Fall River Now

Meeting summary

On August 31, 2026, the City of Fall River held a ceremonial event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Portas da Cidade (Gates of the City) monument on Ponta Delgada Boulevard. The celebration aligned with several major milestones, including the 50th anniversary of political autonomy for the Azores and Madeira and the 40th anniversary of the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England. The ceremony featured national anthems and the raising of the flags of the United States, Portugal, Fall River, and Ponta Delgada, accompanied by the Fall River Police...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. Here's your look at the week ahead in Fall River city government.

The Board of Health meets this afternoon, Monday, at 3:30. Board members will consider business and practitioner licenses for Kristina Fazzina Aesthetics at BioMedSpa on Rhode Island Avenue. They will also review a separate practitioner license application for Andreea Furtado at the same location. In addition, the board will hear an appeal from Isaac Silvia regarding a July housing inspection report for an apartment on Robeson Street, and receive a regular report from the department director.<...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Redevelopment Authority meeting began with a unanimous vote to enter an executive session to approve minutes from July 29, 2026, and to discuss real estate strategy for 45 Annawan Street. Upon returning to the open session, the board unanimously approved the open session minutes from July 29, 2026, and the August warrant totaling $230,305.18.

Project Manager Karen Martin provided updates on two major projects. The Northfield Point site improvements are progressing, with work set to resume on September 8 and a target for substantial completion by the end of the month, aiming for a Columbus...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee's Policy Subcommittee met on August 26, 2026, to review several key district policies. The most significant discussion centered on the student attendance policy. The administration presented data showing a decrease in chronic absenteeism from 37.3% to 25.4% and an increase in daily attendance to 91.6% over three years. A major point of contention was the "D4 buyback" program, which reduces a passing student's grade to a 65 after their fourth unexcused absence. After a lengthy debate about the program's effectiveness and fairness, the subcommittee voted to refer an amended version of the policy to...

Meeting summary

This video is a promotional piece celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Way of Greater Fall River. Kim Smith, the Executive Director, and Rachel Medeiros, the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, narrate the video, reflecting on the organization's history of building partnerships and connecting resources since 1947. They emphasize the United Way's role in supporting local programs that enhance health, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.

The video serves as a call to action, encouraging the public to contribute to the community's well-being. Viewers are invited to participate in events like...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council's Committee on Public Safety met to discuss traffic issues, downtown lighting, and fire department equipment. The meeting began with public input from several residents of Progress Street, including David Burns, Gerald Montigny, and Saima Beer, who detailed significant problems with traffic, parking, littering, and public nuisances related to the Letourneau Elementary School. They cited issues with both parents and school staff monopolizing parking, blocking access, and engaging in smoking and alleged marijuana use on the street.

The committee then addressed these concerns with school and city...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Board of Assessors held a brief public meeting with members Richard Gonsalves and Nancy L. Hinote present; Richard B. Wolfson was absent. Due to Mr. Wolfson's absence, the board was unable to approve the executive session minutes from June 17, 2026. The members reviewed an invoice proof list and noted they had already signed the motor vehicle and supplemental warrants.

Several agenda items were postponed until after the executive session, including the monthly reports (items 5 and 6), the motor vehicle warrant discussion (item 7), and another unspecified item (item 9). The board then...

Meeting summary

The meeting was a ceremony to present plaques to various Fall River organizations that had received Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for projects. The plaques were intended to be displayed on the buildings or sites to acknowledge the CPA's contribution. The presenter called up representatives from each recipient one by one to receive their award. The projects were broadly categorized into historic preservation and open space improvements.

For historic preservation, plaques were awarded to numerous entities including the Fall River Historical Society, Lafayette Durfee House, Central Fire Station, Dr. Fisk House...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Tax Increment Finance Board held a brief meeting on August 25, 2026. The board began by approving the minutes from their previous meeting on June 12, 2026, with a unanimous 6-0 vote. The primary agenda item was an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Collin R. Dias.

The complaint alleged that two board members, Ann O'Neil-Souza and Frank Marchione, had not filed their Open Meeting Law certifications. An unidentified speaker explained that Mr. Marchione, appointed in 2014, had received the required materials but had not signed the certification, which has since been sent...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. Here's your look at the week ahead in Fall River city government.

