The Fall River Committee on Ordinances & Legislation, chaired by Councilor Andrew J. Raposo, primarily focused on school transportation funding, billboard regulations, and waterfront development. Following public comment from School Committee member Collin R. Dias regarding a dispute over the school transportation budget, the committee held a lengthy discussion with city and school finance officials. The conversation highlighted a breakdown in communication over the transportation budget, which is not part of net school spending. Ultimately, the committee voted to request the full City Council establish a temporary, one-year ad hoc school transportation committee to foster collaboration and review expenses, with its permanence to be reviewed after the trial period.
A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to outdoor advertising. Resident Joseph Cavallo spoke at length during citizen input, condemning a new electronic billboard on the Route 79/Duval Street corridor as visual blight and a safety hazard that detracts from the waterfront and nearby veterans’ memorials. In response, the committee later discussed a resolution from Councilor Linda M. Pereira and voted to refer the city’s ordinances on billboards to the Corporation Counsel for review, seeking to strengthen regulations and prevent the proliferation of such signs, particularly along the developing waterfront. The committee also tabled a discussion on the broader development of the Route 79 corridor, awaiting a report from a separate working group.
Additionally, the committee handled several other pieces of legislation. They approved ordinances establishing new handicap parking spaces and removing others. They also reviewed the city’s ordinance for naming public properties, referring it to the Corporation Counsel to clarify procedures and the respective jurisdictions of the City Council and the Park Board. The meeting concluded after addressing all items on the agenda.
Topics discussed
- 0:57 · School Transportation Budget Dispute
School Committee member Collin R. Dias spoke during citizen input about a disagreement between the school committee and the mayor’s office over transportation funding, alleging the city cut the budget and that the mayor claimed a "deal" was cut with the council. - 10:14 · Electronic Billboards and Waterfront Blight
Resident Joseph Cavallo spoke against a new electronic billboard on Route 79, arguing it is a safety hazard, creates light pollution, and is a form of urban blight on the developing waterfront near veterans’ memorials. - 10:21 · Route 79 / Duval Street Corridor Development
Councilor Pereira raised concerns about public input, zoning, and parking for the major waterfront redevelopment project. The item was tabled pending more information. - 16:41 · Approval of Meeting Minutes
The committee approved the minutes from its June 23, 2026 meeting. - 16:46 · Approval of the minutes for the June 23rd, 2026 meeting. — passed
Approval of the minutes for the June 23rd, 2026 meeting. - 16:54 · Handicap Parking Ordinances
The committee approved ordinances to add five new handicap parking spots and remove seven existing ones across the city. - 17:46 · Motion that the handicap parking ordinance be accompanied by an emergency preamble. — passed
Motion that the handicap parking ordinance be accompanied by an emergency preamble. - 18:10 · Motion to pass the handicap parking ordinance through all readings. — passed
Motion to pass the handicap parking ordinance through all readings. - 18:58 · Motion to pass the handicap parking removal ordinance through first reading. — passed
Motion to pass the handicap parking removal ordinance through first reading. - 24:39 · Creation of Ad Hoc School Transportation Committee
A lengthy discussion was held with city and school officials about creating a committee to improve communication and oversight of the school transportation budget, which is not part of net school spending. The committee voted to recommend its creation. - 50:06 · Motion to request the council establish an order to create an ad hoc school transportation committee for a one-year trial period. — passed
Motion to request the council establish an order to create an ad hoc school transportation committee for a one-year trial period. - 52:27 · Motion to table the resolution on Route 79 development. — tabled
Motion to table the resolution on Route 79 development. - 59:12 · Review of Billboard Ordinances
The committee discussed the need for stricter regulations on billboards to prevent visual blight, particularly on the waterfront, and voted to refer the matter to the Law Department for review. - 1:01:46 · Motion to send a letter to Corporation Counsel with the resolution on billboards for them to investigate possible ordinances. — passed
Motion to send a letter to Corporation Counsel with the resolution on billboards for them to investigate possible ordinances. - 1:04:06 · Motion to table the resolution on billboard ordinances in committee. — tabled
Motion to table the resolution on billboard ordinances in committee. - 1:04:10 · Motion to table the resolution on naming city properties in committee. — tabled
Motion to table the resolution on naming city properties in committee. - 1:04:16 · Review of Ordinance for Naming City Properties
The committee discussed amending the city code for naming public properties, focusing on clarifying the process and the roles of the Park Board and City Council. The ordinance was referred to the Law Department for review. - 1:12:50 · Motion to refer the ordinance on naming city properties to Corporation Counsel for review. — referred
Motion to refer the ordinance on naming city properties to Corporation Counsel for review. - 1:15:03 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting.