MassVoter.com← Fairhaven Select Board
Fairhaven Member
Richard F. Trapilo
Elected townwide · 1 term in this record
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Board
On split votes, Trapilo voted the same way as…
- Andrew B. Saunders54% (7 of 13)
- Pam Kuechler40% (6 of 15)
- Andrew Romano20% (3 of 15)
- Natalie A. Mello14% (2 of 14)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2026–2027 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Trapilo as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
In the news
No recent stories found that name Richard F. Trapilo in the headline or opening.
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Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 8 of 8 Select Board meetings in 2026–2027 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (8)
- Sep 14, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 24, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 10, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 27, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 13, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 6, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 22, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 15, 2026 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2026–2027 Board
Aug 24Appoint Hailey Hemingway as aMotion: to appoint Hailey Hemingway as aPassed 3–2 · Trapilo: No
August 24, 2026: Appoint Hailey Hemingway as a
To appoint Hailey Hemingway as a
Voted: No
Yes: Kuechler, Mello, SaundersNo: Romano, Trapilo
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to appoint Hailey Hemingway as a. Ms. Kuechler seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Saunders, Ms. Kuechler and Ms. Mello in favor; Mr. Trapilo and Mr. Romano opposed. The motion passed (3-2-0) Mr. Trapilo and Mr. Romano opposed.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Aug 10Accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presentedMotion: to accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presentedPassed 4–1 · Trapilo: No
August 10, 2026: Accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presented
To accept the revised Board/Committee Handbook as presented
Voted: No
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)
Aug 10Accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application…Motion: to accept the revised appointment/annual reappointment process and revised application as…Passed 4–1 · Trapilo: No
August 10, 2026: 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
Voted: No
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)
Aug 10Nominate Ken Blanchard under category fourMotion: to nominate Ken Blanchard under category fourFailed 2–3 · Trapilo: Yes
August 10, 2026: Nominate Ken Blanchard under category four
To nominate Ken Blanchard under category four
Voted: Yes
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)
Aug 10Table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider…Motion: to table category four to August 24, 2026 to consider the…Failed 2–3 · Trapilo: No
August 10, 2026: 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
Voted: No
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)
Aug 10Appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working GroupMotion: to appoint Andrew Romano to the Budget Working GroupPassed 3–2 · Trapilo: Not recorded
August 10, 2026: 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)
Aug 10Appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for…Motion: to appoint Erin Carr to the Livable Streets Committee for a…Failed 2–2 · Trapilo: Yes
August 10, 2026: 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
Voted: Yes
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)
Aug 10Appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the…Motion: to appoint Rick Trapilo as Select Board liaison to the Budget…Passed 4–1 · Trapilo: No
August 10, 2026: 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
Voted: No
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)
Aug 10Approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a…Motion: to approve the Town Administrator’s annual evaluation and award a bonus…Passed 4–1 · Trapilo: No
August 10, 2026: 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
Voted: No
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)
Jul 27Appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for…Motion: to appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a…Passed 4–0 · Trapilo: Not recorded
July 27, 2026: Appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a term through May, 2028
To appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a term through May, 2028
The minutes give the count (4-0-0) but not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Saunders motioned to appoint Diane Tomassetti to the Board of Assessors for a term through May, 2028. Ms. Kuechler seconded. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0) Mr. Saunders recused himself.” (Motion: Saunders, second: Kuechler)
Votes with no disagreement (92)
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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