Incumbent Fairhaven Selectman Geoffrey Haworth is seeking another term during town elections which will be held on Monday.

Haworth spoke with WBSM's Phil Paleologs and discussed some initiatives he's undertaken during his tenure such as the reformation of the the long dormant Economic Development Committee.

He says there are far too many vacant properties in Fairhaven and that the committee will work towards getting businesses to move into these empty buildings and help improve the economy in the town.

"We have business after business closing up and nobody's coming back to re-use these buildings and revamp the business district," "This committee will actually work to revamp the business district and I think that it's one of the next big issues in town."
During Haworth's tenure Fairhaven also experienced a changed in government structure going replacing the Executive Secretary position with a Town Administrator, a position now held by Mark Rees.

While most say he's done a good job some Selectman candidates have questioned whether he deserves the level of compensation he's receiving.

Haworth says that not is Rees worth the pay he's receiving, he may even deserve more.

"He's got a very fair contract, and for the type of skill set that he has, he actually deserves probably slightly more money than we were able to give him and he's done an excellent job," said Haworth "we've had a budget this year that has balanced all the needs of the community being met and we're not exceeding our revenues."

If he were given another term Haworth says one of the first things he'd do is form a charter committee that would look at many of the policies and procedures that carried out by town government.

Haworth thinks some of these policies and procedures are obsolete and unecessary and that this committee would look at how the town's bylaws can be streamlined.

"This Charter Committee will basically take the town bylaws and revamp them," said Haworth "because, like anything, after a while things get crossed and it's just a whole big obsolete mess that needs to be addressed."

Haworth's seat is being contested by three other candidates.

Voters will cast their ballots during the Annual Town Election on Monday.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420