8.12.2025 Fall River City Council

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coming back.

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pain.

pain.

Heat. Heat.

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Hey. Hey.

City Council public meeting will come to order. Clerk will call the role.

Council Kadine here.

Dion here.

Hart here.

Kilby here.

Pereira here. Ponty.

Reposo here.

Tip here.

President Kamar here. Just let everybody know council Ponti is out of town and unable to attend tonight's meeting. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit this meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed

acknowledged and permissible.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Motion to open the public hearing has been made and second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Public hearing is now open.

Item number one, Arminio and Cassandra Lima, 363 Miller Street for removing as follows. The existing opening at that property is 18 ft 6 in. Curb to be removed is 9 ft. There's no curb to be added. Combined opening proposed after alteration is 27 ft 6 in.

The existing parcel is served by an 18t 6-in curb opening. The applicant proposal to expand the opening by additional 9 ft for a total opening of location will be 27 feet 6 in. Are there any proponents to this public hearing?

Any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents to this public hearing? Any opponents?

Seeing none, motion close to close the public hearing has remained second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Public hearing is now closed.

Can move right into community finance.

City Council Comm. The clerk will please call the role.

Council Kadin here.

Dion here. Hart here.

Kilby here.

Pereira here.

Ponty.

Reposo here.

Tip here.

President Camaro here. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit this meeting to any medium.

Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made or perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed acknowledged and permissible.

We have a couple of individuals who signed up for citizens input time.

First, we have Richard Branco, subject matter.

Well, you're first on the list. Yes, you are. Oh, Richard Branco. Subject matter revenue.

I'm going to do something I haven't done before. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak. And Allison, Miss Buchad, on behalf of everybody that has a bald spot in their head, we apologize.

Mission for the future. I apologize.

All right. With all that being said, um I came in here in March and we started talking about homelessness and all that stuff. Well, today you guys want to talk about generation and I just want to take the opportunity to talk about something that I've worked on my whole life, which is the opportunity to bring campgrounds into the city. Now, at the time, I won't publicly say where the location is, but

I want to use the 10 acres of land as an example, just because it's simple math.

With on an acre of land, we can have 30 spots. At $300 a spot, that is now $9,000 a month revenue. Multip multiply that by a year.

I just add another zero. and then multiply that by 10 acres of land and we're looking at a way to create $3 million a year. Now, it's the beginning of the tiny homes, which is something that everybody wants to talk about, but it's a way to speed it up by offering it to people at first with campus so that they can build their own tiny homes.

Now, to figure out how many spots are on the property, the average tiny home is 800 square feet. So you have that, you have parking. I estimate at 1,200 square feet. I know for me personally, that's enough for me to park my camper, have my onear garage, put my race car trailer there, and park my truck. And I'll be willing to pay $300 for that little post damp. And I know there's a lot of other

homeless people who are living in their cars who can't afford something like this. you know, when it comes to the f the future because this is once again about revenue. I don't think it the problem's about money coming in. It's about how it's getting spent. So, if I could just offer a suggestion, I stayed out of this year's budget hearings, base it at 410 million and see how far we can go

because if you have the the revenue of the campgrounds and everything that that's capable of becoming, which is a money cow, you know, I can have a racetrack.

You have 30 seconds left.

Yes, sir. I can have a racetrack in a building the size of Dristo Rink and put on fun entertainment.

This is something that can grow and grow and grow for the future. And like once again, if we base the budget on 410 and then we add this income from these campgrounds, we've basically paid off the water department bill for everybody. And I think that we live in a time and day where we should not have to pay for what is the one thing we need to survive.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next we have Kelly Buchanan. Subject matter, illegal homeless encampments.

Yes, we are.

Good evening.

You want to sign?

Good evening. I'm back again.

My neighborhood, it's even worse. It's never changed. Two years I've been fighting these illegal encampments.

Two years, over two years. And what I said was going to happen two years ago when I spoke with the mayor of July of 2023 is now come to pass. We went from approximately 100 homeless people to we got four, five, six, 700. We don't even know the number. They just broke up the encampment down at the rail trail. Great job. But guess where they all went?

down by down by us. We're dealing with so much down there. There was already a fire down there. Um so you guys can check. We budget we're spending $3.5 million plus on homeless and the problem's getting worse and worse. So clearly what we're doing isn't working.

We're we're supplying them with everything they need, meaning needles and we are the taxpayers. We're doing it through grants to star these. We're bringing them needles and whatnot so they can do illegal drugs. Make that make sense that we're giving them why are we locking up drug dealers? Why if what if they're selling drugs to keep their roof over their head for their kids? Um I mean

where do we say all right enough with the lawlessness and get back to just common sense. It doesn't matter. You can put all these people that are you know facing um dealing with addiction right now. You can put them in homes. they're not going to sustain them realistically.

So the problem is we you're offering them treatment. I and I know they're saying that you're not and I know that the mayor has offered them treatment.

They're offering them shelter. It might not be in Fall River, but if they truly want to get help, they'll go wherever it is that we can send them get the help. If they don't want to, we're allowing them to stay there. Why is this? We have to deal with all that.

It's you go into the Highlands. I know I'm I'm in the Highlands all the time now, riding my bike. It's safe. It's clean. There's no encampments. Not one.

And I ride all over. You come to the South End, it's awful. It's awful. We have them everywhere. They're popping up everywhere. And it's I get people can't afford rents, but a majority is because of addiction. And if we don't solve that problem, it doesn't matter. You can put them in tiny homes, campgrounds, we're going to still have the same mess. How much money have we spent on the rail

trail cleaning it up to allow them to go back down by me? It's disgusting. Let me let my yard get that way. Y'all will be down there in a minute. I'll be fined.

I'll have leans on my house. Let me not pay my taxes. I'm paying taxes. I get nothing in return. They're they're getting high right in public. Broad daylight.

Look at the police logs. Don't take my word for it. Go. It's Anybody can do it.

It was There was calls made this week.

I'm just asking. I understand like you guys all passed the budget. I believe everybody I think Michelle you might have been the only one that said no. I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty that against it. We have to see what we're budgeting. Where's our money being said spent? I'm paying all these taxes but I'm getting nothing in return. My area looks like the slums. We're we look like

Kensington um Pennsylvania. We look like Skid Row.

If you live in the Highlands, you're not worried about it because you don't look out your window and this is what you see. You're not stepping over a heroin package. You're not stepping over dirty needles.

I'm tired. I'm tired. I'm tired. I've been doing this for over two years now.

When is enough going to be enough? When are we going to bring law and order back? I'm not asking you guys to do something. I'm asking you to follow laws. Drugs are illegal, yet we're giving them the means to do them.

Make that make that make sense. We call it harm reduction. Where's our harm reduction?

Where's our harm reduction? Where's the taxpayer, law abiding citizens who go to work every day, who do what we're supposed to do? Where's ours?

Why does a small percentage get to decide how everybody else gets to live?

We are I was on the rails trail. I was literally broad daylight 2 o'clock in the afternoon the day before they did the raid watch not one but two females shooting up on a bench broad daylight.

Not even trying to hide it. That's what you see in Kensington. Oh, that won't happen here. It's happening here. And I told the mayor and I'm not trying to put him on blast. I told him this two years ago and he kind of giggled at, "Oh, Kelly, we're not." No, that's How do you think it starts? What's next? The tents are going to be in front of our houses and we got to deal with it as

homeowners. It's not fair. You go to the Highlands, you don't see it. I don't know how I know. I believe you live in the south end. I don't know who else lives in the South End, but if you don't, come drive to our seats. I'll I'll take you for a ride through our streets. You want to see what the south end of Fall River looks like? I don't know the last time you've been here.

Come and see.

Can you drive up, please?

Yeah. You give we get three I get three I get three minutes motion w second any all in favor I any opposed then thank you I appreciate it three minutes I know I come here and and I'm not trying to put thr but I just asking for common sense I'm asking for the laws to be followed it's not working the homeless committee and I mean they're making money stop the money I guarantee they won't be

down there won't be down there giving them um needle packages I guarantee it.

You stop the money, it's not going to continue. If they didn't, people don't care about those homeless. I I shouldn't say that. I can't say all, but a majority don't. It's a It's a cash cow.

$3.5 million. What have we done? But it's grown and gotten worse and more dangerous.

So, let's stop the money. Let's take that $3.5 million. There's elderly people not making decisions whether they're going to get medication or eat or pay their light bill or veterans that are sleeping on the street. Let's let's take care of people who want it want the help. And any of the ones that are down there that truly want the help, they'll go. If it's Worcester, it's Worcester.

If you truly want to get better, you can't save people. And this we go and checking on it. How many elderly people are we checking on? How many doors is the fast uh I think it's the fast team.

How many doors of elderly people?

They're knocking to see if they're okay.

Again, with choices we make, there comes consequences. I get addiction. I understand once they're in the realm of all this, but it's not our responsibility. But people who have family members down there, I know if I had anybody that my loved ones were down there, I promise you if they overdosed in their tent with a needle that Star gave, I would be trying to sue the city and it wouldn't be about money because

we're giving the means to kill themselves. That's like giving somebody suicidal a gun but no bullets. They're going to find the bullets. Why would we give them the gun? Why are we giving them the ammo that's going to kill themselves under the roots of um harm reduction? Anybody that knows anything about addiction, they know if somebody's sick, they're going to share with whoever. They don't care if that's the

only needle. That's what they're going to use. If you talk to most addicts and they're being honest, they're going to tell you that they're going to take whatever they can get because that's what they do.

But you know what's going to save their lives? Maybe if they are in jail, maybe if we arrest them and they go to jail, maybe they get clean and sober and they're alive. You know what? Then we can look at making laws where 5 years down the line if you get out, you're clean, you're sober, that gets expuned from your record, no cost. I mean, that's something we can look at. But

it's still a crime to do illegal drugs.

It's still a crime to rob stores. It's still a crime to rob from people's yards. It's still a crime to trespass.

These are all crimes, but yet a small percentage don't have to follow. Well, we do make it make sense. Maybe I'm wrong. Make it make sense. I'm sorry, Michelle. I know you do. Did Did you have an No, I just want to make three statements. The first You just want to make a comment.

You can go, Mr. Buchanan.

I'm sorry.

You can go. You're the time is up. You can go. She's just going to make a comment.

No, I'm good. Go ahead. What I was going to say is I I agree with what you're saying. Um, I find that we had to have 800 calls for service to the rail trail before action was taken. Every crime under the book in the book. Um, 800 calls. That that that's it boggles my brain.

And lastly, I know for a fact because I saw it with my own eyes. So, yes, Star, they give them 10 to 20 needles. They give them everything they need to do the drugs, the pot to cook it, to be able to test the fentinel. But what really really uh I don't even know what the word is, blew my mind, is the fact that they also enclose instructions on how to shoot up.

That blew my mind completely. And and I don't know, dick because and I don't even know what to say to you. Be Yeah. Because what we're doing is we're we're keeping people down. They're never going to get better. Be you can't give everybody the means and expect them to want to get help. They're not going to get help and we are doing it. The government is doing it because it's a

cash cow. Follow the money. I would I I request a fiscal audit of the city. I want to see where my tax dollars going.

Why don't we have a right? Why can't I I don't care how much it costs. I'm sure there's plenty of homeowners like myself. You know, when's something going to get done? If if I can rally people up to say, "Hey, let's withhold our taxes."

So, if city hall isn't getting funded, is something would that change something? I mean, I don't want to do I I try to follow the laws. I try to do live the best life I can do following the rules. But it's not fair that I have to live we have to live my community has to live in hell and deal with this.

It's dangerous. It's not just for me, for my community.

I think we all agree with you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Thank you guys.

Thank you, council. Council.

Yeah. Just I mean I just wanted to see the fire was it at that same location where the last one was and what people from the rail trail came down. They're now down at Bay Street.

So yes, it was somebody um and and also too they are they cong the people that from the rail trail they're are they going under that track where the track is where the fire was? Yes. So they're all down there. They're living at the top of Kennedy Park. All through the park. They're out there broad daylight.

