5.6.2026 Park Board

All right, good evening everyone. It is, what day is it? May 6th, and we are here for the monthly park board meeting. Reading of the Open Meeting Law. Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees

are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible. Roll call of commissioners.

Nick Cecilio. Vic DeFarrius. Helen Rego. Amber Burns.

Okay. Do we have any citizens' input? No, I don't think so. Nope. Okay. Can I have the acceptance of the minutes from the April 1st, 2026? Make a motion to accept the minutes from April 26th.

Motion made by Mr. Various, seconded by Ms. Rego. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay, new business. A, a request from Yvonne Dorsenval from VIPAC to host a Haitian flag celebration at Kennedy Park, May 17th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food will be brought and served at the event in addition of a porter john for the event.

I think as long as they work with you to make sure any food that is there is... So I spoke to a health department. They said food that's brought and served is okay. You just can't cook. Okay. Okay. Do I have a motion?

I think a motion to accept it. Second. Motion made by Ms. Ferry, seconded by Mr. Cecilio. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Item B, request from Gloria Sadler for use of Trevasso Park on July 18th, rain date of July 25th.

behalf of the city of Fall River Board of Health and Mass in motion to create a traffic garden from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Douglas Newton said. Yeah, I was going to say she did this last year. Yep. Do we have a motion? I'll make a motion to accept. Second.

Letter C, City of Fall River in conjunction with the Fall River Recreation are requesting use of Highland Park basketball court for their summer Slam basketball competition on July 10th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Once again, yearly thing? Yep. No problems last year?

Yep. No. I make a motion too. No, I said yes, but no problems last year. Sorry. So a motion made by Mr. Cecilio.

Do I have a second? Second.

Second by Helen Rigo. Sorry. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. Item D, a request from Mike Thompson to film in Oak Grove Cemetery Friday, May 29th from 8, I'm sorry, 3 to 9 p.m. Paperwork is in the agenda.

Check that one out. This one, this one is new to me. So I got all the paperwork from Allen and Rumsey. Didn't they do this filming or no? No, this is different. So we do, we do, we approve cemetery filming with the park board. So. It seems like it's just like a student film about Fall River. Yeah. Just cool. So it says right here, so

if you look at the description, so what of the main things that the law department wanted was the description on the third page. You read the description, they just say anything that's filmed. They don't want any of the headstone names. They want them blurred out. Okay. Just sort of the location or anything. Yeah, so as long as they know that and they're willing to abide by that. And they have to

do the half a million dollar liability? Yep. They'll be paid the fee, the 125.

So just a question. So none of these are signed, so I'm assuming until we approve it, then they'll be signed afterwards? They will be signed. I think I had, did we ask them to show here? I could have sworn we did. Is it Mike Thompson here? Because I had an issue with the hours. Because 3 to 9 p.m. the cemetery's not open. Okay. So it closes at 3. Yeah. So I don't

want to hold it up by not approving it. So what we can do is we can put a stipulation that they just have to amend the hours, if that works for everyone. After a conversation with me. Yeah, after a conversation with you and amend the, yes, that's what, sorry. But amend the hours and have a conversation with you to make sure that you are, because I have no problem with it as

long as everybody's good with it. No, I just, I didn't know, it's like I'm looking at the paperwork and I don't see it signed. Yeah. What is it? So like the first one, so obviously, the mayor's gonna sign off on it, it looks like. So that's like after the fact. Oh, okay, that's what it asks, yeah, once it gets approved. Yeah, once we say okay. The same thing with like the park,

like when I submit mine, I don't, I guess it gets signed after the fact.

Yeah. All right, so do I have a motion? Yes, I'll make a motion during the stimulation that they have talked to Darren and...

And the hours? And the hours. I'll second it. Motion made by Commissioner Nefarious, seconded by Commissioner Decilio. all in favor okay item F a request from Mark Conrad working with Corky Road neighborhood association in use of Griffin Park June 27th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for barbecue basketball children's games and music this is an annual event I have a motion

motion to accept second motion made by Commissioner Rego seconded by Commissioner Farias all in favor all right nice have it item G request from Grace I think your last name was Serling. Representing Fall River Rec for use of Ruggles Park for the annual kickoff to summer June 13th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Install sign at Park for event. One sec, did we skip one? I think they skipped

E. I think we skipped E. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, oops, my bad. All right, well, I'll go back to E, my bad. So item E, request from Kevin Griffin representing Morton Middle School for use of North Park courts and fields and playgrounds for a school field day on June 12th from 8 a.m. To 2 p.m. Thanks for calling that out. Yeah, no worries. No, once again, it's an annual thing and it's

for the school. Yeah. Motion made by Commissioner Rego. Second. Seconded by Commissioner Cecilio. All in favor? Aye. I just have it. Now back to G. A REQUEST FOR THE FALL RIVOR RECK AND THE USE OF RUGGLES PARK FOR THE ANNUAL KICKOFF TO SUMMER, JUNE 13TH FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM AND STALL SIGN FOR THE PARK FOR THE EVENT. THIS IS AN ANNUAL EVENT. MOTION TO ACCEPT.

SECOND IT. MOTION TO ACCEPT BEED BY COMMISSIONER RIGO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FARRIERS. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL AYE. AYE. AYE'S HAVE IT. Item H, another request from Grace representing the Fall River Recreational to use Kennedy Park volleyball courts for the youth volleyball program scheduled is to follow July 8th until September 2nd from 530 to 745.

Just a question on that. It's not every day, it's every Wednesday. No, no, no, that's fine. But is there going to be any signage maybe? Like a temporary sign to say, hey, this is reserved by... No, usually as long as she has her permit in hand. As long as I give her a permit, that gives you. Okay, that's all I have to question. That's all. Do I have a motion? So I'll

make a motion to accept. Motion to accept by Commissioner Cecilio, seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor? Another request from the Fall River Recreation for use of multiple parks for their annual free lunch program following dates starting July 6th through August 28th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Travarsos, Lafayette, Kennedy Park, Plesky, Puglios, Griffin, and

Ruggles Park. This is annual. Motion to accept. Motion to accept made by Commissioner Rego.

Seconded. Seconded by Commissioner Farris. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye Abbey law representing community connections for the use of Bicentennial Park for yoga classes on the following dates May 19th the 26th the June 2nd June 9th June 16th June 23rd and make up rain date for June 30th times from 9 30 to 11 30 I do believe that this is also an annual thing last year was the first year no problem motion to accept

motion to accept made by Commissioner ego Seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor?

Aye. Ayes have it. A request from Cody Mendes to use Kennedy Park for metal detecting Monday through Sunday. Didn't we do this last time? We did it for somebody else. Oh. This is a new one. Okay.

I don't have a problem. No. I don't see why this isn't even. No, it's part of the park rules. Yeah. I have no problem with this as long as you can. We already told somebody else they could do it. Yeah.

I make a motion to accept by Commissioner Ferry, seconded by Commissioner Rego. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. Item L, a request from Bruce Aldridge to install a bronze war dog and plaque at Bicentennial Park between Vietnam Memorial and War on Terra Memorial.

Vietnam Memorial and War of Terror Memorial. Sorry. Who's paying for it? They are. They are. Yeah, they're paying for everything. They have an empty spot there. They want to put something up. It's a park. Motion to accept. Yeah. Okay.

Okay. Motion to accept made by Commissioner Rico. Seconded. Seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. Item M, a request by Kim Broder, representing the Fall River Youth Marines for use of Kennedy Park.

17th rain day of the 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this event will include crafts nonprofit drug prevention resources and community engagement there will also be a walk for drug awareness

motion to accept made by Commissioner Ferry seconded by Commissioner Rego all in favor ayes have it item n request by Emmanuel Resendiz for metal detecting in city parks. Anybody else? Anybody else?

