12.9.2025 Fall River City Council - Health and Environmental Affairs

Marble over my

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Hey. Hey.

City Council Committee on Health and Environmental Affairs. We call to order.

Madam Cler, call the role, please.

Council Dion, Council Per here. Chair Repos here. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.

Attendees are therefore advised such recordings and transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and deemed acknowledged and permissible. Item number one is citizens input which we have none.

Second on our agenda is the minutes for the July 15, 2025 meeting.

Motion to approve.

Motion made by council prayer, seconded by myself. All in favor?

I.

The oppos have it.

Could I request that item five and six?

Four and five. Oh, I thought you said five and six.

Four and five.

Four and five.

Four and five. Taken out of order.

Taken out of order, please.

Motion to lift.

Motion to lift from the table made. I second. All in favor?

I.

You guys have it. So the resolution tabled on 128 is a discussion to decrease solid waste recycling costs so we can have members of the administration come down to discuss trash.

Basically it's you Mr. Olivera.

So we have our director of city operations.

Sir introduce yourself for the crowd.

Ala director of city operations.

Thank you very much. Uh I'll let you start with an update Mr. Al with regarding trash costs and recycling costs if you could.

Absolutely.

So just to recap, we uh we utilize easy um to collect our solid waste and recycling.

Solid waste is disposed at the new Befford District Refuge in Crapo Hill and we still have one more year under the warranty uh as an option for that.

One year remains or one year remaining. Yeah, we utilize we're use we're in new year two right now of a three-year contract.

Okay.

Recycles on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays get delivered to Harvey's in Rochester.

Recycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays uh easy drops off at Lewon Street. Tuesdays and th Tuesdays and Thursdays are generally uh more contaminated and we were paying penalties for that.

So what happens is the city uh receives the recycles and uh the city tries to mitigate some of the um concerns.

Harvey's will truck that down to its site back in Rochester. Um and currently what we try to do is try to utilize more compliance in those two areas uh or those two days. yard waste uh goes down to Freetown uh for a company called uh Capital School Department uh utilizes um a third party for its organics. Uh within the next 5 years um D is going to be very stringent on organics and we're

all going to have to be involved in that. Uh organics is about 20 to 25% of our waste.

Currently, we have a uh a draft for an RFP going out right now for solid waste and recycling. It was submitted to our mass DA D representative. She made some comments and within the next two weeks will be uh that will be on the streets for um for advertisement and u RFP.

That's for FY27.

That would be for 27.

Okay.

We currently have the cardboard pilot prank program going on in the north end and south end. Um those are going very well and we're looking at expanding that. Um at some point the administration is going to have to come down to uh redo some ordinances. Um some of the ordinances right now we have have still have the purple bags and we'll have to update that once we get the um RFP and information on that.

The city is currently is well since I remember since I've been here for years ago we've always been trying to look at any new technologies that would uh mitigate any type of waste generization.

Um Mass D is very stringent on any type of um incinerating. Um so everything we do we have to run through them to make sure that we're in compliance with any of that. So that's really the update, but right now within the next couple weeks, we'll have a really good idea of what's going on with the RFP.

Understood. Council Per, um you said that we're bringing stuff to Freetown to Capital.

Well, that's the organics. The organics were bringing it down. Capital. Yeah.

Is capital the unionized arm of easy?

No, no, no. That because easy has two. Absolutely.

They have capital and they have easy.

One is non-union, one is union. So it's not anything affiliated with that.

That's the name of the site. It's in Freetown.

Okay.

They don't own that.

And with Java bringing that to Rochester, um is easy dropping off there.

So easy on Wednesday, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are dropping it straight at Rochester because those are generally clean and we don't get penalized on Right.

We're bringing the Tuesdays and the uh Thursdays to Lon Street. But Monday, Wednesday, Friday, that's further away than it was when they went to Emport Road to Republic. So, they had to get extra trucks, correct?

To be able to go that route and back.

Um, you said that you're putting out the RFP. D's looked at it and you'll put out an RFP for companies to put in proposals to take our trash to take our trash to pick it up and to dispose of it or just to pick up. It'll be an it'll be an all-inclusive program, but we're not going to pigeon hole ourselves to if there's a better way and cheaper way of having some type of uh location, we're

going to make sure that we we have an alakat type of specification going out because if you're going to have one company that's going to pick up and dispose of versus a company who's going to pick up and dispose in different locations, um when will that RFP be ready for submission? So, it would have been ready a couple weeks ago, but the um the mask D had some comments and they

they they made some really good ideas for us. So, we we're'll looking at those and within the next two weeks, it'll be out on it'll be advertised.

Okay.

And it'll be out on the streets.

Lauren, if you could just make a notation when the RFPs come out, I want a copy of the RFP.

Absolutely.

To see what we're um putting out there.

Um, and the other thing is what is the total cost to date per year for trash and recycling?

Do you have that? Because that's I do. No, I do. We um the total cost um that we paid last year uh was $10 million.

$10 million out of our budget for trash.

Out of our budget. And we're not the only ones, council. There's every every city, every town's going through the same same concerns. Well, most cities and towns other than New Bedford because they have Crapo Hill, but Somerset, Westport, Dartmouth, Swansea, they all have some type of a program that people pay for.

They do.

And is have you heard anything from administration if that's something they're looking at or not?

Well, we're looking at everything. Um, I'm just I just I don't have that information right now to say.

I don't want to put you on the spot. We don't have the information, but if there's a if there's a need the way of savings, we're looking at that.

We're looking.

Okay. I know the recycling has been doing well and the way people shop, I know at my house, I have a mat on my door that says if you're from Amazon or Timu, drop off next door so my husband doesn't see all these packages coming in. But, um, we have a lot of cardboard and you can order the smallest thing and they put it in the biggest box. I don't know why. Um, and I'm looking forward

now if I have boxes like that and I don't want to put them in the trash.

Um, is it possible to just bring it myself to DCM?

So, that's some of the things that we're working on right now. Well, we're we're we're not we're not licensed to be a um a waste solid waste, but recycling we can. So, so we could bring the cardboard down there.

We could I didn't know that. And I know it's a little bit of an inconvenience to drive down there, but I would do it because we are working with Amazon to try to make sure that we can do something like that because they do have uh compactors that will accept cardboard and and I know that we're redoing Lewon Street area and if we're looking at different equipment, what's that equipment? And I wish I could remember

the name of it, but you could put a whole mattress in there and it would grind it all up or a coach and it would grind it all up. Are we looking at that?

We're looking at everything.

And what do you call it? Extra Well, there we have compactors and then we have extractors. Extractors.

Yeah. So, it's they just take the fabric out and they they re take the wood out and it's a whole process, but we're looking at that. Whatever we can do. No, the machine I saw they literally put the coach in and it cranked up everything.

So, well, okay. I don't have any other questions. I yield.

Thank you. Questions for me, Mr. Oliver.

Um, has there been any further changes on enforcement? I know we talked in the past about some of the citations. Have we made any progress on any of that that we discuss?

We have. We have. We've we've stepped we've stepped those processes up. uh specifically once we found out that we were receiving uh areas of concern throughout the city. So, we've stepped that up. Um now, some of the fines that are going into the systems, initially, if you didn't pay for that fine, then there was no way to collect it. So, now we're working on making sure we attach that to any permit, any type of

regulatory items that you're looking for. Um and we are we are capturing that. I just had someone the other day was really pretty upset that they couldn't get a permit because they still owed some uh uh funds. So, it's working.

Okay.

It's just not um not 100% yet.

Okay. What have you I know uh Miss Arkkey was working on that was was a part we discussed. Now that she's in her position, could you follow up with her to see if we can get some data on where we stand with the current fines, what's been collected, and also what's been attached if possible.

Second question I have is it was actually a call I took just before I came here. Um council Dion actually got it satisfied. Um a resident had requested a larger recycling bin and I guess the initial the initial answer was no until someone from trash enforcement went out and um somebody from trash enforcement went out and uh evaluated that they actually do do a lot of recycling. So, is it the

policy that what is the policy in general when it comes to if a resident wants a larger recycling bin? Is it just at a case by case basis? Is there a written policy when it comes to that?

It is. And then we we standardize for every resident. Um I think that situation that you were referring to, they did not have the right uh size at that point in time. When we did when we did evaluate it, we just brought them up to compliance.

Okay. That's good to see you. Thank you.

Um, and then my last question is the cardboard pilot. I know we've we've asked a few times about the pilot, how it's going. Um, if if possible get some data on how well it's going. I'm curious to to how it's helping us in the long term, but I know we even when uh Mr.

Devid was here, we talked a little bit about the expansion.

Is there any sort of concrete idea when it will expand?

Well, we we were hoping that we could have expanded a few months ago. Um but then we we were working on the specification to see how that how that came out. Once we once we have that come out, we'll have a better idea of what we can do with the timeline.

Uh I'm going to say probably within the next several months. Um springtime maybe.

I would say the spring only of the uh trying to work with the contractors that we get in.

Okay.

Understood. I appreciate that.

Any other questions, councel?

I I do. council.

Um just we're talking about um the totes. I had a gentleman that called me.

His daughter was divorced, became homeless, and she and her three children are residing with mom and dad, and he wanted another tote. Um and I know that we don't tend to do that because you just can't be putting more totes. But in situations like that where there's people that have become homeless living with another family, is there a way for them to get an extra tote or is it on a case by case that they

would call and speak to you?

It's very rare that we do that counselor only because there's a major cost to it.

Uh but nothing's out of the question.

So, we need we can look at into it to see if if we're doing that, but we're generally not doing that across the city because the the grandfather said, you know, I'm bringing trash to work and putting it in the dumpster because I can't have my trash higher than what fits in the tote and I don't want to get a ticket, but what do I do? And one of the children is in diapers. So, he said,

"I can't even tell you how much we go through with diaper." Now, I know I had two kids. I get it. Um, but maybe that's something to look into. Even when you're looking at trash, when we talked about it before, I had a woman that called me lives on June Street. She owns a six family. In her six family, there's one person that lives in every apartment there. Just one person. She has a

recycling bin and I believe two um regular trash bins. She only fills up one trash bin and one recycle bin for the whole, you know, the whole time. and she for the week and she was upset when she heard that maybe six families would pay more for trash and that was out there. She said, "Has the city thought about charging per tote that you have?"

Just throwing it out there when you're trying to figure out what we financially.

There is there is a major cost to the totes. So that's that's one of the major concerns that we have. And then but waste mitigation starts with recycling.

If we can recycle better, and that's part of what the program that we're putting together. If we can recycle better, then you're going to have less solid waste.

Well, we still haven't done the education piece that the state mandated us to do when Flanigan put in the purple bags through the board of health. Um, there was never that educational piece.

Well, I will tell you I will tell you that we are working with our Mass D representative, uh, Missy. She is fabulous. We She's putting a program together. We're going to be doing videos. It it it's the program's going to be kicking in and I'm hoping straight after spring. So, it's it would be helpful if all of your departments had department heads or managers that you could take the time to

do all of these other issues that are important to us, right?

Uh and to the community. So, I understand that. I know I see your car here on Saturdays and sometimes when I leave here for a meeting at 7:00, I see your car. Uh so, I thank you for all the work you're putting in. It is appreciated. With that, I yield.

Thank you. Um, I would ask councelor to um, you want to table, if you can table this for the next uh, the next chairperson of this committee to take it on in the new year.

Motion to table.

Motion made to table. Second by myself.

All in favor?

I I the eyes have it. We'll move on to item number five, which is a resolution to convene with city administration, administrator of community utilities, the director of community maintenance, and any concerned citizens to seek ways to reduce or sub activities that negatively affect the environment of the Copa neighborhood table 22825. Need a motion to to motion to lift.

Motion made and seconded. All in favor?

I.

The eyes have it. We'll have uh director of community utilities come down. We have some concerned residents to come down. Deputy Chief JT Horus here as well to join us. Come on down.

Al, there's a chair over there.

Right here.

Hi. Nice to meet you. Live a couple blocks.

Hello everyone. Welcome. If we could just go around the table clockwise here and introduce each other with your name and address, please.

John Wy, 342 Bulock Street.

Katie Wyant, 342 Bulock Street.

Sarah Riley, 1679 Copa Cut Road.

Uh Paul Ferland, the administrator of community utilities, city.

JT deputy chief of operations for police.

Alar, director of city operations.

Excellent. All right. So, let's go around to Miss Riley. Let's start with you first.

Well, because this has a lot to do with the Copa neighborhood. So, I know you're the eyes and ears of the ground.

So, why don't we start with some updates? Um, just some general updates where we go and then I think we'll bounce to Deputy Chief War to see what what he has on the police.

Mr. Lassio, I'm sorry.

Mr. Lassio, Mr. Lassio, do you want to join us?

We'll just have to get another chair.

No. Uh, Lauren.

Oh, we got it.

He's got one.

He who comes last seat.

Yeah, I promise it's comfortable.

Mike Leos here on the forer for the reservation.

Thank you.

So, so we've been meeting with the mayor um and having an informal task force meeting. We've had a couple meetings.

Um, we've really made a lot of ground.

We've covered a lot of ground. Um we have been um um they've changed how they coordinate in the communication with their plans for um interdep department communication. So, um they're streamlining, I think, the process of um trying to sort out like where whether um who communicates with who in order to track the garbage and track the problems to make sure that the police department is making sure that they're

investigating all of the dumping as opposed to DCM cleaning something up before the police department has a chance to do an investigation. Um we're looking at increasing civil fines.

Um but instead the FRPD intends to prosecute all of the illegal dumping with the criminal um to the fullest extent of the law. So good.

Instead of civil fines, it's really going to be the criminal fines.

And ju and just for context, the the committee on ordinances discussed that had that discussion recently regarding fines and that was uh part of the discussion that uh the police department is looking to go after criminally versus the civil piece.

We're going to have new standardized signage. Um, it's being designed right now and it's going to be throughout the city. Um, the FRPD is coordinating with the DA and the judge so that everyone's on board um to affect change so that they know our intention to affect change. Uh, the FRPD has a new policy about illegal dumpers um who've been caught and we're making strong examples of them. Um, you could see the most

recent one, Kyle Korea. Um, officer Brum caught him and you know they put a blast on Facebook and it had 1.8,000 8,000 likes and 200 shares and whatever else.

The story um was picked up by the Channel 10 News and it was circulated throughout Rhode Island. So, you can see the public's readiness for change because they're supporting that. Um Officer Braum and Maduras also have been working on um a new case. They got a con confession last week. They caught someone um jumping on the Is that on the causeway?

Sure. On the causeway. Yeah.

Yeah. So they'll they'll use that also as an example. Um we discussed EP shifts and possib the possibility of multiple EP vehicles. Uh but for various reasons, the department is going to keep that, you know, in order to cover more ground in the reservation, but they're going to keep that as it is for now. Um we're communicating um with mass EPS. There was um a spider that was just dumped and

burned on the um national grid lines last month. We've been coordinating with them and trying to get them on board to understand and appreciate on this administrative level what we're trying to accomplish and how we're trying to affect change. Um the city has procured 10 cameras.

Um I think Deputy Chief can talk about the technology that they have, but then there's another like six trail cameras that are coming. Um plus the two from National Grid once they finish once the National Grid cameras come through. Yeah. Um, we've discussed feasible uh cost-effective ways to remove bulky items that are a little bit more cost-effective for like a possibility for a pay as you throw

um negotiating with a new contract with Republic. It's I mean it's just an idea that we've been tossing around. I don't know whether that's even possible, but we're discussing it. Um, we're talking about requiring garbage haulers to be licensed and bonded with the city to prevent petty Facebook dumpers, which is oftentimes the problem when people are, you know, advertising to collect garbage and then they're just

dumping it in the forest because they don't want to pay for it. Um, that's pretty much it.

Yeah, we were, that was where Mayor Kugan came in and said, you know, I just pull that mic closer to you, please. Thank you. If there are deals out there from people that are sounding too good to be true as far as their cost for for removal, it's too good to be true. They're doing something with that.

So, anybody who's telling you they can get rid of a trailer's worth of garbage for $100 is not being truthful on that. So there was the concept of having it come down through ordinance that they need to be bonded and registered and have some sort of permit to be uh like a junk removal removal type of service. So okay to the deputy chief to that point.

Yeah I've seen that online you know in other other municipalities across the country of people doing that especially on Facebook marketplace. So I would imagine that's something you guys are watching. Um you want to add some points deputy chief? Uh I'll just comment that obviously uh in the infantile stages of this discussion it's been a problem obviously that's ongoing and has has

raised many concerns not only on the environmental level but also just from the the public uh view and and perception of the city and what people are able to get away with here. Um, but with the support of uh the mayor and the administration and the council, we're able to procure uh 10 more cameras to add to our city camera network uh which is uh a high-tech way of being able to

identify offenders um as it relates to any type of criminal investigation. So, we've solved numerous dumping cases because of that technology. Uh Mr.

Alivera's team was able to procure some trail cameras that have advanced technology as well. Uh, which will be able to work hand in hand. But I think simply what it is is having a a team come together and talk about putting a system in place so that people understand who to report this to and that it actually gets to the police.

Even if it's an open-ended incident where we don't may not have a suspect, it may be unidentifiable uh items that are dropped off, construction waste that may not have mail mixed in with it or what have you.

Uh the bigger thing is on our side uh we're having a better way of tracking it. Uh and we've also identified that these incidents can be reported to us later on. So if uh DCM goes out to a site where there's numerous things that are dropped off and we're not able to get there right then and there, we're asking them to take pictures um takes them down some uh you know interim

information and then we'll have an officer put a report together so that we can start to kind of put together like a hotspot map and kind of connect some crimes together because a lot of these individuals if they dump once and there's no consequence they're going to do it two, three, four, five times until they get caught. So, uh, as far as the penalties, uh, kind of going on the fines associated with, uh, trash

enforcement as well as, uh, dumping, uh, the issue is is that I think attorney Ramsey when he was here, the last meeting we had spoke to, uh, about half the fines were paid. The other half kind of were in limbo with no followup or any type of uh, repercussion. I felt that it was more important if we charge under the law. The penalties are higher uh, and there's some teeth in it. So, we

reached out to the district attorney's office. They were very receiving of a process to be put in place uh so that the city can seek restitution as part of being a victim in the case. So, anything that happens on city property, we've had an uptick in some of the public parks where dumping has occurred. Um if we're able to identify a suspect in that, then we're able to then proceed for

restitution. So, uh, these cases are now being more highlighted at the DA's office and we're tracking them on our side. Uh, I think one of the confusions that were happening was we needed to estimate how much it was to get rid of that trash right then and there. Now, we've got some language that we put in our reports when it goes to the DA's office that they know that an invoice

will be coming or an estimate will be coming. So, as we know, things don't get solved quickly in court. It's usually several months before it reaches uh a resolution. But with that said, we'll have a bill that needs to be settled up.

