9.8.2026 Fall River City Council

Meeting summary The Fall River City Council held a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a regular City Council meeting on September 8, 2026. The public hearing covered multiple National Grid and Verizon pole petition requests, an auto repair shop license, a curb removal application, and a license for the relocation of the Savers secondhand store to 133 Mariano Bishop Boulevard. A resident objected to a proposed utility pole near her driveway on Bedford Street, prompting the Council to refer that specific petition to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation for further review. During the Committee on Finance meeting, the Council presented a citation honoring Anthony F. Cordeiro as the recipient of the Roger Valcourt Outstanding Citizenship Award. Public citizens brought forward concerns regarding administrative procedures and parking citation appeals in the Traffic and Parking Department. The committee also discussed funding for May's Playground, reviewing inactive capital accounts and potential state ADA and park grant applications totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the regular City Council session, members approved various committee appointments, an online public auction for surplus property, and fiber optic cable attachments. The Council adopted resolutions requesting an open checkbook financial transparency portal, an audit and comprehensive plan for solid waste and recycling carts, discussions on an HR compensation study, and traffic safety reviews. After debating whether funds could legally be expended prior to the next fiscal year without explicit Department of Revenue guidance, the Council voted 8-1 to re-table a $586,600 appropriation from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund. Topics discussed Bedford Street Pole Opposition Resident Eileen Pacheco of 1139 Bedford Street voiced concerns that a proposed pole would block her driveway and sightlines, leading to referral to committee. Refer Bedford Street utility pole petition (Item 19C) to Public Works and Transportation Committee — referred Refer Bedford Street utility pole petition (Item 19C) to Public Works and Transportation Committee National Grid & Verizon Pole Petitions National Grid and Verizon petitioned for utility poles across six city locations to install electrical reclosers for circuit reliability. Savers Relocation Savers District Manager Julia Cotto presented plans to relocate their store and donation intake operation next door at 133 Mariano Bishop Boulevard. Roger Valcourt Citizenship Award Presentation The City Council presented a citation honoring Anthony F. Cordeiro for receiving the Roger Valcourt Outstanding Citizenship Award for community development and philanthropy. Citizen Input: Traffic & Parking Department Oversight Requests Residents Ryan Duarte and Veda Boulet requested City Council oversight into administrative procedures, citation appeals, and RMV registration holds. May's Playground Capital Funding Councilors discussed allocating $50,000 from inactive park capital project funds and tracking $675,000 in pending state grants for May's Playground. Confirm reappointment of Christopher Antao to the Cultural Council — approved Confirm reappointment of Christopher Antao to the Cultural Council Confirm reappointment of Vania M. Noverca-Viveiros to the Cultural Council — approved Confirm reappointment of Vania M. Noverca-Viveiros to the Cultural Council Confirm reappointment of Ken Shadegg to the Historical Commission — approved Confirm reappointment of Ken Shadegg to the Historical Commission Confirm reappointment of Richard R. Mancini to the Historical Commission — approved Confirm reappointment of Richard R. Mancini to the Historical Commission Refer FY26 quarterly budget report to Committee on Finance — referred Refer FY26 quarterly budget report to Committee on Finance $10M Street Improvement Loan Order Mayoral loan order of $10,000,000 for street construction and improvements referred to the Committee on Finance. Authorize $10,000,000 street construction and improvement loan order to be published and referred to Committee on Finance — referred Authorize $10,000,000 street construction and improvement loan order to be published and referred to Committee on Finance Approve request to conduct public online auction for surplus property — approved Approve request to conduct public online auction for surplus property Refer Traffic Commission recommendations to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation — referred Refer Traffic Commission recommendations to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation Refer revised outside legal counsel policy to Committee on Finance — referred Refer revised outside legal counsel policy to Committee on Finance Outside Legal Counsel Policy Councilors debated proposed procedural rules and voting thresholds governing when the City Council can retain second legal opinions or outside counsel. Refer proposed removal of Section 2-33 (outside legal counsel) to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation — referred Refer proposed removal of Section 2-33 (outside legal counsel) to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation Solid Waste & Recycling Cart Audit and Policy Council Vice President Dionne introduced a resolution to inventory excess municipal trash carts and conduct a comprehensive cost analysis instead of eliminating 5- and 6-family pickups. Adopt resolution for solid waste cart inventory and comprehensive financial analysis — passed Adopt resolution for solid waste cart inventory and comprehensive financial analysis Motion to reject/grant leave to withdraw proposed ordinance amending Section 62-2C regarding solid waste collection — failed Motion to reject/...