The Fall River City Council’s Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met on June 23, 2026, chaired by Councilor Reposa. The committee approved minutes from two previous meetings and passed a series of traffic ordinances, including new handicap parking spots and parking restrictions near a new school on Hyliff and Locust Streets. The school-related parking ordinance was amended to be effective only during the school year, from September 1st to June 30th, after a discussion about its necessity during summer months.
The most significant discussion centered on a proposed ordinance to amend the city’s solid waste collection policy. Presented by Special Counsel Matt Thomas, the ordinance would change eligibility for city trash pickup from properties with up to six dwelling units to those with up to four units per parcel. Thomas explained this would remove approximately 700 six-unit and 305 five-unit properties from the city’s service, potentially reducing solid waste disposal by 8,000 tons and recycling by 3,800 tons annually, for an estimated savings of around $1.3 million. The change was also intended to help with enforcement, as a high percentage of contamination violations reportedly come from these larger multi-family properties. After a debate where Councilor Pereira argued for fairness and a city-wide solution rather than targeting specific property types, the ordinance passed its first reading on a 4-1 vote.
The committee also addressed several salary ordinances. They unanimously approved a new stipend for the Assistant Clerk of the Council for attending meetings. They also approved a salary amendment for the Director of Health and Human Services, changing its effective date to July 1, 2026. Finally, they discussed an ordinance to adjust salaries for various department heads and non-union personnel to account for cost-of-living increases that had caused salaries to exceed the current ordinance caps. Despite some councilors’ desire for a full market compensation study, the committee passed the “band-aid” measure on a 4-1 vote, with the administration committing to a more comprehensive salary structure review in the coming months.
Topics discussed
- 0:00 · Roll Call and Meeting Opening
The City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation was called to order, and the roll was called. - 0:30 · Approval of May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes
The committee voted to approve the minutes from the meeting held on May 6, 2026. - 0:36 · Approval of the May 6, 2026 meeting minutes. — approved
Approval of the May 6, 2026 meeting minutes. - 0:41 · Approval of May 26, 2026 Meeting Minutes
The committee voted to approve the minutes from the meeting held on May 26, 2026. - 0:47 · Approval of the May 26, 2026 meeting minutes. — approved
Approval of the May 26, 2026 meeting minutes. - 0:47 · Motion to split the miscellaneous traffic ordinance into three sections for separate votes. — passed
Motion to split the miscellaneous traffic ordinance into three sections for separate votes. - 0:54 · Handicap Parking Ordinance
The committee approved an ordinance establishing new handicap parking spaces on Pitman, Richmond, Smith, Stanley, Wade, and Woodman Streets. - 1:37 · Motion for an emergency preamble for the proposed handicap parking ordinance. — passed
Motion for an emergency preamble for the proposed handicap parking ordinance. - 1:59 · Motion to pass the proposed handicap parking ordinance through all readings. — passed
Motion to pass the proposed handicap parking ordinance through all readings. - 2:01 · Motion to pass the proposed solid waste collection ordinance through first reading. — passed
Motion to pass the proposed solid waste collection ordinance through first reading. - 2:07 · Motion to adopt Section 1 of the miscellaneous traffic ordinance as amended. — approved
Motion to adopt Section 1 of the miscellaneous traffic ordinance as amended. - 2:07 · Motion to adopt Section 2 (15-minute parking) of the miscellaneous traffic ordinance. — approved
Motion to adopt Section 2 (15-minute parking) of the miscellaneous traffic ordinance. - 2:18 · Traffic Ordinance for School Zone Parking
A discussion was held on prohibiting parking on Hyliff and Locust Streets during school hours to accommodate bus traffic for a new school. The ordinance was amended to apply only from September 1st to June 30th. - 4:22 · Motion to amend the miscellaneous traffic ordinance (Section 1) to make parking restrictions seasonal from September 1st to June 30th. — passed
Motion to amend the miscellaneous traffic ordinance (Section 1) to make parking restrictions seasonal from September 1st to June 30th. - 5:15 · Traffic Ordinance for 15-Minute Parking
The committee approved establishing a 15-minute parking zone on South Main Street in front of the AP Convenience Store. - 6:38 · Handicap Parking Removals Ordinance
The committee approved the removal of numerous handicap parking spaces throughout the city. - 7:37 · Motion to pass Section 3 (handicap parking removals) of the miscellaneous traffic ordinance through first reading. — passed
Motion to pass Section 3 (handicap parking removals) of the miscellaneous traffic ordinance through first reading. - 10:32 · Solid Waste Collection Ordinance Amendment
A major discussion was held on amending the city ordinance to cease solid waste collection for properties with five and six dwelling units, changing the limit to four units per parcel. The change is projected to save the city approximately $1.3 million annually in disposal costs. - 36:28 · Motion to take Item 8 out of order. — passed
Motion to take Item 8 out of order. - 36:39 · Salary Ordinance for Assistant Clerk of the Council
The committee approved an ordinance to create a salary stipend for the Assistant City Clerk for their role as Assistant Clerk of the Council during meetings. - 37:57 · Motion to pass the salary ordinance for the Assistant Clerk of the Council through first reading. — passed
Motion to pass the salary ordinance for the Assistant Clerk of the Council through first reading. - 38:11 · Motion to lift Item 6 from the table. — passed
Motion to lift Item 6 from the table. - 38:20 · Salary Ordinance for Director of Health and Human Services
The committee approved a salary amendment for the Director of Health and Human Services, after amending the effective date to July 1, 2026. - 39:03 · Motion to amend the effective date of the salary ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services to July 1, 2026. — passed
Motion to amend the effective date of the salary ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services to July 1, 2026. - 39:44 · Motion to pass the salary ordinance for executive officers and non-union personnel through first reading. — passed
Motion to pass the salary ordinance for executive officers and non-union personnel through first reading. - 39:47 · Salary Ordinance for Executive Officers and Non-Union Personnel
The committee discussed and approved a temporary ordinance to raise the salary caps for various department heads and non-union staff to align with cost-of-living adjustments, pending a future comprehensive salary study. - 42:09 · Motion to pass the amended salary ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services through first reading. — passed
Motion to pass the amended salary ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services through first reading. - 53:42 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting.