The Fall River Traffic Board convened on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The meeting commenced with the acceptance of the previous month's minutes, followed by a brief public input session where no one spoke. The board then approved two curb cut requests: one for Michael and Elizabeth Lemouth at 202 Cambridge Street for a second 14-foot opening, and another for Jessica Ortega Regillis at 3436 California Street to extend an existing opening by 19 feet. Additionally, a request from the Fall River Traffic Department was approved to establish prohibited parking on the north side of Breman Street at Lindsay and to convert Breman Street from one-way to two-way between Lindsay Street and McDonald, both measures related to the Mass DOT Route 79 project and supported by the Fire Department for apparatus access. A significant portion of the meeting addressed handicap parking requests. A previously tabled request for Steven Ferrer at 202 Cambridge Street was denied as the applicant had withdrawn it. New handicap parking spots were approved for residents at 278 Franklin Street, 609 Eastern Avenue (despite an existing driveway, as the landlord denied access), 529 June Street (landlord denied garage access), 1370 Rodman Street, 820 Dwelli Street, and 6 Balo Street (landlord denied driveway access). A request for 54 Garfield Street was approved by a 2-1 roll call vote (John and Natalie voting yes, Helen voting negative), citing safety concerns for an 85-year-old homeowner with two new knees, despite the presence of a driveway. Requests for 245 Corey Street, 189 Trip Street, and 299 Monttop were tabled due to the applicants' absence. The meeting concluded with the approval to rescind several handicap spaces no longer in use across the city.
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City Officials
Public Safety
Public / Other
Uh, good evening. Wednesday, November 19 2025 traffic board meeting.
0:07Shoot to the open meeting law. Any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or they may transmit the meeting through any medium.
0:16Attendees are therefore advised such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.
0:29P Stephanie MacArthur, director of traffic and parking, [snorts] Natalie Melo, Helen Rigo, John Le Point, Thomas Farris, Forward Police.
0:41Uh motion to accept the minutes from the last month's meeting.
0:44Motion to accept.
0:45Motion to accept.
0:47Second.
0:50Two motions. It's a double motion.
0:54John and then Helen or Helen John sometimes.
0:59Okay. Is there anybody here for um public input that is not on the agenda?
1:04Um they want to bring up an issue within the city.
1:11Anybody? Nobody. Okay.
1:14Uh we'll start with the curb cuts. The applicant and owner Michael and Elizabeth Lemouth 202 Cambridge Street with the request for a curb cut.
1:31The existing parcel par uh parcel is served by an 18t wide curb opening on M Street. The applicant proposes to conduct a second 14t opening on Cambridge Street.
1:44The total opening will be 32 feet. The uh engineering department has reviewed that application as well as the location. They have found no issues.
1:54There are no objections to this request for the curb cut for the city engineer.
1:59I don't think they're here to curb cut.
2:04The second time, no curb cuts. We don't do that.
2:07Yeah, we don't even do it. Uh the second is applicant and owner Jessica Ortega Regillis, 53 Adams Street, Newark, New Jersey. And they're requesting that at 3436 California Street.
2:25That is an existing parcel served by a 12oot curb opening. The applicant proposes extending the existing opening by 19 ft with a total of 31 ft. Again, the city engineer has reviewed that application as well as the location.
2:40They have found no issues and there are no objections to that request for the city engineer. Uh, next will be a motion on these two.
2:49Yeah. Is there a motion on those two?
2:52Motion.
2:53Motion by Natalie.
2:54Second.
2:54Seconded by John.
3:02Miscellaneous table request. a request from the Four River Traffic Department for prohibited prohibited parking to be placed on the north side of Breman Street at Lindsay. This request is being made due to the stipulations that were discussed with Mass DOT for the reconstruction the 79 project.
3:27Also looking for a strikeout um for Breman Street Easterly from Lindsay Street to McDonald. It's currently a one-way. Uh we're going to have to revert that to a two-way.
3:37Yeah.
3:41Also in regards to the reconstruction MS DOT of Route 79.
3:48[snorts] A motion for that motion to accept.
3:53Second.
3:53First by John, second by Natalie.
3:56That passes.
3:58I think the majority of that street was already no parking on that side.
4:04Correct. And this um that request is also made by the fire department. Uh Chief Bacon did go down to the location with his apparatus and in order to make that turn is the reason for that. We're looking at about 75 ft of Breman.
4:16Okay.
4:17From Lindsay.
4:18A little bit of work to do up there as well.
4:20Mhm.
4:21That was two way for years until they shut it down to destroy that.
4:25What was the motion on that? Who approved?
4:26Motion by John.
4:27John and second by N. Okay.
4:31Uh, the first is a handicap table request. [snorts] 202 Cambridge. I think I had this on floor and they weren't here.
4:41And they weren't here.
4:44Anyone here for 202 Cambridge?
5:00I'm sorry. Sorry. What's your name?
5:01Michael.
5:03Steven Ferrer.
5:04We have a different applicant. Are you here representing for Steven?
5:08Yeah, he is for you.
5:16Right.
5:18Do you still live there?
5:19Hit.
5:21That's my wife's uncle. He lives on the first floor. Yeah.
5:23Okay.
5:23Wait. This is the one that's getting the This is the one that's getting the uh driveway cut, right?
5:28It was taken away from the uh It was tabled from last meeting.
5:33Um, he withdrew.
5:34So, are are you here for the curb cut or are you here for the [clears throat] curve cut?
5:37Oh, okay. So, your curb cut approved.
5:38That was approved. You're all set.
5:40You're all set.
5:40Yep. You're all set.
5:41Thank you.
5:42Not a problem.
5:43So, you just said 122.
5:45Right. Right.
5:46Yep. No, you're all set.
5:47He applied for a and he withdrew. You said he he never followed through on Okay.
5:52So, so this issue came up last month at the meeting. We tabled it and uh can I get a motion to deny this?
6:00Motion to deny.
6:02First by Natalie, seconded by John.
6:03Okay, so that's that issue. And you're all set with the curve cut, sir. You got it sir.
6:10That was for tabled.
6:12Um yeah, and these are the new requests.
6:14New request resident 278 Franklin Street for handicap parking.
6:21You here, sir? Yep.
6:29Oh, street.
6:34Franklin.
6:35The applicant uh does drive. He has a ballot placard and the registration.
6:41Provided the applicant's a tenant and there's no off- streetet parking available. There's no driveway. His paperwork is in order. I did check it. I did go by the um address, sir, and I don't see any issues with it.
6:53uh being approved. Is there a motion on the board to approve that handicap spot?
6:58278 Franklin Street.
7:00Motion to approve.
7:01Second.
7:02Motion by John, seconded by Natalie.
7:05Sir, that's going to pass. You're going to be okay with that.
7:08Um just a couple of things and then I'll I'll turn it over to the director of um traffic and parking. Uh it's understand when these and this is for everybody here because the rest are all handicapped spots. If you if a spot is put up, um that's for anyone to use with with a valid placard. So, it's not your spot. So, if someone's there, they have a placard.
7:29It's it's just the way it goes. Anyone can park there.
7:32Yep. And the time frame we're looking at about 12 weeks. Um you'll notice uh maintenance crew will go out there.
7:37They'll do some measurements. So, you'll see the marking on the ground. Um but about 12 weeks, signs and poles will be up.
7:42There was one there before. Um neighbors notified me that there was one there before. I see the um the metal sticking out of the ground. So, okay. Yep. So, uh we'll go by it does still have to go through ordinance and full counsel for approval. Uh so, hence why it takes about 12 weeks.
7:57Okay.
7:58Thanks for giving me Thank you. You too.
8:01Sir, uh the next one is 245 Corey Street. Uh the applicant does drive. They have a valid placard and registration provided.
8:12Uh they're a tenant there. There's no off- streetet parking. There's no driveway and the paperwork is in order.
8:17I did go by the address. Um, and everything is in order there as far as your paperwork and your ability to for off street park.
8:27Are they here?
8:28She here.
8:29Maria Cado not here.
8:32No.
8:32Motion to table.
8:33Motion table.
8:34Second. First by Helen. Second by John.
8:43609 Eastern Avenue. It's Costa. Irene Costa.
8:55I did look over your paperwork. I went by the house. Um there is a driveway there. What's What's the deal with that?
9:01Is that for the house there?
9:03Looks like a small driveway on the side of the house.
9:08landlord. Landlord is the the paperwork is in order. Um the applicant does drive valid placket and registration and she's a tenant. A landlord does not provide her any access to the driveway.
9:22I don't have anything.
9:27She looks like it looks like they wrote one for her, but I did go by the address and I don't see any issue with this.
9:36There's a motion to pass this. Motion approved. First by John.
9:40Second.