We start with downtown real estate and city development. The Fall River Redevelopment Authority meets Wednesday evening at 5. The board will go into a private executive session to discuss a potential real estate transaction at 45 Anawan Street. Later in the public session, they will debate potential future uses for that property. The board is also scheduled to approve August bills and discuss site improvements, mooring fields, and a dinghy dock at 600 Davol Street. Members will...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals, chaired by Joseph Pereira, convened on August 20, 2026, to review a series of property development petitions. The board approved several projects, including two revised proposals on Durfee Street. The first, at 333 Durfee Street, was unanimously approved to convert an auto repair shop into four residential units, creating a nine-unit property, after the petitioner increased the proposed parking to 14 spaces. The second, at 637 Durfee Street, saw a proposal for a new apartment building reduced from 12 to 8 units, which eliminated the need for several waivers and earned unanimous approval...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending August 21, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, official minutes released by the city confirm the City Council has officially passed a revised municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2027. Councilors had previously rejected a continuing budget because of missing documentation and concerns over school transportation and police funding. However, during a special meeting, the council reversed course and approved the revised budget in an eight to one vote. City Councilor Christopher M...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Licensing Board, meeting with a two-member quorum consisting of Chairman Gregory Brilhante, Esq. and member Michael Perreira, conducted its business on August 19, 2026. Due to the two-member board, all approvals required a unanimous vote, and applicants were given the option to table their petitions for a full board, though none chose to do so. The board approved several license applications and transfers. New Asia One Inc. at 1355 South Main Street was granted both an all-alcoholic beverage license and a common victualler's license to resume their dining operations. Taste of Paradise, located...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Traffic Board held its meeting on August 19, 2026, chaired by Stephanie McArthur, Director of Traffic and Parking. The board began by approving the minutes from the July 15th meeting. They then approved a curb cut application for Jessica and Mark Forslund at 498 Reading Street to add a 12-foot driveway on Montgomery Street. A request from Peter Amaral of Shoreline Solutions for a loading zone at 4510th Street was also approved for the hours of 6 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week.

The board approved a request from the Veterans...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee held a regular meeting on August 19, 2026, addressing a wide range of topics from citizen concerns to detailed district reports. The meeting began with resident Pamela Nickerson pleading with the committee to reopen the Durfee High School's Jarabek Memorial Pool for public swim and lessons, which has been closed to the public since December 2025. Committee members expressed support for reopening the pool and requested a plan from the administration.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith delivered an extensive report covering preparations for the new school year. This included...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee's Finance Subcommittee met to discuss several key financial matters ahead of the new school year. The primary topics included a new waste removal contract, the budgets for the district's alternative education programs, and the end-of-year financial report for fiscal year 2026. Chief Operating Officer Ken Pacheco detailed the new 3-year city contract with Capital Waste, which he said would provide greater accountability through individual weighing of school waste. However, committee members, led by Kevin Aguiar, expressed significant concern that the School Committee had no input on the contract and...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Historical Commission held its August 18, 2026 meeting, chaired by Rick Mancini. The commission first addressed a demolition and construction request for stairs at 529 High Street. The homeowner, Mary Beth Bulio, explained the existing brick stairs were a safety hazard. The discussion revealed that the city's building inspector, Frank Calario, had issued an order declaring the stairs unsafe, which legally superseded the commission's authority. While expressing concern about the precedent, the commission tabled the matter, allowing the homeowner to proceed with the work while requesting detailed drawings for their records.

...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Community Preservation Committee held its annual meeting on August 17, 2026. The meeting began with a roll call of the members present. The committee's financial report was postponed to a future date as the city's CFO was unable to attend. The Chair read a prepared statement reflecting on the committee's progress over the past year, thanking the committee members, applicants, residents, and the administrative aide, Sandy Dennis, for their contributions to preserving the city's historic assets, expanding recreation, and enhancing quality of life through the Community Preservation Act.
The primary order...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Community Preservation Committee met to review project extensions, approve annual dues, and set the upcoming funding schedule. The committee approved a two-year extension for Forward Preservation to finish window work and another two-year extension for the Fall River Historical Society's $389,943 roof project, which was delayed to accommodate an HVAC system installation. Requests from the Fall River Arts Association and the Fall River Water Department for its Watuppa Pond seawall and historical documents projects were tabled, with the committee requesting representatives to attend the next meeting to answer questions about project...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. Here's your look at the week ahead in Fall River city government. The Community Preservation Committee meets twice on Monday evening. At 5 o'clock, the committee will vote on funding extension requests and set funding dates for fiscal year 2028. An hour later at 6 o'clock, members will elect committee officers and hear a financial report from the city finance department. On Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock, the Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization meets. They plan to vote on releasing two draft plans for a 21-day public comment period, one covering regional congestion...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending August 14, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, Fall River has officially filled a top municipal post. On Tuesday, the City Council confirmed Ann O'Neil-Souza as City Administrator. Her confirmation came during a packed session that also included hearings on utility work and local business licenses.

