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The Fall River City Council’s Committee on Public Safety met to discuss traffic issues, downtown lighting, and fire department equipment. The meeting began with public input from several residents of Progress Street, including David Burns, Gerald Montigny, and Saima Beer, who detailed significant problems with traffic, parking, littering, and public nuisances related to the Letourneau Elementary School. They cited issues with both parents and school staff monopolizing parking, blocking access, and engaging in smoking and alleged marijuana use on the street.
The committee then addressed these concerns with school and city officials. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith apologized and committed to addressing the behavior of school staff. School officials, including COO Ken Pacheco, presented a new traffic flow plan for the school to be implemented on the first day of the new school year. Long-term solutions, such as leasing parking space from the nearby Market Basket, were also discussed. The committee, along with Police Sergeant Thomas Ferris and Traffic Director Stephanie MacArthur, agreed to increase police and parking control presence during the first few weeks of school to enforce the new plan. The matter was tabled for future review.
The committee also received an update on downtown lighting from City Administrator Ann O’Neil-Souza and Director of Community Maintenance Chris Hathaway. A plan to replace 58 lights on South Main Street is in the capital improvement plan, with $200,000 in free cash allocated for fiscal year 2027. Finally, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon updated the committee on the acquisition of new PFAS-free turnout gear. He explained that the department is carefully trialing gear from different manufacturers to ensure firefighter safety and comfort before making a large purchase. The administration has committed to funding the new gear once a selection is made, with a plan to phase the purchases over several years.
Topics discussed
- 0:34 · Public Input: Progress Street School Parking & Signs
Resident David Burns described issues with misplaced parking signs and traffic congestion caused by parents and teachers from Letourneau Elementary School. - 5:45 · Public Input: Progress Street School Nuisance Issues
Residents Gerald Montigny and Saima Beer detailed problems with school staff monopolizing parking, smoking/vaping on the street, littering, and residents being unable to park near their homes. - 10:59 · Approval of Meeting Minutes
The committee approved the minutes from the July 30, 2026 meeting. - 11:04 · Approval of the minutes from the July 30, 2026 meeting. — approved
Approval of the minutes from the July 30, 2026 meeting. - 11:06 · Motion to table the discussion on traffic and parking conditions on Progress Street. — tabled
Motion to table the discussion on traffic and parking conditions on Progress Street. - 19:03 · Letourneau School Traffic & Parking Plan
School officials, police, and traffic department representatives discussed ongoing issues on Progress Street and presented a new traffic flow plan, including potential long-term solutions like leasing parking from Market Basket. - 40:54 · Downtown Lighting Improvements
The committee discussed the plan to replace 58 lights on South Main Street, which is included in the capital improvement plan for 2027 with a $200,000 allocation from free cash. - 40:54 · Motion to table the discussion on improving downtown lighting. — tabled
Motion to table the discussion on improving downtown lighting. - 44:42 · Fire Department Turnout Gear
Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon updated the committee on the process of acquiring new PFAS-free turnout gear, including trialing different manufacturers’ products and securing a funding commitment from the administration. - 50:14 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting.