approve a pledge of license in the amount of $100,000 to Matthew Gamache
Yes: Mello, Murphy, Romano, SilviaAbstained: Saunders
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Mello motioned to approve three concurrent transactions as follows: approve the transfer of an All Alcohol License from Gamache Restaurant dba Courtyard Restaurant previous owner Matthew Gamache to Sail House Tavern, LLC new owner Howard S. and Linda L. Plaud located at 109 Middle St, Fairhaven, AND, approve a change in location from 270 Huttleston Ave. to 109 Middle St Fairhaven, MA, AND, approve a pledge of license in the amount of $100,000 to Matthew Gamache. Mr. Romano seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Saunders abstained.” (Motion: Mello, second: Romano)
Ms. Mello wil! represent the Select Board and Mr. Monroe will represent the School Committee in the interview
Appoint Donna McKenna to the Fairhaven School Committee for a term through Town Elections in June, 2026
To appoint Donna McKenna to the Fairhaven School Committee for a term through Town Elections in June, 2026
Yes: Mello, Murphy, Saunders, SilviaAbstained: RomanoJoint vote with another board; the count includes both boards. Only Select Board members are shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Monroe motioned to appoint Donna McKenna to the Fairhaven School Committee for a term through Town Elections in June, 2026. Mr. Murphy seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Saunders in favor of Donna McKenna, Ms. Mello in favor of Donna McKenna, Mr. Murphy in favor of Donna McKenna, Mr. Silvia in favor of Donna McKenna, Mr. Monroe in favor of Donna McKenna, Ms. Pacheco in favor of Donna McKenna, Ms. Ochoa in favor of Donna McKenna, Mr. Andersen in favor of Donna McKenna, and Steph Pickup in favor of Donna McKenna. Mr. Romano abstained. The motion passed (9-0-1) Mr. Romano abstained.” (second: Murphy)
Ochoa in favor of Donna McKenna, Mr. Andersen in favor of Donna McKenna, and Steph Pickup in favor of
Adjourn the School Committee meeting
To adjourn the School Committee meeting
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Pacheco motioned to adjourn the School Committee meeting. Ms. Ochoa seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Andersen in favor, Ms. Ochoa in favor, Mr. Monroe in favor, Ms. Pacheco in favor and Ms, Pickup in favor. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).”
Mr. Romano returned at 6:57pm
Establish a Veteran Membership Category at the Recreation Center and have the rates be consistent with those charged to the senior membership as outlined in the request
To establish a Veteran Membership Category at the Recreation Center and have the rates be consistent with those charged to the senior membership as outlined in the request
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to establish a Veteran Membership Category at the Recreation Center and have the rates be consistent with those charged to the senior membership as outlined in the request. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Fairhaven and Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFT.-CIO (AFSCME), Clerical
To ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Fairhaven and Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFT.-CIO (AFSCME), Clerical
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Fairhaven and Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFT.-CIO (AFSCME), Clerical. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Ratify the Memorandum of Agrecment between the Town of Fairhaven and Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO (AFSCME), Highway with the correction
To ratify the Memorandum of Agrecment between the Town of Fairhaven and Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO (AFSCME), Highway with the correction
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to ratify the Memorandum of Agrecment between the Town of Fairhaven and Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO (AFSCME), Highway with the correction. Ms. Mcllo seconded, The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Consider Appointment of David Darmofal to the Marine Resources Committee
Accept and send the response to the Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins on October 15, 2025 prepared by Petrini & Associates
To accept and send the response to the Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins on October 15, 2025 prepared by Petrini & Associates
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr, Saunders motioned to accept and send the response to the Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins on October 15, 2025 prepared by Petrini & Associates. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Mr. Romano returned at 6:57pm
Accept the Open Session minutes of October 14, 2025
To accept the Open Session minutes of October 14, 2025
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to accept the Open Session minutes of October 14, 2025, Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Enter the Select Board correspondence as listed into the record
To enter the Select Board correspondence as listed into the record
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to enter the Select Board correspondence as listed into the record. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
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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