Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River City Council convened on October 13, 2026, conducting a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a regular City Council session. During the Committee on Finance meeting and citizens’ input, business owner Todd Salpetro and attorney Seth Aiken raised urgent concerns regarding open drug use along South Main Street and the distribution of harm reduction kits containing drug paraphernalia by organizations like the Seven Hills Foundation and STAR. Later in the regular meeting, Council President Cliff A. Ponte displayed contents from sample harm reduction bags—including syringes, glass crack pipes, mirrors, and cookers—leading the council to adopt a resolution requesting representatives from Seven Hills, STAR, the Board of Health, and the Community Development Agency appear before the Committee on Finance.
In other major business, the council engaged in a debate over three Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) agreements for housing developments at 138 Hartwell Street (Thomas Alva Edison LLC), 109 Howe Street (Charlton Mills Lofts LLC), and 650 Plymouth Avenue (Cornell Lofts LLC). Councilor Michael G. Canuel pushed for tailored schedules and enforceable affordable housing set-asides for veterans and seniors, but each agreement ultimately passed in 5-3 votes. The council also approved appropriations of $375,000 for EMS salaries and $21,500 for EMS expenses, referred the administration’s upcoming presentation on the Pearl Street Garage to the Committee on Finance, and passed a resolution addressing the suspension of grocery transportation services for seniors and veterans.
The council also ordained ordinances removing select handicap parking spaces, establishing a William Street loading zone, and amending Section 2-401 regarding the appointment of the Chief of Police. Additionally, resolutions calling for an outside financial audit of the city’s Employee Health Trust Fund and honoring local youth Mason Machado for his dog park proposal were approved.
Topics discussed
- 0:50 · Auto Repair and Curb Removal Public Hearings
The council conducted public hearings for two auto repair shop licenses and two curb opening extensions. - 1:45 · Approval of auto repair licenses and curb removals for Items 21 through 24 — passed
Approval of auto repair licenses and curb removals for Items 21 through 24 - 4:28 · Mason Machado Commendation for Dog Park Proposal
Councilor Peckham presented an official citation to young resident Mason Machado for his advocacy and proposal to create a dog park at the former Kennedy Park pool site. - 6:43 · Citizen Input: South Main Street Drug Activity and Business Impact
Business owner Todd Salpetro of TJ’s Music raised severe safety, public indecency, and economic concerns caused by open drug use and loitering on South Main Street. - 19:36 · Citizen Input: Legal Analysis of Harm Reduction Kits
Attorney Seth Aiken presented Massachusetts criminal model jury instructions suggesting that distributing drug paraphernalia kits may constitute conspiracy or aiding and abetting drug crimes. - 37:07 · Motion to waive council rules to allow Ryan Duarte of New Bedford to speak during citizens’ input — failed
Motion to waive council rules to allow Ryan Duarte of New Bedford to speak during citizens’ input - 39:03 · Citizen Input: State Spending and Oversight of Addictive Services
Candidate Robert Anctil argued for state audits regarding non-profit executive compensation and settlement fund expenditures. - 42:20 · Citizen Input: Aruta’s Lane Private Way Maintenance
Resident Jennifer Dutra updated the council on safety concerns and road deterioration on Aruta’s Lane following a 30-day review period without administrative resolution. - 50:53 · Citizen Input: Fire Department Working Conditions and Fleet Status
Mike O’Regan spoke on deteriorating fire station conditions, low-bid contract work, and apparatus shortages following a recent structure fire on South Main Street. - 55:41 · Capital Improvement Plan Update
Emily Arpke and Al Oliveira discussed the annual update process for the municipal capital improvement plan. - 58:16 · EMS Revenue Transfers and Appropriations
The council approved transferring EMS revenues to pay for retroactive wage adjustments and mandated training expenses. - 1:01:00 · Confirmation of Flavio A. Da Costa to the Community Preservation Committee — approved
Confirmation of Flavio A. Da Costa to the Community Preservation Committee - 1:01:29 · Adoption of gift order for $4,094.34 to the Fall River Public Library — passed
Adoption of gift order for $4,094.34 to the Fall River Public Library - 1:01:59 · Adoption of gift order for $2,325 to the Fall River Public Library Children’s Department — passed
Adoption of gift order for $2,325 to the Fall River Public Library Children’s Department - 1:02:20 · Adoption of gift order for one-year supply of dog food ($750 value) for FRFD comfort dog Sophie — passed
Adoption of gift order for one-year supply of dog food ($750 value) for FRFD comfort dog Sophie - 1:02:20 · Resolution approving Tax Increment Exemption agreement for Thomas Alva Edison LLC at 138 Hartwell Street — passed
