Select Board — October 8, 2026

The Fairhaven Select Board met on October 8, 2026, addressing a range of municipal administrative items, union agreements, policies, and upcoming town business. The board approved amendments to the AFSCME Highway Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding vehicle maintenance staff reclassification and compliance updates to the drug and alcohol policy. They also granted approval for Locations Plus to shoot commercial photography for 47 Brand apparel at several locations around town with temporary street closures, approved a retroactive Eversource utility pole permit for Lawton Street, and permitted a drama therapeutic workshop at Town Hall. A request by the Fairhaven Historical Society and Historic Commission to utilize first-floor space in the Academy Building was tabled until October 26, 2026, to allow the Historical Commission time to discuss the proposal.

Following an executive session, the board voted to approve a two-year memorandum of agreement covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with the dispatchers union (NEPBA Local 65/106) and authorized placing a corresponding article on the fall special town meeting warrant. The board then discussed and adopted a municipal Artificial Intelligence policy crafted by IT Director Steve Rosa, amending it to clarify scope regarding school and public works personnel, subject to review by Town Counsel and the Board of Public Works. In addition, Town Administrator Hickey presented succession planning for Town Accountant Anne Carrero, who plans to retire in July 2027, explaining a warrant article seeking to transfer $30,348 in unexpended funds to allow for transition overlap.

The board finalized and voted to close the Special Town Meeting warrant containing nine articles, approved a surplus property list that included a 2012 Ford E-Series van, and agreed to sign a regional joint letter to state legislators concerning statewide zoning proposals, amended to include all local state representatives. In executive and liaison reports, the town administrator announced multiple grant awards totaling over $119,000 for various municipal departments, and board members provided updates on climate resilience lectures, the Atlas Tech Working Group, and discussions within the Budget Working Group concerning wastewater treatment plant operations.

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