Fall River Now

Meeting summary

The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals met on October 15, 2026, to address old and new business concerning property variances and special permits. Chairman Joseph Pereira presided over the hearing alongside Vice Chairman John Frank III, Clerk James C. Calkins, alternate members Eric Kelly and Alexis Anselmo, and Director of Engineering & Planning Daniel Aguiar. Two items regarding an executive session were bypassed because counsel had no updates, and a petition for 189 Durfee Street to waive parking and create a residential unit was tabled until November at the applicant's request to evaluate interior garage parking...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Planning Board met on October 14, 2026, to address several old and new business items concerning roadway reconstructions and Approval Not Required (ANR) subdivision plans. In old business, the board voted unanimously to table the roadway reconstruction plan for Spring Street to November at the applicant's request. The board also reviewed a roadway reconstruction application for a vacant wooded lot off Bark, Norwood, and Monarch Streets. After reviewing technical recommendations with Director of Engineering and Planning Daniel Aguiar, the board voted unanimously to approve design standard waivers—including relief on curve radii, le...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Board of Library Trustees held its meeting on October 14, 2026, opening with the approval of prior meeting minutes before receiving the administrator's report from Library Director Fellisha Desmarais. Desmarais reported on a busy August and September, which included covering responsibilities during the vacancy left by former assistant administrator Kayla King. Following deliberations with the mayor and an interview process, Jessica Rivas was appointed as the new assistant library administrator effective October 5. Rivas introduced herself to the board, highlighting her project management background and master's degree in business administration. Desmarais also highlighted...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council convened on October 13, 2026, conducting a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a regular City Council session. During the Committee on Finance meeting and citizens' input, business owner Todd Salpetro and attorney Seth Aiken raised urgent concerns regarding open drug use along South Main Street and the distribution of harm reduction kits containing drug paraphernalia by organizations like the Seven Hills Foundation and STAR. Later in the regular meeting, Council President Cliff A. Ponte displayed contents from sample harm reduction bags—including syringes, glass crack pipes, mirrors, an...

Meeting summary

The City Council Committee on Real Estate, Facilities & Housing met on October 13, 2026, to address multiple long-delayed municipal building and infrastructure projects. During citizen input, School Committee Member Kevin Aguiar voiced severe frustration over delays and poor inter-departmental communication concerning the window replacement project at the School Department Administration Building, noting that CPC funds were awarded years prior but decrepit, lead-containing windows remain unaddressed.

The committee then reviewed the structural repairs at the Third Street Parking Garage with City Operations Director Al Oliveira, Building Commissioner Glenn Hathaway, Traffic and Parking Director Stephanie...

Transcript

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

The City Council meets Tuesday evening at 5:55 with several major financial and policy items on the table. The Committee on Finance will take up the city's Capital Improvement Plan, along with municipal fund transfers and appropriations. Councilors will also consider requests from Mayor Paul E. Coogan for Tax Increment Exemption Agreements covering properties on Hartwell Street, Howe Street, and Plymouth Avenue. From emergency services funding, Mayor Coogan is seeking 375 thousand dollars for salaries and 21 thousand 500...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending October 9, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, the Fall River Tax Increment Financing Board approved three residential tax exemption agreements on Tuesday. The deals support redevelopment projects applying for Housing Development Incentive Program and historic tax credits to create new housing across the city.

Also on Tuesday, the Sewer Commission signed off on major engineering contracts, plant equipment authorizations, and septage hauling permits. The commission also handled administrative...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Housing Authority met on October 8, 2026, and handled several routine administrative and modernization matters. During resident input, Ed Gagnon of the Fall River Joint Tenants Council reported on the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing annual conference in Marlborough, noting that Vice Chairman David Underhill was reelected as chairman for an additional two-year term, and highlighted a forthcoming no-cost computers-for-seniors initiative. Following public input, the board approved the prior meeting minutes, bills and vouchers, eight monthly management reports, the August 2026 financial reports, and the state quarterly operating statements for the period ending...

Meeting summary

On October 9, 2026, the City of Fall River hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Month event featuring the Clothesline Project at Fall River City Hall. Organized in partnership with the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and the Women's Center at SSTAR, the event aimed to raise awareness, break the silence surrounding domestic abuse, and honor survivors and victims.

Mayor Paul E. Coogan delivered remarks acknowledging the vital work of local advocates and presented an official proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Month in the City of Fall River. The proclamation highlighted national statistics...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Park Board met on October 7 to address park use permits, cemetery operations, and tree removal requests. The board began by approving the September meeting minutes and granting a request for a pickleball tournament at Father Travassos/Kennedy Park. Chris Martin from the Cemetery and Tree Department and Darren Medeiros discussed ongoing maintenance and security issues at Oak Grove Cemetery, prompting the board to approve defined operating hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the summer and 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the winter (effective November 1), while re-enforcing existing rules limiting plot decorations...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Licensing Board convened for a special meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, chaired by Gregory Brilhante alongside board member Michael Perreira. Chairman Brilhante opened the meeting by reading the required Open Meeting Law statement and public comment policy under City Charter Section 9-18. There were no citizens signed up for public input.

