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City of Fall River Meetings

10.13.2026 Fall River City Council

Tuesday, October 13, 2026Tue, Oct 13, 2026 · 2h 6m

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The Fall River City Council convened on October 13, 2026, conducting a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a regular City Council session. During the Committee on Finance meeting and citizens' input, business owner Todd Salpetro and attorney Seth Aiken raised urgent concerns regarding open drug use along South Main Street and the distribution of harm reduction kits containing drug paraphernalia by organizations like the Seven Hills Foundation and STAR. Later in the regular meeting, Council President Cliff A. Ponte displayed contents from sample harm reduction bags—including syringes, glass crack pipes, mirrors, and cookers—leading the council to adopt a resolution requesting representatives from Seven Hills, STAR, the Board of Health, and the Community Development Agency appear before the Committee on Finance.

In other major business, the council engaged in a debate over three Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) agreements for housing developments at 138 Hartwell Street (Thomas Alva Edison LLC), 109 Howe Street (Charlton Mills Lofts LLC), and 650 Plymouth Avenue (Cornell Lofts LLC). Councilor Michael G. Canuel pushed for tailored schedules and enforceable affordable housing set-asides for veterans and seniors, but each agreement ultimately passed in 5-3 votes. The council also approved appropriations of $375,000 for EMS salaries and $21,500 for EMS expenses, referred the administration's upcoming presentation on the Pearl Street Garage to the Committee on Finance, and passed a resolution addressing the suspension of grocery transportation services for seniors and veterans.

The council also ordained ordinances removing select handicap parking spaces, establishing a William Street loading zone, and amending Section 2-401 regarding the appointment of the Chief of Police. Additionally, resolutions calling for an outside financial audit of the city's Employee Health Trust Fund and honoring local youth Mason Machado for his dog park proposal were approved.

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