Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances & Legislation convened to discuss several proposed ordinances and a resolution. The meeting began with citizen input from Alphonse Hathaway, who proposed stricter regulations for electric bicycles, suggesting they be treated like motorcycles with requirements for registration, insurance, licensing, and increased fines for violations. The committee then discussed a proposed ordinance concerning all-night parking for commercial vehicles. Stephanie MacArthur, Director of Traffic and Parking, answered questions about enforcement based on vehicle weight versus commercial plates. Councilors raised concerns about emergency service vehicles and the definition of a commercial vehicle. The item was ultimately tabled for the traffic department to revise it based on suggestions regarding vehicle length and emergency carve-outs.
The most significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a proposed ordinance to eliminate city solid waste collection for 5 and 6-family properties. Special Counsel Matt Thomas presented a detailed financial analysis, comparing the city’s potential costs to provide the service ($317.50 per quarter for one 95-gallon bin) versus private haulers like E.L. Harvey ($225 per quarter) and United States Bins ($262.36 per quarter). The discussion was contentious, with councilors debating the fairness of the proposal, the financial impact on tenants, and the potential for the city to offer a paid opt-in service. A motion to table the item failed in a 2-3 vote. Subsequently, a motion to recommend the ordinance be passed to a second reading was approved with a 3-2 vote.
Finally, the committee addressed a resolution regarding the City Council’s authority to approve department head contract renewals for terms less than three years. After it was revealed that the Mayor’s administration had verbally agreed to bring any such contracts back before the council, the committee voted to table the resolution. The meeting was then adjourned.
Topics discussed
- 1:30 · Citizen Input on Bicycle and E-Bike Laws
A resident, Alphonse Hathaway, proposed a new ordinance to regulate electric bikes like motorcycles, requiring registration, insurance, and licenses, and suggested increasing the fine for riding on sidewalks. - 8:52 · Approval of Meeting Minutes
The committee approved the minutes from the July 23, 2026 meeting. - 8:56 · Approval of the minutes from the July 23rd, 2026 meeting. — passed
Approval of the minutes from the July 23rd, 2026 meeting. - 9:01 · Motion to lift item 3 (commercial vehicle parking ordinance) from the table. — passed
Motion to lift item 3 (commercial vehicle parking ordinance) from the table. - 9:03 · Motion to table the proposed ordinance for all-night parking of commercial vehicles. — passed
Motion to table the proposed ordinance for all-night parking of commercial vehicles. - 9:10 · Commercial Vehicle Parking Ordinance
The committee discussed an ordinance to regulate overnight parking of commercial vehicles, debating definitions, enforcement, and potential impacts on emergency services. The item was tabled for revision. - 19:46 · Motion to table the proposed ordinance amending solid waste collection. — failed
Motion to table the proposed ordinance amending solid waste collection. - 19:49 · Solid Waste Collection for 5 & 6-Family Homes
A lengthy debate occurred over a proposal to eliminate city trash collection for 5 and 6-family homes, with discussion on financial impacts, equity, and comparisons to private sector costs. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the ordinance. - 1:04:58 · Motion to recommend the ordinance amending solid waste collection be passed through second reading and enrollment. — passed
Motion to recommend the ordinance amending solid waste collection be passed through second reading and enrollment. - 1:06:08 · Council Authority on Department Head Contracts
A resolution to give the council approval power over contract renewals of less than three years was discussed and tabled, following a report of a verbal agreement with the mayor on the matter. - 1:08:00 · Motion to table the resolution regarding city council’s authority over department head contract renewals. — passed
Motion to table the resolution regarding city council’s authority over department head contract renewals. - 1:10:01 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting.