Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River Housing Authority Commission held a brief meeting, lasting approximately 15 minutes. The board, led by Chairman Stephen R. Long, moved quickly through a series of routine approvals, including the minutes from the July 13, 2026 meeting, bills and vouchers, and various management and financial reports for June 2026. All these items were passed unanimously without discussion.
Executive Director Mr. Spadella provided an update, inviting the commissioners to the annual employee cookout. He highlighted two significant achievements: the Section 8 department, led by Carrie Farias, received a perfect score of 100 on its SEMAP assessment, earning a "high performer" designation. Additionally, the authority’s state properties received an outstanding score of 92 on their annual performance management review. Mr. Spadella and Chairman Long publicly thanked the staff involved for their excellent work. The commission then approved several modernization items, including a certificate of completion for electrical upgrades at the Edward F. Doolin Apartments for $153,340, certificates of final completion for site improvements at three locations totaling $116,275, and a change order for fire-damaged apartments at Maple Gardens increasing a contract by $115,415.79. Finally, the board approved a new three-year contract with KP Law for labor attorney services at a rate of $255 per hour, not to exceed $50,000 annually.
Topics discussed
- 0:00 · Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order and roll call was taken, establishing a quorum with Commissioner Burns noted as absent. - 0:43 · Citizen and Resident Input
The chair opened the floor for citizen and resident input, but no members of the public or residents came forward to speak. - 0:58 · Approval of Minutes, Vouchers, and Reports
The commission quickly and unanimously approved the minutes from the July 13, 2026 meeting, bills and vouchers, management reports, June 2026 financial reports, and the quarterly modernization report. - 1:08 · To accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on July 13th, 2026. — passed
To accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on July 13th, 2026. - 1:08 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting. - 1:32 · To accept the bills and communication vouchers. — passed
To accept the bills and communication vouchers. - 2:13 · To accept the management reports as stated. — passed
To accept the management reports as stated. - 2:43 · To accept the monthly financial reports for June 2026. — passed
To accept the monthly financial reports for June 2026. - 3:17 · To approve the state quarterly modernization report for the period ending 6/30/26. — approved
To approve the state quarterly modernization report for the period ending 6/30/26. - 3:32 · Executive Director’s Report
Executive Director Mr. Spadella invited commissioners to an employee cookout and praised staff for achieving a perfect score of 100 on the Section 8 SEMAP assessment and a score of 92 on the state performance review. - 7:09 · Certificate of Completion: Doolin Apartments Electrical Upgrades
The board approved the certificate of completion for electrical work at Doolin Apartments, with a final contract amount of $153,340 paid to MV Electrical Contractors, Inc. - 7:40 · To approve the certificate of completion for electrical infrastructure upgrades at Doolin Apartments with a final contract amount of $153,340. — approved
To approve the certificate of completion for electrical infrastructure upgrades at Doolin Apartments with a final contract amount of $153,340. - 8:04 · Certificate of Final Completion: Site Improvements & Tree Removal
The board approved certificates of final completion for site work at Maple Gardens ($27,355), Elmer Corbett Street ($41,125), and Bullock Oak Grove Avenue ($47,795). - 9:20 · To approve the certificate of final completion for site improvements and tree removal at Maple Gardens ($27,355), Elmer Corbett Street ($41,125), and Bullock Oak Grove Avenue ($47,795), contingent upon final approval of EOHLC. — approved
To approve the certificate of final completion for site improvements and tree removal at Maple Gardens ($27,355), Elmer Corbett Street ($41,125), and Bullock Oak Grove Avenue ($47,795), contingent upon final approval of EOHLC. - 10:25 · Approval of Security Camera Software at Maple Gardens
The commission approved a request to designate the Hanwha Wave video management software as a priority item for the security camera installation at Maple Gardens. - 10:48 · To approve the Hanwha Wave video management software for security camera installation at Maple Gardens. — approved
To approve the Hanwha Wave video management software for security camera installation at Maple Gardens. - 11:12 · Change Order for Maple Gardens Fire Damage Repair
A change order was approved to increase a contract by $115,415.79 to cover the costs of reconstructing two fire-damaged apartments, including demolition and abatement. - 11:53 · To approve change order number 5 for Maple Gardens, increasing the contract amount by $115,415.79 for reconstruction of fire-damaged apartments, contingent upon EOHLC approval. — approved
To approve change order number 5 for Maple Gardens, increasing the contract amount by $115,415.79 for reconstruction of fire-damaged apartments, contingent upon EOHLC approval. - 12:29 · To award a 3-year contract to KP Law for labor attorney services at an hourly rate of $255, not to exceed $50,000 annually, with two 1-year renewal options. — approved
To award a 3-year contract to KP Law for labor attorney services at an hourly rate of $255, not to exceed $50,000 annually, with two 1-year renewal options. - 12:37 · Labor Attorney Services Contract
The board awarded a three-year contract to KP Law for labor attorney services at a rate of $255 per hour, not to exceed $50,000 per year, with two one-year renewal options.