The Fall River Historical Commission met on September 15, 2026, to address historic preservation petitions, district expansions, and ongoing municipal restoration projects. The commission approved the minutes from the August 18 meeting and voted unanimously to issue a letter of support to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for Bethany Ramos regarding exterior restoration and water intrusion repairs at the Park View Apartments (171 Grady Street). The commission also reviewed correspondence regarding the planned demolition of 45 Anawan Street, restored headstones under the Parks Department, and recent repainting concerns at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Laura Kline from the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL) delivered a detailed presentation on the proposed Chapter 40C expansion of the Highlands Local Historic District. The proposal seeks to add 97 properties (28 in the south section and 69 in the north section) to the existing 47-property district. The commission discussed timeline logistics, including resolving city ordinance language, coordinating with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and scheduling informal community meetings at Christ the Rock Church alongside formal public hearings tentatively set for November and December.
The commission also tabled an item concerning High Street and received brief status updates on several city projects. Updates covered the Central Fire Station bidding, window installations at the North Main Street Fire Museum, flashing and roof repairs at the Little Theatre, planning and architectural cost analyses with Al Oliveira for the Bank Street Armory, phase two work at the Bioreserve spearheaded by the Water Department, and the active demolition cleanup of the former Bedford Street Police Station before adjourning.
Topics discussed
- 1:55 · Approval of Meeting Minutes
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the August 18 meeting. - 1:55 · Approve meeting minutes from August 18 — approved
Approve meeting minutes from August 18 - 2:20 · Approve letter of support for Park View Apartments’ Community Preservation Committee grant application — approved
Approve letter of support for Park View Apartments’ Community Preservation Committee grant application - 2:30 · Park View Apartments CPC Application
Bethany Ramos requested a letter of support for CPC funding to repair exterior water intrusion damage at the condominium property on 171 Grady Street. - 5:20 · 45 Anawan Street Demolition Notice
Discussion of correspondence regarding the city’s acquisition of 45 Anawan Street (former gas company) and the upcoming expiration of the six-month demolition delay. - 6:08 · Historic Cemetery Headstone Restorations
Chairman Mancini provided an update on headstone cleaning and structural reinforcement completed in coordination with the Parks Department. - 7:32 · Oak Grove Cemetery Painting Incident
Discussion of inadvertent blue paint application at Oak Grove Cemetery, its subsequent correction to gray, and upcoming City Council subcommittee discussions on city-owned historic sites. - 8:52 · Highlands Local Historic District (Chapter 40C) Expansion
Detailed presentation and discussion by Laura Kline and Alexander Silva regarding survey results, boundary designations, and scheduling public hearings for the 97-property expansion. - 37:09 · High Street Property Tabling
The commission voted to continue tabling a matter related to High Street due to absence of attendees. - 37:24 · Table the High Street matter to the next meeting — tabled
Table the High Street matter to the next meeting - 37:40 · Municipal Historic Property Updates
Updates on roof work at Little Theatre, window repairs at the Fire Museum, Armory planning, Bioreserve Phase 2 contracting, and demolition progress at the Bedford Street Police Station. - 41:42 · Adjourn the meeting at 6:41 PM — passed
Adjourn the meeting at 6:41 PM