The Fall River City Council convened on February 28, 2023, beginning with a joint session with the School Committee to receive Mayor Paul E. Coogan’s 2023 State of the City Address. Mayor Coogan outlined the city’s fiscal health, reporting $8.5 million in stabilization funds and $2.6 million in free cash alongside remaining ARPA allocations. He discussed plans to petition the state to reform net school spending calculations to potentially free up $11 million, while pledging ARPA revenue-loss funds to cut the taxpayer burden for the Durfee High School bond in half. Additional focal points included expanding police and fire staffing, launching a body-worn camera program, addressing homelessness through a new drop-in center, private housing development, waterfront revitalization along Route 79, and South Coast Rail service commencing by late 2023.
Following a public hearing on several residential curb removal applications, the Committee on Finance heard public comment regarding the Bank Street Armory, education quality, crime statistics, and neighborhood revitalization along Pleasant Street. Chief Financial Officer Bridget Almon addressed council questions concerning mid-year salary adjustments and retirement buyouts totaling $183,000 from the operating reserve, as well as a $1,144,000 transfer from the EMS stabilization fund for department salaries and operating expenses.
During the regular council meeting, members adopted both financial transfers, referred the proposed FY 2024 water and sewer division budgets and rate ordinances to committee, and approved an additional $6,004.56 in Bristol County ARPA funds for infrared road repair equipment. The Council also voted to refer an inquiry regarding the city’s 10-year cable contract to the Finance Committee and passed a resolution supporting a $50,000 Bristol County ARPA application for The Veteran’s Kitchen. Seven curb removal orders, street acceptances, drain layer licenses, and an auto repair renewal were approved, while a disputed curb removal on McGowan Street was referred to committee.
Topics discussed
- 7:25 · 2023 State of the City Address
Mayor Paul E. Coogan delivered his address reviewing municipal finances, ARPA investments, housing initiatives, education spending, and infrastructure. - 1:00:17 · Public Hearing: Driveway Curb Removals
Public hearing held on applications for curb alterations on Prospect St, McGowan St, Hartwell St, Downing St, North Main St, Montgomery St, and Terry Marie Way. - 1:06:16 · Citizen Input on City Issues and Administration — passed
Residents spoke during citizen input concerning the Bank Street Armory sale, school performance, crime rates, homelessness, and business corridor support. - 1:22:24 · Operating Reserve Salary and Retirement Buyout Transfers
CFO Bridget Almon presented a $183,000 transfer from the operating reserve fund for salary increases, purchasing department reorganization, and retirement buyouts. - 1:25:44 · EMS Stabilization Account Transfer
Review of a $1,144,000 transfer from the EMS stabilization account to cover negotiated salary increases and operating expenses. - 1:41:48 · FY24 Water and Sewer Budgets and Rates — passed
Mayor submitted proposed fiscal year 2024 budgets and rate ordinances for the water and sewer divisions. - 1:42:23 · ARPA Funding for Asphalt Road Repair Equipment — passed
Mayor requested an additional $6,004.56 from County ARPA funds for two infrared hot box asphalt trailers. - 1:43:14 · Refer recommendations to amend traffic ordinances to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation — referred
- 1:43:19 · Municipal Cable Contract Agreement Oversight — referred
Council debated a resolution to review the city’s 10-year cable contract process after learning a long-term agreement had been finalized without council input. - 1:43:36 · Refer resolution on review and approval process of city cable contracts to Committee on Finance — referred
- 1:46:52 · ARPA Support for The Veteran’s Kitchen — approved
Councilors debated whether to back a $50,000 Bristol County ARPA request for The Veteran’s Kitchen or create a broader fund for all veteran organizations. - 2:05:52 · Adopt citation congratulating Blessed Trinity Parish on its 125th anniversary — passed
- 2:06:34 · Grant curb removal order to John Gonsalves for 644 Prospect Street / Robeson Street — approved
- 2:06:36 · Disputed Curb Removal on McGowan Street — passed
Council discussed an ownership dispute regarding the curb removal petition at 26 McGowan Street and voted to refer it to committee. - 2:11:00 · Adopt curb removal orders for items 10 through 15 (82 Hartwell St, 4 Downing St, 3820 North Main St, 600 Montgomery St, 97 Terry Marie Way, 111 Terry Marie Way) — passed
- 2:11:18 · Approve auto repair shop license renewal for Aberdeen Auto LLC at 163-165 Aberdeen Street — approved
- 2:11:34 · Accept and place on file the Police Chief’s report — passed
- 2:11:42 · Acceptance of Municipal Streets — referred
The Council considered acceptance of Wayland Street, Highland Farm Road, Steep Brook Terrace, Old Pasture Way, and Hayfield Lane. - 2:12:15 · Approve street acceptances for Wayland Street, Highland Farm Road, Steep Brook Terrace, Old Pasture Way, and Hayfield Lane — passed
- 2:12:27 · Approve drain layer licenses — approved