The Fall River Commission on Disability held its meeting on June 24, 2026, beginning with a unanimous vote to move all voting items to the top of the agenda. The commission unanimously approved having the Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School assume management of the commission’s website starting in September, with the only cost being for hosting. Following this, the commission voted to allocate up to $2,000 for website hosting and related expenses with Bluehost for the next three years. This motion was an amendment from an initial proposal of $115.63, passed to ensure sufficient funds. The commission also voted unanimously to cancel its August meeting, in addition to its usual July and December breaks, meaning it will meet nine times per year. The minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting were also approved without opposition.
The main discussion centered on an ADA update regarding changes to city polling places. Chairman Dennis Palselli and Commissioner Dan Robillard had worked with the Election Commission, led by Director Ryan Lyons, to tour sites and recommend changes, which were recently approved by the City Council. Commissioners Dan Robillard and Ann O’Neill-Souza reported on the council meeting, noting the favorable outcome. The changes aim to improve accessibility, particularly by increasing parking, enhancing security at housing authority locations, and discontinuing the use of the inaccessible Candace Fire Station. The commission also received brief updates on a successful Community Access Monitor (CAM) training and the distribution of scholarship funds before adjourning. The next meeting was scheduled for September 9, 2026.
Topics discussed
- 1:49 · Motion to move all voting items to the top of the agenda. — passed
Motion to move all voting items to the top of the agenda. - 2:21 · Commission Website Management
The commission approved having Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School take over management of its website in September at no cost for the service. - 2:21 · Motion to have Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School assume management of the Disability Commission website in September. — approved
Motion to have Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School assume management of the Disability Commission website in September. - 3:50 · Commission Website Funding
A motion was passed to allocate $2,000 for a three-year website hosting plan with Bluehost and other potential website expenses. - 4:20 · Motion to amend the website hosting allocation to $2,000. — approved
Motion to amend the website hosting allocation to $2,000. - 4:57 · Motion to allocate $2,000 for website expenses for the next three years. — approved
Motion to allocate $2,000 for website expenses for the next three years. - 7:40 · Meeting Procedure
The commission voted to move all voting items to the beginning of the meeting to address them first. - 7:46 · Commission Meeting Schedule
The commission voted to cancel its August meeting, in addition to its previously scheduled July and December breaks, resulting in nine meetings per year. - 8:28 · Motion to not hold a commission meeting in the month of August. — approved
Motion to not hold a commission meeting in the month of August. - 9:04 · Approval of Minutes
The minutes for the May 13, 2026 meeting were approved by a unanimous vote. - 9:04 · Motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of May 13th, 2026. — approved
Motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of May 13th, 2026. - 14:37 · Polling Place Accessibility
Commissioners discussed the recent City Council approval of recommended changes to polling places to improve accessibility, parking, and security, and to remove the inaccessible Candace Fire Station as a site. - 16:42 · Community Access Monitor (CAM) Training
The chairman reported that the recent two-week CAM training went very well and that the city may host a site visit next year. - 17:28 · Finance and Scholarship Update
The commission was updated that the May budget report was available and that scholarship payments were being processed and sent to the respective institutions. - 18:41 · Next Meeting Announcement
The next meeting of the commission was scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026. - 18:57 · Motion to adjourn. — passed
Motion to adjourn.