So then the judge will be able to determine the restitution that would be paid to the city. So uh it's kind of always uh in the past kind of working in deals, if you will. Uh hey, if that guy comes and takes away this stuff, then we won't prosecute. Well, I'm done doing deals. We're prosecuting. They'll have their day in court and then they can let a judge know uh that they won't do it

again. But we're not out here to have any type of discretion like that.

Good. Yeah. you I'll give kudos to everybody because clearly there's a better line of communication going on here. There's there's some all the hands are on deck as far as taking this issue uh with great seriousness not only just in the copa cut but also as you mentioned deputy chief in the parks as well. So kudos to the team working together to uh make some forward progress. Council prayer

one of the questions I have when we talk about signage does the signage have the amount that a person would be fined or is it a sign that just says no dumping here? I think that we're going to probably we're going to put the criminal the criminal signs up. Yeah.

Because the dentistes had done a whole littering campaign with um some of the students at Dery and they have plenty of signs that say, you know, keep fall clean, don't litter here, something like that. They already have it. And but 300 300 or 500 is not going to deter people versus what is it? 3,000 uh 5,500 on the first offense, right? Well, in those criminal charges, Attorney Rumsey is supposed to come back

to ordinance to also separate if it's tires or if it's construction debris, that type of thing. And what you're saying about having people licensed, I think is a good idea because there was a guy that went to some tire shop way down the south, hey buddy, I'll get rid of all the tires for a buck a piece. and they ended up down at Duro and I think it was Glenn Hathaway. You know, he kept

going, going, going until he caught him uh there. And you know, if people don't have the money to pay for something, then the judge needs to make them do 30 hours of community service, send them up to the reservation, let them clean. Once they have to clean, they understand, you know, what it is for everybody. It It's unfortunate that we're sitting here around a table discussing people who

discard things in places that they shouldn't. I mean, really, what kind of a world do we live in? I mean, years ago, people swept their gutters, clean the, you know, now we have to send a street sweeper out. We didn't do that when I was a kid. That was a Saturday chore. You cleaned it. And it's unfortunate that people don't have enough respect or pride in their community to be, you know, throwing

things. But that other one that that you caught last time up in the reservation, I think you and I spoke about it. U we spoke about it. Um where he was from Worcester, correct?

I mean, you wasted all that gas to come from Worcester down here and back to put trash here because we're easy. We're not, you know, we're not going after people. Other communities are so and the reservation they look because the streets there aren't that good. so that you don't have traffic going back and forth all the time, which is good and bad, but they figure that's a a quick

place where we can just dump things and scaddle out of here. And I know you said you have the extra cameras now um up there. Um and we can't say where the cameras are because the cameras will be moved constantly. Some of them are we can transport them to different locations. And I think that's um that's pretty good. And I'll wait for attorney Ramsey to come down with that um to

bring to ordinance to differentiate what the different fines will be.

I mean, it doesn't hurt to to raise those fines and to to create that scale.

I just think that right now prosecuting under the law gives us a little bit more leverage until there's a system in place and the resources in the city to be able to uh chase that money and then have uh you know, leans put on properties and what have you so that people can be forced to pay.

Yeah. I mean, I had one on Shaverson Street. There was a television set. It went to three different houses. Every everybody that lived on the street, this isn't mine. They move it to the next house. They move it till finally, you know, DCM had to go pick it up and we don't know who put it there. So, but now people have Ring cameras and stuff. So, I think we're catching more. And that

was one of the things too with the signage, making sure it was noted to that uh these areas are heavily patrolled and monitored with because letting them know that if you're if people are watching, you're less likely to do it, right?

And that was one of the reasons they were using those areas is because especially at night, there aren't a lot of people that are out there.

Well, the cameras have all night vision on them, so that's a plus. and that's where our water is. So, we don't want our water to be contaminated. And the the reservation with Mr. Lavasia, they've done a lot of stuff up there with trails and hiking and things like that. And it's it's like a hidden gem in the city um that people, you know, can really go for a lot of outdoor recreation with kids. It's free, doesn't

cost you anything, and we want to keep it clean up there. But thanks. Everybody seems to um be on on target of working together and that's the only way you get things done.

Yeah, we have a big awareness campaign that we're rolling. Well, the police department's really rolling out see something, say something.

Yes, I had talked to Chief the other day too about it.

Um but thank you very much. With that, I yield.

Thank you. Ma, are you is your department responsible for the signage being done or is that going to fall under Miss MacArthur?

No, that's where that's through the traffic department. So, we'll get those signs.

Any idea when when we should see them? I I'll work with uh Stephanie on that.

All right. Just give us an update when you have we'll uh we'll have those placed at at those locations.

Okay. Mr. Furlin, Mr. Dasio, do you want to add anything to our discussion here today?

Uh so just a couple of things again, you know, um it's an issue that's we've been plaguing with for years right now. The way that everybody's communicating, everybody's coming together, it's great.

Um you know, the police department with their additional EPO that they that they have out there now, they have three out of the positions filled. I think that's a great uh a good positive in that in that particular area. Um plus as uh mentioned going with the criminal fines and actually uh going after people know we definitely appreciate that. Uh so that uh hopefully people get wind of

that and it deters them right off off the back from even thinking of going out there. Um, so the other thing really that uh um you know again it's something that we've been dealing with for years, but I think there's a lot more people out there for the positive uses like like you mentioned counselor. Uh so if somebody again sees something, call somebody. Let let somebody know, hey, I

saw this truck. Snap a picture of their license plate. um you know and pass it on to Mike or the PD or or somebody um you know just if it looks suspicious somebody with a pickup truck that has stuff in the back or something like that you know maybe they did something maybe they didn't but you know to have that information is definitely beneficial I think probably as as go down the line so

the more eyes that are out there from the public that are helping us as well definitely is positive Lassia I think the only thing I would add um I' I'd give props to my two uh caretakers out there as Hector Perez and Jeff Bordon. They are very diligent and um some of this stuff is not pleasant to uh handle and and deal with. And I think we use the broken window theory. you know,

as as fast as we can, if there's something out there, we will pick it up because I think we we you know, we believe that if the place looks respectable and that's reflected in, you know, the way we manage the place and it doesn't give a person the idea to go back and, you know, be a repeat offender, we have a number of um, you know, regulars out there and some of the

residents who will send me an email with some, you know, special treasure on Indian Town Road or something and we'll get out there and clean it. And we've and I've been co um coordinating more with Joe Kennedy recently uh on a couple of different items. And um we just want to make sure before we pick something up that if there's evidence to be found, it's discovered. And you know, we're not

we're not uh shy about if we have to go through it, we'll we'll we'll find it if it's there because it's um you know, the more the more that that the the folks on the on the street that are doing the cleanup know that we've got their back, you know, that we're trying to find the pers, we're trying to uh prosecute and we're trying to uh you know uh because that that's taking away from our

mission. Our mission is not to be picking up trash on the sides of roads.

we're supposed to be taking care of the the watershed forests and and you know all the all the forestry stuff that that has to do with. So, it's kind of a shame that we have to, like you stated before, it's a shame that we have to allocate our resources, uh, in a way that wasn't in, you know, wasn't intended in our job descriptions, but, um, I think I I think

I've just noticed in the last few weeks, I think I think we've we've made a little progress. And, uh, uh, I hope it keeps up.

And now that we're seeking restitution, we'll be getting more money for the city to manage, you know, the overhead really of managing this problem.

Absolutely. When I was first on the council, we never talked about litter.

People weren't littering.

I know it seems like a lifetime ago, but no.

And and Mr. Oliver, I know we're emphasizing what's going on in this location. Uh but we're going to take that program and all over bring it around the city. So, that was um the draw to it.

Yeah.

No. Yeah. It's it's obviously this this particular resolution focuses on the Copa Cup, but it is a it's a citywide issue. I know myself, I mean, I've called uh Joe plenty of times with dumping, you know, driving into school every morning on Alden Street and then Father Travaso. So, we we I see it on that end, too. Um but it's it's important that um you know what I'm happy about this moment is that, you

know, we have residents come forward with with a passion for concerning in their neighborhood. Um and even my neighbors who took me out to to go visit the woods, um you know, and see it firsthand of what that looks like. So, I'm glad that again everybody's here and kudos to the mayor for for being open to this conversation to work on this. Um, and obviously as we go into a new council year, uh, whoever is the

chairman of this of this committee, we'll keep this conversation hopefully going and, uh, we'll have more discussions and ordinance as as it precludes to fines and what have you.

So, um, anything else from anybody here?

Kate and I are still digging up legacy garbage.

Those tires have been out there. Those tires man.

Those tires are probably 75 years old. There's at least 10 more that we know of in that area that we kind of saw the tops of and that will be the plan in the spring.

Um we'll bring all of our muscle and time for a new visit. I'll I'll go with the Jeep. I'll go with you.

Yeah. Yeah. But I I announced one thing that we've we've put that offer out to anybody who you know, obviously there are areas out there that are not necessarily the most easily accessible.

And I think it brought it to a kind of a new visual for you when we were standing there and I said, "Hey, look, I'm picking up trash right here, but see this water 3 ft from us? See this river that's running?"

Currently, the Copa Cut reservoir is what 22% of the drinking water, something like that. 19 something like that. So, I mean, it's a good visual because when you're in your kitchen and you turn your faucet on, you expect and be paid to have clean drinking water.

You don't want to think about somebody's garbage floating around in it. 100%. No, I I agree. I appreciate your efforts. I really do. And thank you to all of you for working together and coordinating uh this process. Um so I would entertain council prior a motion table.

Made and seconded. All in favor?

I.

The eyes have it. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

You can stay there, Mr. F. It's fine.

Perfectly fine.

Do some housekeeping. That's all.

So next on our agenda is the resolution to convene with interested parties to discuss the development of Davis Park and related funding is adopted 9223.

I would advise the committee at this time there's really no action to be taken on this. Um so I would entertain a motion grantly to withdraw because unless you feel otherwise council part the only thing that I would say about Davis Bach is do you want to lift it from the table?

I'll lift it. Motion to lift from the table.

Motion to lift.

on one second.

Pick it up the microphone. Thank you.

So, council prayer has made a motion to lift from the table. I'll second. All in favor?

I All the eyes have it. Council prayer.

I The only thing about this resolution and the development of Davis Park is Davis Park is a nice area. Uh they're saying that it can't be used as a park because fire trucks can't get in there and ambulance can't get in there. Well, that's because of the gate that they have in front, but I think that it it should be used as a passive park and that some of the residents in that area

don't even know that that is a park that they could use. Um, sometimes people with young children that Meridian Street area has really developed with the old golf course now having all those houses and um I wish that the park not department maybe we can let uh Darren Madurus know over at the park department maybe they can put some kind of a a sign there that says a park for passive

recreation just to allow people to be able to use it as well. Um again, uh it was donated to the city for that purpose.

Correct.

And I think that it would be nice and there are people who would use it appropriately.

Yeah. And I know at the last council meeting we they discussed that the safety concerns were removed for the park. Yeah.

So it's it's pretty much right now an open area. U but I know that the purpose of the resolution was to discuss development which obviously is not not a thing in in the current uh future. Well, I think developing would be to remove that fence somehow to allow people to be able to park. Correct. If you want to go to that park, there's really no place to park your car. Just

to open it up so that you can have a few parking places there where people could, you know, go with young children. We don't have a a swing set or there's nothing there at this point, I don't believe.

I don't believe so.

Um, they had taken that all down. But, you know, sometimes people want to go for a little bit.

So, be it.

So I would I would make a motion to to table it and see what can be done by the next committee.

Fair enough. Motion made to table. I'll second it. All in favor?

I.

The eyes have it.

Item number six is a resolution to convene quarterly to review and discuss the water supply and water filtration plant. It's tabled 71525.

Motion council.

A motion to lift from the table.

Motion to lift from the table made and seconded. All in favor?

I.

The eyes have it. We'll invite again our guests from the water department.