This one's looking for all, right? The other one was just for Kennedy. Yeah, some of them are. Some of them, the one we did last time was like all, he does them at all of them, so I think we had said he could do them at all, right? Well, he lives near north, but he does primarily Kennedy.

Not Mendes, the one that came here last time. Yeah, he does. Oh, sorry, I thought he had said he did all of them. No, just primarily Kennedy. Like I said, Who cares? The thing is when they come in for the permit, I specifically tell them if you're going to dig holes, you've got to fill them. That's the main concern. That's the only concern I have. Nothing on

fields. Okay. Right. Yeah, so as long as you're like relaying that message to them and we haven't had anybody come in and say, hey, they're doing X, Y, and Z when they shouldn't be, I don't have a problem with it if no one else does. You didn't do citizens input? Yeah, we did. Here we go. Who's here? I did citizen's input. Did you? Yeah. Oh, before I got here? No. Oh,

you were here. We're good. No one signed up for citizen's input. We're good on any drugs. Are you here for anything? Are you here for anything? Oh.

Oh, which one are you? So you know, you want to come down, just stay in here?

We were doing so well guys. I'm just kidding. Just say your name.

My name is Emmanuel Resendiz. So the only thing we have like once this is finalized you can come pick up the pinment at my building 450 middle street. You can either call I'll have it ready you can come pick it up. The only thing we ask is can metal detector in any of the ball fields if you're digging holes you're gonna just replace what you're taking out put it back. That's the

only thing we have. And if you find anything really valuable, just let me know first. I will. That's it. That's it. Thanks. Thank you. Can I get a motion? I'll make a motion to accept the request. Motion made by Commissioner Cecilio, seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. Item O, a request from the Corky Row Memorial Day Committee to hold an annual Memorial Day ceremony

May 24th at 1030 a.m. at Griffin Park. Motion to accept. Second it. Motion to accept made by Commissioner Rego, seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. A request by Maria DePont, representing the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England following dates August 12th to August 31st at Kennedy Park.

Well, it's the week before, the week of, and the week after. Because what happens is the week before the prep, week of the thing, and then a week after, because they've got to take everything back. Yeah, it's normally like that. Well, they count the time when they track the trailer boxes of their way to get picked up.

So that's the whole time period. But they're paying per day, $125 per day, even if the feast is not happening. Right. Oh, wow. Okay. I'll make a motion to accept that. I'll second it. Motion to accept by Commissioner Faria, seconded by Commissioner Cecilia.

All in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. Item Q, a request from Tia Castellano representing the Bristol Black Coalition for its annual Juneteenth celebration on June 20th, rain day of the 21st from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Request permission to put banners in Kennedy, Lafayette Park, and Ruggles to advertise the event. Motion to accept. Second it. Motion to accept by Commissioner Rego, seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in

favor? Aye. Ayes have it. Item R, a request from Talos Farias representing the Department of Veterans Services for this annual. I have to explain. I've got to finish reading it. Go ahead. Department of Veterans Services for its annual Memorial Day Parade, which will take place at Kennedy Park on May 25th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. TELUS has extended an invitation as well to the park board

members to attend and walk in the parade as well. Does anyone need to abstain?

I do. Oh, okay. Can I get a motion? Motion to accept. Seconded. Motion to accept made by Commissioner Rego, seconded by Commissioner Cecilio, Commissioner Farias has abstained from this vote. Thank you. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it.

Item S, a request from Joshua Blaze. Sorry if I said that wrong. Representing Fall River Independent Baseball League for use of Chu Park for the following schedule, Sunday through Friday, Sundays 11 a.m. to curfew, weekdays 6.30 p.m. to curfew from May 11th through September 30th. Agreed. Do this last? They've been doing it for years. Yeah. They pay for the lights and it's because it's an adult league. Oh,

okay. I'll make the motion that we accept that. That doesn't interfere with anything else. That's the only thing that basically uses that. Yeah. Okay. Can someone remind me where Tupac is? It's right behind the fire station across from Henry's Tire. Oh, that's Tupac? Yeah. Really? Yeah. And Father Kelly's across the street. Yeah. Oh, so it's the

one. Okay. Yeah. My fault. Okay. Yeah. I'll second it. Motion made by Commissioner Farias, seconded by Commissioner Cecilio. All in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. I thought it was an extension of Father Kelly, but I know that's something new. Item T, a request from Coraloria Sadler. On behalf of Espira Santo, have a field day at Father Trafasso's Park, May 26th and 27th from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Motion to accept.

Second. Motion to accept made by Commissioner Rego, seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor?

Aye. Ayes have it. item U, a request from Gloria Sadler, representing the Fall Review Youth Marines to install two picnic benches near the community garden at Trabossos Park. I love that community. I love what they're doing with the community garden. I think it's amazing. I think it's amazing what they're doing over there. Just my two cents. Make a motion to accept the request. Motion to accept

made by Commissioner Cecilio, seconded by Commissioner Farias. All in favor? Aye. I have it.

Item B, request from Gloria Sadler representing YACorp to paint the rotary at Father Trovasos Park in addition to two benches on the outside wall for the street hockey rink. What is the... I'd like to nominate, but she's got to check with Darren to find out what kind of paint do you use on the benches? No, they're going to hide. It's a company that they do designs. You know, like the building

on Pleasant Street? on the side of the high-rise. It's all like fancy, like just like artists. That's what's going to be on the outside of that hockey. I'm talking about the benches. She wants to paint the benches. They're going to paint them like this. Yeah, so it's like a company doing it, so they'll know what they should and shouldn't use. Yeah, they're not painting it. They have an artist's paint. But yes,

let's make sure that they use the correct paint so it doesn't wash away. Right.

But that's cool. Yeah, what is the rotary? Am I like? So there's a little rotary intro. Oh, like literally the ground. They're going to paint the ground. Gotcha. Okay. Gotcha. Yeah. I love that. Such fun things happening. Can I have a motion? Make a motion to approve it.

I'll second it. Motion to approve by Commissioner Ferrius, seconded by Commissioner Cecilio. All in favor? Aye. The eyes have it. Requests from Gloria Sadler, why can't I say her name right? Gloria Sadler representing the Flint Neighborhood Association that is proposing two park benches, a flagpole, an asphalt walkway at the entrance location to Trovasos Park on the Alden Street side. Well, I'm assuming you are good

with all of that? Yeah, so the top of Alden Street, there's a strip of grass that comes into the backside of Trovasos. So they want to do an entrance there with the sign, Travassos, a walkway all the way down to like where the splash pad is, two benches there and American flag. The veterans, they want the American flag with dedication. Okay. Who's paying for it? I think it's a grant

from CDA. Okay. It's all covered. Awesome. Can I have a motion? Make a motion to accept the request. Motion to accept made by Commissioner Cecilio, seconded by Commissioner Rego.

All in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. Guys, item X.

We're killing the game, I'm just saying. A request from Stephen... Mar, thank you.

Representing Ripple Fiber for broadband installations at Chu and Kennedy Park. They're offering free Wi-Fi in these parks in addition to a lease agreement for the installation.

Come on down. All right. So we have some updated information. We had sent over a lease agreement. I think we were going to review. We did add a little bit to it, but the new version is in here. We just want to review.

