MassVoter.com← FairhavenMunicipal votes · 2025–2026 Board
Fairhaven Select Board
How the Fairhaven Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Natalie A. Mello joined the board in April 2025; Stasia Powers left. On April 14, 2025 the board chose Charles Murphy Sr. as Chair and Andrew Romano as Vice Chair. Covers 44 meetings, April 14 to June 9, 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 budgetYour Fairhaven ballot: 14 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →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
- 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.
Annual Town Meeting · May 3, 2025 44 votes: 36 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 failed, 6 no action
- 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.
Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2024 16 votes: 14 passed, 2 no action
- 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).
Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2024 53 votes: 42 passed, 1 passed as amended, 6 failed, 4 no action
- 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).
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
Vice-ChairAndrew RomanoVice-Chair · Elected townwide · at 42 of 44 meetings
Natalie A. MelloMember · Elected townwide · at 42 of 44 meetings
Andrew B. SaundersMember · Elected townwide · at 35 of 44 meetingsKeith SilviaMember · Elected townwide · at 41 of 44 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.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jun 8Appoint Charles Murphy Sr. to the Lagoa Friendship Pact…Motion: to appoint Charles Murphy Sr. to the Lagoa Friendship Pact Committee…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Murphy
June 8, 2026: Appoint Charles Murphy Sr. to the Lagoa Friendship Pact Committee for a 1- year term
To appoint Charles Murphy Sr. to the Lagoa Friendship Pact Committee for a 1- year term
Yes: Mello, Romano, Saunders, SilviaAbstained: Murphy
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to appoint Charles Murphy Sr. to the Lagoa Friendship Pact Committee for a 1- year term. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1) Mr. Murphy abstained.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
May 26Appoint Joseph Latimer, Robert Jones, Lawrence Machado, David Miller,…Motion: to appoint Joseph Latimer, Robert Jones, Lawrence Machado, David Miller, Milan…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Saunders
May 26, 2026: Appoint Joseph Latimer, Robert Jones, Lawrence Machado, David Miller, Milan Whitaker and Jeffrey Foisy as Constables for the Town contingent upon payment of the fee and providing a copy of…
To appoint Joseph Latimer, Robert Jones, Lawrence Machado, David Miller, Milan Whitaker and Jeffrey Foisy as Constables for the Town contingent upon payment of the fee and providing a copy of their bond to the Town Clerk for a 1-year term
Yes: Murphy, Romano, SilviaAbstained: Saunders
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Joseph Latimer, Robert Jones, Lawrence Machado, David Miller, Milan Whitaker and Jeffrey Foisy as Constables for the Town contingent upon payment of the fee and providing a copy of their bond to the Town Clerk for a 1-year term. Mr. Silvia seconded. The motion passed (3-0-1) Mr. Saunders abstained.” (Motion: Romano, second: Silvia)
May 2Approve the language of the ballot question, shal] the…Motion: to approve the language of the ballot question, shal] the Town…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 2, 2026: Approve the language of the ballot question, shal] the Town of Fairhaven be allowed to assess an additional $649,178 in rcal estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of…
To approve the language of the ballot question, shal] the Town of Fairhaven be allowed to assess an additional $649,178 in rcal estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of Public Safety Salaries and Wages: Fire Overtime; Community Services Salaries and Wages: Tourism Department Wages; Community Services Operating Expenses: Tourism Department Operating Expenses; Public Works Highway wages and Lducation: Fairhaven Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning on July Ist, 2026? Yes or No
The minutes give the count (4-0-1) but not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to approve the language of the ballot question, shal] the Town of Fairhaven be allowed to assess an additional $649,178 in rcal estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of Public Safety Salaries and Wages: Fire Overtime; Community Services Salaries and Wages: Tourism Department Wages; Community Services Operating Expenses: Tourism Department Operating Expenses; Public Works Highway wages and Lducation: Fairhaven Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning on July Ist, 2026? Yes or No. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed (4-0-1).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Apr 27Approve leasing a portion of the Rogers School to…Motion: to approve leasing a portion of the Rogers School to hold…Failed 2–3 · No: Romano, Saunders, Silvia
April 27, 2026: Approve leasing a portion of the Rogers School to hold a “Summer Art Museum- Rogers School” from June 12, 2026 to August 9, 2026. Further, prior to allowing entrance into…
To approve leasing a portion of the Rogers School to hold a “Summer Art Museum- Rogers School” from June 12, 2026 to August 9, 2026. Further, prior to allowing entrance into the Rogers School to stage the art event, all improvements must be made to the satisfaction of Town staff, a lease prepared by Town Counsel is signed by both parties and a certificate of insurance naming the Town of Fairhaven be provided. Lastly, the Select Board authorizes the Town Administrator to sign the lease on behalf of the Select Board
