Paula Fay serves on Middleborough's Cultural Council, is involved with the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library, and is a member of the Middleborough Council on Aging.

At the November 7, 2024, meeting, Paula made several efforts to remove any consideration of grants from the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts since she deemed it a business. She cited a Town policy, which Select Farley later rebuffed at the November 21, 2024 meeting as not existing.

November 7, 2024 Cultural Council Meeting
https://vod.mccam02346.com/CablecastPublicSite/show/9050?site=1
1:01:54 Discussion on the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts

Some residents had concerns that a conflict of interest in appearance was occurring since said member was not willing to abstain from voting on applications whereby organizations she was involved in would benefit from the grant funding, regardless if the person did not personally benefit from the grants.

Paula's response to these concerns embarrassed this community: condescending in tone to fellow residents. The November 21, 2024, demonstrates the interaction between the residents and the Fays. Further, the Fay's hostile demeanor toward the State Cultural Council's representative was a black eye for our Town.

November 21, 2024 Cultural Council Meeting
https://vod.mccam02346.com/CablecastPublicSite/show/9078?site=1
39:09 - "We are disappointed in certain members of the Council."
115:01 - "What I am not reading...is that businesses will not be considered...who are you talking about when you said the 'Town.'"
118:06 - Ethics commission and her connection to Friends of the Library and Council on Aging
120:04 - "It might be worth abstaining..."
122:03 - "You should not be preaching."

After a significant public outcry, the Cultural Council awarded the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts a small local grant. 

Paula's conduct on 11/7/2024 and 11/21/2024 as the Cultural Council president was disrespectful and unprofessional. After her actions at the 11/21/2024 meeting, Ms. Fay should have been unappointed. No action was taken.