Historical Commission — October 13, 2026

The Fairhaven Historical Commission met on October 13, 2026, with Chairman Rick Sylvestre presiding. With several members absent, alternate member Brian Messier was appointed as a voting member for the meeting. The commission approved the minutes from the September 8, 2026 meeting as amended. The commission reviewed a house plaque application from Douglas Rami for 6 Cherry Street, formerly the Colonial Club building constructed in 1910 by John and Martha Coggeshall. Due to minor historical corrections and the need to propose specific plaque wording recognizing the Colonial Club's tenancy from 1916 to 2016, the commission voted unanimously to table the application until the November meeting. The commission also approved monthly bills totaling $463.57, which included an Alert 360 bill of $239.40 for the Spring Street Firehouse alongside electric expenses, while clarifying duplicate invoices for bunker lighting.

Substantial discussion centered on town historic properties and CPC funding applications. Eleanor Botelho confirmed she submitted three Community Preservation Act applications for the Academy Building, fire stations, and the town survey plan, while the application for restoring the historic Nimrod cannon was pulled due to the inability to secure formal contractor quotes before the deadline. Regarding the Fort Phoenix cannon carriage, Eleanor reported that Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry instructor Mr. Wooldrick agreed to construct a new carriage if the town covers the cost of wood. Additionally, the commission examined lighting costs at Fort Phoenix, maintenance on a failing shutter hinge at the Old Stone Schoolhouse, and downspout drainage repairs at the Academy Building capped at $100.

Commission members engaged in an extensive debate regarding the future use and jurisdiction of the first floor of the Academy Building, following town administrator discussions about turning office space over to the Fairhaven Historical Society. Commission members emphasized that municipal code places full responsibility and oversight of the structure with the Historical Commission. The commission voted unanimously to direct the secretary to write a letter to the Select Board requesting that the town turn over full decision-making authority over the Academy Building to the Historical Commission. Finally, the commission scheduled the next regular meeting for November 10, 2026, avoiding conflict with the November 3 election, and confirmed a public forum for the town historic survey plan with consultant Chris Skelly on October 20, 2026.

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