Yes: Mello, MurphyNo: Romano, Saunders, Silvia
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Mello motioned to approve leasing a portion of the Rogers School to hold a “Summer Art Museum- Rogers School” from June 12, 2026 to August 9, 2026. Further, prior to allowing entrance into the Rogers School to stage the art event, all improvements must be made to the satisfaction of Town staff, a lease prepared by Town Counsel is signed by both parties and a certificate of insurance naming the Town of Fairhaven be provided. Lastly, the Select Board authorizes the Town Administrator to sign the lease on behalf of the Select Board, Mr. Murphy seconded. The motion failed (2-3-0) Mr. Saunders, Mr. Romano and Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Mello, second: Murphy)
Apr 27Approve the use of two detail officers at the…Motion: to approve the use of two detail officers at the Town…Failed 2–3 · No: Murphy, Romano, Silvia
April 27, 2026: Approve the use of two detail officers at the Town elections in May
To approve the use of two detail officers at the Town elections in May
Yes: Mello, SaundersNo: Murphy, Romano, Silvia
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to approve the use of two detail officers at the Town elections in May. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion failed (2-3-0) Mr. Silvia, Mr. Romano and Mr. Murphy opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Apr 27Direct that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget…Motion: to direct that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget funds…Failed 2–3 · No: Murphy, Saunders, Silvia
April 27, 2026: Direct that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget funds be used in the following manner to the Fairhaven Schoo! Department
To direct that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget funds be used in the following manner to the Fairhaven Schoo! Department
Yes: Mello, RomanoNo: Murphy, Saunders, Silvia
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget funds be used in the following manner to the Fairhaven Schoo! Department. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion failed (2-3-0) Mr. Saunders, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Romano, second: Mello)
Apr 27That the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget be…Motion: to that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget be used…Passed 3–2 · No: Saunders, Silvia
April 27, 2026: That the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget be used in the following manner: $30,861 to Animal Control Wages, $24,700 to Animal Control Expenses and $34,439 to the Fairhaven School…
To that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget be used in the following manner: $30,861 to Animal Control Wages, $24,700 to Animal Control Expenses and $34,439 to the Fairhaven School Department
Yes: Mello, Murphy, RomanoNo: Saunders, Silvia
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to that the additional $90,000 FY27 General Fund budget be used in the following manner: $30,861 to Animal Control Wages, $24,700 to Animal Control Expenses and $34,439 to the Fairhaven School Department. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed (3-2-0) Mr. Saunders and Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Romano, second: Mello)
Apr 27Support the revised language for Section 7(A)(11) in Article…Motion: to support the revised language for Section 7(A)(11) in Article 24…Passed 4–1 · No: Romano
April 27, 2026: Support the revised language for Section 7(A)(11) in Article 24 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
To support the revised language for Section 7(A)(11) in Article 24 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Yes: Mello, Murphy, Saunders, SilviaNo: Romano
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to support the revised language for Section 7(A)(11) in Article 24 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Romano opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Apr 27Approve the FY27-FY31 Capital Improvement PlanMotion: to approve the FY27-FY31 Capital Improvement PlanPassed 4–1 · No: Silvia
April 27, 2026: Approve the FY27-FY31 Capital Improvement Plan
To approve the FY27-FY31 Capital Improvement Plan
Yes: Mello, Murphy, Romano, SaundersNo: Silvia
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to approve the FY27-FY31 Capital Improvement Plan. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed (4-1-0) Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Mello)
Mar 30Remove the article titled, Fairhaven Affordable Housing Trust from…Motion: to remove the article titled, Fairhaven Affordable Housing Trust from the…Failed 2–3 · No: Murphy, Saunders, Silvia
March 30, 2026: Remove the article titled, Fairhaven Affordable Housing Trust from the warrant until it is vetted
To remove the article titled, Fairhaven Affordable Housing Trust from the warrant until it is vetted
Yes: Mello, RomanoNo: Murphy, Saunders, Silvia
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to remove the article titled, Fairhaven Affordable Housing Trust from the warrant until it is vetted. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion failed (2-3-0) Mr. Saunders, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Silvia opposed.” (Motion: Romano, 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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →