2.9.2022 Planning Board

Fall River Government TV Feb 9, 2022 YouTube Report Issue

The Fall River Planning Board convened on February 9, 2022, primarily to address a public hearing regarding the proposed renaming of Griffin Park Playground to Miguel Sander Joe Griffin Park. The proposal stemmed from the tragic death of 14-year-old Miguel San Giorgio due to gun violence in the park on May 18, 2021. Numerous residents, the Corky Row Club, and the Fall River Veterans Council voiced strong opposition to changing the park's name, emphasizing its dedication to Staff Sergeant James T. Griffin, a World War II hero killed in action in 1943, and its 77-year history as a war memorial. Many speakers, including Miguel's mother, Larissa Soto, clarified that their intention was not to rename the entire park but to establish a memorial within it to honor Miguel and raise awareness about gun violence. The Planning Board ultimately voted unanimously (5-0) to not recommend the approval of renaming Griffin Park. However, they also voted to send the matter back to the Fall River Park Department with their full support for the creation of an alternative memorial for Miguel San Giorgio, such as a bench, tree, or plaque, allowing the Park Department to work with Miguel's family on the specifics. In other business, the board unanimously approved a Form A application for Victor Souza to split a parcel at 305 Shavenson Street into two lots and received supplemental environmental information for the Fall River Executive Park VMD warehouse development. Cynthia Sevigny and John Ferreira were unanimously re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. The minutes from the January 12, 2022 meeting were approved with two abstentions.

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