You go up that road. You go up that road and all the whole park. The whole park. The whole park.

All right.

So in the as far as the fire, it was last Thursday.

The response was unbelievable. And I can I don't have proof, but when you hear multiple um propane tanks um um blowing up, that gives you kind of idea what's going on, right? So, and I know there was an because I went down there and I know there was an arson investigation.

So, if it was an accidental, there wouldn't be an arson investigation.

Again, I get people like people who were in addiction, but we cannot continue to allow this. When are we going to say, okay, when they're everybody's in front of our house and they shoot like why is that fair for the rest of the community?

Because they want to they it's criminal.

You arrest the drug dealer. Why aren't we arresting the people who are who are doing it?

When they overdose, instead of letting them releasing them, why don't we send them to treatment force or jail?

Maybe we'll save lives.

Yeah. Thanks.

Thank you guys. Thank you.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Next, subject abuse of three minutes.

Uh good afternoon councilors. Um you know we are living in precarious times.

Um there's this gentleman Johnny Harris on Facebook. He actually uh goes into research about um the poverty industrial complex which there is money to be made off of people being in need, being on welfare, being impoverished, being poor, being harassed of bloody blue crap.

Excuse the French. Um just for speaking up to people that think that they're more powerful than we the people. Okay?

And then you're like, "Oh, I've heard this guy on the radio. Here he goes again." Yeah, here I go again. Um, I'm going to keep speaking out. I am not going to be intimidated to speak out what I feel that should be done in all 50 states, excuse me, 48. Um, and I'm just tired of the way our government's running and how people are poor and people are rich and there's no incentive

for anybody to get ahead in the middle the middle class. You you hear people landlords, rent control, you hear this in housing, you hear that in housing, but you don't really see what's going on behind the scenes with um obviously you're hearing it from the stories of what's going on with the homeless stuff.

You're hearing that it's plain as day.

Um, I believe if I'm not mistaken, um, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, that Trump wants to put most of these people in either homeless shelters, mental wards, or almost like assisted living hospitals.

Um, and we can't let that happen. If people are law-abiding citizens, um, have no criminal record, have no, um, anything on their record, why you gonna demonize a person for homelessness when it's a human right and a shelter right and this millionaire's tax and everything else that's getting funded within this state that's going on because, you know, HUD's going to be closing, shutting down, Medicare is

going to be going back to the states.

All the funding is going to be going back to the states. So, I want transparency in housing getting off of Reagan's trickle down effect welfare system. It needs to end, guys. You guys have the legislative power to do a lot of certain things. implement money in this account, implement money in this account for the homeless and implement money in in controlling and maybe um keeping an eye on the places like the

forever housing authority making sure that they're in check with people's civil rights just like other housing units too because a lot of these people make up their own rules. How would you like it if you know I came down ripped out your homeless camp?

Can you try to up please?

Yeah. Or I came into your apartment and I had a request order and 10 seconds.

Yeah, I that's fine. Uh Joe, if I came into your apartment and um you know messed up your stuff and you know violated your rights and didn't leave you a note, you know, Mr. Kilby, how would you like if I came for an example?

Not not pointing anything.

Thank you very much. Your time's up, my friend.

Yeah. Can I can I just extend it, please? Um let's say if I can't extend it. I'm sorry, but I'll talk to you after.

Yeah, no problem.

All right. Thank you. I just think that if uh you know people should leave notes and not go in people's apartments and that's the culture around in this city for the last 30 40 years in public housing and I think you guys are gerrymandering the votes too through public housing. I got a whole stack of election ballots in my mailbox still so I can keep going on and on peacefully and lawfully of course.

Thank you.

Next we have Carlo Caesar subject matter accountability.

Carlo you have three minutes.

Thank you.

Thank you Mr. President. Good evening.

I'm here to ask a simple question. When are you as a city council going to stop talking and take actions on behalf of the citizens of Fall River? Let me mention a few obvious reasons why I have that question. First of all, our budget has nearly doubled to over a half a billion dollars, a 90% increase since the vice principal mayor has been in office with no improvement in the quality of life of our city.

No affordable housing, understaffed public safety, underperforming schools, terrible streets, but $600,000 worth of pay increases.

I think we have to re-exam our priorities.

We just suffered a terrible tragedy as a city, but we see no action in increasing the demanding um on the the fire department to the level in the National Fire Protection Association 10 uh 1710 standard.

This in despite the fact that this city has known for over 25 years. As a matter of fact, there is a council still in this chamber who voted against it.

We also see shortfall of $2 million in our health care fund. again in despite the fact that the mayor was warning that this will happen before he took office as mayor and each council received a copy of their letter send it to him and to the chairperson of his transession team more than once.

There was of course ignored by both the incompetent mayor and you as a city council.

The same warning was given to I'm not the good with numbers mayor about the trash and again was ignored and again the taxpayers had to pay. It's time for you as city council to hold this mayor accountable.

I encourage all citizens of Fall River to vote in the next upcoming election.

Our government only works for for us if we elected representatives of the people. People, not politics.

Vote. Let your voice be heard. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Item number two, it's a resolution convey with the director of engineering and planning and administration to develop a comprehensive funding strategy to match supplement of the city's annual chapter 90 allocation to increase investment in roadway improvements. It was adopted on July 15, 2025. Discussion and table if applicable. Thank you, sir.

Nice to see you.

Got that isorient going on.

Okay, everyone at the table, please just introduce themselves and tell us what position you at for the city, please.

Mike Dion, uh, interimm director, uh, interimm city administrator and director of community development.

Daniel Hagiard, director of engineering and planning.

Emily Arpi, finance.

So, I guess I can get things started.

might be the quickest and most efficient way to get through this. I know during budget discussions there were conversations about long-term planning, capital improvement plans, uh most specifically having to do with streets and sidewalks that fall under my jurisdiction. So, I was encouraged to hear that discussion. Um internally, we have had those discussions as well, and I was glad to see that that resolution

made it on to tonight's uh finance committee. So, with that, um, I just gave you just a little handout with just some facts. Um, this year for chapter 90 funding, and for those in the audience that don't understand what chapter 90 is, it's the state law that provides and funnels monies to municipalities based upon mileage of streets within your jurisdiction. And when taxes are collected, that those monies are

allocated based upon one of those criteria.

for the last number of years dating back to 2012, the state has levelfunded chapter 90 funding to all of these municipalities at about $200 million. So since 2012 until last year or really beginning this year fiscal year, we've been level funded at about $1.8 million.

So $1.8 million in 2012 is a pretty substantial amount of money to put towards streets and sidewalks.

13 years later, that same 1.8 doesn't do much for you. Just like your own home budgets, right? You you look at what you made in 2012. Be very difficult to survive and make improvements based upon that. Luckily, and to be completely transparent, you'll see in item two in the little handout that I gave you, in January of 2025, Governor Healey proposed a 5-year increase in the amount

of chapter 90 funding to go out to the municipalities by 50%. So that means over the next five years she committed an additional 50% of funding for a total of $300 million that get sent out to the communities. That resulted in an increase from our 1.8 million a year to 2.6 million a year. So of course we can do much more than we could last year with the 1.8 that we were given. So, we're we're approaching

being even with the increased costs of concrete, asphalt, labor, and all of those items from what it was in 2012 with that increase. In addition to that, after the millionaire's tax fair share um legislation that's been enacted in the state collected uh throughout the area, she appropriated an additional $80 million to go towards chapter of 90 funding. So, we will be getting an increase of $682,000

to the city of Fall River. This was just done in the end of June once the budget was completely passed. So, this year, the city will receive a total of $3.3 million in state funding to be utilized for the reconstruction of roads, sidewalks, and other categories that that fall under Chapter 90 spending.

So, when we look at what was flatfunded at 1.8 8 for a number of years. Yes, we are seeing a dramatic increase to 3.3 from the state's u forwarding to us.

A number of years ago, um the council appropriated a number of monies um labeled as streetscape projects through Bedford Street and Columbia Street and some of South Maine. Um over the last year or two, we've been able to borrow those funds and put those towards some major projects like Bedford Street reconstruction, the Bedford Street Robersonson Street intersection, and now Colombia Street as well. So there was a

time when when the council did appropriate, I think it was like five or six million total at the time, which is just about expiring. So, the expiration of those funds and the conversation of okay, where do we go from here in determining is there an opportunity for additional funding over the next 5 years or 10 years for some long-term planning to supplement the amount of monies that we have to reconstruct streets and

sidewalks in the city. In the handout that I gave you also on page two, you'll see at the top, which is 2025 through 2026 roadway reconstruction under contract. So, we currently have three relatively large contracts um already underway and again that would be the Bedford Street and Robersonson Street intersection, Bedford Street to North Main Street and then Colombia Street.

And in the side uh aisle or the side column, I've listed there what the cost is for these projects so that you can have a real apples to apples orange to orange understanding of what it costs to complete these projects.

I would say that Bedford Street and Columbia Street, they're not your ordinary streets, Columbia Street specifically. And when you look at what the per linear foot cost is, that's because we're dealing with pavers, removing some pavers, restoring some paved areas near the churches, um a number of things that make these streets relatively expensive to reconstruct.

Additionally, once we once we figured out what the funding mechanism was and how much we would be getting, you'll see that another set of street contracts had just gone out. The bids are due on Thursday. And that would be for the street listing that you see there. And I've also broken down what those streets cost per linear foot. So, you can get an understanding of what things cost. And

then also the last page you'll see the streets that we completed from 2024 fiscal to 2025.

So one you can see a a listing of the streets that we were able to complete some of the specifics to them. Some have no sidewalks, some have no curb. So of course those streets are cheaper per linear foot to build. But then you can look at what were the costs per linear foot for those types of projects. and we have 396 feet per linear foot and we have $250 per linear foot. So in just a

year, although completely different types of projects, we've gone up. If we look at the Stafford Road project, that was 396 per linear feet. And then we look at the bids that are coming in on the 14th.

About the same amount of work, $100 per linear foot increase on what the estimates are. And my fingers are crossed that the bids come in. we're usually pretty close uh within a percent or two of of what that is. So although we are receiving additional funds from the state, costs do increase just like everything else. And we're encouraged both as an administration and uh hearing from what people say in the

neighborhoods and what this council says that there is some appetite of additional funding. So I think this is an initial conversation that we can start having this conversation. I think ultimately $5 million a year is about what the engineering department can handle as far as overseeing construction projects without needing additional staff to do so. Um we're we'll be at about that this summer with the three

projects that we have going on, the new projects coming in and the next set of streets that are going out. That's that's we're stretched about as much as we can handle in-house. So with that, I can entertain any questions that you have and to continue the discussion.

Thank you. Council seat 7. Councelor Posone.

Thank you. Hi, Mr. Erica.

Hi.

Um, so just two questions and and one is more of a request.

Often people ask me where where does my street or sidewalk end up on the quote list of getting fixed. I don't know if you have a running list that you could share.

We absolutely do. So, a number of years ago, well before I started, um, the city actually hired a consultant to do an analysis of all of our streets. It's a little bit old at this point, but it is a framework of streets. I think it was 250 2015 maybe when when it was done, maybe even earlier. Um, and the number of streets that needed repair and restoration. So, we have that list to

start. Then we also have a running list of calls that we receive. So, this is all in my office and it's all public information if someone wants to call and ask. So when we look at streets to be reconstructed, I've established a hierarchy and really a formula that we use to decide what are we doing. I start that list first with well first what's the condition of the street? Two, are

there any utilities within that street that don't fall under my jurisdiction that need to be replaced? So what we find ourselves now doing is following up wherever the gas company has been. So they've dug up a lot of this city and there's still a lot more to go. So what we found is when we follow the streets that they've done, so that's usually the biggest improvement that needs to be

done. Gas comes in, they destroy it.

We've been able to on streets that need greater reconstruction other than just their patching, we've been able to receive some funds from Liberty Gas that offset what they would have had to have done for a patch and utilize that towards full reconstruction of the street.

Is there is there a necessarily like formula that how that works? Like Well, there is. So, we will look at a number of streets. The gas company will say Danny John Texera is the gentleman who deals with pavement restoration.