9:41Seconded by Natalie.
9:43Ma'am, you're going to be all set with that. Um 12 weeks. It's not your spot.
9:49All right.
9:50Okay. You're welcome.
10:01Next request is 529 June Street.
10:05you, Mr. Lev.
10:07Yes. Y I went over your paperwork, sir.
10:14Everything appears to be in order. You do drive. You have a valid plaque and a registration provided. You're a tenant there. Your landlord is stating that you won't have access to the garage.
10:27I said it did go by the address. I don't see any issues there. Is there a motion to pass that?
10:31Motion to pass. First by Helen, second by John. Sure. That'll be all set 12 weeks or so.
10:44Jesus Christ.
10:47189 Trip Street.
10:51189 Trip Street. Kenneth Brunell.
10:55Motion to table. Motion to table.
10:57First by Helen, second by John. That'll be table for the next meeting.
11:03If you're watching, Mr. Bernell, please come down.
11:10299 Monttop Lois Miranda Lois Miranda twice. Motion to table.
11:19Table.
11:20First by Helen.
11:22Second.
11:22Seconded by John.
11:26That'll come up at the next meeting.
11:291370 Rodman Street.
11:321370 1370 Stephanie.
11:35Yeah.
11:35Okay.
11:42I did go over that paperwork. I don't I don't see any issue with uh with that going. All of your paperwork is in order. Uh you do drive. You have a valid black and a registration provided.
11:52I'm sorry.
11:54Right. But there's no there's no driveway.
11:57There's no driveway on the premises. So, there's no off street power. You're like the only one there without a without a driveway. Um, typically the owner owner uh occupied addresses, if you have a driveway, that's they can use your driveway, but you do not have one. So, I did go over your paperwork. Everything appears to be in order and valid. I don't see an issue with it. Uh, is there
12:17a motion to pass that motion? Second.
12:21First by John, second by Natalie. Ma'am, you're going to be all set with that.
12:25Thank you.
12:25You're welcome.
12:35820 Dwelli Street. Okay.
12:40Just if anybody's watching, I I go by these properties at various times of the day um for compliance. And I did go by there.
12:49You don't have any driveway there, ma'am. Your paperwork is in order. You drive, you have a valid placard, registration provided. You're a tenant there. There's all there's um there is no off streetet parking and I don't see an issue with this.
13:04Is there a motion to pass?
13:06First by John, second seconded by Helen.
13:10Ma'am, you're all set with that.
13:11Thank you very much.
13:12You're welcome.
13:12Thank you.
13:13Yeah.
13:16Six Balo Street.
13:19It's uh Mr. Kodega. Yes.
13:27Your applicant drives. They have a valid plaque and a valid registration. I did go through the paperwork and I did go by the reg the uh residence. You're right on the corner there.
13:35Who uh what's up with the driveway, though? You can't park there.
13:39He doesn't let you. Man, yeah. Well, it is what it is. Luckily, it's not a um a super busy area.
13:48No.
13:48No. A lot of people live down that street one way, though. We'll see.
13:51Yeah, I know. I I'm sure there's plenty of calls about these letters.
13:57Yeah, your landlord provided a letter.
13:59So, all this all the paperwork is in order here. Um the plaque, the registration, and a letter from the landlord. He's a tenant. I don't see an issue with this. Can we get a motion to pass?
14:09Motion to pass.
14:10First by Helen.
14:11Second, and then seconded by John. You'll be all set, sir. Thank you very much. Thank you. About about three months, sir.
14:18Mr. Sadena.
14:20Okay.
14:23Garfield Street, 54 Garfield Street. Um, for a handicap spot, applicant drives, applicant owns the home, a valid plaque, valid registration, and everything else. Um, you have no off streetet parking.
14:39There is a driveway on the opposite side of the house. So they have no no access to the driveway that side of the house which makes him have to walk around the front of the house and go up the driveway. So it's only a 7ft driveway.
14:55So if you do drive by there, you'll see a a smaller driveway and then like a a double wide.
15:01I did I saw a couple of cars and So that's for the three tenement house.
15:06So I I I did go by and and your vehicle is parked on the side of your house.
15:10Yeah. So last year in the snowstorm, he had went through and ended up falling underneath the car.
15:18Yep.
15:19And because he's got two two new knees.
15:23Yep.
15:23He's having difficulty getting around.
15:26Okay.
