Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River City Council met on September 22, 2026, opening with the Committee on Finance before proceeding to the regular City Council session. During citizen input, residents spoke on solid waste policy and parking ticket enforcement procedures. The Committee on Finance extensively discussed two major initiatives: a $10 million loan order for street improvements across the city and a comprehensive strategy regarding solid waste, cart inventory, and potential fee structures. Director of Engineering and Planning Daniel Aguiar explained that the street loan would allow targeted repairs and milling projects outside rigid Chapter 90 constraints, spending roughly $2 million annually over five years.
The council also reviewed the Q4 FY2026 financial report presented by CFO Emily Arpke, examining encumbrances, snow removal deficits, and the employer health trust fund’s cash timing issues. In addition, the council streamlined the policy for retaining outside legal counsel, voting to require a simple majority vote by the full council within authorized budget limits. Later during the regular session, the council enacted the $10 million street improvement loan order (8-1), adopted a revised outside legal counsel policy (8-1), passed an appropriation of $586,600 for PEG access and cable channels (8-1), approved the state election warrant, and advanced several traffic, parking, and ordinance measures.
Topics discussed
- 0:59 · Citizen Concerns on Multi-Family Trash Policy and Fines
Tiberio Sardina expressed frustration over municipal fines, vehicle towing, and proposed solid waste exclusions targeting 5- and 6-family residences. - 5:29 · Parking Enforcement Citation Procedures
Ryan Dart raised issues regarding parking ticket citation appeals, administrative procedures, and communications with Corporation Counsel. - 11:38 · $10 Million Street Infrastructure Loan Order
Daniel Aguiar detailed a planned $10 million borrowing program to supplement Chapter 90 funding for roadway repairs, milling, overlay, and sidewalk projects over five years. - 41:21 · Motion to table the resolution on solid waste and recycling carts in the Committee on Finance — tabled
Motion to table the resolution on solid waste and recycling carts in the Committee on Finance - 41:41 · Solid Waste Cart Management and Disposal Cost Reduction
Discussion led by Special Counsel Matthew Thomas and Director Chris Hathaway regarding uninventoried trash carts, a proposed $200,000 tote audit with Rehrig, and potential universal flat trash fees. - 2:07:52 · FY 2026 Q4 Financial Budget Review
CFO Emily Arpke reviewed year-end encumbrances, snow and ice deficits of $3.3 million, and timing delays in employer trust fund health insurance reimbursements. - 2:43:25 · Motion to amend the outside legal counsel policy to require a majority vote of full council not to exceed authorized budget — passed
Motion to amend the outside legal counsel policy to require a majority vote of full council not to exceed authorized budget - 2:53:12 · Motion to adopt the warrant for the state election to be held on November 3, 2026 — adopted
Motion to adopt the warrant for the state election to be held on November 3, 2026 - 2:53:22 · Nuisance Property Ordinance Review
Councilors Raposo and Canuel sponsored a resolution directing the Ordinance Committee to review Chapter 10 nuisance property rules with police and housing officials. - 2:54:45 · Motion to adopt resolution regarding review of nuisance properties ordinance — adopted
Motion to adopt resolution regarding review of nuisance properties ordinance - 2:57:04 · Motion to approve invoice from Roselli, Clark & Associates for FY26 audit — approved
Motion to approve invoice from Roselli, Clark & Associates for FY26 audit - 2:58:05 · Motion to approve application for hanging election banners over public ways — approved
Motion to approve application for hanging election banners over public ways - 2:59:35 · PEG Access Cable Funding Appropriation
Council approved a $586,600 appropriation for PEG access cable television channels following confirmation from the Department of Revenue. - 2:59:35 · Motion to lift PEG access appropriation of $586,600 from the table — passed
Motion to lift PEG access appropriation of $586,600 from the table - 3:01:03 · Motion to adopt appropriation order of $586,600 for PEG access and cable channels — adopted
Motion to adopt appropriation order of $586,600 for PEG access and cable channels - 3:02:11 · Roll call vote on motion to lift proposed solid waste ordinance from the table — failed
Roll call vote on motion to lift proposed solid waste ordinance from the table - 3:02:18 · Motion to refer the $10 million street improvement loan order to the full City Council from the Committee on Finance — passed
Motion to refer the $10 million street improvement loan order to the full City Council from the Committee on Finance - 3:03:19 · Outside Legal Counsel Policy Revision
Council debated procedural requirements for hiring outside legal counsel, agreeing to amend the policy to a simple majority vote within budget limits. - 3:03:19 · Motion to adopt the outside legal counsel policy as amended in Committee on Finance and refer to full council — passed
Motion to adopt the outside legal counsel policy as amended in Committee on Finance and refer to full council - 3:03:25 · Roll call vote to adopt the $10 million loan order for street improvements — passed
Roll call vote to adopt the $10 million loan order for street improvements - 3:04:06 · Motion to adopt the revised outside legal counsel policy in full City Council — adopted
Motion to adopt the revised outside legal counsel policy in full City Council - 3:04:51 · Motion to adopt emergency preamble and pass handicap parking ordinance through all readings — passed
Motion to adopt emergency preamble and pass handicap parking ordinance through all readings - 3:05:50 · Motion to pass proposed loading zone ordinance on William Street through first reading — passed
Motion to pass proposed loading zone ordinance on William Street through first reading - 3:06:20 · Motion to pass proposed handicap parking strikeout ordinance through first reading — passed
Motion to pass proposed handicap parking strikeout ordinance through first reading - 3:06:25 · Motion to pass proposed ordinance amending Section 2-41 regarding Chief of Police appointment through first reading — passed
Motion to pass proposed ordinance amending Section 2-41 regarding Chief of Police appointment through first reading