The Fall River City Council met on May 12, 2026, where a key agenda item—the confirmation of Christopher Hathaway as Director of Community Maintenance—was laid on the table. The decision followed a discussion regarding a proposed ordinance to reorganize the Department of Community Maintenance and the Department of City Operations. Vice President Dionne raised concerns about potential confusion due to future changes for the role, with Councilor Raposo agreeing that the ordinance should be addressed before confirming a new director. Councilors ultimately voted 7-2 to move the question, with President Ponte and Councilor Raposo voting against. The motion to confirm the appointment was made, but Vice President Dionne objected, leading to the matter being tabled.
In other significant business, the council addressed a resolution to pursue legal action for a judicial determination on the City Council’s authority regarding reappointments, departmental investigations, and hiring outside agencies. Councilor Raposo emphasized the need for a formal interpretation of the City Charter and City Code. A motion to move the question on this resolution failed with a 3-6 vote. The council also unanimously voted to adopt a resolution requesting an amendment to the Capital Improvement Plan for the purchase of PFAS-free turn-out gear for the fire department and for the Committee on Public Safety to discuss related health effects.
Additionally, the council referred a proposed ordinance for the reorganization of City Operations and a recommendation from the Traffic Commission for traffic ordinance amendments to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation. Multiple appointments to the Board of Park Commissioners were confirmed, and an annual action plan for community development was adopted.
Key actions
- Waived rules to allow Ann O’Neil-Souza and Nicholas A. Macolini to answer questions (unanimous)
- Motion to move the question on Christopher Hathaway’s appointment (Approved 7-2)
- Motion to confirm Christopher Hathaway’s appointment (Tabled)
- Confirmed John Sylvia to the Board of Park Commissioners (unanimous)
- Confirmed Victor Farias to the Board of Park Commissioners (Approved 9-0)
- Confirmed Helen Rego to the Board of Park Commissioners (Approved 9-0)
- Adopted resolution authorizing submission of the Community Development Agency’s Year Two Annual Action Plan (Approved 8-0-1)
- Referred proposed ordinance re Reorganization of City Operations Department to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (unanimous)
- Referred Traffic Commission recommendations for traffic ordinance amendments to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (unanimous)
- Passed Proposed Ordinance – Traffic, Handicapped Parking through second reading and enrollment (unanimous)
- Passed Proposed Ordinance – Traffic, Handicapped Parking to be ordained (unanimous)
- Motion to move the question on resolution for legal action (Failed 3-6)
- Adopted resolution for City Council to send letter to Administration regarding PFAS-free turn-out gear (unanimous)
- Accepted and placed on file citation for Chorbishop James A. Root (unanimous)
- Voted to take items 16 through 22 together (unanimous)
- Unanimously voted to adopt orders for curb removals and jointly owned pole locations
- Unanimously voted to adopt the order for Police Chief’s Report on Licenses
- Unanimously voted to adopt the order for Auto Body Shop License Renewals
- Unanimously voted to adopt the order for Auto Repair Shop License Renewals
- Referred claims to Corporation Counsel (unanimous)
- Approved payment of Roselli, Clark and Associates invoice for Audit Engagement Fee (unanimous)
- Approved drainlayer applications (unanimous)
- Voted to lift item 29 from the table (unanimous)
- Adopted the CPA Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriation Order (Approved 9-0)
- Approved allocation of $100,000 from Annual Revenue to Fall River Deaconess Home, Exterior Work project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $1,300 from Annual Revenue to Previously Approved Deed Restrictions project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $582,735 from Annual Revenue to Fall River Historical Society – Roof, Rail, Window Work, Etc., project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $125,000 from Annual Revenue to St. Anne’s Church/Shrine – Roof Work, Morar Work project (unanimous)
- Rejected allocation of $28,750 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Waterfront Cultural District Historic Preservation Study project (Approved 5-4)
- Motion to reject allocation of $88,150 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Eagle Event Center – Windows project (No second)
- Motion to waive rules to allow Administration to answer questions regarding allocation (No second)
- Approved allocation of $88,150 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Eagle Event Center – Windows project (Approved 8-1)
- Approved allocation of $33,000 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Historic Properties Survey for Bioreserve Area, Part II, project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $250,000 (from various funds) to Christ the Rock Tower Repair Phase 3 project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $406,470 from CPA Balance Referred for Historic Preservation to Re-Creation – Windows project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $309,150 from CPA Balance Referred for Historic Preservation to First Congregational Church – Exterior Work project (unanimous)
- Motion to approve allocation of $175,650 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Shane Landing – Windows project (No second)
- Rejected allocation of $175,650 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Shane Landing – Windows project (Approved 8-1)
- Approved allocation of $220,000 from CPA Balance Referred for Historic Preservation to Fall River Fire Museum/Central Fire Station Five Year Bond (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $300,000 from Annual Revenue to Parklet (Columbia Street) project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $6,350 from Annual Revenue to Previously Approved Deed Restrictions (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $375,000 from Annual Revenue to Father Kelly Park Parking project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $200,000 (from various funds) to Abbott Court Sensory Playground project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $720,000 from CPA Balance Reserved for Open Space to Sampson Parcel Land Protection project (Approved 8-1)
- Approved allocation of $250,000 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Maplewood, Griffin, Highland, North, Chew, Ruggles, Lafayette Parks – Resurfacing, project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $25,000 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Proprietor’s Way and Parcel W-15-0073 Land Protection project (unanimous)
- Approved allocation of $123,695.32 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Bioreserve Conservation Land Acquisition Project #1 10 Year Bond (unanimous)
- Adopted order for a two-year contract for Municipal Solid Waste and Single Stream Recyclable Curbside Collection and Disposal Services (Approved 6-2-1)
- Adopted order for Appropriation of $3,000,000.00 from FY 25 Surplus Revenue to Employer Health Trust Fund (Approved 8-1)
- Referred Mayor and proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget to Committee on Finance (unanimous)
- Adjourned (unanimous)
How each councilor voted
