Board of Public Works — October 26, 2026

The Fairhaven Board of Public Works convened on November 2, 2026, opening with an executive session to conduct an interview for a Sewer Department maintenance position. Following executive session, the board reconvened in open session and approved the minutes of October 19, 2026. The board interviewed Highway Department mechanics Kyle and Sean, voting unanimously to approve their reclassifications to Grade 9, Step 3 Senior Motor Equipment Repair Persons. The board also voted to approve a $10,605 contract with Maher Services for emergency cleaning and repairs to the Wolf Island Number 1 well, and later formally voted to hire Misty Santos as a Sewer System Maintenance Craftsperson at Grade 9, Step 7.

During public comment, resident Louise Quinton requested that the town reinstall the memorial street sign for fallen Vietnam War veteran David Drown on Sconticut Neck Road, which DPW staff confirmed would be reinstalled with new brackets by Wednesday ahead of Veterans Day. Resident John Medeiros and Historical Commission representative Eleanor Chew addressed the stored Rogers School bell; the board determined it would await written authorization from town administration and the Historical Commission before granting access to a bell repair specialist. Resident Bob Espindola raised concerns regarding recent odor complaints from the wastewater treatment plant and requested specifications and cost estimates for odor sensors, which Superintendent Vincent D. Furtado noted could range from $2,000 to $40,000.

In his superintendent report, Furtado recounted a recent tour of the Taunton wastewater facility with the town's budget working group, detailing the technical and financial complications associated with potential privatization of the sewer department. The board concluded with member discussions on several infrastructure matters, including dirty water complaints at Fisher's Mill Road and Route 6, grading at Hoppy's Landing, and maintenance needs at Causeway Road Bridge and Mill Road.

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