Thank you very much, counselors.

No problem.

Uh just for the record again, Paul Ferland, administrator community utilities.

Thank you.

Jim Cario, president of the Wuppa Water Board.

Michael Bossi, the Forester for the Wata reservation.

Thank you. Gentlemen, welcome back again.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Furland. I'll start with you. Uh let's have our quarterly update and I again I'll say that I appreciate these quarterly updates to keep the residents updated what's going on with our water supply and our filtration plants.

Yeah.

So I'll the floor is yours sir.

All right. Excellent. Thank you very much councelor. Um so as of uh as of this afternoon pond is negative - 23 in 23.4 in below full pond. Uh north upper pond is 35.8 in below full pond.

Beautiful. Uh this year we did pump from Copa uh most of the summer. Uh it was off for a little while while we had a uh an issue with the coupling between the motor and the pump. We got that repaired inhouse with our own staff uh and got that pump back on. Uh so our Northwood Tupper Pond right now uh is in really good shape compared to the place that a

lot of reservoirs were uh this year. Um you know and and that was due to us running the one pump out at Copa. Uh, one thing that we do have slated is, uh, to replace those pumps. Those pumps are original to the pump station. Uh, 1972, I believe that those were built. So, that's on our slate in the near future to be able to replace those pumps, replace those motors, uh, and become

more efficient. Um, out of that pump station uh, out at Coput Dam, we're working with Diamond. uh we're on this slate of schedules to get them out there, update some of the lighting, update some of the other uh some of the other electrical components and stuff inside of that building. Um you know, they're they're a great partner for all the projects that we do uh out in that area. Um down at our water treatment

plant, our water treatment plant, uh we've uh you know, we're we're up online with all of our uh equipment. Um we have been in the middle of replacing our sodium hypocchlorite tanks. Uh so those are the chemical tanks uh that hold these sodium hypocchlorite 12% bleach which we use for dis disinfection in our finished water. Um so uh those tanks were about 10 years old. Um developed

leaks down around the flanges. The style tanks we weren't able to uh put a bladder in or anything like that. Uh so uh we remove those tanks. Uh the new tanks are installed now. We're just finishing up the plumbing uh and piping for those tanks. All that work is being done inhouse with our own staff. So we're not do we haven't had to subcontract out any of that work. So uh

would takes us a little bit longer naturally because you know we have a limited maintenance staff and we get to pull guys off when emergencies come up.

But uh the savings is just dramatic being able to have our own staff be able to uh to do that work inhouse. So, uh, fully staffed. We have a couple of, uh, couple of staff members that are, uh, out for medical right now at the treatment plant, but other than that, uh, as far as operators and everything else, we're we're fully staffed down there. Uh, up in our water maintenance

division. Uh, we are short a couple of staff members up uh, in the maintenance division. Um, that division, we do get a fair amount of turnover and stuff like that. So, sometimes it's always chasing uh, chasing chasing the uh, chasing up there. Uh um we do have uh hopefully some potential candidates coming up to be able to uh to fill those positions.

Um within our uh we just filled down at the treatment plant. The clerk's position was empty. We just filled that position. Uh and then in water administration, we have one clerk's position that is uh that is open right now as well. So kind of just broad overview of uh of whole department. Of course, council prayer, when you're talking about um the different levels, the ponds and things,

I had gotten a call about Saudi Pond that Saudi pond was very low um because one one of the gentlemen um a veteran that I know uh he was pulling in um a pontoon boat that he had getting it in and he had a hard time because it was hitting the rocks. Uh so you had to wait till like a few people came to to move it. Why why was that low? Were we

pulling from there as well?

No. Uh so Shorty Pond naturally had uh you know it it this summer even though there was a fair amount of rain, there was also a fair amount of times without rain. Um a lot of the ponds did get kind of low this year. Uh South Matupa low uh South Watupa pond was was pretty low at points. Um but uh with Saudi Pond uh we have that dam. So that dam is actually

uh Route 77 is part of that dam. Uh and there's uh two spillways. One that has uh flashboards boards that that go up uh and then there's one to the uh to the west of that more that's that's a little bit more concealed. Um the one with the flashboards uh some of those boards are worn uh a little bit. So there was uh some gaps in that board those boards

that did allow a little bit more water through uh our staff. We were able to go out there after you contacted me. We were able to go out there. We put a steel plate in front of those in front of those boards and a rubber mat uh which stopped a lot of that uh a lot of that minor leakage. Um and as I said, we do have that dam right now under design

uh for reconstruction with grants from the office of dam safety. Uh once we get that fully designed, we hope to be able to have funding either through grants or uh through the city to be able to move forward to rehab that.

Now, the positions you have available, those are all posted.

Uh the Yeah, we do have laborers positions. I know with the change in Massachusetts law on postings, there was some that had to come down. Uh so I needed to update those and I need to work with HR in those. recently about about three weeks ago you think there was a change in like from water maintenance or whatever when they leave are they going to another department because I find whether it's park department DCM

department or water department maintenance crews or facilities man everybody's got different unions and you know if you're in this department you'll make a dollar more an hour if you're in that department you make $2 more an hour it just seems to be that people move within within the city the city itself There there is some movement there. Um we used to see a lot more of that movement out of the water department uh

recently. I I would have to say over the past three or four years we haven't yeah we haven't seen as much movement out of we actually had one person that moved uh from DCM to the water department and uh it was actually a bit of a paper cut for him but he he uh you know felt it was just what he wanted to work on more was was the work that the water department

does. Um so uh again you know it's a u um well and it's almost like in the water filtration department people who are working in that department need to have certain licenses.

Yep.

You have to take tests and you have to get these different licenses and if they're you know they can't be paid the same as somebody else who is working somewhere that doesn't need a license.

So I know they had done anou on that to try to help out because we were having a hard time keeping people.

