12.23.2025 Fall River City Council

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Public hear will come to order. Clerk will call the role.

Council Scadin here.

Dion here.

Hart here.

Kilby here.

Carrera here.

Ponty here.

Reposo here.

Tiff here.

President Camaro here. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit this meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed acknowledged and permissible.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Second.

Motion to open the public hearing has been made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item number one, we have one in front of us. Verizon New England Incorporated for an underground conduit location as follows on Lion Street and Third Street. The petitioner request to place 26 ft of conduit between existing manhole number 465 located at the intersection of Lion Street and Third Street and running in a northerly direction to existing manhole number 495 located on Third Street. The

installation is requested to provide service to residents in surrounding areas as well as to be provider for the distribution of intelligence and telecommunications and the transitions of high and low voltage electrical current in accordance with plan number 1708991-187X5ML.

Are there any proponents to this public hearing? Any proponents? Anyone in favor of Seeing none. Are there any opponents to this public hearing? Any opponents?

Anyone against the project?

Motion to close public hearing none. Entertain a motion to close as a motion to close the public hearing as made and seconded. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. This public hearing is now closed.

D 605. We can write it into finance.

City council committee on finance will come to order. The clerk will call the role.

Councilor Scadim here.

Dion here.

Hart here.

Kilby here.

Pereira here.

Ponty here.

Raposo here.

Tiff here.

President Camaro here. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public of this meeting or may transmit this meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such transmissions or recordings are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed acknowledged and permissible.

Citizen input on the agenda. However, no citizen has requested to speak.

Motion to adjurnn finance.

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

Any opposed? City council committ finance is now adjourned.

6:15 we'll start the regular meeting and present the citations and go on from there.

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Regular meeting of the city council come to order. Clerk will call the role.

Council Scadm here.

Dion here. Hart here.

Kilby here.

Pereira here. Ponti here.

Propos.

Tiff.

President Camara here. Will everyone in the council chair please rise for a moment of silent prayer?

Please remain standing for salute to the flag.

of the reps nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit this meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed acknowledged and permissible.

We have a number of citations to be handed out. First, um, if I could call out Liz Barabby, Citizens for Citizens, come down, please.

I think it's on now. Can you hear me?

Yes.

Just want to present the citation.

Um Liz is the director of Citizens for Citizens.

It's an official resolution. Be it resolved that city council hereby extend this commendation to citizens for citizens in recognition of your 60th anniversary [clears throat] of providing services to the greater river area. Be it further resolved that for River City Council says best wishes for continued success and that this resolution be entered into the records of city council. It was adopted on December 9th

signed by myself and the clerk of this city council. Just want to say on behalf of citizens cit on behalf of all the residents and the counselors the services that citizens citizens have citizens for citizens has provided to this community is extraordinary. Um not just for river but the greater for river area. And Liz has been there, I think, you've been there, I don't want to say give you age, almost 50 years

working in the same facility providing a need that is desperately needed in our community. When so many people need, they go see Liz and everyone who works there. I remember Bobby Travis and Sullivan and so many other people who have worked in that place. Liz as well have so many people, hundreds and hundreds of thousands that they've helped when times of needs and it's amazing that you guys have been

doing this for 60 years. Um good. It's a great accomplishment. Be very proud.

Anything you want to say?

I just want to thank the city council um as well as the mayor of Fall River. Um we have been around for 60 years and I'm so happy that you've acknowledged us. Um I won't be around for another 60 years.

So however, she's young enough she could if she really wanted to.

No, no, no. Um, but thank you so much and we will continue to service the greater Fall River area with the people that need our services, whether it's early education, um, child care, heating assistance, um, food assistance, toys, um, you know, that's what we're here for to help the greater Fall River area. So, thank you very much and I yield.

Thank you for all your

By the way, Liz, I just want you to know that was a unanimous vote on the city council.

Uh, could I call up council Paul Hart?

