The meeting began with an engaging presentation by Nancy Bosco, chair of the Bird Sanctuary Committee, highlighting the extensive efforts to rehabilitate the bird sanctuary since July 2024. Bosco detailed the committee’s accomplishments, including assessing tree health, removing dead trees, and planting 111 trees and bushes and a perennial garden with 350 bulbs. The committee had also addressed deer damage, collaborating with local scout troops to build 20 birdhouses and approve a project for four bat houses. Memorial benches were ordered, funded by donations and grants totaling $7,814, excluding volunteer hours.

Bosco proposed a rededication event for the bird sanctuary on May 16, coinciding with its 70th anniversary and the garden club’s 75th. A council member expressed support, and the motion for the rededication was unanimously approved.

Attention then turned to the Fair Haven Fields Natural Area Advisory Committee’s annual report, presented by Carolyn Ferguson. The report highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by deer and invasive species, with vice chair Dave Bordilon discussing the need for protective caging of new trees and the impact of the “mile a minute vine.” Suggestions included possibly erecting an eight-foot fence to manage deer access, though concerns about cost and aesthetics were raised.

The committee expressed a desire for council input on deer management, a recurring issue. Mark Olsson emphasized community engagement through volunteer days to raise awareness about the natural area’s value. The committee logged 700 to 800 volunteer hours, with additional hours from community cleanup days.

In financial discussions, the community appeal was noted to provide approximately $5,000 annually for the natural area, supplemented by $1,000 in donations. Plans for the upcoming year included planting perennial grasses and constructing a buffer of evergreens. The council acknowledged ongoing efforts to manage stormwater from Buttonwood and upcoming roadwork on Fair Haven Road.

Another topic was the scheduling of community events, with the council approving the Girls on the Run event for June 7. Megan Moran was set to lead the local chapter, and the police chief had worked on the race route. There was enthusiasm for the event, with a council member sharing personal experiences as a coach, highlighting the positive impact on youth participation.

The council also supported the Shade Tree Commission’s initiative to place bonsai trees in front of Fair Haven’s 13 oldest trees, celebrating the original 13 colonies. This project included QR codes linking to narratives about the trees and local history, fostering educational engagement.

Discussions about the Fair Haven Farmers Market for 2026 included plans to increase vendors from 42 to 60 and the sale of alcohol. A previous year’s conditional approval for vendors was noted, with the current setup including one liquor and one mead vendor, excluding beer.

Concerns about overlapping schedules arose regarding the farmers market and the garden club’s plant sale. A council member emphasized learning from past events. The council recognized the importance of both events and proposed exploring potential solutions to accommodate both.

The meeting also addressed the need for new signage due to the aging condition of existing signs. The council discussed exploring professional consultation for a cohesive signage plan to enhance aesthetics and functionality. There was consensus on replacing signs, with costs estimated at $10,000 to $12,000.

Lastly, the council discussed the 2026 municipal budget, noting a $260,000 appropriations cap bank for the next three years and a $140,000 tax levy cap bank. The finance committee was praised for a clean budget delineating expenditures for better fiscal planning.