I've looked at, let's say, Charles Street, for instance, is one that's it's on the new.

If we go back in and do a 9- foot patch right now, you still have a horrendous street.

So, at that point, we go and look at the street. Yes, it's already been on our list. Gas is done. I contact Paul Furland in the water department. Paul, do you have any issues with needing to install new water, installing new sewer?

If the answer is no, then that street becomes a priority because now we're not doing work on top of something that needs additional work after we're done.

So yes, but there's there are again only a number of streets that I can tell the gas company, we can take your money because I can commit to doing those streets. In years past when I came in, I found a number of times where the monies came in and those streets weren't done. The city did not fix those streets. They took the gas company money and some of those streets still have temporary patches from the

gas company because I've made a commitment that and it's in writing with the gas company. These are the streets that you are providing funding. These are the streets that we're letting you not go in and finish. It's incumbent upon me to make sure those streets get done because those home own homeowners are now sitting on a temporary patch that we can't let go more than a year or two. So that's kind of how I've been

dealing with it moving in. And then that's about half and half. We deal with gas company streets like that. But then even the the streets that are on the on the ongoing list, many of them the first thing I'll do is I'll call the gas company. Where is this on your list?

Because they have a list of the entire city. I just called I had a meeting today and my question to them was, "Hey, Bedford Street looks great and it's only in binder. But now I get to North Main Street and Central Street from North Main to Milicanin Boulevard is a mess.

now even more noticeable because Bedford Street looks so good. And I want to be able to connect Bedford Street to the waterfront. That little pinch point of Central Street, not going down the hill, but the piece in front of u what used to be drifty bar, you know, where the Santanda drive-thru is.

That's like a weak link right now that I would like to continue down that car.

The response was, "Well, it's not on our list for five years."

So then I respond to them as I really can't let this street sit another five years. It's falling apart. So then there's a negotiation with can you put it on your work for next year. And that's that's the conversations that we have weekly um trying to get them Bedford Street. They weren't going to continue Bedford Street through the intersection and now they're down to Quarry. So in order for me to do the

Robersonson Street and Bedford Street intersection, I had to ask them to make that a priority, which they did. Hyestin Street, same thing. Hyestson Street was horrible. Uh Diamond needed gas. They were back and forth with when they were going to replace the gas main and hyest.

That was another one where it was, "Okay, make it a priority. Give me your patch money. We paved the first half of it already from New Boston Road to Bulock. They've just finished the gas.

The next contract that's due Thursday is the remainder of Hyestent Street. But it's important to follow up on those.

And then it's also important to go back and look at the lists of the people that have been sitting and waiting and the calls. This street we have we have a street pond view. Does anybody know where Pond View is?

It connects Amity to a dead end. So it's across the street from Henry Lord. A small little 400 foot road. has two or three people on it. It is atrocious. All the people in the nursing home park on that street.

So, I've been here four years. The woman that lives in that house, really, the the one house that's primarily around that corner, comes to see me every year.

And I've committed to her that I will get that street done. That's one of the streets we've been able to add in here.

So, we manage the big projects along with the small ones. Railroad Avenue.

Does anybody know where Railroad Avenue is? Can we just try to answer the question instead of play a survey of where streets are?

So very we get the message, Mr. Aiel. We understand.

Okay. I'll be quiet.

No, I'm just saying you don't need to play.

I was asked to be here. So I don't know.

I guess council had any more questions, council?

Yeah. So Mr. A, my my concern to what you were just talking about is the littleer streets.

Yep. So, I think that's something we often hear about because we do the big streets and the and the throughways, but I guess my bigger question was and I think you may have answered it in the order of priority and I appreciate working with the gas company and all that, but the smaller streets end up really becoming our responsibility to handle and is I guess my concern as a council is to make sure that those don't

get don't fall by the wayside because of the bigger projects. That's Sure. And and if you look at I can give you a list of all the streets we've done since I've been here, but if you look at what was completed in 24 and 25.

Does anyone know where Estie's Street is off of Lock? Little dead end right off of Dickinson. That's pretty small street. So we've been able to find Emmery between Bush and Plymouth. Very small little streets. And if you looked at the lengths, some streets 175 ft, 235 ft. We did two sections of conquered street.

Two very small little but it's those are cheaper streets to do. They don't have sidewalk. They don't have curb. So we've made sure pond again this year 190 ft. So the small projects are in there as well.

Okay.

Um when funding increases then of course we can do more big projects and we can do more small projects.

If possible if you could share that list that you have running I'd be curious just to see where where everything stands. Y I appreciate it. Thank you very much. I yield Mr. President. Thank you, Council Council C1. Council Gadim, thank you, Mr. President. Um, Mr. Aia, thank you for for being here and, you know, the geographical lesson of where the streets are.

I didn't know I didn't know where many of them were either, so it's okay. Uh just talking about the the funding source and the reason I put this uh resolution forward is is because you know we've been stagnant with funding and um having the appropriations based solely just on chapter 90 for road repairs that are not just keeping up with uh the inventory that we have and and again we'll never catch up you and I

have had this conversation. We'll never catch up uh completely with all our roads because, you know, after a 15 20 year life uh site lifespan on these roads, we're coming back and uh repairing for the most part of, you know, our major roadways or um some primaries and maybe some secondaries, right? So, uh more of the residential neighborhoods are not seeing any any road repairs. So, there's some

significant um discussion that needs to take place. And when we start talking about the average of the $1.8 8 million going back to 2012. And it's, forgive me, it's been a little while since I've had to do some finance. Um, so if my calculations are right, the the present day value of the $1.8 million is is about $2.6 million, which just ironically ties out to what the governor has just given us. So essentially, we

haven't seen an increase. Well, we've we've we've seen a decrease in funding up until this year. So, we're now with the $26 million that we're getting just in the chapter 90, that's getting us to the 2012 levels, correct?

Uh, for funding.

So, when we start talking about what we're doing here, I I think there needs to be some additional funding uh that's put on t on top of the chapter 90. And it's nice to see the millionaire tax uh being allocated for roadways, but again, um you know, that's not even uh threequarters of a million dollars, right? So, uh, it it's beneficial, but I I think we need to have a larger discussion of of, you know,

appropriating additional funds when we start talking about I think it was in the '9s, uh, when council president and I don't know if Mr. Hot was on the, uh, on the council, but councelor Pereira was here talking about the wa water, uh, infrastructure improvements, and every year we were going to put, uh, money aside to to make sure that we were repairing so many mileage of of water

mains. um each of those phases are, you know, close to four and a half$5 million and we're at $1.8 million for infrastructure. So I think at a minimum and I'm heck I'm glad to hear that I think your number is about $5 million and I guess in terms of what we can manage internally. Um that's really where I was kind of going in in terms of what I would like to see between a

chapter 90 uh and some funding coming in from the city is is about a $5 million uh annually year-over-year. Um, so I'm glad to hear that and I'm assuming that the administration is in support of that, you know, and throwing additional money into uh this fund. Um, so I guess to talk a little bit about the strategy, would it be and I know we're early on, but would we be looking to borrow that that money,

the use of free cash? How would how would we be looking to commit? I I guess it would be an additional $2.5 million if the target number is five million. I think we'd look at both of those uh scenarios in terms of uh going off a bond using some free cash. Um I know Emily is putting together the capital plan. I think it's going to be a uh I think this is going to be something

that's going to see in the capital plan and you know I agree with you. We should be higher uh we should we should be doing more road work in the city. It's important you know for the residents. So I I agree with you um at your $5 million amount. Um, and I think that's the route to go in in terms of um seeing if we can fit some of

it into um uh the budget, which I pro probably won't. Um, but looking at the capital plan and doing some bonding, I think I when I first started um uh a long time ago, I mean, Mayor Lambert went out and did bonding for um about $10 million. Uh we had a $10 million bond for community development. Um I want to I want to say don't correct me if I'm wrong. I think it was like 20

something million dollars in road work or something like that.

427.

Yeah. Is that 42 million for seven miles worth of road in the late 90s, right?

Yeah. Yeah. And I I remember because uh community development was paying for I believe the interest on that bond. Um so it's definitely something that we need to look at and we will look at it definitely.

And then I I guess um if we can talk about just capital items, I I would like to see especially now that Liberty Tilly is coming in and digging up all our roadways like to in um to actually get an updated cap um street pavement management report that we have. I think Beta did it last.

Yeah, I I can send out a request for them to see what they would do to update it.

Yeah, I I did go through it and luckily we have redone a lot of the streets that were on that list that were prioritized.

So it it did serve it. It's not the most user friendly. Yeah. Uh thing that I've ever looked at, but I'm sure it's could be drastically.

It doesn't need to be the same company.

I But I mean, there's a number of engineering firms that go out there and do always ask always ask for a price from the one that has 80% of the information already in house. So, yeah. Because I' i'd be interested to see what that dollar amount is. Um I know it was at 100 I mean 18 million $180 million. So, yeah, I'm sure that's that number is significantly higher. Um,

and I'm just curious to see where some of the roads have fallen in terms of, you know, being, you know, in good shape versus being in disrepair now that Liberty Utilities is sticking up.

Uh, with that, I'm I'm appreciative of you folks coming down and really having the conversation and I think it's an easy conversation that we're all on the same page and and recognize that more money needs to be just thrown in at the uh repair of our infrastructure. So, great.

With that, I yield.

Thank you, Council D5. contra my um question some of my questions were answered but the only thing when we talk about repairing a road like when we did uh Roberson Street and then two weeks later there was a cut like a cross between Wendy's and the Burger King y and people were I rate over that but that was an emergency because of a water pipe that burst

so most of the time it's a gas leak or a water leak and heavy equipment and I and I lose sleep when when the permit comes across my desk to open the street. Now, many of them um if it's not a dire emergency, we force them to come through the council, right?

You know, so if it's if it's a homeowner that didn't act because they wanted to build a house and they didn't bring in new sewer and water before we paved the street, they come before you and you compliment with that, Mr. Agia. You give them a permit to build the home.

No, we don't give them a permit to build.

But then we had to change that because once the home is built, what is this council going to say? No, we're not going to look it up. So, that was changed, which was a good thing. But I saw one recently over um by the post office that and it's only a binder on Beth Tree. I think they thought it was paid, but it's a binder, but there was a hole there.

Again, it was an emergency. So this week, if that's the one that you're talking about, um, so Bedford Street is in Binder and what we do about six months before we're going to PA Street, we send out notices to all of the property owners alerting them to the fact of this is the procedure. If you need water work, sewer work, curb opening work, deal with it now because once the final pavement goes down, we're

going to have an issue. So we make sure everybody understands that. So when usually what we find is when they see binder that's when we start getting response. They don't listen to the letter but when they see binder going down like oh we we have to stop moving.

That's when the influx comes in. So binder went in. Um what what just happened this week was disconnection of water and sewer to the police station so that they could demolish the building.

So that was work that was trying to be done beforehand. But now I can't tell my road contractor who has a date to start, please put it off for another two months and he's got that work lined up. So I can't tell LA construction, oh, I know I told you July 1st, we want you to get in there and hit it hard, get through it so that we can get back to school and then

tell them the first week of August, oh, you have to hold off because we need to go open it up. So it is in binder. We make sure that they use the appropriate flowable fill and that sits final pavement there won't happen until the spring or early summer. So settlement and all of that things get ironed out and then our contractor of course when they do final pavement.

I think that sometimes the public doesn't understand the steps and everything you have to do when we're doing road construction and what a binder is and what the final you know pavement is going to look like and uh the importance of contacting your office if they want curbs extended etc before things are done.

So for that reason I'm glad that you came down and there is a lot of road work being done in the city. I wish they did Bethford Street. That ripple effect.

I mean, Pleasant Street, that ripple effect. We got police cruisers back and forth there every day is going to be knocking out their their So, with with Mr. Dion under his CDA hat, we we've been working for the last two years about dealing with Pleasant Street. A lot of Pleasant Street is still contingent upon Paul's drainage resolution problem, and then we'll be able to do that. But there are millions

of dollars that have been bonded or appropriated for the reconstruction of Pleasant Street and we've met with it about it multiple times.

