The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met on September 22, 2026, to consider multiple traffic, parking, and administrative code amendments. After approving the August 11, 2026 minutes, the committee reviewed a slate of proposed handicap parking installations and passed the ordinance through all readings with an emergency preamble. The committee then addressed a miscellaneous traffic ordinance, voting to approve a loading zone for Azor’s Market on William Street and pass handicap parking space removals to first reading, while tabling proposed parking restrictions on King Street and a loading zone on 10th Street for further neighbor and delivery impact assessment.
The committee subsequently approved a first reading for an amendment to City Code Section 2-41 aligning the Police Chief appointment, powers, and duties with civil service standards following an approved home rule petition. Acting Police Chief J.T. Hoar presented a detailed case study and enforcement proposal regarding the regulation of overnight commercial vehicle parking, suggesting standards based on gross vehicle weight rating (12,000 lbs or more) and towing authority. Councilors expressed support for maintaining the existing $250 fine and a 5:00 p.m. cutoff while clarifying exemptions for emergency repairs.
Frustrated by the absence of Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey, the committee unanimously voted to send a formal letter to the administration requesting mandatory representation from the Law Department at committee meetings. The commercial vehicle parking ordinance was tabled to allow the administration, police, traffic department, and legal counsel to draft a consolidated proposal. A communication regarding the repeal of City Code Section 2-33 concerning outside legal counsel was also tabled due to the legal department’s absence.
Topics discussed
- 0:34 · Approve minutes of the August 11, 2026 meeting — approved
Approve minutes of the August 11, 2026 meeting - 0:42 · Handicap Parking Space Additions
The committee reviewed and approved a list of new handicap parking spaces on city streets with an emergency preamble. - 2:10 · Adopt emergency preamble for proposed traffic handicap parking ordinance — passed
Adopt emergency preamble for proposed traffic handicap parking ordinance - 2:30 · Recommend passage of proposed handicap parking ordinance through first reading, second reading, enrollment, and ordination — passed
Recommend passage of proposed handicap parking ordinance through first reading, second reading, enrollment, and ordination - 2:37 · Table Section 1 (King Street parking prohibited during certain hours) — tabled
Table Section 1 (King Street parking prohibited during certain hours) - 6:12 · Miscellaneous Traffic Regulations & Loading Zones
Discussion on proposed restricted parking on King Street for the Veterans Association food pantry deliveries, loading zones for Shoreline Solutions on 10th Street and Azor’s Market on William Street, and handicap removals. - 6:12 · Approve Section 2B (William Street loading zone for Azor’s Market) — approved
Approve Section 2B (William Street loading zone for Azor’s Market) - 17:05 · Separate Item 4 into sections 1, 2 (split into 2A and 2B), and 3 for individual voting — passed
Separate Item 4 into sections 1, 2 (split into 2A and 2B), and 3 for individual voting - 19:00 · Table Section 2A (10th Street loading zone) — tabled
Table Section 2A (10th Street loading zone) - 19:37 · Pass Section 3 (Handicap parking removals) through first reading — passed
Pass Section 3 (Handicap parking removals) through first reading - 19:50 · Police Chief Civil Service Ordinance Update
Human Resources and administration presented code changes aligning the Police Chief position with Civil Service language, mirroring the Fire Chief’s ordinance structure. - 21:28 · Pass proposed ordinance amending City Code 2-41 (Chief of Police civil service) through first reading — passed
Pass proposed ordinance amending City Code 2-41 (Chief of Police civil service) through first reading - 21:40 · Lift Item 6 (commercial vehicle parking) from the table — passed
Lift Item 6 (commercial vehicle parking) from the table - 21:42 · Table Item 6 (all-night commercial vehicle parking ordinance) for consolidated drafting with administration and legal counsel — tabled
Table Item 6 (all-night commercial vehicle parking ordinance) for consolidated drafting with administration and legal counsel - 21:48 · Overnight Commercial Vehicle Parking Regulations
Acting Police Chief J.T. Hoar presented a case study and guidance on defining commercial vehicles by gross vehicle weight rating (12,000+ lbs), towing authority, emergency exemptions, and fine structures. - 35:00 · Corporation Counsel Meeting Attendance
Councilors voiced frustration regarding the absence of the Corporation Counsel and voted to send a letter requiring Law Department attendance at meetings. - 36:30 · Send a formal letter to the administration requesting mandatory attendance of Corporation Counsel or a representative at committee meetings — passed
Send a formal letter to the administration requesting mandatory attendance of Corporation Counsel or a representative at committee meetings - 40:12 · Outside Legal Counsel Ordinance Repeal
Request to strike Section 2-33 of the city code regarding outside legal counsel was tabled in the absence of the Corporation Counsel. - 40:30 · Table Item 7 (communication from Corporation Counsel to strike Section 2-33) — tabled
Table Item 7 (communication from Corporation Counsel to strike Section 2-33)