Yeah. No, without a doubt. Um, you know, and that and that was definitely uh something, you know, working with licensed operators, uh, down there, the licensed operators again in distribution as well. You know, we have the different grades for when people get those licenses as well as stipens. When they get those licenses, you know, they're paid for those licenses. Uh, and that's what's needed. Um, because, you know,

uh, we're battling all the other communities need these license operators, too. So it's it's a tough thing that uh tough thing to battle with but you know with the support of the council and the administration we were able to get that um you know morale through the whole department seems to be very good uh which um you know I I found o over the time that sometimes uh you know morale plays a lot people enjoy

going to work they enjoy the people that they work with uh they enjoy the environment um you know the people that are overseeing them and stuff like that they enjoy or the environment that they're in. Um they may not leave to go to another community uh for a dollar or two more. Um you know, and we've had people that have left uh they come back, you know, so uh the grass isn't always

greener on the other side. Um but uh but which is a great thing. So I know you're going to be at finance tonight at the council meeting, so there's other questions that don't fall relative to what's on this particular resolution. Yep.

So I'll hold my questions for for after.

Absolutely. Thank you that I yield.

Mr. Tero, you have anything to add?

Well, I think uh Paul summed it up. Uh we're 35 below, which in my opinion is exactly where you want to be going into what appears to be a good old-fashioned winter. Um that's going to cut down on the impact of ice against the retaining walls, the Wilson Road causeway, etc., etc. That was one of the things that damaged the walls over the years is once we lost the industrials, the pond level

stayed high through the winter and then you you get a you know you get a hard freeze and you know that ice works against you. So uh right now we really came through the uh it was a drought. It it was a drought period. Many communities had to u they had to implement water restrictions. We didn't.

And um that's a good thing.

That's one blessing we have for sure.

Yeah. Yeah. And as you were discussing, I mean the impact of cop Paul monitored that quite closely and we watched it.

It's interesting because you pump out a coput. A lot of people don't understand that coput ends in a swamp and then it percolates through the King Phillip swamp. And there are two access, Blossom Brook and um King Phillip.

King Phillip. Yeah. Our good friend King Phillip. And that's how the water gets in the south in the north pond.

Excellent. Just one question in relation to water with obviously that really first cold freeze that we had recently.

Um you know Veterans Day was cold and this past week was cold. Have there been any major incidents as far as pipes freezing and bursting and all in the city?

Uh freezing yesterday.

Freezing and bursting. No. Do we have water mane breaks underground? Yes. Um what what I've observed a lot is uh you get a lot usually in the change in the water temperature. Uh, so the air temperature doesn't affect us four feet down on the pipes, but when the water temperature changes, so you get a you get them, you know, you get them midfall when your nights start to get cooler and

you start to see your water temperatures drop, that's when you start to see them more often. Uh, I think more recently with the real cold spell that we've had here, that's, you know, you start to look at even some of these small ponds in the Quicker Shann and stuff, they're getting an ice coat on them. So that water is down to 32, 33°. a little ice on the north.

Yeah. So, you're starting to get that.

So, that's a real another temperature drop. Last night, we did have one Milicanin Boulevard. Um, you know, that was a water mane break. Uh, we had we had a crack around, uh, you know, circumference around the pipe. During the day, we went out, the, uh, staff dug it and repaired that. Uh, sometime around four or five o'clock. Uh, a section of that pipe blew apart. Uh, and, uh, you know, we responded out

there. Uh again, you know, we get help from DCM. They come out with assalters in these type of circumstances cuz you know, it's uh 15° out, 20° out. The guys are out there with the water on the ground and everything else. Uh so DCM assist us and I know it went by today when they were cleaning up the area. DCM was out there with the street sweeper and stuff helping us as well clean up

the area. So we do have those incidences. Um, you know, again, uh, the city, we still have a lot of water manes that are 150 years old now. You know, we used to talk about the hundredy old ones, but it's been a while that we've been talking about, and now they're coming up on 150 year old. So, uh, you know, there still is a lot of those again. Uh, you know, the, uh, the 247

that it originally started out with, the water man replacement. You know, President Tero remembers that he was at the infancy of that program. Um, you know, that water mane replacement program. We still have mains that need to be replaced. So, we need to remember that going forward. Um, that there's still work that needs to be done in our system. Uh, you know, we have a plant we have a plant that's 50 years old. Uh,

you know, so there's going to be updates that are needed there and, uh, some of those are going to be talked about in finance tonight.

Understood. Anything else, gentlemen?

Mr. Lassio, do you want to talk about the interlog in?

Well, like so I think one of the one of the things we like to do and I always bring these if you ever want these, you know, there's a million of them at at at headquarters is the unified trail map and and um the library too.

There's at the library. Good. Yeah, we try to place them at different places like uh Heritage State Park lobby in the Government Center.

Um so um one of the things I I think we we like to do You know, there's a lot of land assets that of course surround the the the water supply and and for a good reason how it it protects it protects the water supply, keeps the purity of the water, but we like to have an occasional um a tour of the grounds, if you will. And so we did the interlocking

again this year. We've done that in the past.

That was on a Sunday.

It was on a Saturday.

Saturday. They were parking at Diamond.

Yes.

The people that went because I live near there. It was unbelievable. Everybody had such good comments.

Well, that's great. And did you bring your classes there for a tour?

Springtime.

Yeah, we actually do Esperto Santo, the trolley tours, the famous tours. Um but the interlocking is special because it's a restricted area for obvious reasons.

And um and there's also a mystique about it. You know, when you when there's something out there, it's kind of a tease and you're on Route 24. What is that? You know, the kids think it's a castle or something. But um so when we open it up and surprisingly I mean we get a lot of a lot of repeat customers because there's a lot of history buffs in the city and they and they like to

see the the ice house, the Spencer Bordon um mansion foundation and all of that. Um in the past we've had some really colossal numbers that really surprised us. So we set it up this year to have a um shuttle parking at uh Diamond and we had the trolley and we rented a a bus as well. Um so um and we have some volunteers that help us. We we have, you know, we call out a bunch of

staff as well, but um especially uh Bill Gonsel and his family uh and Eron Korea was another one. And actually Dr. Phil Sylvia came out this year to help as well. And he loves it. And uh um uh this year we had um QR codes.

So Bill and his and his son set up a scan so that the different stops along the way. There's this there's like four or five different points of interest. He scanned it and people could you know that that have that capability were able to listen to a narration by sounded like masterpiece theater actually. It was really it was quite elegant and um uh but you know people got to spend you

know if they wanted hours there we I think it was was it 9 to 1 or something like that. It's pretty yeah it was a full day. It was a full day and it was we seem to luck out with the weather. I should never say that.

Um, but we had good weather and uh a lot of folks came out and and a lot of good questions and uh and and every year I think one of the things we try to do with interlock and it's it's not it's not it's not a high priority because we have other like fire lanes and things that really need but we always try to every year ratchet up the the care of it

a little bit more you expand an area maybe get access to something we hadn't seen in previous years and we'd like to you know continue to do that as usually it's a winter thing when we kind of get caught up on the seasonal stuff will get out there and um and people notice it and so right now we've got some some pretty good um uh access to a lot of different sites on there and um people

responded to that. I just wanted to add to what Mike's saying. Um, if you look at the old photographs, if you look at a, you know, sepia tone black and white using AI now, you can animate those photos. And, um, I sent Mike some stuff today. Um, we've been kicking the idea around, you know, that it' be a fun thing to do to to get somebody like Bill Gonzalo and and be able to get those old

photographs. And Westport Historical is doing it. And they've got these wonderful pictures of people. And there's one of a a farmer leading a horse with the still and then using AI to animate it and he leads the horse out of the barn.

It would be amazing if we could replicate that kind of stuff and have available um for interlocking and and woe to us that we never got the uh inside of that steam generated plant.

That would have really been a a beauty to have. But we're digging into the old archives and now the historical society reopening will I think be up there this winter searching for some stuff. But uh be pretty the interlock and these guys did a heck of a job.

A heck of a job. Kudos.

People love it.

Yeah, it's good. and and obviously we we talked many of times before getting the community out in more of these these different community activities and and getting to see more about what the water department is than just the people who ask for water and sewer rates. So, it's it's good to get the education out and I appreciate what you what you all do for for the community as well.

Uh Mr. Furlet, anything else?

Yeah, so just one more thing. Uh you know uh just one note uh not a good thing that's happening to the water department but a good thing for Mike.

Uh, he'll be moving on soon, retiring.

Uh, retiring. Why? Why do you need to retire? Come on. I need to say it to me.

I'm putting him on the spot here. I didn't tell him I was going to do this.

Very selfish of you, Mike.

But me.

Yeah. He's moving on to his next chapter, so this will probably be his last quarterly uh quarterly meeting in front of the committee.

Big loss.

Huge loss.

Huge loss. But God bless you.

Yeah, absolutely.

And retire, spend time with your family, and enjoy life. He has done an incredible job grant writing.

Yeah.

The land acquisition, building bridges between other groups that never never heard of Fall River like Trustees of Reservations and Buzzards Bay Coalition. Mike Mike has done missionary work. It's it's but he's close, you know. We can get to Maine.

Oh, and I go to main, you know, have him pop in once in a while too.

Mr. Labosi, I'll let you have the last word.

Yeah. Well, thank thank you. I didn't expect this. Um, but I I do want to say, um, as third generation Fall River, you know, the French Canadians on the in the south end, um, um, growing up in the city, um, the Wata reservation wasn't anything on my radar screen in the 70s and, you know, and earlier. hate to say, but um um it's it's it's been it's been um a

real privilege to be able to be involved working in this in my hometown um on on what I regard as a worldclass natural resource. I mean the water I mean we don't you know the superlatives about the water itself you know don't need to be said but the idea that you know these uh those before us the forefathers or whatnot in 1870 had the foresight to to put this thing aside and on any

given day I'm not sure everybody sort of is on is understands what a what a um just a a great thing that was and so it's been a privilege to be able to sort of steward those lands and to help take care of it and we've gone through a lot of different um different things over time. I think the in the late 90s when monies became available to have a new resurgence of land conservation that

that was important um you know and we still have some more work to do in that in terms of some of the shoreline of the Northwood upper that we think is protected is not. So, um, but I mean I I think that the water department has been very, uh, I'll use the word frugal in terms of not spending sort, you know, city's money so much as looking for the grant opportunities. And we've we've,

um, as you, as you know, because you sign off on these things, but there's been so many state grants that we've qualified for, drinking water supply grant, land grant, self-help grant. Um we're about to apply for another one to um to add to the uh Aderondac farm property which it won't be long. Next year it'll be online to start doing some environmental um educational um programming there. Um we've been

fortunate to attract like like Paul said or or Jim um in terms of groups like the trustees of reservations. Um Mass Ottabbon has been another group that has been instrumental. Um DCR and Mass Wildlife are regular partners now. All of these groups do tours mass autobonds in the school system and and all of it pivots really off our natural resources in the city.

Council Pra, is that Priscilla Chapman? Is she still involved with the Ottabban Society?

I have or did she?

Yeah, she had left. She was doing stuff with the Ottabban Society. How long How many years do you have here, Mr.

Levasia? Well, I I started as a full-time in 2009, but I actually started in 1985 as a as a as a under under Joe Rigo Walton Forestry.

Oh my god.

Doing the doing the forestry management plans and and and you know doing the work on the land that was sort of something that wasn't getting done um you know forestry specific things, right?

So it's So you worked with everyone you worked with Mr.

when he way back department way back who was before you he had he had globe manufacturing uh well before me uh you had Joe Rigger I think you're talking about John Frier John John Frier was John Fri so I've been these I've known everybody but these these these these men were luminaries and and and actually you know the great thing about when I started here the the I you know my marching

orders were do what's good for the watershed and and for the water supply and and you know because there was there you know people look at the forest and say well we can sell trees and we can do this and that um and there's nothing wrong with that but to do it in a you know a scientific fashion to do it in a in a way that's ever making the resource

better and not just like ransacking it.

So I think that's always been the the watch word of the of the department.

When is your last day?

January 12th. Oh, right around the corner.

Oh, yeah.

Excellent.

It's been a good ride.

I thank the council for the support of Yes.

Do you yield, council?

Thank you. I yield. Congratulations. I behalf of on behalf of both of us and the rest of the council. Thank you for your contributions and all the best in retirement.

Appreciate it.

Enjoy it.

Council Pere will entertain a uh motion to table.

Oh, you want a motion?

Yeah. Let let the next committee continue our quarterly updates if you could. Motion to table.

Motion to table has been made and seconded. All in favor?

I.

The eyes have it.

And thank you, gentlemen.

To adjourn.

Motion to adjurnn is made and seconded.

All in favor?

I.

I. The committee on health and environmental affairs is now adjourned.

You didn't.