but the main piece that we added was the actual fee for the lease. So we continue to do the free Wi-Fi at the two parks. Since we met last, I think it was back in October, we did scale down to just doing two parks right now with the anticipation of moving to four, but those probably won't be until two or three years down. Are you still considering the other two locations? We

are considering. We're just not moving forward at this time. It'll probably be something we look at doing two years down the road, basically. But these first two groups basically would serve about 30,000 customers for the location. Really want to just hand it to Darren as well for taking us out there and literally walking us through each park. We think we found some good suitable locations that aren't going

to inhibit anyone from using the park and also aesthetically it's going to be in a shed. So if you look into your packet, the OLT locations, we have kind of pictures of the two sheds that weren't being used for anything, I think, besides sheltering a couple of rooms. Both pretty close to the roadway, so shouldn't have much of a, any sort of an issue there. So the two pieces that would go

towards the park would be, of course, the free Wi-Fi for anyone using it. The second piece would be the lease of $600 a month per location. So it's pretty standard as far as how the lease is written. The attorney for Fall River reviewed it, didn't have any issues with it. So we came here to get your thoughts and input. Happy to go into as much detail as you want on everything. So

the other thing you had mentioned about sponsoring something at the bar? Yeah, I was able to get that approved this morning. And two things I think we want to clarify. we look at ourselves as kind of being a community partner. So while we're here, while we're building, we're happy to entertain any events that you want us to sponsor. Up front, we also decided it would be great to just kind of, as

a good gesture, kind of a $2,500 sponsor anything you want, basically, for the parks.

That can kind of be open-ended. The only thing we'd be asked for is if it's an event that it's just as sponsored by Ripple Fiber, if it's a bench or something more permanent, just a plaque or a little piece that says, you know, sponsored by Ripple Fiber. Kind of the same idea. But yeah, so kind of those three pieces. You know, we want to obviously be involved with the parks, but

also the city. Happy to entertain any events that you sponsor, if the commissioners sponsor any specific events. But up front, just kind of saying, look, we're happy to kind of add in $2,500 sponsorship for whatever you deem appropriate.

I know the concern last time was like what the parks was getting out of it. And I think this answers that question. Yeah. So my question, this might not even, this obviously isn't for you, but like the 600 lease, does that come to the parks or does it go to the city? As far as I know, I think it goes into the general fund. Okay. But I'm going to try to work

somehow on the back end so that would fund some type of Park something and parks yeah that's was my that was my input on that okay yeah I think we should definitely push for that just because we know there's going to be added expenses for the Park Department like at any point if you need anyone to go out there like obviously it's going to be the parks that are be meeting

you so I just want to make sure how I know it's going to be a detail in the lease agreement but how would we be involved in tech we won't be of all what's it's like to some of these building like Kennedy there is lights in there for the basketball court, that particular box. True Park has the lights for that field in that structure. So we will, it's gonna be accessed

by whoever's using that field. We access the basketball court to turn the lights on every year. That's about the extent of that location. That won't impact you at all.

Right. No. Okay. No. So that would be an issue. I'm sure we can work something out if we need to as far as access. We would just need to have, 24 hour access. So if there's a padlock on it, we would just need a key for the padlock. And that's because if there's any sort of outage, obviously the last thing we want is for a customer to be. Is there any kind

of like structure upgrades that have to happen to do with inclement weather, you know, penetration of water? Is that something that you'll get in once you get into those facilities? Yeah, we'll do a few upgrades. One piece that we'll definitely have to do is a cooling system. Obviously the equipment can get a bit warm. that we're going

to be installing, but we'll obviously cover the cost for that, cover the electricity costs, everything else. It will be separately metered to us, so you won't have any issue there. You pull all the permits for the, like you'll have to put in the meter, whatever, and then they have to sign off on it, the power company, so all those permits. Exactly, yeah. We'll be responsible for all of that, and this

will all obviously be worked out through city council as well. But if it does come out that we have to piggyback off of your electric meter, we would reimburse you for that. So how we set it up in Attleboro, for example, is we have one of our cabinets on the campus of Sturdy Hospital. So we reimburse the city $100 per month towards their electric bill because that's roughly what we

would spend on electricity for that cabinet. So it'd be $100 per location if that was the easiest way to move forward. When was the last conversation you had with the cooperation of Congress 1? I think it was a couple weeks ago, probably, I think right after you, right before you had called me. So you guys discussed the lease agreement? Yeah, we discussed that, and I just got to run by any changes

that would be in it. But again, this was step one of probably three to four before it would actually get done. Okay. So once again, it's just our step, our role in this is just basically approving Improving that location. Locations. And that's it.