Yeah, we're we're in talks right now. We we got um a $1.6 million grant um from EDI that we're in discussions now with uh with Danny. Um we don't want to do anything until, you know, water and sewer and stuff like that and a plan is put together. Well, there's a lot of phases and a lot of work that needs to be done before it's not just call a company come in and lay tar on the

street. There's a lot more that has to be done. Um, my dad was in construction and it was road. So, I I remember going out when they had the balls that you would light with kerosene. You'd have to, you know, so it's been quite a while. Um, you know, so I Yeah. Well, I know you know a little bit about that that it does take it does take a while and when we redo a street

like we did Stafford Road now people think that's a highway.

Oh, I know.

So, you know, then different problems that the street's not done. We fix the street then people call there's complaints that the traffic is going too fast. So, we do the best we can. But again, thank you for coming down because I think you laid it out and I agree. We should put some of our own money, not just state money, into it.

Thank you all.

Appreciate it.

Mr. President, cousin.

Hi, good evening. Um, yeah, actually I'm I'm very glad that that this conversation was had as well. Um, especially I have to say with Columbia Street. It's my understanding that in the last couple of days perhaps somebody was really complaining about Columbia Street and the city not doing their job and you know the city council is always lacking at something. Um so I think it's good that people know that we did

appropriate the money already a couple of years ago. Uh it's important people for people to realize that that street is going to be redone and it's to the tune of $2 million. So we're not talking a paver is lifted and we could just send somebody out and pay them a hundred bucks to fix it. That's a we're talking multi-million dollar projects. So, just so people are aware of, yes, this is

being taken and the money has already been appropriated.

Um, and and and I think that's why it's worthwhile for people to watch meetings because they really could they learn a lot. Um, I only have a question.

Globe Mills Avenue. That curve.

Which one?

Globe Mills Avenue. the curve on street that's been that's been awarded to Century Paving so it should be done within the next two weeks.

We made sure we followed the appropriate procurement. It was awarded $25,000 just to patch that one little section of asphalt but that work has been already awarded and should be done I asked for it to be done by the middle of August. So I'm expecting to see it done relatively quickly.

Okay. Um, I hope so because I think I asked about maybe two months ago or longer and it was through 30 to 45 days.

But but there is a process.

No, I get that. I get that.

I don't just hand out contracts to contractors to go fix things. We go through the procurement process. Rebecca was great to deal with. We make sure we dot every eye, cross every tea. Um, and we've done that.

No, I know you do. And I'm being a little facicious, but I understand.

Um, no, I know you I'll tell you I have nothing ever but praise for you. you you are phenomenal in what you do. Um I just wanted to ask because people are asking me so you can have them call me you know I won't run from a phone call.

Thank you with that idea. All right seat for council me.

Yes just a couple of quick questions.

Well first of all congratulations Mr.

Dean on your your new role.

Um your level of confidence in my opinion is tremendous. So um it's a congratulations. I don't know if you wanted them or not, but uh Mr. Dagi, I agree with your level of confidence as well. I mean, it's very impressive. I always have been impressed with you.

So, the only question I have is um the intersection. You said you you negotiated the intersection at uh Roberson Street with the gas company to get them to take that out of order so that they could be through and out of our way.

Okay. So that that's that's a great the uh the intersection at the top of Columbia is that there is that included in this so yes so all of so you just saw DCM went out and just did some temporary patches over a couple of things maybe just before the 4th of July. So that entire intersection completely reconstructed new sidewalks all new pavement about 100 feet in each direction of South Main Street. the

signals. Chris Hathaway was comfortable with retiming, some restriping to make some of the maneuvers better through that so that the signals can stay, but everything else is new curbing, new sidewalk, new handicap ramps. Um, so that entire intersection will be reconstructed uh reconstructed, but the signalization was adequate for water.

I know I've had some private conversations with council Tith uh with regard to that intersection, and that was an important item for for him as well. But we've been getting a lot of calls on that. I'm glad that's included.

So, um I thank you for all you do and I yield. Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you. Council C3, Council Hop.

Thank you, Mr. President. Uh Dan, um just a a few things. Um real quickly, the Bedford and Roberson that's underway, correct? Right now. And that is that is the project where we're going to be able to take a left coming from um Ruggles Park down Bedford. Take a left on Bedford.

That's correct. on but on Rob didn't take a left on Bedford.

That's correct.

Okay. Yeah.

Um the other one too is I talked to you about this a week maybe a week and a half ago, two weeks, the intersection at Ellbury and Present Avenue.

Yes.

Coming from um Robson Street, you come to the uh the lights and there's the two lanes and as you're approaching as light there's a race to the rotary.

Yep.

And it becomes a little little dangerous. Um, I know not that's not on here at all, but in is that in the So, the conversation that we had and that I followed up with was with Stephanie MacArtha from the traffic department. Um, she handles all of the striping and we had gone back and looked historically what was the striping there. Um, because right now it's a little bit like the wild west like you

you've stated with the race. Um, so she has in her work schedule to put the striping that was previously there, which is a little bit more restrictive and directs people to where they need to be. So I would expect to see something done. Usually all of the striping gets done by the end of October before things get too cold. So I would anticipate seeing some updated changes there as well.

All right. But but as far as your department, is there anything that you can do to make that a little more safer?

Well, just just painting the appropriate lines on the ground is a start. So that that's the cheapest start. Okay.

Um some of that jurisdiction actually falls in mass DOT around the Rotary. Um so if if we make wholesale changes about lane widths, um number of lanes, sometimes we have to involve them with the approach to the Rotary. What happens too is rotaries and they're they're coming back. They're like they want us they almost wanted to put one now in Somerset, right? So, I thought rotaries were banned in Massachusetts for a

number of years, but apparently they're back. Um, and the problem being is that in many instances, rotaries are two lanes. Two lanes entering. Um, sometimes they're only one. So, this is a location where, well, what is it? Is it two lanes or is it one? And if you don't have the right lines painted on the ground, people think it's one. So, that's why there's there's a race. So if you

actually had distinct lanes painted for the appropriate widths and the right arrows, then people could make some decisions about how to get around that rotary. They just made incredible if you exit the industrial park, head down Airport Road to go towards that rotary.

Just what they did in striping there over the last year with the right-hand lane is dedicated only to get back to the highway. So just paint and signage has cleared up all of the traffic issues that the industrial park had through that street. I can't take credit for all of it because that was mass DOT that we had to bring in. But through that partnership, we were able to make drastic

No, that that's a good start to leave the lining down and everything. And also too, the last thing um and again it might not be in your ballpark, but the last meeting we talked about the speed bumps.

Yes.

Uh did that funding go through and is it so the first the first series of speed bumps have been ordered? It was like a 30-day delivery. Um I was out for two weeks, but we just have a conversation Monday with Stephanie and the mayor and myself. Um, Rienback Road is the first location that they'll be installed and there's a series of about five or six locations that we're looking at because

of the different types of products. We wanted to start with one street and what we've done is a speed table, not a speed bump. So, they're a little bit wider, a little bit flatter, especially up there, so that trucks can navigate that rather than a bump and load shifting in backs of the trucks. So, we're going to see how that works. But I do know there was most recently I guess some other real

bad speeding stuff happening up on Rianback and then into Innovation Way.

Uh so that's where the first one should be put in place I would assume within days of us receiving it.

Okay. And and nothing yet from for the schools for the start of the school year.

No, nothing yet. Okay. We're going to start with that first. All right. Thank you. Are you Thank you, Counc.

I do. Just one question. Uh so timeline any anticipated timeline or for uh for this conversation?

Yeah.

What I would say is I would think next fiscal year because I don't want you to appropriate money and we're not ready to spend it. So the construction of these streets actually takes less time than the planning, the bid documents and all of that background work. So, if we were to be able to anticipate an increase funding for fiscal 27, one, that gives the administration time to figure out,

can we put any of this in the budget?

Two, are we going to bond out for it?

And then it also gives me a direction of, okay, next year I can anticipate spending $5 million. So now, what I anticipate in a $5 million a year is being able to do a big project like Pleasant Street, for instance. Even Pleasant Street from from this building to Plymouth Avenue.

That's a big project.

That's probably three or4 million dollars in its own. Just just that the width, the sidewalks, the curbs. So, this increased funding will allow us to do bigger projects where those just sit forever. Brighten Avenue, right?

Eastern Avenue. I'm working with Mass DOT now with trying to get them to pick up the dime for the entire reconstruction of Eastern Avenue, but those things take time. So knowing that I have greater funding, then we can start looking at some of the bigger projects and some of the smaller ones.

If if the bonding wasn't in place for Colombia or Bedford, we wouldn't get both of these done this year. Maybe you'd get one and you'd get no other streets, right? Columbia's 2.2 or whatever it is. If we get 1.8, I have to save money for two years to go do Columbia Street and nothing else. So between some opera money. So if you look at our awards, we've utilized opera fun money. We we've utilized CDA money and

for a number of years redoing streets, but now that funding source is drying up um and to some extent chapter 90 monies, some of the stuff for that and then your we were I I kind of fell upon the streetscapes money when I walked in the door. Nobody told me, hey, there's $3 million worth of streetscapes money that nobody spent yet. So over time we get the finance team be before

Emily's time to agree yes you can spend some of that because it's not you can't just throw on the administration hey I want you to go borrow that three million figure out how you're going to pay for it. So we have those discussions as well. So they they've allowed me to spend those dollars over the last year or two and that now that funding source is drying up. So I think the preliminary

conversation is great. I honestly don't see the need because we do have increased funding for this year. I think 27. We're already halfway through 26 uh fiscal year, right?

Um I would think in the budget for 27.

Not quite halfway, but per paving we are.

Yeah. Well, that's it. So I only have a small construction.

Yeah.

So I guess uh for time frame standpoint. So we we probably get our chapter 90 aotment from Mass DOT in April, May. So you'd be looking We usually get it.

It's really not. We don't get it until the budget's passed, but we know what the number is. So, if if everything stays the way it is now and and her five-year plan, we should be getting 2.6 at a minimum every year, but we don't know if there's going to be any changes or adjustments based on, you know, federal monies, things of that nature. So, no idea.

Um, so I guess from that standpoint, is it safe to say that probably in the April May time frame that the administration probably come down for a bond authorization at at that point?

I don't know how long those things take, so I can't answer that question.

So, it it'll be part of the capital plan is the conversation that we've been having in general. Um, and I think a bigger part of the conversation that I think I've been having with you and and the rest of the council with the capital plan is that it needs to include a funding plan to an extent with it. So, we are going to get the money in there in the capital plan for around the $5

million each year. And then throughout time, we'll work on what is in there and where it's actually coming in. So, as we get appropriations in or what not, we'll know if we're coming down with free cash requests or if we're coming down with bond authorizations at that point. So, I think the commitment for right now is just we will come down with something whenever we know exactly how much we

need and make sure that it's going to continue to move forward regardless.

So, I'm looking I'm tired of just and it's not directed to you, but I'm just tired of saying we're going to come down. We're going to come down. So, I'm I'm looking for a time frame, right? And and whether it's a month or two months, that's fine.

I've now created an action item folder that I'm going to keep right here so that I can constantly at every single meeting review what we need to do. So, all I'm simply looking for is when I guess if it's capital items that's fine, but um when can I expect I guess the capital items and I guess to Mr. A's point, I don't want to go on a tangent.

We appropriated $3 million for streetscape. So, we said we wanted road to be repaired. Um so, the statement that you know we don't want to throw it on the administration to figure out how to be paid for. It came down to the council that should have been a plan, right? So from the council standpoint, we appropriated the money and the money is sitting there. So that is $3 million

that should have been spent what I think five years ago now. Um and I forget the exact right and it's and it's really doing half of what it was intended to do because of the time time sentence but uh it's it's probably uh you know five years.

It it also wasn't appropriated. It was authorized.

So that's the difference with that too.

It wasn't fully appropriated. It was only authorized. And I agree that there should be a funding plan for that authorization but Yeah. But why why would you come down to the council asking for an authorization?

There's no You're going to have to ask like six years ago for that one. So I I can promise you that by March I'll be knocking on doors one floor above me and then this one as well figuring out how we're going to spend $5 million on streets this year.

Okay.

Yeah. If Dan If Dan is saying uh FY200 uh 27, we'll make sure we're ready for when he's when he's ready to do it.

Okay.

All right. You won't we won't sit on any money going forward.

So, timeline on capital. Do we know when do you anticipate that?

A capital plan. Um I need a date. I just give me a month.

Give me Give me something. I um I don't have one right now. The timelines that we had in place have kind of shifted um with roles shifting around here. So I it So I'm going to go back to the administration then. So when when can I expect an authorization coming down for these streets? I won't Listen, I'm not I'm not going to stop this conversation until I get a a response because I want to write down

what the commitment You're you're you're asking about the entire capital plan, not just No, I'm asking about your I I was just told that your to in order to get to $5 million, we need to get at least free cash, uh, bond authorization, whatever the case may be.

It was then tied into a capital plan.

So, I'm asking when we're going to get the capital plan. All I care about is how am I getting you the money? So, in FY27, you've got $5 million between Chapter 90 and an additional appropriation to do our infrastructure.

Can I get back to the next meeting with a time frame? So, we'll put it in place then. I mean, it's not unfair to ask him to do it right now at this moment in time. So, let him give him a couple of weeks. Let him come back to us and give us a time of when it's going to be I I disagree. It was unfair. I mean, we we filed this two weeks ago.

So, or a month a month ago. We we've only been meeting in the summer. We meet a month. So, it was out there.

I understand. But now you're asking for a time frame. None of them prepared to give you one. So, I mean, what do we do?

Just Well, I'm not I'm not going to Here it is. Be it resolved that the for city council hereby request that the committee on finance, the director of engineering and planning, the city administration meet to develop and present a comprehensive funding strategy to match or supplement the city's annual chapter 90 allocation with the goal of significantly increasing investment in roadway improvements and addressing the

approximately $180 million backlog identified in the pavement management report. again filed July 15, 2025. So the the intent was always we were going to have I hear you council, but I mean I don't know if they're going to be able to give the time frame.

A capital plan in general once we put it out to the departments and start that process to have it to a point that it is able to be submitted to council is probably about six weeks to have a full capital plan in front of you. At that point the capital plan again will have funding I'm going to say options identified. It may not have everything.

Obviously it's a five-year plan. It's not going to be perfectly ironed out.

So, it'll it'll come from that point in time.

The timing of the bond authorizations and when they're needed.

What do you think?

We can't anticipate that yet.

When you you'll have the capital plan sometime in November, December.

Let's say a Christmas gift. How's that?

It'll be before Christmas.

It'll even be probably before that, but I will I will put December.

You'll have put November council.

I No, I'm giving you I'm giving you an extra month. He's giving me an extra month.

I started meeting I started yesterday.

He's very ambitious when it's the second day. Yeah. December. All right. Thank you. I yield.

Thank you, councelor. I just want to ask a quick question. Um, Mr. A, at the intersection of Langley Street and Elsbury Street, there's two double yellow lines.

Which street is it? I'm sorry.

Elsbury Street and Langley Street next to Bristol Community College.

Yep.

The lines don't meet. They're like, if you're driving, if you're hugging the two double lines going north and south, you will get into a collision. The front cords will hit. So, I'll speak to Stephanie about it. Normally, the reason why the double yellows don't line up is if parking is allowed on one side. I will look at it and I'll give you a call tomorrow with my answer.

Thank you. I appreciate that.

I don't want to drag this meeting out any longer.

I just wanted to uh you guys are saying I want to thank you all for coming down.

Congratulations to you, Mr. Dion, for your new role and thanks for explaining everything. Thank you.

All set. Um, we move on to Thank you, Mr.

Move on to item number three, fiscal year 2025 quarterly of Sorry, excuse me. Excuse me. There's no talking to the council meeting.

Looking for a key.

No talking.

He's looking for his key.

I don't know if I left it at the table.

I didn't want to interrupt the meeting.

We just kind of had a moment.

No, thank you. No.

Is there a motion to table?

Motion table made second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item number three, fiscal year 2025 uh quarter 4 budget report referred on 7:15 2025. All discussions council 2 council.

Okay.

So I will start with actuals um under city administrator salaries.

If you I guess for this one we need to go to expenses um city expenses page three.

City administrator 112% uh 183,000 uh retirement buyout 49,05 205377.

So, obviously the city administrator was paid out and I'd like to know the explanation for that.

Um, I thought that we sent the buyout to council I think back in May. Um, I can find that again and forward it again. I know it was sent out to at least a counselor. So, it's from the time that he had on the books. There was several weeks of vacation. We get the vacation deposits in January. So, we had almost a full year's vacation to be paid out.

There's sick time that gets paid out.

There's personal days that get paid out.

So what you're seeing there is the payout for the time on the books that he had before leaving.

So did he get his full salary plus the sick time, the personal time, etc., etc., or did he only get paid up until the time that he left and then those numbers added up to that dollar.

So So the retirement buyout alone is exclusively the time on the books that needs to be paid out. It's nothing to do with the salary or additional weeks of pay or anything like that. that buyout number is exclusively vacation sick personal time.

So the the breakout that we had emailed out, I'll find it and and make sure that you get a copy of it, but it breaks out any pay that was paid out at the end. Um but that buyout specifically that 49,000 is exclusively for vacation time and per sick and personal.

Okay. And then on page four is basically the same question with the uh director of finance. um that ended up being paid that was 124%.

Um again it's showing a retirement buyout 45,476.

Um unfortunately it's the same thing because they left her on the same time.

Again the deposit had happened early January um or in January and and um she left almost two months later. So again it was a almost a full years of vacation time that was on the books um as well as the personal days again that we get at that time. So essentially all of the time off that each of these two employees happened to get each year had we bought out. Um and then the other

reason that it's so over was because um when I was pulled out of my position to backfill, I was paid out of there. So if you look at the salary line for um the position that I was in, there's about a $45,000 surplus.

Okay.

Um so if we go back to the actuals, I'm sorry.

Um on the second I guess it's the under the assessors it shows 101% um it's not a lot but it's over budget um salaries in the auditors department 102%.

Um, so with um assessors specifically, I can tell you that um a the majority of it was from um somebody that had time out of the office and there was overtime that needed to be paid to backfill um a long-term medical out. So, um it's about 3,000 I think that one is $4,000 total over. So, the 3,000 is um overtime and then there's about $1,000 from a salary increase that was given to the um assessor.

Um and then auditors is not the same thing but the same thing. It was for increase um to the auditor's salary and some of the other staff members salaries at that in that department and I believe there might be a buyout in that one as well. I'm not sure if uh no never mind.

No it wasn't. Yeah. I'm sorry.

Yeah.

And on the next page for the school crossing guards it was 106% $41,000 more. Um that comes from disaster.

Sorry. Yeah, that's from the problem.

Um it was the the budget was undershot um in some ways that we were factoring in for the schools and not for the number of schools that needed double positions and then for the charter not Fall River public schools that we've been um having crossing guards at. So that was a big part of that. It's it's been corrected moving forward. I don't know how else to say.

So, the budget was underfunded is the basic it was it was under asked. It should say underfunded, but we put forward a budget that wasn't sufficient. It was a I'm going to say a mistake that was made in that sense. We didn't come back down for a um request to make any changes because within that block group, we had enough surplus to to make up the difference.

So, it's not a deficit in that sense.

just within that department that you're seeing listed, but within that block group and to the appropriation order, there's not an actual deficit.

And under under priority matters on under your agenda, you'll see that the uh um there's request a request and you know, we're going to revamp that whole crossing guard situation with the school department. Um probably have the school department take it over. Um so we're working on that.

So notudgeting youud not the budget. Not the budget.

So we're not putting the budget on the school.

We cannot.

No. No.

It won't be one. It'll be the actual physical working. But we're working on that.

Okay. Um so let's see.

Other insurance. This would be two pages if you flip the page. um 106% $98,000 more. This other insurance is what?

Um I think that you are looking at the original one and I was looking at the updated one. I'm sorry. Um other insurance at the top of the page is health and human services.

Yeah. Yeah. No, I I also $40,000 budget.

We sent an updated um sheet. So the the part of the conversation and why we had sent updated pages um I think on Friday maybe yesterday was because the timing of when this report is pulled to now is a dramatic difference because it's year end and because there's a lot of I'm going to say auditing that gets done within this. So um if you look at the updated pages that we had sent out that

other insurance had expenses in it that didn't belong there. So when we I'm going to say fixed displaying it, it's not in a deficit in that item. It was not overspent. It's actually under spent by about that same amount by $280,000 for other insurance.

So instead of being under by 40, you I mean instead of being over by 40,000, we're under by 200,000. Is that what you just said?

Yeah.

That's quite a swing.

It again, it's it's not if you look in total, it didn't change that much. It's it was just the display or organization of the items. I don't know how else to say that without giving an accounting lesson that I was told not to give.

It was supposed to be in another line item and you can see it there now in total. It's where it belongs.

Okay.

Now, I also have the update. Um I do have the update.

Point of order. Point of order.

Can we get a clarification? That wasn't done, but I was told not to give that.

We're the council. You can give us information.

That's not what I I'm sorry. That's not what I was saying. I was just saying I didn't want to get too into the weeds of the technical side of how money moved with accounting, but it's it's all I mean, she didn't want to give you an accounting lesson.

Yeah.

Okay.

I didn't want to give an accounting lesson. That's what I was told not to do.

Okay.

All right.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Are you sure?

I'm happy to if if anybody wants one, I'm happy. I'm happy to provide. So the enterprise accounts so in the water uh the water enterprise they have a at the end of the year a surplus of 669,864 and um well actually it's not I'm sorry that was the old number the new number I'm sorry my error $383,60 and in the sewer department we have uh a surplus of 2,81,554 so we're looking at basically $2.4 million

um in surplus money. So, I guess this is more of a question than anything. So, if we have $2.4 million in surplus money, why did we even have to have a conversation about raising water and sewer rates? So, I can tell you one of the the I'm going to say the quick easiest answers with this is there's a million dollars alone that was anticipated to be taken out in debt this

year that wasn't taken out on the time frame that we were told. So, the state actually issues that debt. Um, we we borrow through them with the um Mass Clean Water Trust. Um, and so we were told that we were going to have to start making those debt payments this year and that didn't come through. So alone in sewer, there's about a million dollars that wasn't paid out in debt

that we anticipated to be paid out. So that will be paid out now moving forward and it'll just be pushed out a year. So we will use that money for what it was intended for. It's just a year off cycle. So that part of it is is within that. The other side of it is, you know, we've we've always had some of that, you know, up and down of what the expenses come into to what the

revenues land at. A lot of times our revenues fall extraordinarily short with people paying their bills on time and and in a way that we anticipate and that we bill them to be paid. And if you look at the numbers for the sewer department this year, this is probably the first time in a very very very long time that we've hit 100% of anticipated revenues. Um which is great. We'll take that and use it to do

capital to pay down debt and to work on those projects moving forward. So any of these um amounts get certified as free cash and we turn around and and try and put it into you know capital plans in the future that we have coming up and that we already have plans so that less money is taken out.

So the one so if you take out that million that we have to pay the state.

So the 1.4 million is is going to be targeted for things like capital plans etc. Yes.

Capital plans within the water and sewer department.

Yes. Within water and sewer exclusively.

Correct.

Exclusively.

Okay. EM uh that's back EMS we have a surplus of $1 million after all expenses.

Yes. Um that I mean that's uh I'm going to say a success from um EMS and the programs that they've added in and the additional um non-emergent runs that they've added in. They've been able to increase their revenues. I think we came down last year um a couple of times for different appropriations to increase it because we knew that the work that was being done was going to increase it. It

just I'm going to say luckily increased it even more than we expected. So, um again, it's something that's going to go towards the capital needs that they have there, but it's also their expenses have increased to go with it. So if you look at, you know, what their expenses are and what their expenses are, you know, for the 26 budget, you'll see that these revenues are where they need to be to

continue to operate the way they have been.

