Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River Board of Health held a virtual meeting on October 19, 2026, chaired by Thomas Cory, with board members Michael J. Coughlin and Stephen Gagliardi, MD, and Health and Human Services Director Tess Curran present. The board promptly approved the minutes from the August 31, 2026 meeting before reviewing and unanimously approving two tattoo apprenticeship applications: one for Kendra Salmonson at Up in Flames Tattoo (228 South Main Street) and another for Cameron O’Shaughnessy at Flaming Balls Tattoo / Skin Pins Piercing (1120 Stafford Road).
The board then conducted two public hearings regarding second-offense tobacco control violations for selling to minors. For the first hearing concerning International Smoke Shop at 1572 Pleasant Street, store owner Najd Khalil acknowledged that an employee failed to verify identification during a September 9 compliance check. The board voted unanimously to impose a three-day tobacco sales suspension and noted the mandatory $2,000 fine, agreeing to discuss Khalil’s request for a payment extension offline. In the second hearing, the board addressed Stop and Save at 345 Robeson Street, where a clerk sold Backwoods cigars to an underage buyer who verbally stated she was 19. Noting that the store had already paid the mandatory $2,000 fine and had a previous underage sale violation within the past year, the board voted unanimously to issue a maximum seven-day suspension to owner Imran Hassan.
During the Director’s Report, Director Tess Curran briefed the board on ongoing community and municipal employee flu clinics, the rollout of a new Request for Proposals process for Shannon Grant funding managed by coordinator Crystal Stone, and an upcoming presentation by HHS epidemiologist Hannah at the MHOA conference. Curran also noted that beaver deceivers installed by the water department had been functioning effectively and agreed to follow up with water officials regarding municipal fluoridation. The board then agreed to schedule its next meeting for December 14, 2026, before adjourning.
Topics discussed
- 0:00 · Board Scheduling
The board agreed to schedule their next regular meeting for December 14, 2026. - 0:57 · Approval of August 31, 2026 Meeting Minutes
The board considered and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. - 1:11 · Approval of the meeting minutes from August 31, 2026 — approved
Approval of the meeting minutes from August 31, 2026 - 1:25 · Tattoo Apprenticeship – Kendra Salmonson
Review of paperwork and approval of an apprenticeship application for Kendra Salmonson at Up in Flames Tattoo. - 2:13 · Approval of Kendra Salmonson’s tattoo apprenticeship application for Up in Flames Tattoo — approved
Approval of Kendra Salmonson’s tattoo apprenticeship application for Up in Flames Tattoo - 2:26 · Tattoo Apprenticeship – Cameron O’Shaughnessy
Review of first aid and bloodborne credentials and approval of an apprenticeship application for Cameron O’Shaughnessy at Flaming Balls Tattoo. - 3:28 · Approval of Cameron O’Shaughnessy’s tattoo apprenticeship application for Flaming Balls Tattoo — approved
Approval of Cameron O’Shaughnessy’s tattoo apprenticeship application for Flaming Balls Tattoo - 3:35 · Motion to close the tobacco violations hearing for International Smoke Shop — passed
Motion to close the tobacco violations hearing for International Smoke Shop - 3:43 · Tobacco Control Violation – International Smoke Shop
Adjudication of a September 9 underage single cigar sale at 1572 Pleasant Street resulting in a mandated $2,000 fine and a 3-day suspension. - 4:01 · Motion to open tobacco violations hearing for International Smoke Shop — passed
Motion to open tobacco violations hearing for International Smoke Shop - 4:38 · Imposition of a 3-day tobacco sales suspension on International Smoke Shop for a second tobacco violation — passed
Imposition of a 3-day tobacco sales suspension on International Smoke Shop for a second tobacco violation - 9:53 · Motion to close the tobacco violations hearing for Stop and Save — passed
Motion to close the tobacco violations hearing for Stop and Save - 9:58 · Imposition of a 7-day tobacco sales suspension on Stop and Save for a second tobacco violation — passed
Imposition of a 7-day tobacco sales suspension on Stop and Save for a second tobacco violation - 10:09 · Tobacco Control Violation – Stop and Save
Adjudication of a September 21 underage cigar sale at 345 Robeson Street resulting in a 7-day suspension after the $2,000 fine was paid. - 10:12 · Motion to open tobacco violations hearing for Stop and Save — passed
Motion to open tobacco violations hearing for Stop and Save - 15:34 · Health Department Updates and Clinics
Director Tess Curran reported on internal and senior center flu clinics, Shannon Grant distribution changes, and staff activities. - 18:00 · Water Department Inquiries: Fluoridation and Beaver Control
Board members discussed the status of municipal water fluoridation and the success of beaver deceivers installed by the water department. - 20:05 · Motion to adjourn the meeting — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting