State Approves Fairhaven Select Board Additions

FAIRHAVEN — Voters in Fairhaven will be casting ballots for three Select Board members this spring, as the state legislature approved the addition of two new board seats today.

The law allowing the board expansion just needs Gov. Charlie Baker's signature to take effect.

Current board member Stasia Powers, who replaced former board chair Dan Freitas following his recall at a special election in July, is up for re-election along with the two open seats.

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She said she will "absolutely" be running again next year.

"I'm enjoying the job, feel I'm having a positive impact and am grateful for the opportunity," Powers stated.

Freitas was recalled after a group of residents began a movement towards that goal earlier this year.

It started over concerns with Freitas' conduct as well as his role in the hiring process for the new Town Administrator.

Wendy Graves has been acting as Interim Town Administrator since January, although she also holds a number of other positions in the town.

A committee charged with hiring the Town Administrator will be holding preliminary interviews for the position at an executive session tonight, according to an agenda posted to the town's website.

The bill — approved by both the Massachusetts Senate and the House on Monday — states that the candidate who earns the most votes this spring will serve a three-year term.

The person with the second highest number of votes will serve a two-year term, and the candidate who comes in third place will serve a one-year term.

After that, the terms will be three years for each seat.