The Fall River Housing Authority held its meeting on July 13, 2026, chaired by Chairman Long. The board began by unanimously approving the minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting, along with the monthly vouchers, management reports, and the financial reports for May 2026. The Executive Director provided a comprehensive update, announcing the hiring of a new legal liaison and a truck driver. He detailed upcoming resident services, including community fairs at Sunset Hill on July 16th and Father Defario Village on July 23rd, and summer-long "family days" which began that day. Modernization efforts include an ongoing window replacement project scheduled for completion in late fall. A significant new initiative is the Foster Youth for Independence (FYI) program, which will provide 15 housing vouchers to young adults aging out of foster care.
The director also reported on a meeting with the Fall River Police Department to integrate the housing authority’s security camera systems with the police station, allowing for live monitoring and faster response times. This integration is pending the police department’s budget approval. Lastly, he informed the board that the authority was one of six randomly selected for an audit by the State Auditor’s office, which had just concluded its three-day on-site review. The board then moved through several contract-related items, approving two tree removal contracts totaling $76,400 with Chestnut Tree and Landscape ($56,900) and Paul Nunes and Sun Inc. ($19,500). They also approved a credit change order of $2,710.29 for an elevator project, an increase change order of $9,132 for a panel and fire alarm replacement, and a $25,178.50 contract for a trash compactor replacement with Plum Creek Environmental. The board approved several certificates of substantial completion for various projects and passed an updated memorandum of understanding with the Fall River Joint Tenants Council, with one member abstaining, before adjourning.
Topics discussed
- 0:48 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting. - 1:01 · Approval of Meeting Minutes
The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on June 8, 2026. - 1:07 · To accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 8, 2026. — passed
To accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 8, 2026. - 1:23 · Approval of Vouchers
The board approved the bills and communications vouchers as presented. - 1:48 · Approval of Management Reports
A motion to accept a series of management reports, including occupancy, accounts receivable, and section 8 activity, was approved. - 2:14 · To accept the vouchers as presented. — passed
To accept the vouchers as presented. - 2:30 · Approval of Financial Reports
The board approved the monthly financial reports for May 2026. - 2:55 · Executive Director’s Report
The Executive Director reported on new hires, upcoming community fairs and family days, a window replacement project, a new voucher program for youth aging out of foster care, security camera integration with police, and a recent state audit. - 3:35 · To accept the management reports as listed. — passed
To accept the management reports as listed. - 4:00 · To approve the monthly financial reports through May 2026. — passed
To approve the monthly financial reports through May 2026. - 5:09 · Foster Youth for Independence (FYI) Voucher Program
The Executive Director announced the authority received funding for 15 vouchers for the FYI program, which helps youth aging out of foster care transition to self-sufficiency. - 6:36 · Security Camera Integration with Fall River Police
The authority is working to integrate its security camera systems with the Fall River Police Department to allow for live viewing and faster response to criminal activity. The project is awaiting police department budget approval. - 7:37 · State Auditor’s Office Audit
The housing authority was one of six randomly selected for an audit by the State Auditor’s office. Auditors were on-site for three days, and a report is expected soon. - 16:00 · Contract Award for Tree Removal
The board awarded a contract for $56,900 to Chestnut Tree and Landscape for work at Stanley and Ray Streets, and a contract for $19,500 to Paul Nunes and Sun Inc. for work at Corky Row. - 17:03 · To award a tree removal contract to Chestnut Tree and Landscape for $56,900 and to Paul Nunes and Sun Inc. for $19,500. — approved
To award a tree removal contract to Chestnut Tree and Landscape for $56,900 and to Paul Nunes and Sun Inc. for $19,500. - 17:44 · Change Order for Elevator Modernization
A credit change order of $2,710.29 was approved for the elevator modernization project at George H. Catel Heights. - 18:06 · To approve change order number two, a credit of $2,710.29, for elevator modernization at Catel Heights. — approved
To approve change order number two, a credit of $2,710.29, for elevator modernization at Catel Heights. - 18:30 · Certificates of Substantial Completion for Tree Removal
The board accepted certificates of substantial completion for tree removal projects at Maple Gardens, Elmer Corbett Streets, and Bulock/Oak Grove Avenue, completed in June 2026. - 19:43 · To accept the certificates of substantial completion for tree removal at Maple Gardens, Elmer Corbett Street, and Bulick and Oakrove Avenue. — approved
To accept the certificates of substantial completion for tree removal at Maple Gardens, Elmer Corbett Street, and Bulick and Oakrove Avenue. - 20:14 · Certificate of Substantial Completion for Electrical Upgrade
The board accepted a certificate of substantial completion for the electrical infrastructure upgrade at Edward F. Duelan Apartments, completed June 9, 2026. - 20:34 · To approve the certificate of substantial completion for the electrical infrastructure upgrade at Edward F. Duelan Apartments. — approved
To approve the certificate of substantial completion for the electrical infrastructure upgrade at Edward F. Duelan Apartments. - 20:44 · Change Order for Panel and Fire Alarm Replacement
An increase of $9,132 was approved via change order for the panel and fire alarm system replacement project at several sites. - 21:55 · Contract Award for Trash Compactor Replacement
A contract was awarded to Plum Creek Environmental for $25,178.50 to replace the trash compactor at James A. O’Brien Senior Apartments. - 21:59 · To approve change order number two, an increase of $9,132, for the Federal Pacific panel and fire alarm system replacement. — approved
To approve change order number two, an increase of $9,132, for the Federal Pacific panel and fire alarm system replacement. - 22:19 · To award the trash compactor replacement contract to Plum Creek Environmental for an amount not to exceed $25,178.50. — approved
To award the trash compactor replacement contract to Plum Creek Environmental for an amount not to exceed $25,178.50. - 22:47 · Memorandum of Understanding with Joint Tenants Council
The board approved an updated memorandum of understanding with the Fall River Joint Tenant Council, Inc. - 23:04 · To approve the updated memorandum of understanding between the Fall River Housing Authority and the Fall River Joint Tenant Council Inc. — passed
To approve the updated memorandum of understanding between the Fall River Housing Authority and the Fall River Joint Tenant Council Inc.