MassVoter.com← Fairhaven Select BoardFairhaven Select Board · 2026–2027 Board · Regular meeting
August 10, 2026
21 recorded votes, 8 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Fairhaven ballot: 14 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: Andrew Romano, Natalie A. Mello, Andrew B. Saunders, Pam Kuechler, Richard F. Trapilo
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Mr. Romano summarized the recommended amendments to the Board/Committec Handbook, most of the changes
Accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presented
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)
Accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application as amended
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)
By category:
Appoint Mark Rees under category two
To appoint Mark Rees under category two
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Mello motioned to appoint Mark Rees under category two. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Mello, second: Kuechler)
Nominate Ken Blanchard under category four
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)
Table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the late application
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)
Appoint Robert Baldwin under category five
To appoint Robert Baldwin under category five
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Mello motioned to appoint Robert Baldwin under category five. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Mello, second: Kuechler)
Appoint Daniel Lopes under category six
To appoint Daniel Lopes under category six
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to appoint Daniel Lopes under category six. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Romano, second: Mello)
Appoint Gunner Hexum under category seven
To appoint Gunner Hexum under category seven
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Kuechler motioned to appoint Gunner Hexum under category seven. Ms. Mello seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Kuechler, second: Mello)
Appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working Group
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)
Appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for a term through September, 2026
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)
Appointment Request: Atlas Tack Working Group: Keith Silvia
Appoint Keith Silvia to the Atlas Tack Working Group for a term to expire upon completion
To appoint Keith Silvia to the Atlas Tack Working Group for a term to expire upon completion
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saundcrs motioned to appoint Keith Silvia to the Atlas Tack Working Group for a term to expire upon completion. Mr. Trapilo seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Trapilo)
Mr. Romano summarized the recommended amendments to the Board/Committec Handbook, most of the changes
Enter Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating positio
To enter Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares (NEPD versus Town of Fairhaven); AND Pursuant to G.L. ¢. 30A, § 21(a)(2) [t]o conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non- union personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel: Keith Hickey, AND to retum to Open Session
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to enter Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares (NEPD versus Town of Fairhaven); AND Pursuant to G.L. ¢. 30A, § 21(a)(2) [t]o conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non- union personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel: Keith Hickey, AND to retum to Open Session. Ms. Kuechler seconded. Roll Call Vote, Mr. Saunders, Ms. Kuechler, Mr. Romano, Ms. Mello and Mr. Trapilo in favor. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Approve transitioning General and Labor Counsel to Harrington Heep, LLP
To approve transitioning General and Labor Counsel to Harrington Heep, LLP
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to approve transitioning General and Labor Counsel to Harrington Heep, LLP. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Retain Petrini and Associates as Special Counsel for the Wastewater Pollution Control Facility
To retain Petrini and Associates as Special Counsel for the Wastewater Pollution Control Facility
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to retain Petrini and Associates as Special Counsel for the Wastewater Pollution Control Facility. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Reconsider item B5
To reconsider item B5
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Romano motioned to reconsider item B5. Mr. Saunders seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Romano, second: Saunders)
Appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the Budget Working Group
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)
Approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a bonus of three-thousand-dollars as presented
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)
Amend the Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement to read, the evaluation should take place on or before June Ist
To amend the Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement to read, the evaluation should take place on or before June Ist
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to amend the Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement to read, the evaluation should take place on or before June Ist. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Accept the Retirement of Marcy Christ from the Fairhaven Police Department as presented
To accept the Retirement of Marcy Christ from the Fairhaven Police Department as presented
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to accept the Retirement of Marcy Christ from the Fairhaven Police Department as presented. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
To – Mr. Romano summarized the recommended amendments to the Board/Committec Handbook, most of the changes
To
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Indefinitely table item D8 until Rick Trapilo brings the item back
To indefinitely table item D8 until Rick Trapilo brings the item back
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to indefinitely table item D8 until Rick Trapilo brings the item back. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
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 →