The board took up an application for a one-day beer and wine liquor permit submitted by Carl Pelletier on behalf of MP Hospitality Company for an event at the carousel located at 1 Central Street. The event was scheduled...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee held its regular meeting on October 7, 2026, opening with a moment of silence in honor of former Superintendent James Gibney, who served the district for 32 years before his passing on September 28. During public comment, educators and community members advocated for the district's implementation of the state's PROTECT Act to ensure structured safeguards and safe school environments for immigrant families and students. Following discussions, the committee formally adopted the PROTECT Act policy and voted to appoint internal candidate Vanessa Pilar as the School Committee clerk and administrative assistant, contingent on...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Sewer Commission met on October 6, 2026, to address septage hauling permits, major engineering contracts, plant equipment authorizations, and staffing updates. The Commission began by approving the minutes from June 16, 2026, and granted permits for three septage hauling companies—Croom Sanitation Inc., 1620 Sanitation, and Pure Flow LLC—to discharge at the wastewater treatment plant. Staff reported that septage disposal revenue was performing strongly, having already generated $390,000 toward a $1,000,000 annual budget target.

The Commission approved two major engineering service agreements with Wright-Pierce. The first was Amendment No. 9 for $232,700 to complete the final desi...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met on October 6, 2026, to address a heavy agenda of municipal code revisions, resolutions, and operational updates. During citizen input, resident and Marine Corps veteran Mallory Klonowski raised urgent concerns regarding the deteriorated and unmaintained condition of Judge Street and Greenleaf Street. The committee then addressed legal constraints on the city's Abutters Lots Program with Special Counsel Matthew Thomas, noting that recent state statutory changes regarding tax titles (Chapter 60) and zoning have frustrated the program's purpose for tax-possession parcels, prompting councilors to explore special...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee's Evaluation Subcommittee met on October 6, 2026, to conduct preliminary interviews for the position of Confidential Administrative Assistant for the School Committee. After opening the meeting and confirming attendance via roll call, the subcommittee voted unanimously to enter executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(8).

Upon returning to open session, the subcommittee announced that it would be forwarding one candidate to the full School Committee meeting the following evening for a public interview. With no further business, the subcommittee voted unanimously to adjourn.

Meeting summary

The Fall River Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Board met on October 6, 2026, to review and vote on three Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) agreements for residential redevelopment projects seeking Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) and historic tax credits. The board approved the meeting minutes from August 25, 2026, and heard presentations from Attorney Fiola and staff regarding each proposal.

The board unanimously approved TIE agreements for all three developments. The first was for the Thomas Alva Edison Building at 138 Hartwell Street (the former Silvia School site), proposing a $21 million investment to construct 49 rental units. The...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Conservation Commission met on October 5, 2026, at One Government Center. Several items on the agenda were tabled due to lack of new updates, applicant requests, or pending consultant reviews, including matters regarding Belt Rock Road, fee structures, outstanding enforcement orders, and Notices of Intent for New Street, 994 Jefferson Street, an overhead transmission line right-of-way, and Shaw Street.

The Commission held hearings on two active Notices of Intent. Engineer Alexander Kordisky presented a proposal on behalf of Jack Carvalho Construction LLC to construct a single-family home on an L-shaped parcel...

Transcript

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

Tonight at 5:30, the Conservation Commission meets to take up several major project filings. Agenda items include an after-the-fact restoration plan on New Street from Weaver's Cove Industrial Park, a National Grid proposal to separate power lines onto paired monopoles across the Taunton River, and bulkhead repairs with dredging on Shaw Street for McAllister Towing. Commissioners will also discuss an update on Bell Rock Road, outstanding enforcement orders, and the possible adoption of a new fee...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending October 2, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, the Fall River Fire Department officially placed its new Engine 9 into service on Thursday. The department held a commissioning ceremony at the fire station on Eastern Avenue, where Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon spoke on the one-hundred-twenty-seven-year history of the engine, traditionally known as Pumper 9.

In city development, the Fall River Planning Board met on Wednesday and took action on local housing...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Fire Department hosted an in-service ceremony at the Raynham/Eastwood Fire Station on Eastern Avenue to officially commission the new Engine 9 (known traditionally as Pumper 9). Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon spoke on the 127-year history of Pumper 9 in Fall River's Flint neighborhood, tracing its lineage back to horse-drawn apparatus operating from Bogle Hill in 1899. Chief Bacon recognized the efforts of the apparatus committee, previous department leadership, Community Development Director Michael Dion, and local and state delegations for securing the new apparatus.