We're also going to recognize the diamond varsity football team uh for their tremendous year that they've had as Super Bowl champions and council hot will read the citation. We're going to read one citation if the coaches could come down at this time as well.

Come on down also too if the state representatives want to come down too as well.

Where's the citation here?

And I have a citation on behalf of the mayor of the city of Fore River as well, Mayor Paul Coogan.

All right. So, um, uh, I'm going to have, uh, the state reps. Why don't you guys go first? This state rep.

Turn around. Turn around.

I'll [clears throat] let you read it and I'll use the words.

All right. Well, I just wanted to say congratulations to the coaches and to the athletes. Um, you might not know it that now, but in the future what you accomplished, you're going to be telling stories about it to a lot of people. I also hope you realize that in life you're going to need people like your coaches. You're going to need mentors.

You're going to need friends to rely on.

And things aren't always going to be easy. And you're going to have to work through it, but you'll be able to achieve great things. And that's one of the best things about sports is it actually mirrors life. So what you've accomplished and the reason why we're here celebrating you is because we want you to understand you accomplish something amazing doing this and we hope you learned that lesson going forward to

accomplish other amazing things in your future. So congratulations.

Thank you uh Rep. Thurber. So I'm state rep Carol Fiola and um obviously I'm joined by Rep. Justin Thurber. And because Diamond is regional, uh there's a group of us state representatives and senators that represent uh this district, uh not able to be with us tonight is Senator Rodri, but he of course brings his greetings and state representative Alan Sylvia who had a very traumatic situation in his family

uh as well as Rep. Howitt uh from Swansea and Secon. And I believe that rounds out our group of representatives, but we are here on their behalf and our behalf and what Rep. Thurb said was so true. Um, these are lessons what you've gone through is something that will live on forever. The coaches here that were state champs. Uh, don't people bring it up all the time, right? I mean, it is it

is something that is uh they'll never take away. and the teamwork that you learned from these people here, from these coaches and your families, um will take you so far in life and uh while you won't be able to play it one day, um but you will always carry these memories.

So, I want to thank uh councelor Hop for inviting us down tonight. Um I know how special this was for you and for all the counselors. So, on behalf of all of the reps, I'm going to put my glasses on because that's what happens. Um I actually have this citation. I'm going to present it to to coach Barry as the as the head coach here and the Diamond Bengals 2025 state championship football

team. Uh a citation from the House of Representatives in recognition of your state championship win. Many congratulations on your hard work and dedication and it's from the entire membership of the House of Representatives on this 23rd day of December signed by our Speaker of the House, Ron Mariano, and [clears throat] myself and all of the reps that I mentioned earlier. So, congratulations.

Merry Christmas and have a healthy 2026.

Thank you, coach.

I also have a citation representing the mayor of city of For Paul Coogan who is under the weather. He would like to be here, but he's not feeling great, so he wasn't able to make it. But it's also a official citation from the city of For River. Be it hereby known to all citizens that hereby hereby conferred to Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School Bengals varsity football

team in honor of recognition of being the 2025 Massachusetts Vocational Lodge School Super Bowl champions. The entire citizenry extends its best wishes and expresses for hope for continued success and good future good fortunes in future endeavors. Congratulations to all of you on behalf of the mayor of For River, Paul Coogan.

say a few words, coach.

Yeah.

I just want to thank uh the whole city of Fall River, the city council, um and especially the Fall River police who provided us with an escort up to the game. I mean, the the reaction from our kids seeing that was unbelievable. Um thank the parents and the families and our kids. I mean, these guys worked so hard. uh they they were up at 6:00 am in the morning practicing out at at Henry

Lord school uh busting their humps because you know they've bought into what we're doing and and we have wonderful kids and and I I can't be more grateful for them, our wonderful coaching staff. I mean the hours these guys put in is is unbelievable. You'd be shocked to hear it. Um I just want to thank everybody and and I'm so proud of these guys and I say all the time to

these kids like it's not about the result for me. It's about these guys becoming the best versions of themselves, becoming great men, coming becom becoming great leaders in society and they all bought into that and they all did that and and the results speak for themselves. So, I'm just so proud and so thankful to be here. Thank you.

Yeah. Thank you, coach. And uh to the coaches up here and the guys, the players, um you know, I've got a pretty long history here with u my my boys have played for Coach Barry. My dad was the first athletic director at Diamond. Uh, coached at Diamond, taught at Diamond.

Um, but also too, I want to just follow up with Coach Barry was saying, how, you know, he's been here what, four years?

Five years. And, um, he's built a culture here at Diamond. Um, he has of a lot of pride, uh, respect, dignity, and the way you should really play the game.

And they show it on the field, they show it off the field. And I'm just proud to be here tonight to present this citation to him and also too to recognize the players. They played very very hard without a without a a home field a home field for for the the past three or four years. So that's something that's saying something about their resiliency. So um here coach I'm going to give you this

extended to you here. Um Luke Barry, the uh head coach of the Diamond uh Vocational Technical High School varsity football team in recognition of winning the Massachusetts Lodge School Super Bowl December 3rd, 2025.

Congratulations buddy.

Thank you.

First time.

I think I think they're supposed to take a group picture. You guys still want to take a group picture? All the players come down, line up in front of the counselors, and we can just have the coaches every line up there and the clerks will take a picture. Someone will take a picture.

[clears throat]

through it a little bit.

have to a little bit.

Yeah.

Okay. Everybody ready?

One, two, three.

Victory.

Good.

I think they have

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas.

I'd mind you.

Yeah.

Madam clerk, [snorts] Mr. present. The first item is a request from the mayor for the confirmation of Paul Aosta Cullen to the library board of trustees.

The request was objected to at the last meeting held on December 9th, 2025.

Motion to lift the item from the table.

Second.

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

Any opposed? Item is now lifted.

Motion to confirm the appointment.

Motion to confirm the appointment has been made and seconded.

All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The [clears throat] next item is also a request from the mayor for the request for the confirmation of the reappointment of Annne Rocket Spearling to the library board of trustees.

Motion to confirm the appointment.

Second.

Motion to confirm is a meeting and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item three is a request from the mayor for the confirmation of the reappoint of Ronald Kaplan to the library board of trustees.

Motion to confirm the appointment.

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

Any opposed? Motion carries. [snorts] Item four is a request for the confirmation of the reappoint of Sharon L. Quinn to the library board of trustees.

Motion to confirm the motion to confirm is remain and seconded. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item five is also a request from the mayor for the confirmation of the reappoint of Fran Racklin to the library board of trustees.

Motion to confirm the appointment.

Motion to confirm has been made and second. All in favor? [cough] Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item six is a request from the mayor and the resubmitted memorandum of agreement between the city of Fall River and the ASME council 93 local 3177.

Motion to adopt as a negotiator.

Motion to accept and place on file and adopt the order.

Second.

Motion to accept place on file the communication. Adopt the order as a made and seconded. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item seven is a communication from the mayor and a gift order for a donation to the Fall River Fire Department from Firehouse Dogs in the amount of $10,000 to support the department's K9 program.

Motion to accept and place on file and adopt the order.

Second.

Motion accept place [clears throat] on file the communication. Adopt the order as a made and second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Whereas laws have changed to allow for a hybrid list to be created for the purpose of hiring firefighters. And whereas it appears that the hybrid list will be used for hiring purposes before exhausting the civil service list that is in place. And whereas such action appears to be in direct violation of sections 30-52 and 30-53 of the code of the city of Fall River, Massachusetts, which refer directly to

MGL chapter 31. Now therefore, be it resolved that corporation council and a member of the administration be invited to a committee on finance meeting to discuss the matter and render a legal opinion prior to using the hybrid list.

and be a further resolved that corporation council also advise if it will be necessary for the committee on ordinances and legislation to convene to modify and or make changes to set ordinances prior to advancing with the using of the hybrid list.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

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

I.