Also at the City Council, the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation is weighing a major change to city services. Members advanced a proposal...

Meeting summary

Patrick Norton, Executive Director of the Narrows Center for the Arts, hosted a press conference to announce the 3rd annual "Take Me to the River" event, a free festival on the Tom Norton Pier. Norton emphasized the event's dual purpose of providing a high-quality cultural experience for all community members regardless of socioeconomic status and boosting the local economy by attracting visitors. He noted that the previous year's event drew 2,000 attendees, with 35% traveling from over 35 miles away. Norton also highlighted the positive impact of the recently completed Route 79 project and the availability of...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Planning Board meeting on August 12, 2026, chaired by John Ferreira, addressed several development projects, tabling the most significant ones for further review. The main item of discussion was a new roadway reconstruction project for vacant lots off Box, Norwood, and Monarch Streets. The project, presented by engineer Alex Karadeski on behalf of owner Timothy DeSova, aims to construct roads and develop seven single-family homes on a property known for its significant ledge. A resident, Jeremy Corriveau, raised numerous concerns regarding the project's history, notification process, traffic impact near Talbot School, and...

Meeting summary

A ceremony was held at Bicentennial Park in Fall River for Agent Orange Awareness Day to honor Vietnam veterans and all veterans exposed to toxins. The event began with an opening prayer by Reverend Rob, who asked for comfort and healing for those affected. The main speaker, identifying himself as a regional director for the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), then provided a detailed history of the chemical defoliants used during the Vietnam War, including Agents Pink, Purple, Blue, White, and Orange. He detailed the millions of gallons sprayed and the development of...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council meeting on August 11, 2026, consisted of a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a full council session. The meeting began with a public hearing on an auto body shop license, a utility pole installation, and a curb removal, all of which were later approved by the full council. The Committee on Finance meeting featured a commendation for Juliana Madera, a high school student who raised $35,000 via a GoFundMe for residents displaced by a fire on Hick Street. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to resident...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances & Legislation convened to discuss several proposed ordinances and a resolution. The meeting began with citizen input from Alphonse Hathaway, who proposed stricter regulations for electric bicycles, suggesting they be treated like motorcycles with requirements for registration, insurance, licensing, and increased fines for violations. The committee then discussed a proposed ordinance concerning all-night parking for commercial vehicles. Stephanie MacArthur, Director of Traffic and Parking, answered questions about enforcement based on vehicle weight versus commercial plates. Councilors raised concerns about emergency service vehicles and the definition of...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Housing Authority Commission held a brief meeting, lasting approximately 15 minutes. The board, led by Chairman Stephen R. Long, moved quickly through a series of routine approvals, including the minutes from the July 13, 2026 meeting, bills and vouchers, and various management and financial reports for June 2026. All these items were passed unanimously without discussion.

Executive Director Mr. Spadella provided an update, inviting the commissioners to the annual employee cookout. He highlighted two significant achievements: the Section 8 department, led by Carrie Farias, received a perfect score of 100 on its SEMAP assessment...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee's Facilities and Operations Subcommittee met on August 10, 2026, to discuss several key operational matters. A major topic was the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for School Resource Officers (SROs). The new agreement, developed with Acting Police Chief J.T. Hoar, eliminates automatic weekly overtime, which cost nearly $100,000 in the previous year, and establishes a standard 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. workday. Committee members debated the effectiveness of this schedule for covering staggered school start times and the necessity of a central roll call, with the administration agreeing to review...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. Here's your look at the week ahead in Fall River city government.

The City Council faces a packed agenda Tuesday evening at 5:55. Councilors will consider a loan order for nearly six point nine million dollars for repairs, renovations, and maintenance of the Third Street Parking Garage. Also on the agenda is the mayor's request for confirmation of Ann O'Neil-Souza as the new City Administrator.

The council will also take up several items related to the Route 79/Davol Street Corridor Improvements Project, and review an Open...

Meeting summary

The City of Fall River held a solemn ceremony at Bicentennial Park on Purple Heart Day, August 7th, 2026, to honor all Purple Heart recipients and to provide a special welcome home tribute to United States Army Private First Class Manuel Pacheco. PFC Pacheco, a Fall River native, was killed in action during the D-Day invasion on June 6th, 1944, when his landing craft, LCI-92, struck a mine approaching Omaha Beach. For over 80 years, his family lived without closure as he was listed among the missing. The ceremony brought his story and sacrifice back to...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending August 7, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, the Fall River Conservation Commission has hired a firm to review the McAllister Waterfront Project. The commission made the selection at its meeting on August third. The decision marks a step forward for the proposed development, while several other items on the agenda were continued to a later date.