Mayor Paul E. Coogan offered remarks thanking the...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Redevelopment Authority met on September 30, 2026, to conduct regular business and receive updates on ongoing redevelopment and infrastructure projects across the city. The board approved the open session minutes from August 26, 2026, and authorized the September warrant totaling $324,932.59. Staff provided operational updates regarding the 2025 financial audit, the mooring fields installation at City Pier, and progress on the temporary parking lot layout and fire alarm systems at 45 Anawan Street.

The Authority voted on several key contracts and change orders. For the Northfield Point project, the board approved Change Order No. 2 to...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Planning Board met on September 30, 2026, to address two development items. The board reviewed a request for completion for the Highland Woods subdivision submitted by AIS Real Estate Development Corp. City Engineer Daniel Aguiar advised that while physical construction appeared complete, the Department of Community Utilities required updated as-built drawings demonstrating conformance, including dimension clarifications, drainage pipe locations, and easement conveyance. Following Aguiar's recommendation, the board voted unanimously to deny the completion request for the time being, agreeing to hold an interim technical review meeting with the developer's engineer on October 6...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee Policy Subcommittee met on September 30, 2026, to discuss several district policies, including state-mandated compliance updates, operational guidelines, and committee communications. During citizen input, Keith Michon, President of the Fall River Educators Association, spoke in favor of adopting the PROTECT Act policy to ensure student and family safety regarding civil law enforcement and advocated for superintendent discretion on work-from-home options. The subcommittee voted to refer the PROTECT Act policy to the full School Committee with a recommendation to consider waiving the first reading.

Subcommittee members and district administration...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Board of Assessors convened on September 30, 2026, with Chairman Richard Gonsalves, Nancy L. Hinote, and Richard B. Wolfson in attendance. The board reviewed and signed minutes from the June 17, 2026, and August 24, 2026 meetings, as well as invoice proof lists and monthly reports before voting unanimously to enter executive session at 10:06 a.m. to discuss abatements, exemptions, and Appellate Tax Board matters.

Upon returning to open session at 10:35 a.m., the board voted 3-0 to approve Fiscal Year 2026 statutory exemptions numbered 41 through 52 and approved FY2026 supplemental bill of abatement number 1. The...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Licensing Board met on September 28, 2026, with Chairman Gregory Brilhante and board members Michael Perreira and Melanie C. Cordeiro present. The board heard several requests for one-day alcoholic beverage permits, approving applications for Holy Name School's annual Oktoberfest on October 17, St. Michael School's back-to-school dinner on October 3, four brunch event dates for Taste of Paradise while their state license remains under review, and the City of Fall River's Children's Christmas Parade fundraiser concert at Bristol Community College on October 2. The board also ratified date changes for a previously approved permit for...

Transcript

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

The Licensing Board meets this evening, Monday at 5:00 PM. Members will take up a request from Jose S. Rosas to transfer a Club All Alcohol License for La Sociedad Privada LLC at 32 Sixth Street. The board will also consider common victualler applications for Power Up Nutrition on Second Street and Sabor Latino Restaurant on Pleasant Street, revisit old business involving The Taty Restaurant, and review several one-day event permits.

Wednesday features a full...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Cultural Council held an informational grant workshop and community input meeting to review local guidelines, priorities, and procedural changes for the upcoming grant cycle. The Council emphasized that the strict submission deadline is October 15th at midnight, with funded projects required to take place between December 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027, and final award determinations expected by late January.

Key policy updates and requirements reviewed during the meeting included a new limit of one application per applicant, a requirement that organizations must have operated in their discipline for at least one...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending September 25, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, the Fall River City Council approved a ten-million-dollar street improvement loan during its regular session on Tuesday, September 22. The vote followed a meeting of the Committee on Finance and a citizen input period where residents spoke on city solid waste policy and parking ticket enforcement procedures.

Also on Tuesday, the City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation advanced multiple traffic and...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council Committee on Health and Environmental Affairs met to review municipal code enforcement practices regarding chronic nuisance properties and evaluate citywide cleanliness, maintenance, and illegal dumping enforcement efforts. Present were Committee Chair Michael G. Canuel and Councilor Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., while Councilor Linda M. Pereira was excused. After approving the minutes from the April 22 meeting, the committee convened with city administrators and department heads.