15:26We were hoping for, you know, to get a spot in front of the house. So when he comes out the house, he would just have a straight shot right to his vehicle.
15:35A little bit of a longer walk.
15:37Well, to go around to the driveway. So, your paperwork is in order. You're the homeowner. There is a driveway. Um, it's just tight in the in the middle of the winter and stuff like that. Like I said, he's 85 years old now. He's got two new knees and last year falling. I just don't want him falling and getting really hurt.
16:02True. Um, and if he's able to come out the house, he would have, so on the side of 58 Gio Street, it's a common way.
16:13Y, so he would walk out that common way and then, you know, the front of the house would be right there.
16:18True.
16:19Now, if he has to use the driveway, he would have to come out the common way, walk out in front of the house and then up the driveway to his parking spot. So, I mean, I understand it.
16:32It's probably equal equal distance. I understand what he's saying. Um, I'm just looking from a safety aspect.
16:39He's, you know, handicapped.
16:43Well, yeah, my mother was also handicapped, but that's all right. So, the applicant's paperwork is in order. He's a homeowner. Um, is there a motion to accept or deny?
16:57There's very small too many can't get in there.
17:02Can't get out of that car when when it's parked there. It's very difficult to get out.
17:06Well, it's difficult because there's there's two pocket spots. So, it's a three the neighbors have a three car driveway. So, you have two on the front and then there's a car in front of that.
17:16So, my father would be parked on the side. He'd be wedged between two cars and then when he goes to get out of the car. Last year he he slipped ended up like legs right under the car.
17:28Sure.
17:29So I know it's a touchy situation. I understand that.
17:37So dump it under the board.
17:46Motion table. Check it out.
17:51I did go by there. I mean, the car's in the driveway. Even in the Google, it's in a driveway. Um, again, is this an extenduating circumstance? I I don't know. I don't know. You all know how I feel about someone who has a driveway and wants a spot on the street. Tight street.
18:08Can Can you open both doors at the same time and get out?
18:12It's tight. There's no question about it.
18:14So, if you and your wife are in the car, you have to No, he would have to drop her off the sidewalk and then get out in between.
18:26Once this space goes up, he won't be able to park in the driveway. If if the board members or police department do go by and see it, we'll have to take down the signage.
18:34That's that's perfectly that's perfectly I mean, that's that's just the deal.
18:38That's if you're going to get a spot, it can't be a double where, hey, um, it's Thanksgiving, just park in the driveway right?
18:46No. Understandable.
18:47Not cool. Not fair. groceries or anything since you can't open both doors.
18:52Sure.
18:54Yeah. So, he can't.
18:58I think that's the last item.
18:59Yes, that is the last item. Yep.
19:01Motion.
19:02Motion to accept.
19:03Yep.
19:04First by John.
19:06Second.
19:07Seconded by Natalie.
19:09Yeah.
19:10Roll call because I think we have an opposition down there. We're going to need a roll call on it.
19:14Natt. Negative.
19:16Roll call. that approve.
19:17No.
19:18Okay. So, roll call.
19:19Yes.
19:19Yes. For John.
19:21Yes. For Natalie.
19:22Yeah.
19:22Negative on Helen.
19:24Okay.
19:24Understandable.
19:25Mhm.
19:26But you'll be all set, sir.
19:27Okay. Again, you you have to you got to adhere by that. I understand it. I get it. I have an elderly parent. No, I get it.
19:35No, I thank you for hearing the time.
19:39Thank you. 12 weeks or so.
19:40Okay. Yep.
19:41Thank you. Okay.
19:42Thank you, council.
19:49We're going to go to the strike out handicap spots.
19:59No, that one didn't come.
20:01That was two table.
20:04Is that the second time?
20:06Yeah, we already denied that one.
20:07Yep.
20:08Done. A request from the traffic department have the following handicap spaces rescended into individuals no longer utilizing the space because they have either moved, no longer drive or they had passed away. South Oxford Street which 32299 that's when they went up. Monttop Street 11399 Eastern Avenue 55204.
20:30President A 101202 Maple Street 113203.
20:39Motion to adjourn.
20:41Motion.
20:42I need an approval on the resends.
20:44I need an approval on the resends.
20:46Oh, motion for the rescended handicap spot please.
20:49Motion.
20:50First by Nat.
20:51Second.
20:51Second by John.
20:52And now.
20:53Motion to adjurnn.
20:55Motion to adjurnn.
20:56First by Nat.
20:58Seconded by John.