5.10.2022 Fall River City Council

Fall River Government TV May 10, 2022 YouTube Report Issue

The Fall River City Council held a public hearing, a finance committee meeting, and a regular city council meeting on May 10, 2022. The public hearing addressed nine requests for secondhand article store permits and curb removals, with petitioners like Mallory Rosa, Joaquin Fernandez, Carl Cabucho, Barrett Castro, Michael Mata, Phil Ponte, Kenneth Pereira, and Paulo J Amaral presenting their cases. Most curb removal requests involved expanding existing driveways or creating new ones, often requiring the removal of trees or exceeding standard curb cut lengths. Joaquin Fernandez's request for 178 Lake Ave was adopted pending Zoning Board approval. During the finance committee meeting, citizen Nelson Vasquez criticized Mayor Jasiel Correia for not disclosing the exact tax payment number for the new Durfee High School, threatening legal action. Patrick Higgins submitted a letter raising concerns about an Open Meeting Law complaint, the proposed one-way designation for Granite Street, the reappointment of city employees to the Park Board, and the lack of resumes and political party information for appointment candidates. The committee also discussed a resolution for implementing body cameras for the Fall River Police Department, with Chief Gavin providing an update on grant funding, policy negotiations, and a free pilot program. Transfers of $12,000 for City Council salaries and $871,151 to the school appropriation were discussed, with clarification sought on the source of funds. The full city council meeting saw the confirmation of several appointments, including John Sylvia to the Board of Appeals and Lisa Robitaille to the Board of Election Commissioners, after confirmation of her Republican party affiliation. The council adopted the discussed transfers and appropriations, including $2,511,737 from Community Preservation Act funds for FY2023 projects. They referred traffic ordinance amendments to committee, passed several ordinances through first reading (including water/sewer rates, residential compost recycling, and historical preservation), and adopted resolutions regarding Bristol County ARPA funds and snow removal accountability. A resolution addressing environmental concerns on Stonehaven Road construction passed by a 6-3 roll call vote, despite some councilors' concerns about micromanaging the executive branch. The meeting concluded with the adoption of various licenses, claims, and minutes, and a discussion about the upcoming budget meeting schedule.

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