Also this week, the city's Park Board discussed the removal of a...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Park Board held a meeting primarily focused on a lengthy and detailed discussion regarding the removal of hazardous trees. The board debated whether to remove a specific tree on Mount Hope Avenue that was severely lifting a sidewalk, located near a driveway, and entangled in power lines. The discussion also covered two other trees on Conant Street. Board members weighed public safety against the aesthetic and environmental value of mature trees, referencing Mass General Law 87 and a city tree ordinance that requires a public hearing for such removals, a procedure...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Conservation Commission held its meeting on August 3, 2026, with all members present. The commission addressed a lengthy agenda primarily consisting of continuing matters. Several items were tabled pending further information or agreements between parties, including discussions on adopting new fees, outstanding enforcement orders, and three Notices of Intent for projects by Weaver Cove Industrial Park, Liberty Utilities, and National Grid.

The commission took decisive action on several long-standing requests. They voted to deny two separate requests for Certificates of Compliance for properties at 3820 North Main Street and 40 Frederick Street...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. Here's your look at the week ahead in Fall River city government.

First up, the Conservation Commission meets tonight, Monday, August third, at five-thirty p.m. The commission has a full agenda, with many items carried over from its July meeting.

A major proposal from McAllister Towing and Transportation is up for review. The company wants to repair and replace a sheet pile bulkhead, dredge parts of the terminal's basin, and make other site improvements at its property on Shaw Street.

Commissioners will...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending July 31, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news. Topping the news this week, the City Council gave its final approval to the city budget. Councilors passed a nearly four hundred eighty-four million dollar budget for the next fiscal year at a special meeting on Tuesday. A key point of debate, the school transportation line item, was fully funded at seventeen-point-one million dollars, the amount requested by the School Committee. Also this week, a city council committee heard details...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council's Committee on Public Safety met on July 30, 2026, to discuss fire department resources, commuter rail issues, and severe flooding problems. The meeting began with citizen input from Michael O'Regan, who spoke about the fire department's understaffing and aging equipment. He cited a recent fire on Hick Street as an example where increased manpower made a difference but stressed that the department is still overwhelmed, underfunded, and operating with unreliable vehicles. Following his comments, the committee unanimously voted to send a letter to the administration requesting updates on fire apparatus...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Redevelopment Authority held its monthly meeting on July 29, 2026, chaired by John R. Erickson. The board began by unanimously approving the minutes from their June 24, 2026 meeting and the July warrant totaling $125,229.10. Project Manager Karen Martin provided several key updates. For the Northfield Point project, the board approved a $43,650 change order to install irrigation and sod, which will allow for public use of the area much sooner than seeding. The board also awarded a $229,000 contract to Kavanaugh Marine for the construction of a new dinghy dock and mooring fields at City Pier...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council held a special meeting primarily to finalize and pass the Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget. The central point of contention was the school transportation budget. The School Committee had requested $17.1 million, while the mayor's proposed budget allocated $16.65 million, leaving a $450,000 shortfall. After a lengthy discussion with Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and city CFO Emily Arpke, councilors expressed concern about passing what they considered an unbalanced budget, given that transportation is a mandated cost. Councilor Shawn Cadime proposed moving $450,000 from the city's reserve fund to fully fund the school's...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Board of Health held a virtual meeting on July 27, 2026, with members Thomas Cory and Michael J. Coughlin present. The board began by approving the minutes from their May 18, 2026 meeting. They then approved tattoo practitioner applications for Aaron Gerard and Lawrence Ford. Three applications for the keeping of animals were also approved: Jessica Perez for up to 8 hens, Jose Calheta for an amended request of 18 chickens and 5 ducks, and Raymond Leboy for 8 hens, despite letters of opposition from neighbors concerned about vermin.

A significant portion of the meeting was...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. Here's your look at the week ahead in Fall River city government.

The City Council holds a special meeting Tuesday evening at five-thirty to address major financial decisions. On the agenda is a third revised version of the proposed municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2027. Councilors will also vote on a continuing appropriation order to keep the city funded through July.

Also Tuesday, the council will consider an agreement with Mayor Paul E. Coogan regarding the use of outside legal counsel. The council will take a...