Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Board met on October 28, 2026, presided over by Mayor Paul E. Coogan. During citizens input, a written letter from resident Collin R. Dias was read into the record. Dias raised concerns regarding the structure and fairness of the TIF Board, specifically criticizing the formal board seat held by Jobs for Fall River (now operating as Bristol County Economic Development Consultants) and questioning why meetings are scheduled at 8:00 AM.
The board approved the meeting minutes from its October 6, 2026 meeting. The primary business before the board was an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Collin R. Dias alleging that Mayor Coogan’s transmittal letter sending three recommended TIF agreements to City Council President Cliff A. Ponte violated the Open Meeting Law. Board staff explained that the transmittal letter was an executive city function following a properly held public meeting and did not constitute a violation. The board voted unanimously to refer the complaint to the Law Department and Corporation Counsel for a formal response before adjourning.
Topics discussed
- 1:05 · Citizens Input regarding Jobs for Fall River and TIF Board Reform
Resident Collin R. Dias submitted written testimony questioning whether Jobs for Fall River (BCEDC) having a statutory seat on the TIF Board constitutes a conflict of interest, and raised concern about early morning meeting times. - 3:38 · Approval of October 6th Meeting Minutes
Motion made and approved to accept the minutes from the October 6th meeting. - 3:38 · Approval of the October 6th meeting minutes — approved
Approval of the October 6th meeting minutes - 3:38 · Motion to adjourn the meeting — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting - 3:49 · Open Meeting Law Complaint Referral to Corporation Counsel
The board discussed an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Collin R. Dias regarding the transmittal of three TIF agreements to the City Council and voted to refer it to the Law Department for response. - 5:41 · Referral of Collin R. Dias’s Open Meeting Law complaint to Corporation Counsel for response — referred
Referral of Collin R. Dias’s Open Meeting Law complaint to Corporation Counsel for response