2000, December 7: Angela and Eric Dawicki purchase the former Washington Street School/Fairhaven Boys Club building for use as the Northeast Maritime Institute.
2001, November 15: The first issue of the monthly Navigator magazine is published by Lori and Christopher Richard. It will continue publication until the February 2011 issue.
2002, August 23: A new playground is dedicated at Fort Phoenix State Beach and Reservation.
2002, November 15: The Samuel C. Barrett Animal Shelter is dedicated at 200 Bridge Street, having been built by students of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocation Technical High School at a cost of $225,000.
2003: Hoppy’s Landing, the area of Long Island to the south of Goulart Memorial Drive which includes a public boat landing, is purchased by the town from Robert “Hoppy” Hobson, a retired police officer and lobster dealer who had purchased it 10 years earlier.
2003, March 28: The Fairhaven Village Militia is established by a volunteer group of historical re-enactors that was first organized by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. Charles Cromwell is elected as the group’s first commander.
2003, April 27: A fuel barge operated by Bouchard Transportation Co. leaks nearly 100,000 gallons of heavy oil into Buzzards Bay 13 miles offshore, causing widespread damage to the shorelines of West Island and Sconticut Neck.
2004, May 9: Following the showing of the film “Intermission,” the Bijou Theater in North Fairhaven closes.
2004, June 27: The final service is held at the Centre Methodist Church.
2005, June 23: Classes are held for the last time at the old East Fairhaven School, which will be demolished prior to the construction of a new school on the same site.
2002, November 15: The Samuel C. Barrett Animal Shelter is dedicated at 200 Bridge Street, having been built by students of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocation Technical High School at a cost of $225,000.
2003: Hoppy’s Landing, the area of Long Island to the south of Goulart Memorial Drive which includes a public boat landing, is purchased by the town from Robert “Hoppy” Hobson, a retired police officer and lobster dealer who had purchased it 10 years earlier.
2003, March 28: The Fairhaven Village Militia is established by a volunteer group of historical re-enactors that was first organized by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. Charles Cromwell is elected as the group’s first commander.
2003, April 27: A fuel barge operated by Bouchard Transportation Co. leaks nearly 100,000 gallons of heavy oil into Buzzards Bay 13 miles offshore, causing widespread damage to the shorelines of West Island and Sconticut Neck.
2004, May 9: Following the showing of the film “Intermission,” the Bijou Theater in North Fairhaven closes.
2004, June 27: The final service is held at the Centre Methodist Church.
2005, June 23: Classes are held for the last time at the old East Fairhaven School, which will be demolished prior to the construction of a new school on the same site.
2005, July 1: Robert Baldwin begins working as Superintendent of Schools.
2005, July 13: Cleanup of hazardous waste at the Atlas Tack property begins with the demolition of part of the three story factory building on the site.
2005, August 26: The boyhood home of Joseph Bates Jr, founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is purchased from Hugh B. Darden by the Adventist Heritage Ministry. The house, 191 Main Street, had been in the family of Genevieve (Marston) Darden since 1835.
2006, January 5: Weekly publication of the Fairhaven Neighborhood News is begun by Elizabeth “Beth” David, to replace the Free Press, which had ceased publication three weeks earlier.
2006, September 24: Edgewater Bed and Breakfast, operated at 2 Oxford Street by Kathy Reed, closes after 23 year in business.
2006, November 15: School committee votes to close Oxford School.
2005, July 13: Cleanup of hazardous waste at the Atlas Tack property begins with the demolition of part of the three story factory building on the site.
2005, August 26: The boyhood home of Joseph Bates Jr, founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is purchased from Hugh B. Darden by the Adventist Heritage Ministry. The house, 191 Main Street, had been in the family of Genevieve (Marston) Darden since 1835.
2006, January 5: Weekly publication of the Fairhaven Neighborhood News is begun by Elizabeth “Beth” David, to replace the Free Press, which had ceased publication three weeks earlier.
2006, September 24: Edgewater Bed and Breakfast, operated at 2 Oxford Street by Kathy Reed, closes after 23 year in business.
2006, November 15: School committee votes to close Oxford School.
2007, June 13: Classes are held for the last time at Oxford School. In the fall students will be bused to the new East Fairhaven School.
2007, August 28: Classes begin at the new East Fairhaven School, which now houses students both from East Fairhaven and from the former Oxford School district.
2007, November: It is announced that the cleanup of the Atlas Tack property has been completed.
2007, December 14: The Fairhaven High School gymnasium is named in memory of basketball legend Barton B. Leach (1933-2007).
2008: Selectmen appoint a committee to begin planning for the town’s bicentennial in 2012.
2008, June 22: The first Fairhaven Farmers Market, sponsored by the town's Sustainability Committee, is held on the west lawn of Fairhaven High School.
2008, July 31: The partners who own Fairhaven Shipyard on Fort Street purchase the D.N. Kelley & Sons Shipyard on Old South Wharf and consolidate the two.
2009, May 7: Following a fundraising effort by Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara of Japan and the purchase of the Capt. William Whitfield house at 11 Cherry Street by a group of Japanese donors, Dr. Hinohara presents the house as a gift to the Town of Fairhaven.
2011, February 15: The School Building Facility Study Committee votes to approve a plan calling for the closure of Rogers School and for the replacement of the Leroy Wood School with a new, larger building.
2011, November 2: In a vote of 1,746 to 1,600, voters in a special election support borrowing money to build a new Leroy Wood School.
2011, December 1: Superior court judge Rene Dupuis rules that a group of residents may not reopen a previously dismissed lawsuit to stop the construction of two 1.5 megawatt wind turbines on town property near Arsene Street.
2012, March 14: Just before 9:00 a.m. a crane lifts into place the blades of the north turbine built by Fairhaven Wind LLC south of Arsene Street.
2012, July 8: A Grand Parade concludes a week-long celebration of the town's bicentennial.
2012, July 9: Ground is broken for the new Leroy Wood School.
2012, November 1: The Fairhaven Office of Tourism and Visitors Center move from 43 Center Street, the location for the previous twelve years, to the historic Fairhaven Academy Building at 141 Main Street.
2013, April 1: The annual town election results in a controversial one-vote win by incumbent Peter Deterra over challenger John Wethington in the race for Board of Health. After a court hearing and examination of some questioned ballots, a judge rules the race a tie, resulting in the scheduling of a special election.
2013, June 20: Classes are held for the last time at Rogers School.
2013, September 4: Classes begin at the new Leroy Wood School, which will serve the families of the former Wood School and Rogers School districts.
2013, September 9: A special election resulting from a tie in the regular annual April election gives Board of Health incumbent Peter Deterra a decisive win over John Wethington by a margin of more than 900 votes.
2013, October 12: The first Harvest Fun Day, sponsored by the Office of Tourism, is held on the lawn outside the Visitors Center.
2014, July 13: Encouraged by text messages and phone calls from 17 year old Michelle Carter, Conrad Roy III, age 18, commits suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in his truck parked in the Fairhaven Kmart parking lot, leading to a notable manslaughter trial, followed by nationally broadcast television movies and documentaries about the case.
2007, August 28: Classes begin at the new East Fairhaven School, which now houses students both from East Fairhaven and from the former Oxford School district.
2007, November: It is announced that the cleanup of the Atlas Tack property has been completed.
2007, December 14: The Fairhaven High School gymnasium is named in memory of basketball legend Barton B. Leach (1933-2007).
2008: Selectmen appoint a committee to begin planning for the town’s bicentennial in 2012.
2008, June 22: The first Fairhaven Farmers Market, sponsored by the town's Sustainability Committee, is held on the west lawn of Fairhaven High School.
2008, July 31: The partners who own Fairhaven Shipyard on Fort Street purchase the D.N. Kelley & Sons Shipyard on Old South Wharf and consolidate the two.
2009, May 7: Following a fundraising effort by Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara of Japan and the purchase of the Capt. William Whitfield house at 11 Cherry Street by a group of Japanese donors, Dr. Hinohara presents the house as a gift to the Town of Fairhaven.
2011, February 15: The School Building Facility Study Committee votes to approve a plan calling for the closure of Rogers School and for the replacement of the Leroy Wood School with a new, larger building.
2011, November 2: In a vote of 1,746 to 1,600, voters in a special election support borrowing money to build a new Leroy Wood School.
2011, December 1: Superior court judge Rene Dupuis rules that a group of residents may not reopen a previously dismissed lawsuit to stop the construction of two 1.5 megawatt wind turbines on town property near Arsene Street.
2012, March 14: Just before 9:00 a.m. a crane lifts into place the blades of the north turbine built by Fairhaven Wind LLC south of Arsene Street.
2012, July 8: A Grand Parade concludes a week-long celebration of the town's bicentennial.
2012, July 9: Ground is broken for the new Leroy Wood School.
2012, November 1: The Fairhaven Office of Tourism and Visitors Center move from 43 Center Street, the location for the previous twelve years, to the historic Fairhaven Academy Building at 141 Main Street.
2013, April 1: The annual town election results in a controversial one-vote win by incumbent Peter Deterra over challenger John Wethington in the race for Board of Health. After a court hearing and examination of some questioned ballots, a judge rules the race a tie, resulting in the scheduling of a special election.
2013, June 20: Classes are held for the last time at Rogers School.
2013, September 4: Classes begin at the new Leroy Wood School, which will serve the families of the former Wood School and Rogers School districts.
2013, September 9: A special election resulting from a tie in the regular annual April election gives Board of Health incumbent Peter Deterra a decisive win over John Wethington by a margin of more than 900 votes.
2013, October 12: The first Harvest Fun Day, sponsored by the Office of Tourism, is held on the lawn outside the Visitors Center.
2014, July 13: Encouraged by text messages and phone calls from 17 year old Michelle Carter, Conrad Roy III, age 18, commits suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in his truck parked in the Fairhaven Kmart parking lot, leading to a notable manslaughter trial, followed by nationally broadcast television movies and documentaries about the case.
2014, December 9: At a Special Town Meeting, members vote to adopt Chapter 381 of the Acts of 2014, establishing a Town Manager form of government. An earlier petition to the state legislature had been approved at the Annual Town Meeting on May 3.
2015, February 14-15: Winter storm "Neptune," strong blizzard, brings up to 20 or more inches in our area. The storm along with earlier storms in January and February, gave Boston its snowiest winter season on record.
2015, February 14-15: Winter storm "Neptune," strong blizzard, brings up to 20 or more inches in our area. The storm along with earlier storms in January and February, gave Boston its snowiest winter season on record.
2015, July: The MacLean's Seafood building on the north side of Union wharf is torn down. The company had leased or owned property on the wharf since the 1930s.
2015, October 10: The cupola is removed from the former Oxford School building in order to preserve the "Paul Revere" bell that hung there since 1914.
2015, December 14: The Board of Selectmen hires Mark Rees as Fairhaven's first Town Administrator.
2017, March 26: The Fairhaven Kmart closes after doing business in town for about 40 years.
2017, September 24: The last service is held at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Main Street.
2018, May 6: Fire destroys the Thomas Livesey Memorial Club building at 15 Hopkins Street.
2015, October 10: The cupola is removed from the former Oxford School building in order to preserve the "Paul Revere" bell that hung there since 1914.
2015, December 14: The Board of Selectmen hires Mark Rees as Fairhaven's first Town Administrator.
2017, March 26: The Fairhaven Kmart closes after doing business in town for about 40 years.
2017, September 24: The last service is held at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Main Street.
2018, May 6: Fire destroys the Thomas Livesey Memorial Club building at 15 Hopkins Street.
2018, June 16: The Huttleston Marketplace, operated by the Office of Tourism, opens with 30 booths set up on the lawns of the Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School.
2018, October 22: Friendly's (originally Friendly Ice Cream Shop) closes after more than 50 years in operation at its Huttleston Avenue location.
2018, October 22: Friendly's (originally Friendly Ice Cream Shop) closes after more than 50 years in operation at its Huttleston Avenue location.
2019, November 11: Carousel Family Fun Center, an indoor roller skating rink with an outdoor miniature golf course on David Drown Boulevard, closes after 27 years in business.
2020, January 10: "Junkie," a short film written and directed by Fairhaven native and URI student Alyssa Botelho, is screened in the auditorium of the Town Hall.
2020, February 3: Jackson's Variety on Sconticut Neck Road is destroyed by fire.
2020, March 16: Fairhaven schools, the senior center and the Millicent Library are closed because of concern over the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19.
2020, February 3: Jackson's Variety on Sconticut Neck Road is destroyed by fire.
2020, March 16: Fairhaven schools, the senior center and the Millicent Library are closed because of concern over the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19.
2020, October 17: Carolyn Longworth retires as director of the Millicent Library, a position she has held since 1985. She is the library's seventh and longest-serving director.
2020, October 19: Kyle DeCicco-Carey begins work as the director of the Millicent Library.
2021, January 7: Town Administrator Mark Rees retires after serving in the position for five years.
2021, April 5: In the annual Town election, Ronnie Manzone wins a seat on the Housing Authority, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to town office in Fairhaven. Before transitioning, she had served on the Select Board from 2005 to 2008 and had held other public positions.
2021, April 13: a petition drive is begun to recall Select Board chairman Daniel Freitas for conduct unbecoming an elected official.
2021, July 26: Select Board member Daniel Freitas is removed from office with a town-wide vote of 1,903 to 419. Stasia Powers is elected to replace him, becoming the second woman in Fairhaven history to be a member of the Select Board.
2021, July 28: The School Committee appoints Tara Kolher as Superintendent of Schools, replacing Dr. Robert Baldwin who had held the position since 2005.
2021, July 28: The School Committee appoints Tara Kolher as Superintendent of Schools, replacing Dr. Robert Baldwin who had held the position since 2005.
2021, October 6: Due to test results showing the presence of E. coli in the water supply, a "boil water" order is imposed on Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, and Fairhaven. Flushing and chlorination are begun. In Fairhaven, the largest of the four towns using the system, the order in not lifted until October 23.
2022, February 10: The Select Board votes unanimously to hire Angeline Lopes Ellison as the Fairhaven's second Town Administrator.
2022, February 10: The Select Board votes unanimously to hire Angeline Lopes Ellison as the Fairhaven's second Town Administrator.
2022, April 4: In the annual election, three candidates are elected to the Select Board, increasing the size of the board to five members for the first time in the town's history. Leon E. Correy III becomes the first black person elected to the Fairhaven Select Board.
2022, May 9: Former Select Board member Daniel Freitas dies at the age of 53 after a period of declining health.
2023, May 6: Town Meeting prohibits the use of thin-film single-use plastic bags, polystyrene plastic or expanded polystyrene (foam) food service packaging, and polystyrene foam cups. In a separate article Town Meeting prohibited the sale of alcohol "nip" bottles holding less than or equal to 100 milliliters.
2023, October 28: Select Board chair Leon E. Correy III, citing racist backlash he received since beginning his public service as an elected official, announces he will not seek reelection when his term is up in April 2024.
2023, November 30: The Fairhaven High School Blue Devils football team wins the MIAA Division VI State Championship by defeating the Salem Witches 26 to 22 at Gillette Stadium.
2023, December 29: Police respond to a call from the Bayside Lounge reporting an intoxicated man, former acting New Bedford Fire Chief Paul Coderre, wielding a gun in the parking lot. Coderre shoots an Acushnet police officer in the ankle and is then killed in a volley of shots from other responding officers.
2024, April 1: Andrew Romano becomes the first openly gay person to be elected to the Fairhaven Select Board, defeating three other candidates to win one of two open seats.
© COPYRIGHT 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 by Christopher J. Richard. All rights reserved.
© COPYRIGHT 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 by Christopher J. Richard. All rights reserved.
