The Fall River City Council held a series of meetings on August 15, 2023, comprising a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a regular City Council meeting, chaired by Council President Joseph D. Camara. During the public hearing and opening remarks, Councilor Bradford Kilby presented citations honoring local tourism advocates—including Patrick Norton, Patty Rego, and Sandy Dennis—as well as Holly Hill-Baptista and Bristol County Training Consortium educators. The Council also heard curb removal applications, including after-the-fact requests on Winifred Way.
In the Committee on Finance, significant debate centered on a proposal to sell the historic Bank Street Armory to developer Alan Macomber for $200,000 for residential redevelopment. Several residents and councilors objected, citing the prior expenditure of $400,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, potential repayment obligations, and the desire to preserve the building as an event, recreation, or veteran museum space. City Administrator Seth Thomas Aiken explained that building rehabilitation would cost $10–$12 million. Following disclosure of preliminary talks with the CPA committee about bonding options, the council voted to table the Armory sale for further review.
During the regular meeting, the Council approved an ARPA allocation of $250,000 to establish an emergency need-based assistance program for veterans, managed through the Veterans’ Services department, as well as an appropriation of $135,000 from the EMS Stabilization Fund for capital needs and a $45,000 transfer for uniform expenses. The Council also referred resolutions to committee concerning mental health clinicians for homelessness outreach, management of illegal homeless encampments, affordable housing, and catch basin maintenance. Finally, the Council approved ARPA funding of $450,000 for preliminary design work on flooding mitigation in Stafford Square and $3,000,000 for city participation in the Route 79 project.
Topics discussed
- 3:50 · Tourism and Bristol County Training Consortium Citations
Councilor Bradford Kilby presented citations to Patrick Norton, Patty Rego, and Sandy Dennis for tourism and arts contributions, and to Holly Hill-Baptista and Durfee teachers for mentoring summer student workers. - 13:48 · Adoption of orders granting curb removal for 251 Cypress Street, 49 Smithies Street, 57 Winifred Way, and 189 Winifred Way — approved
Adoption of orders granting curb removal for 251 Cypress Street, 49 Smithies Street, 57 Winifred Way, and 189 Winifred Way - 22:01 · Bank Street Armory Disposition
Extensive discussion regarding the proposed $200,000 sale to developer Alan Macomber, estimated $10–$12 million rehabilitation needs, potential CPA payback obligations, veteran preferences, and alternative municipal or historical preservation options. - 30:38 · EMS Stabilization and Operating Transfers
Chief Timothy Oliveira explained transfers of $135,000 for a special operations vehicle, Plymovent exhaust system, and EMT school accreditation, plus $45,000 for direct vendor uniform vouchers. - 33:13 · Motion to table the proposed review and sale recommendations for the Bank Street Armory — tabled
Motion to table the proposed review and sale recommendations for the Bank Street Armory - 33:13 · Adoption of financial order appropriating $45,000 from EMS Salaries to EMS Expenses — passed
Adoption of financial order appropriating $45,000 from EMS Salaries to EMS Expenses - 1:14:12 · Stafford Square Drainage and Flooding Mitigation
Review of $450,000 in ARPA funding for 25% design, topographic survey, and utility analysis covering a 400-acre watershed in Stafford Square, tied to pending $32 million FEMA BRIC and $2 million MassWorks applications. - 1:20:44 · Route 79 Drainage Project ARPA Funding
Council approved $3,000,000 in ARPA funding for municipal participation in drainage and infrastructure upgrades associated with Route 79. - 1:20:44 · Adoption of ARPA funding of $3,000,000 for city participation in Route 79 project — passed
Adoption of ARPA funding of $3,000,000 for city participation in Route 79 project - 1:23:11 · Adoption of financial order appropriating $135,000 from EMS Stabilization Fund to EMS Capital — passed
Adoption of financial order appropriating $135,000 from EMS Stabilization Fund to EMS Capital - 1:23:25 · Adoption of proposal for Bristol County ARPA funding of $250,000 for veteran need-based assistance program — passed
Adoption of proposal for Bristol County ARPA funding of $250,000 for veteran need-based assistance program - 1:23:31 · ARPA Veterans Need-Based Assistance Program
Approval of $250,000 in Bristol County ARPA funds to create an emergency relief program for veterans and their families covering food, utilities, rent, mortgage, and transit. - 1:27:19 · Submission of preliminary election warrant for September 19, 2023 — approved
Submission of preliminary election warrant for September 19, 2023 - 1:27:25 · Davis Park Public Access and Safety Concerns
Council discussed a Park Commission letter barring league permitting at Davis Park due to emergency vehicle access concerns; councilors requested safety reports, original deed review, and reasons why gates remain locked. - 1:43:48 · Approval to send communication to Watuppa Water Board and Corporation Counsel supporting reimbursement to Robert Shank for 18th Street water service repair — approved
Approval to send communication to Watuppa Water Board and Corporation Counsel supporting reimbursement to Robert Shank for 18th Street water service repair - 1:45:37 · Adoption of emergency preamble and passage through all stages of handicapped parking ordinance — passed
Adoption of emergency preamble and passage through all stages of handicapped parking ordinance - 1:46:26 · Passage to first reading of ordinance establishing position of Community Medicine Scheduling Coordinator — passed
Passage to first reading of ordinance establishing position of Community Medicine Scheduling Coordinator - 1:46:56 · Passage to first reading of ordinance renaming standing committee to Committee on Human Services, Housing, Youth, Elder, and Veterans Affairs — passed
Passage to first reading of ordinance renaming standing committee to Committee on Human Services, Housing, Youth, Elder, and Veterans Affairs - 1:47:35 · Referral of resolution regarding homeless encampments and mental health clinician to Committee on Finance — referred
Referral of resolution regarding homeless encampments and mental health clinician to Committee on Finance - 1:48:43 · Homeless Encampments and Public Health Concerns
Resident Kelly Bushan and councilors raised issues regarding illegal encampments near Kennedy Park and the rail trail, noting human waste, drug paraphernalia, and calls for regional partnerships and mental health clinician staffing. - 1:58:19 · Referral of resolution regarding affordable housing to Committee on Real Estate — referred
Referral of resolution regarding affordable housing to Committee on Real Estate - 1:59:52 · Catch Basin Cleaning and Veolia Contract
Resolution referred to committee to investigate cleaning schedules and procedures for the city’s catch basins with Veolia North America to reduce street flooding. - 2:09:49 · Approval of street opening at Bedford and Troy Streets intersection — approved
Approval of street opening at Bedford and Troy Streets intersection - 2:15:38 · Adoption of ARPA funding of $450,000 for preliminary design efforts in Stafford Square — passed
Adoption of ARPA funding of $450,000 for preliminary design efforts in Stafford Square