Transcript
Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending August 21, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news.
Topping the news this week, official minutes released by the city confirm the City Council has officially passed a revised municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2027. Councilors had previously rejected a continuing budget because of missing documentation and concerns over school transportation and police funding. However, during a special meeting, the council reversed course and approved the revised budget in an eight to one vote. City Councilor Christopher M. Peckham, Sr. cast the sole dissenting vote.
Over at the schools, the Fall River School Committee greenlit a major financial agreement. During their regular Wednesday meeting, the committee approved a thirty million dollar energy contract. Members also debated state education reports and heard a resident’s plea regarding Durfee High School. In a separate subcommittee meeting, school officials challenged budgets for the district’s alternative education programs and discussed a new waste removal contract ahead of the academic year.
In other city business, the Traffic Board recommended an amendment to the commercial parking ordinance. The Fall River Historical Commission backed tax credits for the Charlton Mill. And the Community Preservation Committee granted a two year project extension for window work by Forward Preservation, though they delayed their financial report because the city’s chief financial officer was absent. Meanwhile, the Licensing Board approved multiple restaurant and liquor licenses, operating with a strict two member quorum of Chairman Gregory Brilhante, Esq. and Michael Perreira. With only two members present, all approvals required a unanimous vote.
On the streets, residents filed a handful of non emergency reports this week, primarily focused on road hazards and illegal dumping. Complaints included multiple potholes near Hargraves, Quarry, and Bedford streets, a sunken drain on Stevens Street, overhanging barbed wire, and a discarded box spring dumped late Monday night.
Looking ahead, demolition of the former police station at 158 Bedford Street brings temporary street closures. Traffic in front of the building is shut down for two days to accommodate the tear down. Finally, the annual Great Feast of the Holy Ghost returns to Kennedy Park next week. The five day festival kicks off Wednesday evening, August 26th, and runs through Sunday night.
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In this episode
- Fall River Licensing Board Approves Multiple Restaurant and Liquor Licenses on August 19, 2026
- Fall River Traffic Board Recommends Commercial Parking Ordinance Amendment on August 19, 2026
- Fall River School Committee Approves $30M Energy Contract, Debates DESE Reports on August 19, 2026
- Fall River School Committee Challenges Alternative Education Budgets at the August 19, 2026 Meeting
- Fall River Historical Commission Backs Charlton Mill Tax Credits at August 18, 2026 Meeting
- Sunken Drain Reported on Stevens Street as Road Damage Complaints Rise
- Fall River Community Preservation Committee Reelects Officers at August 17, 2026 Meeting
- Fall River Community Preservation Committee Grants Project Extensions on August 17, 2026
- Barbed Wire Reported Overhanging Sidewalk Near Hargraves Street
- Box Spring Illegally Dumped Near Hargraves Street
- Fall River City Council Rejects Fiscal Year 2027 Continuing Budget Under Deficit Concerns
- Fall River City Council Passes Revised Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
- Pothole Reported Near Quarry and Bedford Streets
- Multiple Potholes Reported Near Hargraves Street