2.13.2012 Fall River City Council Meetings

The Fall River City Council met on February 13, 2012, beginning with a Committee on Finance session featuring a detailed briefing by Community Utilities Administrator Terrence Sullivan and CDM Smith engineers on the federally mandated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) abatement program. Sullivan presented three conceptual design options for a planned $6 million underground screening and disinfection facility at President Avenue and Bicentennial Park. Several councilors voiced strong opposition to Option 1 due to proposed road extensions cutting through parkland near the upcoming Bristol Community College campus, preferring alternatives that restrict vehicular traffic within the park. Following the presentation, citations were awarded to community members and firefighter wives for their relief efforts aiding victims of a recent fire on Hood Street, as well as to Council President Linda Pereira for her leadership.

During citizen input and regular business, the disposal of surplus city-owned school properties was a prominent focus. Neighbors and community members testified regarding the Belisle, Osborn, and N.B. Borden schools. In formal session, the council approved the sale of the N.B. Borden School and Osborn School, while referring related bid proposals back to the Real Estate Committee. A resolution requesting the Real Estate Committee to consider withdrawing all bids on the Belisle School and restarting the process was referred to that committee after contentious debate regarding fairness, zoning compliance, and potential environmental liabilities. Additionally, a resolution sponsored by Councilor Eric Poulin proposing that the city appropriate $100,000 from certified free cash for environmental assessments and appraisals on surplus school buildings was amended and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Other notable council actions included the passage of Councilor Michael Mioza's resolution requesting that the administration reassign a Corporation Counsel position to serve as independent legal counsel directly for the City Council, which passed on a 6-3 vote after significant debate over municipal separation of powers and budget impact. The council also unanimously adopted resolutions urging the Patrick-Murray administration not to close Taunton State Hospital, petitioning state leaders to address state revenue deficits to protect municipal aid, and approving a lease agreement with the Fall River Fire Museum for property at 1181 North Main Street. A resolution supporting an EPA No Discharge Area designation for Mount Hope Bay was referred to the Committee on Health and Environmental Affairs.

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