The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met on October 28, 2025, chaired by Councilor Linda M. Pereira. During citizen input, John Ventura, Director of Safety and Security for the Fall River School District, raised pedestrian safety concerns regarding traffic flow and near-misses involving students around the Westall School. Following the approval of the September 16 meeting minutes, Traffic and Parking Director Stephanie McArthur presented proposed handicap parking additions on Baker, Dover, and South Almond Streets, which the committee passed under an emergency preamble through all readings. The committee also debated miscellaneous traffic measures regarding one-way street designations around Westall School (June Street and Maple Street) and on Lindsay Street due to the Route 79 project, along with a 1-hour parking restriction on Pleasant Street and various handicap removals.
Interim City Administrator Michael Dion and Human Resources Director Nicholas Macolini presented proposed salary ordinance amendments for municipal positions. The administration sought to raise the compensation caps for the part-time Director of the Fall River Emergency Management Agency from $25,000 to $35,000, the Veterans’ Graves Officer from $300 to $5,000, and senior aides across the Council on Aging and Veterans’ Services from $11 up to a cap of $20 per hour (currently paid $15 per hour). The committee approved the proposed salary increases through first reading, confirming sufficient departmental budget coverage.
The committee dedicated extensive time to discussing illegal dumping, trash enforcement, and protection of the Copicut Reservoir and municipal parks. Officials and residents—including Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey, Acting Police Chief J.T. Hoar, Parks Director Darren Medeiros, DCM Compliance Officer Joseph Kennedy, and resident Sarah Riley—debated civil versus criminal enforcement, camera surveillance expansion, and coordination with the District Attorney’s Office to seek mandatory restitution. The committee voted to instruct Corporation Counsel to review and broaden City Code Section 26-42(a) to protect all watershed areas from dumping, and voted to table the broader matter for two months. Following a brief recess, the committee reconsidered Item 4 to fix procedural motions, approving an emergency preamble for the one-way designations and passing the remaining traffic sections through first reading.
Topics discussed
- 4:00 · Traffic safety around Westall School
School security director John Ventura reported pedestrian hazards and vehicles turning dangerously around Westall School, requesting one-way streets. - 6:33 · Approve minutes of the September 16th meeting — approved
Approve minutes of the September 16th meeting - 7:03 · Handicap parking insertions
Proposed handicap parking spaces on Baker Street, Dover Street, and South Almond Street were reviewed and adopted. - 7:21 · Adopt emergency preamble and pass proposed handicap parking ordinance (Item 3) through all readings — passed
Adopt emergency preamble and pass proposed handicap parking ordinance (Item 3) through all readings - 7:42 · Reconsider Item 4 (miscellaneous traffic ordinances) — approved
Reconsider Item 4 (miscellaneous traffic ordinances) - 13:45 · One-way street designations and traffic amendments
Discussion of one-way conversions for June Street and Maple Street to create a loop around Westall School, and Lindsay Street due to sidewalk widening from the Route 79 project. - 21:19 · Pass Item 4, Sections 2 and 3 (1-hour parking and handicap removals) through first reading — passed
Pass Item 4, Sections 2 and 3 (1-hour parking and handicap removals) through first reading - 23:25 · Pass proposed salary ordinance amendments for Director of Emergency Management, Veterans’ Graves Officer, and Senior Aides through first reading — passed
Pass proposed salary ordinance amendments for Director of Emergency Management, Veterans’ Graves Officer, and Senior Aides through first reading - 24:24 · Salary ordinance amendments
Proposed compensation cap increases for the FEMA Director (to $35,000), Veterans’ Graves Officer (to $5,000), and Senior Aides (to $20/hour). - 26:45 · Separate Section 1 (one-ways) from Sections 2 and 3 of Item 4 — approved
Separate Section 1 (one-ways) from Sections 2 and 3 of Item 4 - 29:40 · Adopt emergency preamble for Item 4, Section 1 (one-way streets) — passed
Adopt emergency preamble for Item 4, Section 1 (one-way streets) - 38:32 · Illegal dumping enforcement and watershed protection
Discussion on illegal dumping in Copicut Reservoir, city parks, and watershed areas, examining camera surveillance, civil vs. criminal penalties, and tiered fines. - 43:53 · Table the illegal dumping and trash enforcement resolution for two months — tabled
Table the illegal dumping and trash enforcement resolution for two months - 1:03:41 · Refer request to Corporation Counsel to review and revise City Code Section 26-42(a) defining protected reservoir and dumping areas — referred
Refer request to Corporation Counsel to review and revise City Code Section 26-42(a) defining protected reservoir and dumping areas - 1:25:03 · Reconsideration and procedural correction of Item 4
The committee reconvened after recess to separate Item 4 into sections, voting separately on the emergency preamble for one-ways and first reading for the remaining sections.