Any opposed? On a motion, Council C2, Council Diana.

Yeah. No, I just saw a note. Um, so the police department has used the hybrid list, but the police department doesn't violate ordinance because they always exhaust the civil service list prior to using the hybrid list. And that's where the difference uh comes in.

And um I think before as it states in the in the uh resolution, before proceeding with this, I think there's questions to be answered and definitely a legal opinion needs to be rendered.

Um I yield. There you go. Motion has remained in second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item nine is a citation for Laura Burmal Das for her leadership and steadfast commitment to the Flint Village community.

Motion to adopt the second.

Motion to adopt has been made and second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item is an order for an underground conduit at the request of Verizon New England Inc. for 26 ft of conduit at [clears throat] the intersection of Lion and Third Streets.

Motion to adopt. Second.

Motion to adopt has remained and second.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 11, our auto body shop license renewals.

Motion to adopt for Brian Vieiraa DBA Amy's Auto F5 Laurel Street and Dylan Jarabac DBA top tier auto body at 232 Lapam Street. The um application for Mr. Jarabach was recommended for disapproval by the chief of police.

Motion to Motion to adopt.

A [clears throat] motion to adopt Brian Vieiraa at five Laurel Street.

Second.

Motion to adopt has made and seconded.

All in favor?

I.

That's just that's just uh to be clear, Mr. President. Just Brian Vieiera DBA A as Auto.

We're separating them.

We're separating them.

Yes.

Okay. That's that my motion to be clear.

Thank you.

Motion has been made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Motion to adopt Dylan Jarbec.

Motion to adopt has remained seconded.

All in favor? I.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

[snorts] Item 12 is also is a uh an order for the auto repair shop license renewals for Ronald DBA Theo Service Center at 32 Oakrove Avenue and for Dylan Jerbeck DBA top tier Auto Body at 232 Lepam Street.

Also with the same recommendation from the police chief of Mr. Jarbec.

Motion to adopt.

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

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 13 is the police chief's uh list on licenses.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt as remaining second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 14 is an order for uh license numbers 19 and 20 for Fall River Taxi Service Inc. for new taxi cab vehicle applications.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt has a made and second.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 15 is a number of claims.

Motion to refer to corporation council.

Motion to refer to corporation council has a remain second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 16 is a drain layer license for Tusit Tuset Construction Company.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve has a meeting and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 17 are planning board minutes for November 17th and November 24th of this year.

Motion to accept and place on file.

Second.

Motion to accept and place on file [cough] has a minute and second.

[clears throat] All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. [snorts] Motion to take items 18, 19, and 20 together.

Second.

Motion to take items 18, 19, and 20 has been made and seconded. To take them together as second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Motion to approve items 18, 19, and 20 has been made and seconded. Madam clerk, will you read the items, please?

Yes. Those are minutes for city council uh meetings, public hearings, committee on finance, and regular meeting of the city council held on December 9th.

Motion to [clears throat] approve has made second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 21 is a notice of casualty and loss at 540 Cherry Street, Apartment 7.

Motion to accept and place on file.

Second.

Motion to accept and place on fire has a meeting second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item is a um request from the mayor and the library director to rename the children's room at the Fall River Public Library the David Mallow Children's Room at the request of councelor Ricky Tith.

Motion motion to accept and place on file and adopt the order.

Motion to accept place on file the communication adopt the order has been made and seconded on the motion council seat two council seat five council vice president. I would just like to say to councelor Tith, thank you for putting this in. Uh, anybody that has any dealings with the library knows that David Melo does a phenomenal job with the children's division of the library and to see the mayor and the library

director requesting this. Thank you for putting this in. It's very welld deserved. With that, I yield.