After we've done that, it's out of our hands, whatever. It's out of our hands.

But the main thing, like my concern at the beginning was locations where you won't even know it's there. These locations already exist with electrical in them. So I wasn't a fan of having boxes like those cabinets. Yeah. Like additional structures. Like additional. In addition. Yeah. Something that wasn't there. So these are like structures that are already there.

Some of them, they're not used to capacity. Yeah. So this is a perfect example where From the outside, nothing's going to change visually. Okay, yeah. I had something. So when it comes to the existing lights that are in there, if it ends up being an issue, which I don't foresee it being one, could we install something additional so like if someone from the city is going in

there to update the lights, they can't mess with your stuff. And if somebody from your situation is going there, they can't like just turn the lights on accidentally and the lights are just on. Because that setup is pretty much foolproof like on your end, right? Yeah, I mean, we definitely want some precautions in there to make sure that again, you know, someone doesn't go in there with a coffee and sneeze or

something. Like if you have like an extra cage around, like I don't, just something so that it isn't like a, hey, this got ruined and we don't know who did what. Well, I think the padlocks would have to be updated or some kind of security on the door because in the past it was, you know, there's only lights for the basketball court and at times we've handed out keys to permit holders

to say, hey, you know, you're using this. At that time you can go in, turn the lights on. You did that, but that's not going to happen anymore. Yeah, okay. It can't happen anymore. Yeah, okay. Yeah, so the one thing I do want to say because we got like a lot of criticism the last time when we had said we weren't going to approve this. The big thing for us is and

I will all speak for myself, was I wanted to make sure that it was worth it for the residents of Fall River and for the park board. We've been through numerous budgets since I've been here, and the amount of times we've been cut short are things that we've been signed up for that have now come out of our pocket that we're now holding the bill for when we never signed up for

it in the first place. There just needs to be something in it for us, and that might sound selfish, but I just want to make sure that we're still running the same capacity or the same way we are now or better, I don't wanna ever get to a point where we're now like having to take away something else because we have to pay for extra man hours for something to this effect.

So I just wanna put that out there because I know this is everywhere. But just to recap, we will get free wifi in the parks for the residents of Fall River, which is amazing for Kennedy Park and Chew Park. You're saying around 30,000 Fall River residents would be able to sign on for Ripple Fiber. And then in addition, if we do decide to put any additional locations, that number would just increase

over time if we see fit, if we want to add it into any additional parks or locations in Fall River. And speaking like the citizens of Fall River, like the cost savings to the citizens versus what's available now is significant. Significant, yes.

We did just upgrade our packages as well. So it's actually lower. So we have kind of a more entry-level package at $45 a month. to make it more feasible for a lot of people that the 65 was still a bit too expensive. And we do have a low income option that's I think as low as $30. So yeah, so I just, we've never thought this was a bad idea. It was more,

we just needed to make sure that it made sense for the park department because knowing or just knowing how things have gone in the past. That being said, I think this is an amazing option. I think this is a step in the right direction and I have no problems or no additional questions if anyone else has any.

Anyone? Helen? All right. Can I get some motions? We can, yeah, I'll make a motion that we approve those two spots. Okay. And I'll second it. All right, so a motion made by Commissioner Ferrius, seconded by Commissioner Cecilio. All in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. Thank you. Thank you. Well, my agenda was. That was the last one. So, I know, I don't play around. Well, it also helps when every single item is

an annual event. Do we have any commissioner inquiries? No. Do you have any, Helen?

You got anything, Helen? Can I get a motion to adjourn?

Motion to adjourn. Second it. Made by Commissioner Ferry, seconded by Commissioner Celial. All in favor? All in favor. The ayes have it.