On the first major discussion item, Interim City Administrator Ann O'Neil-Souza, Minimum Housing Director Fausto Fiore, and Police Chief J.T. Hoar...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council met on September 22, 2026, opening with the Committee on Finance before proceeding to the regular City Council session. During citizen input, residents spoke on solid waste policy and parking ticket enforcement procedures. The Committee on Finance extensively discussed two major initiatives: a $10 million loan order for street improvements across the city and a comprehensive strategy regarding solid waste, cart inventory, and potential fee structures. Director of Engineering and Planning Daniel Aguiar explained that the street loan would allow targeted repairs and milling projects outside rigid Chapter 90 constraints, spending roughly $2...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Community Preservation Committee met on September 21, 2026, to review project extension requests and conduct eligibility hearings for proposed Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications. During administrative matters, the committee accepted the resignation of longtime member Jim Hornsby and approved meeting minutes from the annual meeting and the August 17, 2026 meeting. The committee also received public input from a resident speaking in support of the Bernardo Boxing roof preservation project at the former CYO building.

The committee addressed extension requests from past award recipients. An extension request from the Greater Fall...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals met on September 17, 2026, to hear several petitions involving lot divisions, residential conversions, and special permits across the city. Chair Joseph Pereira presided alongside regular board members John Frank III, James C. Calkins, Daniel D. Dupere, and Ricky P. Sahady, with Director of Engineering and Planning Daniel Aguiar in attendance. The board announced at the outset that scheduled executive session matters would not take place.

The board tabled three applications to its October 15, 2026 meeting to allow petitioners time to provide additional documentation. These included a...

Transcript

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

Tuesday is the busiest day on the calendar, starting with the City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation at 5:00 p.m. Councilors will consider an ordinance amendment addressing the appointment, powers, duties, and term of the Chief of Police. They will also review overnight parking rules for commercial vehicles, a request from Corporation Counsel to remove the city code section on hiring outside legal counsel, and several traffic measures creating and removing designated handicapped spaces...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending September 18, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news this week, the Fall River Housing Authority approved a security camera contract worth four hundred and sixty thousand dollars during its meeting on Monday. Commissioners also heard from a resident raising concerns about early-morning trash pickup noise in violation of city ordinances.

In education news, the Fall River School Committee met Wednesday to approve alternative education budgets. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and...

Meeting summary

The Fall River School Committee met on September 16, 2026, to discuss start-of-the-year operations, enrollment trends, policy updates, alternative education restructuring, and district personnel and contracts. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and staff presented an update on district enrollment (standing around 10,886 students across 17 buildings), noting enrollment dips in kindergarten and English Language Learners compared to previous years. The committee debated facilities progress, including safety and costs associated with playground construction at Henry Lord Community School and the newly unified Early Learning Center at Bishop Stang/Bishop Connolly.

Key actions included approving separate budget...

Meeting summary

The Fall River City Council Committee on Public Safety met on September 15, 2026, chaired by Councilor Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., with Councilors Andrew J. Raposo and Michael G. Canuel present. The committee first addressed a resolution regarding the installation and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in city-owned parks. Parks Director Darren Medeiros presented options ranging from outdoor heated, monitored Save Station kiosks costing several thousand dollars to providing units inside facilities used by active athletic leagues. Following discussions on liability, capital funding, and grant eligibility, the committee approved a motion requesting an inventory...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Housing Authority held a regular meeting on September 14, 2026. During resident input, Bob Tavares of Cape Dune Park raised concerns regarding Republic Services waste trucks operating as early as 6:00 a.m. in violation of the city's noise ordinance, as well as questions about seasonal air conditioner removal and billing fees. The board noted that formal complaints and fines would be pursued for ordinance violations and clarified the spread-out billing schedule for air conditioning.

The Executive Director provided departmental updates, noting the hiring of three management clerks, one plumber, and...

Meeting summary

The Fall River Conservation Commission held a brief regular meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 1 Government Center. Present were Commission members Luis Ferreira, John Brandt, James Cusick, and Drew Carline, with Christopher Boyle and Timothy McCoy noted absent. Recording Secretary Patti Aguiar was also present.

Due to a lack of updates, the Commission reviewed multiple old business and Notice of Intent items to update their status. The Commission voted to table items 1 through 7, including tree planting updates on Bell Rock Road, discussions regarding fee structures and enforcement orders, and Notice of Intent...

Transcript

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

Tonight at four-thirty, the Fall River Housing Authority board meets to consider major contract awards. The board will vote on awarding a four hundred sixty thousand dollar contract to American Electrical Construction for security cameras at Maple Gardens. Commissioners will also review a certificate of completion for two hundred eighteen thousand eight hundred sixty-five dollars with M-V Electrical Contractors for smoke detector work at Father Diaferio Village, along with several fifty thousand dollar procurement contracts...

Transcript

Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending September 11, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.

Topping the news, the Fall River City Council met Tuesday and once again tabled a five hundred eighty-six thousand dollar cable funding request during its regular session. Councilors also held a public hearing regarding utility pole petitions from National Grid and Verizon, an auto repair shop license, and a curb removal request.

In council committee action, the Committee on Public Works and Transportation voted to table...