The Fall River City Council tackled a packed agenda on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, voting on measures covering municipal waste collection, capital borrowing, traffic regulations, and city legal procedures.
The council voted 2-7 against granting leave to withdraw a proposed ordinance amending solid waste collection rules for residential properties before voting unanimously to table the measure. Councilors Michael G. Canuel and Linda M. Pereira voted in favor of withdrawal, while the remaining seven councilors opposed it.
Councilors also advanced a $10,000,000 loan order for street construction and improvements to the Committee on Finance, while requesting an updated street renovation schedule from the City Engineer. In another major discussion, the council referred a revised policy governing the retention and use of outside legal counsel to the Committee on Finance, with Councilor Joseph D. Camara absent from the chamber during the vote.
Additionally, the council approved a slate of traffic and parking changes, including the passage and ordainment of multiple handicapped parking removals, and tabled a $586,600 appropriation from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund by an 8-1 vote, with Councilor Camara casting the lone dissenting vote.
Key actions
- Confirmed the reappointment of Christopher Antao to the Cultural Council unanimously.
- Confirmed the reappointment of Vania M. Noverca-Viveiros to the Cultural Council unanimously.
- Confirmed the reappointment of Ken Schadegg to the Historical Commission unanimously.
- Confirmed the reappointment of Richard R. Mancini to the Historical Commission unanimously.
- Referred the FY2026 Q4 Budget Report to the Committee on Finance unanimously.
- Authorized publication and referred the $10,000,000 street improvement loan order to the Committee on Finance unanimously.
- Approved a request from the Purchasing Agent to conduct a public online surplus auction unanimously.
- Referred Traffic Commission recommendations to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation unanimously.
- Referred City Council President’s communication and revised policy on outside legal counsel to the Committee on Finance unanimously (Camara absent).
- Referred Corporation Counsel request to strike §2-33 (outside legal counsel) to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation unanimously (Camara absent).
- Adopted a resolution for the Committee on Finance to convene regarding financial analysis and distribution of solid waste and recycling carts unanimously.
- Failed motion to grant leave to withdraw proposed solid waste ordinance §62-2(C) by a 2-7 vote, then tabled the ordinance unanimously.
- Passed through second reading and ordained an ordinance removing multiple handicapped parking spaces unanimously (Peckham absent for ordainment).
- Adopted a resolution for the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation to draft an ordinance for fees or fines over $250 on after-the-fact curb removals unanimously.
- Adopted a resolution for the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism to review renovations and maintenance at Oak Grove Cemetery unanimously.
- Adopted a resolution for the Committee on Finance to discuss developing a public financial transparency portal unanimously.
- Adopted a resolution for the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation to discuss the Human Resources Compensation Study unanimously.
- Amended by a 9-0 vote and adopted as amended a resolution for the Committee on Public Safety to discuss speeding enforcement practices unanimously.
- Accepted and placed on file a citation for Anthony F. Cordeiro as recipient of the Roger Valcourt Outstanding Citizen Award unanimously.
- Referred a pole location petition for Bedford Street to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation unanimously.
- Adopted pole location orders for Airport Road, Bay Street, Mott Street, Rodman Street, and Stafford Road unanimously.
- Adopted licenses and curb removal orders for 84 Orange Street (auto repair shop), 498 Reading Street (curb removal), and 11400 SE 6th Street/133 Mariano Bishop Blvd (second hand article store) unanimously.
- Adopted auto repair shop license renewals for Ground Earth Inc. and Auto Stop unanimously.
- Adopted auto repair shop license transfer for 605 Globe Street to Fortier’s Auto Sales & Service, Inc. unanimously.
- Adopted the Police Chief’s report on licenses for taxicab and private livery drivers unanimously.
- Adopted orders for permanent aerial fiber attachments across Bedford Street, Locust Street, and Stonehaven Road unanimously.
- Referred claims to Corporation Counsel unanimously.
- Accepted and placed on file Assistant Corporation Counsel response to Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Collin R. Dias unanimously.
- Referred resident communication regarding bus stop relocation at 102 Laurel Street to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation unanimously.
- Approved drainlayer license for JPB Construction Co., Inc. unanimously.