| Motion | Ponte | Cadime | Camara | Canuel | Dionne | Hart | Peckham | Pereira | Raposo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waive rules to allow Ann O’Neil-Souza and Nicholas A. Macolini to answer questions (Unanimously voted to waive the rules) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Move the question on Christopher Hathaway’s appointment (Approved 7-2) | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Confirm Christopher Hathaway as Director of Community Maintenance (Tabled) | P | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Confirm John Sylvia to the Board of Park Commissioners (Unanimously voted to confirm the appointment) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Confirm Victor Farias to the Board of Park Commissioners (Approved 9-0) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Confirm Helen Rego to the Board of Park Commissioners (Approved 9-0) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt the resolution authorizing submission of the Community Development Agency’s Year Two Annual Action Plan (Approved 8-0-1) | A | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer proposed ordinance re Reorganization of City Operations Department to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (Unanimously voted to refer the proposed ordinance) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer Traffic Commission recommendations for traffic ordinance amendments to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (Unanimously voted to refer the recommendations) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pass Proposed Ordinance – Traffic, Handicapped Parking through second reading and enrollment (Unanimously voted) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pass Proposed Ordinance – Traffic, Handicapped Parking to be ordained (Unanimously voted) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Move the question on resolution for legal action (Failed 3-6) | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N |
| Hold a Special Meeting of the City Council on May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (Approved 5-4) | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y |
| Adopt resolution for City Council to send letter to Administration regarding PFAS-free turn-out gear (Unanimously voted to adopt the resolution) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file citation for Chorbishop James A. Root (Unanimously voted that the citation be accepted and placed on file) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Take items 16 through 22 together (Unanimously voted to take items 16 through 22 together) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt orders for curb removals and jointly owned pole locations (items 16-22) (Unanimously voted to adopt the orders) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt the order for Police Chief’s Report on Licenses (Unanimously voted to adopt the order) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt the order for Auto Body Shop License Renewals (Unanimously voted to adopt the order) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt the order for Auto Repair Shop License Renewals (Unanimously voted to adopt the order) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer claims to Corporation Counsel (Unanimously voted to refer the claims) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve payment of Roselli, Clark and Associates invoice for Audit Engagement Fee (Unanimously voted to approve the payment of the invoice) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve drainlayer applications (Unanimously voted to approve the drainlayer applications) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lift item 29 from the table (Unanimously voted to lift item 29 from the table) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt the CPA Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriation Order (Approved 9-0) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $100,000 from Annual Revenue to Fall River Deaconess Home, Exterior Work project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $1,300 from Annual Revenue to Previously Approved Deed Restrictions project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $582,735 from Annual Revenue to Fall River Historical Society – Roof, Rail, Window Work, Etc., project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $125,000 from Annual Revenue to St. Anne’s Church/Shrine – Roof Work, Morar Work project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Reject allocation of $28,750 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Waterfront Cultural District Historic Preservation Study project (Approved 5-4) | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N |
| Approve allocation of $88,150 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Eagle Event Center – Windows project (Approved 8-1) | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $33,000 from CPA Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance to Historic Properties Survey for Bioreserve Area, Part II, project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $250,000 (from various funds) to Christ the Rock Tower Repair Phase 3 project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $406,470 from CPA Balance Referred for Historic Preservation to Re-Creation – Windows project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $309,150 from CPA Balance Referred for Historic Preservation to First Congregational Church – Exterior Work project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Reject allocation of $175,650 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Shane Landing – Windows project (Approved 8-1) | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $220,000 from CPA Balance Referred for Historic Preservation to Fall River Fire Museum/Central Fire Station Five Year Bond (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $300,000 from Annual Revenue to Parklet (Columbia Street) project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $6,350 from Annual Revenue to Previously Approved Deed Restrictions (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $375,000 from Annual Revenue to Father Kelly Park Parking project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $200,000 (from various funds) to Abbott Court Sensory Playground project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $720,000 from CPA Balance Reserved for Open Space to Sampson Parcel Land Protection project (Approved 8-1) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Approve allocation of $250,000 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Maplewood, Griffin, Highland, North, Chew, Ruggles, Lafayette Parks – Resurfacing, project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $25,000 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Proprietor’s Way and Parcel W-15-0073 Land Protection project (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve allocation of $123,695.32 from CPA Undesignated Fund Balance to Bioreserve Conservation Land Acquisition Project #1 10 Year Bond (Unanimously voted to approve the allocation) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt order for a two-year contract for Municipal Solid Waste and Single Stream Recyclable Curbside Collection and Disposal Services (Approved 6-2-1) | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | P |
| Adopt order for Appropriation of $3,000,000.00 from FY 25 Surplus Revenue to Employer Health Trust Fund (Approved 8-1) | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer Mayor and proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget to Committee on Finance (Unanimously voted to refer the matter) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adjourn (Unanimously voted to adjourn) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Y = yes · N = no · A = abstained · P = present · — = absent. Votes the minutes do not record individually are inferred from the result and the attendance roll.