Mission Statement
Public Works in Fairhaven is governed by the five member, unpaid elected Board of Public Works Commissioners. The Board sets policy and establish the rules, regulations, fees, and procedures of the public works in the Town of Fairhaven. This also includes management and maintenance of the Town roadway, park and utility infrastructure systems, including: roads, parks, cemeteries, beach, bike paths, water, sewer, storm drainage, trash collection, vehicle maintenance, and recycling center.
The Board sets policy and establishes rules, regulations, fees, and procedures. The Commissioners are empowered with the duties and responsibilities of Water Commissioners, Sewer Commissioners, Park Commissioners, and Cemetery Commissioners, as provided under state law.
We strive to maintain and improve living conditions here in Fairhaven for our residents and provide value for our tax payers.
The Board of Public Works organization is divided into the following working groups:
- Highway
- Parks & Grounds
- Water
- Sewer / Wastewater
- Administration
The Fairhaven Recycling Center operates on a seasonal schedule as follows. A valid 2024 sticker must be purchased for use.
| Month/Season | Open Times | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January – March | Wednesdays only: 8:15 AM – 11:55 AM ,Saturday: 8 AM-2 PM ( 2nd & 4th Saturday only) | *Days/times are WEATHER PERMITING |
| April – December | Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:55 AMTuesday & Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:55 AM & 12:30 PM – 3:30 PMSaturday: 8AM – 2PM | *hours subject to change at Town’s discretion |
2024 Beach Passes will not be available at the gate. To obtain your Beach Pass visit the Town of Fairhaven, Board of Public Works, during normal business hours or mail in a copy of your vehicle registration, proof of residency (if you are a seasonal resident), payment and self-addressed envelope to 5 Arsene Street, Fairhaven MA 02719.
Lost or stolen permits are not the Town’s responsibility. Must purchase a new one at full price. The permit must be affixed to the vehicle.
FEES
- For property owners and year round residents
- Resident must demonstrate proof of residency by showing vehicle registration, name, address and license plate number
- For property owners and year round residents
- Must have a valid senior citizen card or drivers license to receive this rate
- Must be 62 years old – (1959 or older) before today’s date
RESIDENT WALK-IN/BICYCLE
- Must have purchased a season pass and your name on identification must match our records
SEASONAL RENTAL PROPERTY TRANSFERABLE PASS – $200.00
- Property owner may obtain a transferable pass for their season rental
- The property owner must produce some type of proof of ownership (tax bill or water bill with the Fairhaven address)
- The Property owner must produce some type of proof that the property is a seasonal rental property (rental agreement)
- One pass per property
NON-RESIDENT SEASON PASS – $150.00
- Only 100 passes will be sold on a first come first serve basis
- Non-Resident must have a valid vehicle registration
182-1 Parking Regulations
No vehicles shall be permitted to remain on the hydrant side of all streets in Fairhaven from December 1 to March 31 from midnight to 8:00 am and also during the time of any snowfall or snow removal operations. On streets with no hydrants, NO vehicles shall be permitted to remain either on the east side of streets running north and south or on the north side of streets running east and west. The BPW is authorized to remove, or cause to be removed, to some convenient place, including a public garage, any vehicle interfering with the work of removing or plowing snow or ice from any way, and the cost of such removal with all storage charges resulting there from shall be paid by the owner of such vehicle. The Fairhaven Police Department will strictly enforce this Parking Ban. Violators will be towed and/or ticketed.
182-2 Violations and Penalties
Whoever violates this Part 1 shall, in addition to the foregoing provision, be liable to a fine of not more than $20 which may be recovered by indictment of complaint before a District Court.
The Board of Public Works has 24 hour emergency service available.
The phone number connecting all departments is (508) 979-4030 which is staffed by the Board of Public Works during regular working hours which are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday and after hour calls are forwarded to an answering service. If you have an emergency, please give the following information: your name, phone number where you may be reached, the address where the problem is and the nature of the call.