The Fall River Community Preservation Committee held its annual meeting on May 24, 2021. The committee conducted officer elections for the upcoming year, electing John Brandt as Chair, Kristen Cantara Oliveira as Vice Chair, and Paul Machado as Secretary. Following the elections, Chair John Brandt delivered a message outlining the committee’s achievements over eight years, noting the funding of over 80 projects, more than $1.6 million toward city park projects, and over $1 million dedicated to preserving open space. The committee voted unanimously to table the financial report to the next monthly meeting.
Committee members provided detailed status updates on various ongoing and completed CPA-funded projects across the city. Projects reviewed included the Fall River Historical Society east wing, Sanborn maps digitization, Freedom Street Fire Station, Dr. Fisk House HVAC work, Preservation Society historic guidelines, the Academica Club property sale, Central Fire Station, Bank Street, 64 Durfee Street housing redevelopment, People Incorporated slate roof repair, Private Joseph Francis Green fence, North Park study, Water Department land acquisitions, North Watuppa Pumping Station design, and North Burial Ground. Multiple completed projects were noted, including the Water Street study, Eagle Event Center, and the Vietnam Wall.
The committee also established subcommittees to work on the upcoming year’s preservation plan and to manage public outreach via social media and video interviews. The meeting concluded with a presentation recognizing former chair and founding member James Sousa for his nine years of dedicated service to the committee since 2012.
Topics discussed
- 1:23 · Citizen Input — approved
Public comment period held with no participants. - 1:36 · Election of Chair — approved
John Brandt was nominated and unanimously elected as committee Chair. - 2:00 · Election of Vice Chair — approved
Kristen Cantara Oliveira was nominated and unanimously elected as Vice Chair. - 2:30 · Election of Secretary — passed
Paul Machado was nominated and unanimously elected as Secretary. - 2:59 · Chair’s Annual Address
Review of the committee’s eight-year history, funding over 80 projects, open space preservation, and park improvements. - 4:42 · Recognition of James Sousa
Recognition and award presentation honoring former chair James Sousa for nine years of service since 2012. - 5:27 · Tabling Financial Report
Motion and unanimous vote to table the financial report until the next meeting. - 6:24 · Historical Projects Update
Updates on Fall River Historical Society painting, Sanborn maps scanning, and Freedom Street Fire Station masonry work. - 9:06 · Preservation Society and Academica Club Updates
Updates on Dr. Fisk House HVAC, preservation guidelines firm, and potential sale of Academica Club to CAT Management LLC. - 12:12 · Municipal and Park Project Updates
Updates on Central Fire Station, Bank Street, 64 Durfee Street, Private Joseph Francis Green fence, North Park study, Water Department acquisitions, and North Burial Ground. - 19:05 · Preservation Plan and Media Committees Formation — passed
Volunteers recruited to form a three-member planning committee and a two-member media and public relations committee.