But also at the same token, we haven't realized yet and we won't probably until the end of the fiscal year. Um the increase 1 million 1.2 million uh with the new contract with St. An's.

So right so one of the contracts not in here, correct? One of the contracts started last October and then another one is starting I think around now.

Yeah.

Yep. So, so one of them was starting to be realized already and that's part of what you're seeing and then the other one there you're right there will be July continued increases when they start.

Yeah. And obviously you're not going to realize the impact of that until you have a full year into it. But it's going to be significant for sure.

Um I had one more. to one thing about uh the marijuana uh money for marijuana was uh exceeded the projected amount by $500,000.

Yes.

Okay. And that money is targeted for what?

Um it just goes into our free cash certification. So that plan of what it I'm going to say is targeted for will come down before you as soon as we have a free cash certification. will, you know, share that amount with you and um from there start discussing plans to um expend or reserve that money at that point in time.

Okay. Thank you. That I yield.

Thank you, council. Before we call next council, I just want to let people that were here, the top 10 students from DF, we get the citation. The regular city council meeting usually starts at 7 o'clock or after finance. We're in the middle of finance. There's this item and then there's one more item after this.

After that, we'll begin a regular city council meeting. You can come down for your citations. Just so you'll know. I don't want you sitting here wondering how long this will take. Sometimes government moves slowly and sometimes we fortunate we didn't get an accounting lesson right now because we might be a lot longer. Council seat 7 counc.

Thank you Mr. President. So um first question is on local receipts and it's on the charter tuition reimbursement which came out lower than the revised budget was.

Are you talking about cherry sheet? I'm sorry.

Yes.

Uh correct. That's that's completely with the state. um they estimate the cherry sheet amounts. They provide all of that to us. We have zero say in any of it. Um and then it's really it's literally based on charter tuition reimbursements that they give us. So if enrollment comes in differently than what they anticipate, the number changes.

Okay.

There's an offset side too that our expenses with the cherry sheet also shift the same way.

Correct. So I guess my question is the original budget was closer to the actual than the revised was.

That's again they they give us that original number. So the governor sends down there's actually three three iterations before the final one. So that's the governor, the um house, the senate, and then the final one comes through. So the time of the original budget is usually the governor's and then the revised one is once it's been fully approved, we adjust it at tax rate recap. Again, per the state requirements

and standards. It's not a choice that we make. It's nothing that we come down for. They just tell us to adjust it. So that's their their estimates being very different.

That's fine. Uh toward the bottom is the investment income. So I guess the the question I have, have we realized the full um return on that investment at this point?

What do you that number just has continued to grow?

Yeah. No, this is the final number. Yes.

This is this is about I'm not going to say this is unaudited so we're not we're never done till we're done but this is a 95% confident done number. It should not change much from this.

Okay. Can you can you speak to the miscellaneous line that is the original budget of 150 went to 427310?

So um the miscellaneous line is there's two different um line items that make it up. It's a miscellaneous reoccurring and a miscell miscellaneous non-reoccurring.

Um, so the miscellaneous reoccurring is when we do supplemental tax bills um for changes that happen outside of a certain time period of us doing our bills. Um, assessors could speak to you way more clearly about this, but without getting too technical, um, that's usually about 50,000 a year that we kind of have been getting the last several years. So part of that 50,000 is baked into this. The

other side of it is literally miscellaneous, non-reoccurring. It's it's a catch-all for anything else that we happen to be getting. Um I know there's something that it's not in this number, but we just received money from the state for unclaimed property and in taxes that we got um for about $300,000.

So stuff like that ends up in this that it's not, you know, a regular item that comes in. And it's not something that people are typically paying for, but if there's um any money that you know we get that we weren't anticipating and that isn't a regular fee that we charge, it would go into that line item. So I could get a a more detailed breakout of it, but just just

know it's going to be very random.

That's fine. If you could get that breakout, that'd be great. Um to the inactive capital projects, something that I think the council talks about all too often, um this list is getting smaller. We still have about $283,000 idally. Any plans on that in initial conversations Sadia?

Um I I'll go to you from first.

We've had some we've had some discussions with the uh in the administration concerning um uh looking at some park projects. Um the redoing some uh uh use of that money for uh increases in um uh changes to our basketball courts, uh um tennis courts, uh pickle ball courts. Um we talked about um uh the designing of of a EMS storage building, which you'll see tonight. Um we we we think we probably will have

that money freed up for another um uh something else. Um there's some improvements that we're doing right now at the for fire department uh that you are well aware of. Um so we're we're talking about those projects and seeing what the best um way to go forward with those are.

Okay. Particularly the 204,000 streets and highways. Obviously that's the sticking number that's of that larger picture. So any plans with that particular the the goal would be to put it towards its original intent and to keep it within that. So um by any particular plan with that yet haven't. Yeah. No.

No. Okay. Fair enough. Um can we go to the insurance piece? Um obviously there was pretty pretty decent change from the original book to the revised that you sent to us. So Emily, I don't know if you can walk us through um what has changed and then kind of a general sense of where we stand after we talked a little bit about that during budget season.

Um yes, sorry, I just couldn't find my tab. Um so this is again I I want to point out the um original submission of the quarter 4 book to the updated one that I provided you um within the last day or so.

It's it's something with especially with this trust fund and the way these bills work. we are very very behind at all times. It's just the way the healthcare industry works with the billing and the receipts and all of that. So this number is going to continue to shift. This is one that I can tell you, you know, when you were asking about how how done the investment income is. This one is not

done. Um we are not necessarily going to hit that 2.6 million that we were hoping for at the end of the year fund balance.

um because we did have of course May and June um bills come in higher than expected um even above the 104% that we had talked through. Um it came up to I think it was about 107 or 108 um in the final percentage. So we did take a little bit more of a hit in that than we anticipated. Um but receipts are still coming in. I mean I tried to update this

sheet for a week and a half and every time I went in it changed again. Um, so we are still just continuing to collect on those receipts at this point. And then um the expenses are kind of done at this point. It's really the receipts that we're still um we know more stop-loss reimbursements coming in. We know more rebates will come in. Um and we have up until um I want to say

September 30th to have them accounted for in this.

Okay. I I guess my larger question of course is in the original binder we were at a ending fund balance deficit and now we're in the positive.

Correct.

Is it your thought that that's going to continue to grow at this point?

Yes. And again, how substantially? I don't I don't want to It's hard to say.

I don't want to go out on a limb with that, but it it will only continue.

So by September, you'll be able to tell us where that exactly stands.

Correct. At that point, that's when our cut off is from the state to be able to still consider something for the previous fiscal year within this fund.

So, um, at that point in time, we'll have a better number. Um, and I will make sure to share that with you.

Okay. And then last question, do you have a sense ballpark idea how much surplus we may have that could be forward for certification?

Um, I am trying to answer this without getting technical. Um, that is very hard to say. So the the first basis of I'm going to say free cash that people understand and that they um expect is whatever the prior year's budget was whatever you know we came in over in revenues and what we came in under in expenses if you add and subtract it should be that number. Um unfortunately there is a lot more that

goes into that. There's a fund balance that already existed before this fiscal year and then there are things that we are required to I'm gonna say set aside money for reserve some of that fund balance for. So to give you a number you know would be hard.

It's hard. Um we are looking I'm going to say we we should easily be over $10 million but that's about all I can give you.

That's fair. And again, just to follow on the last question, when do you think you will have a better idea of what that looks like?

Our goal is to have it certified um we close our books officially September 30th. Um per the state with all of that. Um our goal would be to have our free cash I'm going to say calculated, not necessarily certified, but calculated and kind of submitted. Um which would have a much better estimate by the end of October. Um so official certification, we typically get it in November. So it probably could go in

line with the development of the capital plan.

That's the goal.

Yep. In line with what council Kadim was asking about.

The goal? Yes. Okay.

Good. Thank you. I yield.

Thank you, Council Council C1. Cadim, thank you. I'll I'll be quick. I just got a couple of questions. So, the first is just on the uh police expense. are the original um quarterly report had salaries at a in a deficit of almost half a million dollars and then I think it was based on the new report that you submitted it's close to about a quarter of a million. Can you correct? Um the biggest thing with that

is the um the dispatchers that EMS pays for. um they pay for five dispatchers um as dispatch is held completely in in um police and is paid for other places. So that came through. Um the other thing is the SRO's um were part of that as well. So the SRO payments, they just I mean they don't come every two weeks when we get paid.

So um those deposits needed to be made as well. So we were just kind of behind in in logging what needed to be logged into these accounts.

Yeah. So on the reimbursements, so so what was driving the uh $226,000 deficit in salaries?

Um buyouts mostly because they don't budget, we don't budget for buyouts and police.

Yep. Um and then the other side of it is overtime. Um which I think we discussed at length in the budget hearings of how that is going to shift moving forward.

And then uh just shifting gears to the capital projects. I know um my colleague in C7 had talked about the inactive projects. So, um it's just good to hear that the administration is looking at the inactive projects and spending down the um the items. However, just in terms of I I just know notice on the back side, uh there are some significant deficits and I I know with the school uh

projects themselves, it's just I think they're waiting for some MSBA reimbursements. I'm hoping that that yes, is still out there and it's not a true deficit. Uh but over on sewer there's a $2.3 million deficit.

So that's um also not real. We've been working through that one. Um there's something within those projects um that you see there that the couple that are grouped together that I'm going to say is not right in the system that we're that we're sorting through something with either the way the revenues came in or the expenses went in. Um, and then part of it could also be the Mass Clean

Water Trust issuance of debt, but I know that part of it was the the mix of projects that landed in there.

So, can we we should be so the first quarter budget review, we should be able to see that yes more accurate picture of where we stand.

Absolutely.

Okay, with that, I yield.

Thank you, council.

There being no further questions, but thank you very much for coming down and answering the questions.

Thank you.

Thanks for skipping the tutorial on accounting with those kind of numbers.

I'm kind of glad you did.

Next, the final item in finance in accordance with provisions chapter 44 section 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws. I recommend the follow appropriation to your honorable body that the sum of 243,000 being the same is hereby appropriated to EMS expenses from EMS revenues.

Any questions?

No.

Okay, I've got I've got C1 counc.

So, uh you want to be come down I guess. Can we just get a an update for us on?

Yeah, she has an update on her too. Uh we spent some time on it today and yesterday. Can you uh Beth, do you have an uh to give them uh I prepared some uh Yeah. Can you please speak into the microphone and tell the public who you are because I know we know who you are but people might not know who you are.

Hi, my name is Beth F. I'm the chief.

Try to speak into the microphone a little bit louder. Put it closer to you.

Push the microphone.

There you go.

Yeah.

My name is Beth Fonts. I'm the chief of EMS. I have um prepared some documents with some pictures if you'd like me to show them and give you the um information in regard to this um conversation.

So, as you're all aware, um we just um September 22nd we took over um we're going to be the primary provider of the inter facility transfers out of Brown Health. Um we last year in October um started with a contract with South Coast Health to do the primary into facility transfers out of Charlton and we're the secondary contact for transfers out of St. Luke's Hospital.

It has been lucrative. We did have to put some money into um the business to try to accommodate those contracts. Um the contract started in October. We didn't even see a full year of um revenues and profits from that contract. Um we did reach out to Brown Health and um we started with them on July 22nd.

The South Coast Hospital Groups is much busier um than the Brown Health contract, but as you can see um the numbers over the year have gone from we started this I gave you the five-year comparison that's on the third page. So, we started with a thousand um 1,600 1,600 runs in 2022 and we're anticipated to do 10,800 in um 2026.

Um we have put money into the um transfer business in a in a fiscally responsible manner. Um last year we were able to with our free cash pay off some of the leases that we had early so that we could take care of the St. An's agreement in a fiscally responsible manner and be able to bring on the two new trucks we needed to be able to fulfill this contract.