Resolution approving Tax Increment Exemption agreement for Thomas Alva Edison LLC at 138 Hartwell Street - 1:02:27 · Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Agreements
The council debated 10-year 80/20 TIE agreements for 138 Hartwell Street, 109 Howe Street, and 650 Plymouth Avenue, focusing on tax impacts and affordable housing units. - 1:11:19 · Resolution approving Tax Increment Exemption agreement for Charlton Mills Lofts LLC at 109 Howe Street — passed
Resolution approving Tax Increment Exemption agreement for Charlton Mills Lofts LLC at 109 Howe Street - 1:11:45 · Resolution approving Tax Increment Exemption agreement for Cornell Lofts LLC at 650 Plymouth Avenue — passed
Resolution approving Tax Increment Exemption agreement for Cornell Lofts LLC at 650 Plymouth Avenue - 1:11:56 · Pearl Street Garage Review Request
The administration requested a Committee on Finance meeting to present financial pro formas and analysis regarding the future of the Pearl Street Garage. - 1:13:04 · Referral of Pearl Street Garage presentation request to the Committee on Finance — referred
Referral of Pearl Street Garage presentation request to the Committee on Finance - 1:14:10 · Referral of solid waste ordinance (Chapter 62) review to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation — referred
Referral of solid waste ordinance (Chapter 62) review to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation - 1:14:31 · Appropriation of $375,000 from EMS revenues to EMS salaries — passed
Appropriation of $375,000 from EMS revenues to EMS salaries - 1:14:48 · Appropriation of $21,500 from EMS revenues to EMS expenses — passed
Appropriation of $21,500 from EMS revenues to EMS expenses - 1:15:04 · Referral of Traffic Commission recommendations to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation — referred
Referral of Traffic Commission recommendations to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation - 1:15:27 · Granting leave to withdraw on Items 10 through 13 regarding committee resolutions — passed
Granting leave to withdraw on Items 10 through 13 regarding committee resolutions - 1:15:57 · Final Passage and Ordainment of Ordinances
The council enacted ordinances for handicap parking removal, loading zones on William Street, and police chief appointment rules. - 1:16:41 · Final ordainment of handicap parking removal ordinance — passed
Final ordainment of handicap parking removal ordinance - 1:16:54 · Passage through second reading and enrollment of handicap parking removal ordinance — passed
Passage through second reading and enrollment of handicap parking removal ordinance - 1:17:01 · Final ordainment of William Street loading zones ordinance — passed
Final ordainment of William Street loading zones ordinance - 1:17:19 · Passage through second reading and enrollment of William Street loading zone ordinance — passed
Passage through second reading and enrollment of William Street loading zone ordinance - 1:17:22 · Final ordainment of ordinance amending Section 2-401 for appointment of Chief of Police — passed
Final ordainment of ordinance amending Section 2-401 for appointment of Chief of Police - 1:17:41 · Passage through second reading and enrollment of ordinance amending Section 2-401 for appointment of Chief of Police — passed
Passage through second reading and enrollment of ordinance amending Section 2-401 for appointment of Chief of Police - 1:17:48 · Employee Health Trust Fund Independent Audit
Councilors approved a resolution to pursue an RFP for an independent audit to assess deficits in the Employee Health Trust Fund. - 1:18:54 · Adoption of resolution requesting Committee on Finance convene regarding RFP for audit of Employee Health Trust Fund — passed
Adoption of resolution requesting Committee on Finance convene regarding RFP for audit of Employee Health Trust Fund - 1:18:57 · Inquiry into Harm Reduction Bag Distribution
Council President Ponte demonstrated drug paraphernalia included in free harm reduction bags and the council voted to convene a hearing with provider agencies. - 1:18:58 · Adoption of resolution convening Committee on Finance regarding harm reduction bags and syringe services — passed
Adoption of resolution convening Committee on Finance regarding harm reduction bags and syringe services - 1:47:24 · Approval of auto body shop renewals for Choice Collision Center Inc. and Globe Auto Inc. — passed
Approval of auto body shop renewals for Choice Collision Center Inc. and Globe Auto Inc. - 1:48:04 · Approval of auto repair renewals for five auto repair facilities — passed
Approval of auto repair renewals for five auto repair facilities - 1:50:24 · Adoption of resolution requesting meeting on restoration of grocery transportation services for seniors and veterans — passed
Adoption of resolution requesting meeting on restoration of grocery transportation services for seniors and veterans - 1:50:30 · Restoration of Grocery Transportation for Seniors and Veterans
The council discussed vehicle availability and driver staffing shortages leading to the suspension of grocery trips for seniors and veterans.