Thank you, councelor.

Motion has remaining second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. [snorts] The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on December 18th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance be granted leave to withdraw with councelor Hart and council proposal absent and not voting. This was the proposed um ordinance for miscellaneous traffic um on Pine Street.

Motion to give item leave to withdraw.

Second.

Motion to give the item leave to draw has made second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion [clears throat] carries.

The Committee on Ordinances and Legislation at a meeting held on December 18th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance accompanied by an emergency preamble be passed through first reading, second reading passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained with councelor Hart and proposal absent not voting. This is the proposed ordinance for handicap parking.

Motion to adopt the emergency preamble.

Second.

Motion to adopt emergency preamble has been made and seconded. Roll call.

Council Scadin, yes.

Dion, yes.

Hart, yes.

Kilby, yes.

Pereira, yes.

Ponti, yes.

Rapooo, yes.

Tiff, yes.

President Camaro, yes.

Motion to pass through all readings.

Motion to pass or all readings, first, second, and first and second reading and be enrolled and be ordained as made and seconded.

All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on December 18th, [clears throat] 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance be passed through first reading with councelor Hart and council proposal absent and not voting. This is the proposed ordinance for miscellaneous traffic for handicap parking removals.

Motion to pass through first reading.

Second.

Motion to pass through first reading has a remaining second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on December 18th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance be referred to the full council for action with councelor Hart and councelor proposal absent not voting. This is the proposed ordinance striking out sections 2-131 and 2-132 from the city code relative to loan orders.

Motion to amend with the suggested amendments.

Second.

Second.

Motion has to be made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Motion to pass through ordinance first reading as amended.

Second.

Motion to pass the ordinance for first reading as amended has been made in second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Is it the will of the council to lift the next items from the table?

Motion to lift from the table.

Second.

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

Any opposed? Motion is now lifted from the table.

[clears throat] The item before you is a transfer and appropriation at the request of the mayor in the amount of $189,68262 from the reserve fund to various city departments.

Motion to adopt the order.

Second.

Motion to adopt the order has a made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

motion the table.

Motion lifted from the table has remained in sec second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? The item is now lifted from the table.

Quick.

And this order is in the amount of 39,46842 for uh funding to be transferred from facility salaries to police salaries.

Motion to adopt the order.

Motion to adopt the order has been made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

That's all we have, Mr. President.

Motion to um motion to adjourn.

Motion to adjourn. Before we adjourn, council seat six. Council, do you have your hand up?

Yeah. Others raise their hands first, but I'll Oh, I don't know. I didn't see any other hand go up.

I just wanted to take an opportunity to um as one colleague uh thank our colleagues here uh that are not going to be um with us going into the next term, councelor Kilby and councelor T. I wanted to just as one counselor um let you know that it's been a pleasure working with both of you um on your time on the council. Somebody both of you is coming in from different you know areas

of opportunity in the city and and and being elected differently and councelor Kilby being on the school committee and uh working alongside of of me as as when I was council president and as a colleague has been an honor. Um, and counselor, I know you're relatively new to the to the council and I know you gave it your best and it wasn't an easy thing for you to do jumping in the

middle of a term taking somebody else's seat, but I just want to let you know as as one counselor, [clears throat] it's been an honor to work with both of you.

You both have obviously looked out for the best interests of the city. Uh, and whatever it is that you both go do, I wish you both well in that endeavor. Um, you're certainly going to be missed. The contributions that you've given to this council and this community will never be forgotten. at least from my standpoint.

So, um I wanted to just say that. I also wanted to acknowledge council president and vice president for your leadership the last two years. Um it's been it's been we've had some challenging meetings over the years, last two years, but I appreciate the work that you guys have both done uh as uh council president and vice president. So, with that, I yield.

Thank you.

Thank you. [clears throat] C3 council.

Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, I I echo what uh Cliff said about these two. um uh you know uh Ricky I've known for quite a while. Um you've done a great job uh since you've got on the council and um you know and your community uh what you do in the community is is very impressive and please keep doing that as well. I urge you to do that, you know,

good friend of mine. Um, but uh also too with uh with Brad, um I remember when I first decided to run for city council with along with Joe with Joe and uh Brad ran for school committee. Um and it was that many years ago. But uh our friendship has always been very good. Uh very tight. I've known him since I probably were five years old, six years old. Uh we got went to Tany together,

Morton uh Dery, and um I've just known him to be an upstanding person. Uh, great citizen, uh, great father, great grandfather.

He'll deny it except when I beat him up when we were like seven years old.

Yeah, you're older than him, councel, not supposed to be on young kids.

That's when I found out he was a lefty.

So, but um, but he was uh he's been in the community uh for as as long as I can remember with with me. Um, and I'll never uh I mean, I've I've been uh elected official. He's been elected more than I have, but this is our first time we served together out of all those years. and um and I'm glad I got that two years to to uh serve with him, sit

next to him, and he's got a wonderful family and he's just a class act, and uh just want to wish him all the best.

Okay, that's enough. I just want to say something, council president. Uh thank you uh to the citizens of the fall river for letting me serve 28 years, 30 years on and off. I think it's uh 27.6 years.

It's a long time. So uh you know, I congratulate Michael who's here and also Mr. Pekkin. Michael, you really worked hard. You deserve it. You deserve to be sitting here. Uh you put a lot of work, time, and effort. So, I wish you well.

And uh I I will say it gets contentious sometimes, but um I don't think I really, except for one elected official, I don't think I really dislike anyone uh that I've served with. I really don't.

Um so, um I truly u have a soft spot for for Fall River and uh I'm going to stay involved, not run for office again.

That's for sure. I got four grandchildren as of March and um so it it's it's time focus on the law practice and uh you guys it's been a pleasure all it's been a pleasure dealing with you and dealing with some tough issues and uh I'll end with this. It's it's a tough job. A lot of people don't realize that you put your name on a ballot, right?

You're exposing yourself. uh you work extremely hard, especially when you first run and um it's almost like no matter what decision you make, you're going to aggravate some people. So, it's a it's a big burden that you live with every single day. But if it's in your blood and you like it, you do it. So, that's what I went with in my heart and uh thank you so much for the experience.

I loved it. I really really did. I really did. So, that's it. Thank you.

We're not we're not done yet, council.

Have a seat. I know you want to go home, but you got a couple more minutes.

Anyone else want to chime in? Councelor first of all, um I want to say thank you to all um my colleague, you know, um who's coming in, everybody gave me a hand on train and any question that I have, always uh guiding me to the right direction. And also to the uh resident of for river for uh giving me an opportunity to uh have a taste of uh being a counselor. And um I'm not done

yet. I'm always going to be around helping the best way I can in uh for the city of For River. Just helping move forward. That's all.

Thank you.

Very good.

Thank you.

That's it.

I just want to say a couple of things on behalf of both colleagues. Ricky, congratulations that you were able to get here. Um it's not easy and you've run a few times and and and when you came in, it was the middle of the year.

There was a lot of contention issues going on as council council party had pointed out, but you handled yourself well. You didn't know we say a lot, which is tough because I can tell you this, when you get elected to this council and you're brand new, it's tough to hit the ground running and he had to do that. Hit the ground running and it's difficult to absorb those issues all at

once. So, as a newcomer, I give you a lot of credit. You did a good job. You took a lot of good votes and the issues were not easy. U and I hope you consider running again someday because you never know. Councelor Brad Kilban, go ahead.

You want to say something? Brad, go ahead.

Yes. I just do want to say just a memory came at me. Well, I remember when you first were on Joe Joe. I think you got elected in 1996, Paul. 1996 yourself in 1996. I think it was an event at the Vista Milo or or whatever. You said you are ter you are petrified. Uh and you said Brad. I said, "Yeah, what's up, Joe? I don't like public speaking. I'm afraid of public speaking." I said, "Ah,

the more you do it, the better you'll get at it."

So, so many stories and memories in my head that uh will resonate me throughout my life. But it's it's been a lot of fun. I can't if I I would talk for an hour with all the memories I have. So, I'm sorry. Go [snorts] ahead.

Yeah, it it I still don't like public seeking, Brad.

I don't know if anybody knows that. It's just it's not easy for a lot of people.

But I think as you do this job and you put your heart into it, as you have for so many years and all the counselors have, it just comes naturally when you know what you're talking about and you're comfortable doing what you're doing and you study the issues. I mean, when I first got elected, councelor Hart was there with me with six new people on the council. Bill Woody became the

council president. Leo Pellet and David Sullivan and the other three that survived the election of nine counselors. Things were different. You know, it was a lot different back then.

There was a lot of issues, a lot of things going on. And those things have carried on. You may think that the issue you have before you at last meeting was the most tensious issue in the world.

four or five months coming from from now, you're going to have the same exact thing happen. It reoccurs all the time.

You've all been here. You've all seen it. The issues don't get easier. The job doesn't get easier. It's just that the more years you have in, it seems a little easier to you, but the issues are very contentious. People's lives and their their real estate property, their businesses, what they do in the city of Forever, all uh takes place and happens. and they have to make changes based on what we do here

in the chambers, based on what the mayor proposes. But Brad, I just want to get back to you. I mean, we we ran together.

You're probably not going to remember this memory, but you called me up once when you're running for school committee and said, "I'm having a press conference. We need to build a new Tangi school." And Brad and I went to Tangi School and the press showed up in the newspaper and we built a bunch of schools, but we never built a new Tangi one, which I think was which was ironic. We built so many new schools

in this city. and the one that we had the press conference around 20 30 years ago. We never built the Tansey school, but Brad, you've been always a man of your word. You've always, you know, held up and and taken some tough votes.

Uh you've made your family proud. As Council Hart said, you've done a wonderful job. It's not an easy job, but I know you said you're not going to run again, but I hope you run two years from now. You never know. I took a two-year absence. I was lucky that the voters returned to me, and many others here have been gone for two years and come back. So, you just never know. But on

behalf of all the people and and elected officials have to work with you and even the clerk's office. Thank you for what you've done um as a counselor for your community. It's it's not an easy job.

And there's two things that people say about politics.

In this business, friends come and go and enemies accumulate. And for you to serve as long as you've served, you've done a hell of a job. Absolutely. And the other thing I say is when people ask me what happened to that counselor, I tell them he had to leave due to illness and fatigue. The people got sick and tired of them.

Well, that might be true. One one other thing I want to say.

I'm sorry. I want people have to go home. But and the councils who knew I served who were no longer with us. I mean, Council Walsh, Council Kak, uh, Skooki Foley, [clears throat] uh, Skookman Gibney, and I probably missed a couple. Uh, Council Gunnerson, you know, there are so many no longer on this earth that have served well, and it was so life is fleeting.

So, I yield, councelor Tom Kak. So many have passed since we've served.

Motion to listen.

On behalf of everyone, have a nice Christmas everybody. Enjoy it with your families. Um, this council has done an outstanding job in the last two years.

I'm very proud to serve as your president. You guys were the ones that acted professional, [snorts] brought up the issues, came up with solutions. It hasn't been easy, but all of you have done an extraordinary job as city councils, and I'm proud to serve and be one of you. Congratulations to all of you for what you've done on behalf of the taxpayers in the city. And merry Christmas, happy new year, enjoy.

And I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn.

Motion to adjurnn. Second as made in second. All in favor?

Any opposed? City council now join. Good night everybody and merry Christmas people and forever.

Hey hey hey.

pain.

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