Um, so we put out an RFP for some um, garage space and for some um, living quarters for our crews because our trucks are currently in the stations double stacked. Um, and it becomes a problem that we have to ask trucks to move in order for our trucks to get out to respond to calls and that creates a delay and sometimes and it if it's in the middle of the night, we have

to wake up an engine company or somebody to be able to move a truck out to let our trucks out and it becomes inconvenient. We do have a very um diverse group, but it's very femaleheavy. So, we've ended up sometimes at the center station with having to sleep with five females in a dorm that should be accommodating two.

Um, we are now running eight trucks um at all times, sometimes 10 during the day. And in instances where like we had the recent fire, we were able to have the those number of ambulances respond and back up our 911 providers.

We they're an ambulance. They're certified as ambulance and they're able to do dual roles. So they don't just they're not just able to do if they're able to cut down on the mutual aid and um help us to take care of our city needs also.

So, the anticipated um revenue increase from this contract um should be in essence about $2 million. EMS's goal is not to take over the world. Our goal was to be able to take care of our own city and to be able to keep the revenue within the city confines and um rather than giving money to to for-profit services. So what we do is our goal was to take over the contracts

at um Charlton and South Coast be able to provide an excellent excellent service for the city of Fall River and the citizens of Fall River and I think we've we've done that. Um we're in the middle of building our at home visit which is the future of EMS. We're in negotiations with both South Coast Hospital Groups and St. Ian's hospital group in trying to work on a funding model which has been a struggle in the

state um because the profit the it benefits the insurance companies and trying to get them to give you the money back is you know they want to you know is kind of difficult but we did a um a one-year grant through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and they gave us a one-year grant to run our MIH program and South Coast Hospital Group found that very profitable for them with the program and we got rave

reviews. I have great providers. We're willing to continue moving forward. I just need some space in order for our guys to be able to um our employees to be able to work and function in a professional manner.

Thank you, Beth. Council 27, Council Pos.

Yeah. Can council miss the floor.

Go ahead. Council say I didn't get to Yeah, you get to beat you get to beat me up first. He raised his hand. I saw him.

So, I'm sorry.

It's okay. Um, council T1, Council Kadim, go ahead.

So, first of all, I apologize. Uh, Miss Von, I know you reached out and I told you I was in support of this. Um, we kind of connected on some stuff via text message. I never got back. And I'm one for once I commit, I commit. However, um, however, however, um, that's what happens when that's what happens when you call me during lunch and I'm hungry, right? So, well, I'm hungry right now.

My focus was on food. So part part of the concerns that I have is is just the long-term strategy that we have. So I'm I'm as I told you on the phone, I'm super supportive of EMS and and what you folks want to do and I and I recognize the money that's coming in.

Um I just need to get a better understanding of where we are long term.

So I I know we were looking to build a facility. Um we've got $2.7 million that's been appropriated for uh a space building.

I know we're looking at um some You're shaking your head now.

Oh, it's 1.2. I'm sorry. Thank you for the correction. Um so even I guess that the math is even worse now. Uh so $1.2 million for your building. We've we've got some I guess a property that we've identified it that's going through tax title. just waiting for the decree I would assume to come in and then looking to build a complex that's going to house correct office space plus some additional um I I

guess not all of your operations is going to be going out of that that station. So you're still going to have ambulances that are located um in the various fire stations whether it's uh Candas or um over on Globe, right? Uh the Candas isn't really um as much of a concern as the Globe because they go all the way down to last street in F River.

I don't think even if you was centrally located in F River that in centrally located that you would still be able to provide the response times. Um uh rescue 5 which is in the north end station um was part of the HUD HUD was built with HUD money and has is services the industrial park. So again, we wouldn't be able to responsibly be able to pull that truck out of that station. And the

the Eastern Avenue station, but we have our training division, which runs our EMS school is in is up at Commerce Drive. And I have my operation division, which is also up at Commerce Drive. So our trucks to for our trucks to be able to get inservice training, I have to pull those trucks that are from them those far-end stations all the way up north to be able to get any inservice training. and if they're able to

complete the inservice training without getting a call, it becomes an issue. So to have something more centrally located certainly makes more sense. Um so our administration right now we have MIH, we have three people in the government center and one office. We're hoping that if we're able to get this rental space, we'll at least be able to get some of the um storage issues that we have out

of that building. I have two people in professional standards in one office.

Then I have um my two deputies are in the main office of the government center. So everybody's just kind of kind of squished. And that's part of the biggest concern about trying to meet the operational needs and trying to have everybody who can be cohesive and be on the same page. And um hopefully eventually in a couple of years or wherever if we can work out a final plan

then then we would be able to to get that accommodated.

Okay. So can can I ask the 243,000? Is that annual or is that total contract?

Yeah, it's it's annual with all with the utilities. All utilities are included.

Um, and it gives us garage space for eight vehicles and would be able to accommodate um, 12 dorm beds in that room.

So, I guess that that's so this is where my concern comes from. So, we've got 243,000 annually for a short-term fix. So, over three years, right? So, just round it up.

That's $750,000. Right? So, that's 62% of what it's going to cost us to build a new facility, right? So, if we're saying that we're we've got tax title, we've got a we've got a posel that we're essentially going to be taking over.

We're going through the tax title process. It's just in a matter of of getting the land court to give us a decree to move forward with that. Then, we're going to start doing design for this this building, I would believe. And if it's a space building, I guess maybe there's not a whole lot of design that would be needed for a space building. uh we're talking about two years out to to spend $750,000

in a three-year period. That's only for a temporary fix to to move, if I'm understanding you, to move folks out of center station into this to this building from a financial standpoint doesn't doesn't make sense. I I don't I just don't see what the benefit is. If we were talking that there was a long-term uh plan for that building, the use of that building, then I think I would say something completely

different. However, the benefit is that it's almost impossible to be able to run this second contract without having the ability to have a reasonable space for the people to work out of. And I know I entered into the agreement, so I own that, right? My initial plan was to I thought about if we could get it through the bond committee was to take the the balance of the bond that we have

the $1 million if we were able to get that tax title property was to purchase the property clear you know get it tested get the architecture plans all that done out of the current bond that we have and then figure out what the feasibility is and then bond the building going forward. Um, this new contract just with sanions alone will be able to pay for the lease for this building in one month. This is $360

uh $360 $360,000 a month.

No, don't confuse the I guess the concern I have. I'm I'm not concerned about whether or not we can afford to pay for it. We can afford to pay for it.

My concern is is whether it financially makes sense, right? Because from my standpoint, if it's temporary, I for one can't say because I I'd rather use that $363,000, put it into a stabilization account and not go out to bonds for uh for your building, right? Save the taxpayer money. That that's that's my take on on the situation. So, I can speak to that some. We've had these conversations. We had the same

concerns. So, we've had this in the same, you know, manner of, you know, why spend that money now when we could save it to pay for this. The problem is that no matter what, even if we had a lot available today, you are talking about at least two years to do the full construction of this. And in the meantime, it's getting to a point where it's not sustainable. So, we feel like it's more financially responsible to

keep these contracts going the way they are and keep this revenue increasing the way it is and pay for a temporary lease space until we can get to that full buildout. So, there is a plan in place.

We just don't have an exact timeline, but the the goal is that within 3 to four years, we are completely out of leasing it and we will have a full building that is fully built out to to live at that level.

Help me I guess that's what I'm I'm struggling to understand is is where the benefit is. So what what is it that the Brown Health taking picking up that contract? What does that create in terms of additional resources or bodies or or change in operation that we currently have now that we couldn't we couldn't and I'm not saying it's the most it's it's the perfect solution and it's

and again it's only temporary. So if we just go through another two years or three years in the situation that we're in knowing full well at the end of the at the end of the three years we're going to have a brand new building on a piece of property that we are taking taking over. that that's I guess where I'm trying I understand what you're saying. So if all of our programs kind of feed off

each other. So our referrals from our NIH program come from our from our 911 transports. Some of the referrals from our our MIH program come from our repeat transports that we bring home for the hospital. So in order for us to be able to build the MIH program, which is the future of EMS, right? like fire prevention was to fire service. MIH is going to be the prevention that the insurance companies need to drive down

health care cost. If we don't have the support of the community facilities and the referral process, then we're we're not going to be able to succeed with moving forward with that program.

Councelor, so I I'll get back to you for a second. So I know MIH is is where we're going to be going. I wholeheartedly disagree with it. I think again it's another play on health insurance, but I understand that we're now going to get into a business because we've got to minimize, you know, the cost for insurance and we've got to go do home visits. I don't I don't think

that's what we should be doing as a a paramedic service for a municipality, but I understand that that's the direction the industry is going down. I don't know why we need to enter into a contract immediately today with Brown Health to start doing all this transportation and why we can't wait until we have our property and a building that is capable of handling the operations. That that's my take in in

answer to your question. The Brown Health contract is not what's putting it over the edge. The Brown Health contract really only entails having two trucks, right? It's the It's the fact that even before Brown Health, we were we were working with the fire chief to jockey trucks around to make sure that they could fit their spare trucks here and that we could fit an ambulance there or

and then there um we we just have two spare vehicles that are outside um behind the shop over at on Commerce Drive that we can't stock with medical supplies because they're outside and we don't have the ability to bring them indoors. So we have no temperature control. So it's not that this is something that is necessary for us to do, but we've entered into a contract with South Coast and we're doing a great

job and we're providing great service.

Uh the Brown Health contract is not what's driving us over the edge. It's just simply the amount of pe people that we have to maintain these contracts.

We've just outgrown the space that we have.

That's the bottom line.

council. Councelor, I've I in the discussions that I've had with the mayor, okay, over the last couple days, over the last couple weeks, um uh looking at this property, I had my reservations just like you with the amount of money. Um but I think we're looking long-term. Um I don't see uh the need for a new building. Um, I think that, um, there have been discussions with the landlord, the

person that owns the property to do maybe if we wanted to, a short-term lease, if we want a purchase to own. Um, I I think it's a building that's beautiful. I mean, I went and look at it. Um, I think it it services exactly what um, uh, is needed for the EMS. Um and and if it was my way of doing things and in discussion with the mayor,

this is a long term. This is I I look at this as long term.

So can I and I appreciate that. Um trying to figure out how the most professional way to to to say this. Um yeah, just say it.

So one, we the the agreement before us is a three-year lease, right? So regardless of what we're talking about, we're talking about $750,000.

I would ask you, if you own the property and the city was paying you $250,000 a year, would you sell the property?

So that being said, if the property is not sold, we're now in a situation where we spent $750,000 for the property, and then we still have to go now look for land, buy a building.

We're out $750,000.

if for whatever reason we get rid of the property that we're getting for foreclosure now we have to look for another property which is going to be again cost prohibitive potentially um so that that's where unless unless you're coming with me that we have a an agreement in place to purchase the property for me the only thing I can look at is is that we've got a three-year contract

before us uh for a three-year lease and my standpoint is is that I personally I think it's excessive for $750,000 if we are going to build a new facility in and can be done in three years, even call it four years.

I mean, at at some point, you know, if if you've if you've outgrown your home and you know, you're building a house, are you going to go rent another house for $750,000, know that you're building a million dollar home? I mean, the answer is no, right? So, if it was our own money, we depends on the wife. Well, listen. I reason would tell you no. You you stick you stick it out knowing that you're

building you're building a house, right?

You're not going to go into a more expensive house because you know in a couple years your house is going to be built.

Maybe maybe we sit down with the current landlord, the current owner, and we do a short-term lease with an option to purchase. We haven't talked about that with him yet. We've talked a little bit about that. Um with an option to purchase, I just see this property as being a very, very nice property. It's centrally located. It's in a beautiful area. It's it's it's been uh uh it's got exactly what we need.

I I don't disagree with you. So, from my standpoint, prior prior to having this conversation, the plan had always been that we were going to go build a facility. So based on the information that I I've I've been given, I'm I'm basing my decision on the fact that we are the intent right now and the strategy unless that changes and I don't have that information, right?

Other than what you're saying now that we're going to move in a different direction. So it's it's hard to support it and without having documentation saying that there is an agreement to be, you know, to to purchase it, that's fine.

I wouldn't.

Yeah, I would not.

So we, you know, um I did this with all good intent, right?

