5 20 2025 Historical Commission

Fall River Government TV May 21, 2025 YouTube Report Issue

The Fall River Historical Commission convened on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at 6 PM. The meeting began with a roll call, noting the presence of Connie Soul, Jason Buchardi, Rick Manceni, and Joyce Rodick, with Ashley Duna, Elizabeth Dlock, and John Lima absent. The minutes from March 18th and April 15th, 2025, were tabled to the next meeting due to not being ready, with a unanimous 4-0 vote. Following a motion to reorder the agenda, the commission addressed two requests for Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant funding support. First, Ronald Paul Trip and James Gonzalez from VFW Post 486 presented a request for a letter of support for an emergency CPA application to replace their leaking roof. The VFW had already raised $34,000 towards an estimated $62,000 project. The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to provide a letter of support, but specified that the terms "emergency" or "immediate" should be removed, leaving the determination of urgency to the CPC. Second, Held Monise from the Fall River Deaconess Home requested a letter of support for CPA funding for painting and porch repairs at 603 Rock Street, estimated between $65,000 and $70,000. The commission unanimously (4-0) approved the letter of support, with a note that any material replacements on the porch would require further review. During citizens' input, homeowners Aaron Liry and Jason Camoniti (Jason Kennedy, the chair, also a homeowner at 544 High Street) raised concerns about an unapproved boundary change in the Highlands Local Historic District in 2020, where approximately 30,000 square feet from 550-570 Rock Street was transferred outside the district without proper notification. They requested the commission investigate and refer the matter to the city council, and also involve the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The commission acknowledged the issue, noting they were not informed at the time, and voted unanimously (4-0) to accept the provided material and add the item to the June agenda for further review and action. The meeting also included updates on various property inquiries regarding demolitions, window replacements, and historical status, as well as progress reports on the Steep Brook Bio Reserve Form B update and the Highlands Local Historic District Expansion. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

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