The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met remotely on May 12, 2020. Following a citizen input letter concerning water rates that was redirected to the Finance Committee, the committee approved the meeting minutes from January 28, 2020. The committee then addressed routine traffic ordinances, passing an emergency preamble and all readings for several handicapped parking applications, as well as advancing proposed traffic orders—including a 30-minute parking restriction on Pleasant Street—through first reading.
Much of the meeting centered on a resolution submitted by Councillor Trott Lee and Councillor Pam Laliberte-Lebeau, presented by Councillor Linda Pereira, designating the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) as the primary contact and consultant for veterans facilities, graves, monuments, and memorials. Veteran Service Officer Ray Hague and Director of Parks and Cemeteries Nancy Smith joined the discussion regarding maintenance responsibilities, statutory jurisdiction under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 45, and upcoming maintenance demands for major sites such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Committee members debated jurisdictional boundaries between the VSO and the Park Commission, potential union labor impacts, and past facility space disputes at the Pine Street veterans center. The committee voted unanimously to refer the resolution to Corporation Counsel to review park board jurisdiction and draft appropriate ordinance language.
Finally, the committee took up a proposed ordinance updating FEMA-required flood plain district boundaries and base flood elevation data, which was referred on April 14, 2020. The committee voted unanimously to pass the flood plain ordinance to a first reading before adjourning.
Topics discussed
- 0:10 · Public Input on Water Rates During Pandemic — approved
A citizen communication was read asking to reduce or suspend water rates during COVID-19; the chair clarified it would be heard before the Finance Committee. - 3:13 · Handicapped Parking Installations During COVID-19 — passed
Discussion with staff confirming DPW/traffic crews are working Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to install signage and fix damaged street signs. - 11:41 · Refer resolution designating VSO as contact and consultant for veterans facilities, graves, and monuments to Corporation Counsel as amended to draft ordinance language — referred
- 12:01 · Veterans Monuments and Facilities Oversight and Maintenance — passed
Extensive discussion between councillors, VSO Ray Hague, and Parks Director Nancy Smith regarding jurisdiction, maintenance funding, and upkeep of monuments including the Vietnam Wall. - 38:49 · Pine Street Veterans Facility Jurisdiction
Discussion on clarifying management authority and resolving past organizational space disputes at the Pine Street veterans building. - 57:30 · FEMA Flood Plain Ordinance — passed
Brief review and approval to pass the state-mandated FEMA flood plain district boundary updates to a first reading. - 58:21 · Pass proposed ordinance on FEMA flood plain district boundaries and base flood elevation data through first reading — passed