8.11.2026 City Council - Ordinances & Legislation

The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances & Legislation convened to discuss several proposed ordinances and a resolution. The meeting began with citizen input from Alphonse Hathaway, who proposed stricter regulations for electric bicycles, suggesting they be treated like motorcycles with requirements for registration, insurance, licensing, and increased fines for violations. The committee then discussed a proposed ordinance concerning all-night parking for commercial vehicles. Stephanie MacArthur, Director of Traffic and Parking, answered questions about enforcement based on vehicle weight versus commercial plates. Councilors raised concerns about emergency service vehicles and the definition of a commercial vehicle. The item was ultimately tabled for the traffic department to revise it based on suggestions regarding vehicle length and emergency carve-outs.

The most significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a proposed ordinance to eliminate city solid waste collection for 5 and 6-family properties. Special Counsel Matt Thomas presented a detailed financial analysis, comparing the city's potential costs to provide the service ($317.50 per quarter for one 95-gallon bin) versus private haulers like E.L. Harvey ($225 per quarter) and United States Bins ($262.36 per quarter). The discussion was contentious, with councilors debating the fairness of the proposal, the financial impact on tenants, and the potential for the city to offer a paid opt-in service. A motion to table the item failed in a 2-3 vote. Subsequently, a motion to recommend the ordinance be passed to a second reading was approved with a 3-2 vote.

Finally, the committee addressed a resolution regarding the City Council's authority to approve department head contract renewals for terms less than three years. After it was revealed that the Mayor's administration had verbally agreed to bring any such contracts back before the council, the committee voted to table the resolution. The meeting was then adjourned.

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