- Accepted and placed on file Planning Board minutes of July 8, 2026, and Zoning Board of Appeals minutes of July 16, 2026, unanimously.
- Accepted and placed on file notices of casualty and loss for 34 Friendship Street and 484 Highland Avenue unanimously.
- Voted unanimously to lift from the table the $586,600 PEG Access appropriation, then voted 8-1 to table the matter.
- Adopted as amended an order for curb removal at 677 Meridian Street (Timothy R. Long) unanimously.
How each councilor voted
| Motion | Ponte | Cadime | Camara | Canuel | Dionne | Hart | Peckham | Pereira | Raposo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm reappointment of Christopher Antao to Cultural Council (Confirmed unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Confirm reappointment of Vania Marie Noverca-Viveiros to Cultural Council (Confirmed unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Confirm reappointment of Ken Schadegg to Historical Commission (Confirmed unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Confirm reappointment of Richard R. Mancini to Historical Commission (Confirmed unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer FY 2026 Quarterly Budget Report to Committee on Finance (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Authorize publication and refer $10,000,000 street improvement loan order to Committee on Finance (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve request from Purchasing Agent to conduct public online auction for surplus property (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer Traffic Commission recommendations to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer outside legal counsel communication and revised policy to Committee on Finance (Approved unanimously (Camara absent)) | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer request to strike §2-33 to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (Approved unanimously (Camara absent)) | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Take item 14 out of order (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt resolution for Committee on Finance to convene regarding solid waste and recycling carts plan (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Grant leave to withdraw proposed ordinance amending §62-2(C) Solid waste collection and disposal (Failed 2-7) | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
| Table proposed ordinance amending §62-2(C) Solid waste collection and disposal (Tabled unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pass proposed ordinance on handicapped parking removals through second reading and enrollment (Passed unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pass proposed ordinance on handicapped parking removals to be ordained (Ordained unanimously (Peckham absent)) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y |
| Adopt resolution for Committee on Ordinances and Legislation to draft ordinance establishing after-the-fact curb removal fee/fine over $250 (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt resolution for Committee on Economic Development and Tourism to review Oak Grove Cemetery renovations and maintenance (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt resolution for Committee on Finance to discuss developing a public financial transparency portal (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt resolution for Committee on Ordinances and Legislation to discuss planned Compensation Study (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Amend resolution on speeding enforcement by striking third paragraph and language in fourth paragraph (Approved 9-0) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt resolution on speeding enforcement as amended (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file citation for Anthony F. Cordeiro (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Take item 19c out of order (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer pole location order for Bedford Street (item 19c) to Committee on Public Works and Transportation (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Take items 19a, b, d, e, and f together (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt pole location orders for Airport Road, Bay Street, Mott Street, Rodman Street, and Stafford Road (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Take items 20 through 22 together (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt orders for items 20 through 22 (auto repair shop license, curb removal, second hand article store) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt order for auto repair shop license renewals (item 23) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt order for auto repair shop license transfer at 605 Globe Street (item 24) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt Police Chief’s Report on Licenses (taxicab and livery drivers) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt order for permanent aerial fiber attachments on Bedford Street (item 26a) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt order for permanent aerial fiber attachments on Locust Street (item 26b) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt order for permanent aerial fiber attachments on Stonehaven Road (item 26c) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer claims to Corporation Counsel (item 27) (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file Assistant Corporation Counsel response to Open Meeting Law complaint (item 28) (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Refer communication regarding bus stop near 102 Laurel Street to Committee on Ordinances and Legislation (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Approve drainlayer application for JPB Construction Co., Inc. (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file Planning Board minutes of July 8, 2026 (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file Zoning Board of Appeals minutes of July 16, 2026 (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file notice of casualty and loss for 34 Friendship Street (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Accept and place on file notice of casualty and loss for 484 Highland Avenue (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lift item 6a (PEG Access appropriation) from the table (Approved unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Table item 6a (PEG Access appropriation of $586,600) (Tabled 8-1) | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adopt curb removal order as amended for 677 Meridian Street (item 10a) (Adopted unanimously) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Y = yes · N = no · A = abstained · P = present · — = absent. Votes the minutes do not record individually are inferred from the result and the attendance roll.