So our employees are motion, our employees are important, morale is important, and I think that any good chief is going to advocate for their employees, and it's discouraging to um try to meet the operational needs without the tools that you have. And so I tried to I felt that the most responsible thing to do was to take my F FY26 budget and be able to I'm not asking to use free cash. I'm not asking

to use onetime money. I'm trying to say let the business pay for itself.

It's not a business. Can you can you please stop saying it's a business? It's not it is it is No, it's not a business.

It's just it's our department. I apologize, but I'm trying to to get my department to to be able to support my department the best way they can.

And I and I recognize that, Chief. I I I do. and I'm supportive of it. What I am what I am saying and what I'm struggling with is is the fact that we have a plan which in two or three years we will have a new building. So to spend $750,000 when yes the is it ideal to be in the in the stations that we're currently in? No. But at the

end of the day, you're still going to have rescues that are outside of this building. Not you're not taking your entire operation and putting it into this building, right? quite a bit of it.

It's putting this program. It's not putting the the typical ser. It's putting this whole program there. And that's what we've run out of room for in the stations. The stations weren't meant to run that program.

I will get my spares up from outside into the building. And we'll allow me to stock my trucks so that if we have a switch over that there's equipment inside the trucks, it will allow the um community medicine vehicles that are currently parked behind engine companies to have a space.

Listen, I I've said this before. We we we were getting too big too fast, right?

Bigger isn't always better. That that was I've said that a million times and and this is where we are. So now we're too big. We're going to spend $750,000.

I'm not going to support it. You probably have the support of the councils, but to spend $750,000 on a building when we are going to purchase, we have a property that is coming over that is not going to cost us any money other than the fact that there's back taxes at a road. We're going to take it.

You're going to get do some architectural design to put up a building and do it and get it done within four years, three years, four years tops, right? I mean, a building project from design to to construction is only two years. Okay.

It's the land court.

So, so right in the land court, you can push the land court if you need to push the land court to get the decree. So, from my standpoint, to spend that money on a temporary solution does not make sense. That's that's the only thing.

It's it's not it's not that I don't want to support the department. It's not that I don't want to give you the resources that you need. I just think it doesn't make sense to spend the $750,000 when I know in three years, two years, we have the ability to give you the, you know, the facility that you need.

Okay. Thank you.

So, with that, I yield.

Thank you. I just want to say one thing.

I don't know what the year was, but the Empire State Building was built in one year.

Just a true fact.

Um, do we know what the value is of this property, Mr. Dion? Emily, anyone?

The rental, the property that we're looking to go into a lease agreement with. You know what the value is?

I I looked it up. The uh the assessed value is $257. The the last sales price was $800,000.

$800,000 for the purchase price, but the assessed value is um was like $250,000.

I'm just curious what the value is of the property.

I'll say something.

Council T7. Councelor Poso.

Thank you. The only question I had was outside of the 243,000 per year for three years, are there any costs you're going to have to put in into the building to get it to the standard you need it for EMS?

Um, the owner is taking care of all the upgrades that would be needed to for EMS to move into the building. Our outside cost that we pay would just be the Wi-Fi connection in the building. Um, all the other utilities and costs are included.

Okay. All right. And do you have any any sense what the value of those upgrades are that the owner is taking on?

Um I I don't we haven't entered into a lease agreement at this point in time. So it it's it's hard to say. Um you know the the person owns this buildings. There's another person that owns another building. So at this point in time, it's not it's not a done deal. We could get something like that.

But is it defined exactly what needs to be put into place for this to work?

Yes. Okay. So, so at least you have that, but as far as the value, you're not exactly Yeah, I just don't have the We didn't We um we wanted to follow the rules because there's been some, you know, we wanted to make sure that we did it the right way. We haven't even awarded the RFP until we had the the funding made available so that we could do it in the appropriate manner.

Fair. I yield. Thank you.

Thank you, Council. Council C2, Council D.

Um, so I have to say that my my line of thinking is the same as counselor in seat one. Um, we have $1.2 million um in a bond. Well, let me start with this. This goes back to 2021. I can show you. I have this. I have this. I have this and four other things where people came before us. It started at 2.7.

It was going to be up at on Commerce Way. Um there was going to be a building to put vehicles in because he didn't have enough. Uh medical supplies were going to be able to be kept there, etc., etc. And then it changed to um construction and renovation of buildings to be used initially by EMS department including payment of cost incidental.

the buildings to be affected by construction shelby central fire and the marine biology wing at Dery High School and then it wasn't that anymore.

Um the very last meeting was October 22nd, 2024. I respectfully request a loan order amount be sent for council approval. The original amount of 2.7 was appropriated in 21. Due to cost increase in the growth of EMS, the increase to 3.2 2 million will fill the needs for the department enabling EMS to upgrade the central station and build a storage garage for our spare EMS units.

Currently, we have three spare apparatus sitting outside in the elements due to no storage space uh at any of the fire stations. Medical supplies would also be stored in the building due to the shortage of space at central fire. I guess my point is so yes, I went back to all my files because I save everything and it's been one plan after another after another after another. Nothing has ever happened.

Um, and I agree that if we're going to buy a piece of property, I don't know what it's going to cost. I don't know what the building is going to cost, but you take that 1.2 2 with that 700 if you're talking you $2 million that we would have sitting in the bank ready to go.

Um you know if somebody could come before me and say yes you know what we would like to lease you the building for one year, two years, three years and at the end of that you will give you the option to buy the building. We want to sell the building. We want to be good community partners. I'd say okay. Okay.

Let's spend the money because if I may, the owner is here. He's willing to come down and speak and tell you some more information. I'm okay with him coming down and we're in finance committee finance. We don't need to wave the rules. Would you like him to come down and answer some questions?

Yes.

Come on down.

Speak into the microphone and give your name and address for the recording, please.

Good evening, Gil.

Good evening, Scott Lopes. uh owner of Cornell Street.

I want to clear up a few things. Um I purchased that property for more than 800,000. It was well over a million. I invested over 300,000 in upgrades. It's no secret that EMS is busted at the seams. The solution needs to be done now.

Uh with that being said, I know you guys are forecasting a property down the road, but we know how plans go. Like you said, Mrs. Dion, year after year after year, it takes long to satisfy the council. I have no problem doing a year-to-year lease and not locking you guys into three years. No problem.

It's a valuable piece of property.

It's up to you.

Are you willing to sell it?

It's a valuable piece of property. Um I I own a lot of properties in Fall River.

I'm not in the business of selling properties.

So, the answer is no. The answer is no.

However however it's okay. It's fair enough. Just I will give the city first right of refusal. I think it's a good way to see how speak to the microphone, please.

I think the microphone went out the other one.

I think it's a good way for the city to see the growth of EMS because it could go further. You you really don't know what size building you need. She's doubled her staff the the last three years from 36 to 64 to 102.

The staff is in a fire station facility that women aren't even comfortable being in. They have multiple bathrooms, private showers, their own gym, two street access, a private streetway with no easement, onoff highway. Ideally, it's the perfect location. I'm actually helping them out.

It's great to have the city as a tenant, but I think it's a no-brainer. Sean, just point of information. So, the 800,000 is just coming off and I don't know what you pay for. I'm just going off the GIS system, which anybody can access on the website. So, the last sale price was 800,000.

There was two buildings, so you probably only grabbed the one instead of It's a total of three parcels that's being leased out. Two buildings plus a big parking lot fence in for security.

Um, I ended up putting 275,000 down, financed the other eight, so it was 1.75 plus the 300,000 in upgrades. And I would assess that property right now well over $2 million.

That's fair assessment. Thank you.

I can pull that for you. GIS.

Hopefully it'll sell.

Yeah, I No, no, I get it. I get I put in the address, the GIS mapping.

It has all I wish I paid eight.

I'm just telling you what the website said. Council Deian, you still have the floor. Council C2, too.

Um, good thing these kids don't have homework.

I get it.

I I look at this. It's a beautiful building. I get it.

Is it Will it accommodate the needs?

Yes, it will. Do I want to say no, don't do it?

I don't want I don't want to take that route, but at the same token, we need something concrete. We need something that financially benefits the city. Um, I feel like we're always always I don't even I don't know the rents that we've paid over the years. I I just feel like we've thrown money away over the years in these rental situations. The city has never taken How many properties have we foreclosed in?

How many have we taken in tax title?

Instead of selling schools for 5,000, maybe we should have kept them and done something with them and turned them into an EMS center or another fire station.

This This is where I'm going. I I I I I just get frustrated when I feel like we're and I forget what the saying is.

Throwing good money after bad or bad money after good.

Then let us go short term. Let us go year by year. Then yeah, if you don't want to make the three-year commitment, I'm not going to have a hard time finding a tenant for that property.

As long as you don't raise the rent, but we'll we'll we'll make sure of that.

Councelor Councelor Dion, I I'm going to be honest with you. I don't see the city finding a property and building it's beautiful a facility for that.

It's absolutely beautiful.

No, and I get that and and you know what that's why I say if I if I if I you know if if I knew in three years the city could absolutely could purchase the building I'd be like okay there's an there's an end to this. There's a plan a concrete plan.

I get it.

It's not concrete.

I get it. But what if in three years that building's not even big enough?

Right.

Well, I guess we'll have to worry about the bridge when we come worry about that when we come to it.

Let's cross this bridge now.

You know, I I know it's the job I know it's the job of the council not to spend funds foolishly. I get it. But you have a department that's already busted at the seams.

You know, they they moved into Central Fire. There's $2.7 million being invested in that building to upgrade that building because they needed places to sleep. They needed better bathrooms.

they needed. So everything they needed we're doing at Central Fire, correct?

But not just for EMS, but it's not I know it's not just EMS.

However, it's going there are separate female and male quarters when this is completed.

It's it's still a $2.7 million investment. No matter how you look at it, fire station renovation doesn't change the accommodations or the amount of accommodations for the employees. It it's it's basically um it is going to make some of the accommodations for showers and bathrooms and and stuff like that, but most of the um renovations that are being done in there is not going to change the amount of sleeping

space or dorm space that's in that building.

Correct. It's it doesn't increase what we already have. That that building is only meant to have this emergency response team in there between fire and EMS. And right now, it's housing a lot of these transport services as well. And that's what it's not equipped to handle.

None of the fire stations were equipped to handle these additional programs. And that's the problem that we're running into.

I would like the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Loes and discuss a purchase and sale of of I know he said he won't sell it, but I would like to have that sit down to talk with him. We've had it once before. The mayor and I had that discussion with him.

We can always table this and is something and is something that uh um it's in the future of the EMS. I can't I I just I see that as the plan as EMS having a having their facility at that location.

Um next meeting is in three weeks. Is that too long?

Get somebody to come.

All I'll say is our the current RFP that was put out we are technically supposed to issue yes within 30 days. We are going to run out of that in a matter of I think about 10 days now. Um we can issue a request for an extension. That's a request. So I think at this point there might be some willingness for that. But at the same time we're it's not it's not going to change.

I mean we do we just risk losing it and losing more time is all.

Okay. So once and it's not going to change in three weeks.

So once again here we are we have a deadline. Your backs are against the wall again. In 10 days, this is going to expire.

No previous discussions.

In my defense, we went out for an RFP and because we we didn't have the response from the RFP in the last city council meeting. We didn't award the RFP because we wanted to do it in the correct manner. So, we waited for this meeting to bring it forward. It was simply logistics of the time that the RFP went out and the amount of city council meetings we had in the meantime.

I I also want to be clear. It's not it's not that you have to respond to this. We don't have to accept an RFP. We don't have to do any of that. The the statement of 3 weeks is you want a five-year structural plan to move forward and build a building and how much space we're going to need and where it's going to land. And 3 weeks is just

not it's not going to do that for us at this point in time. So it's part of it is we need to act on something and if we're going to consider this then we'll do the extension but it's it's a much bigger plan that you're looking a concrete plan to build a whole structure or not is going to take us more than 3 weeks to decide on.

Okay. I guess my point is we're having another meeting 3 weeks. Is 3 weeks long enough to have a discussion and then at that point just say this is what it is and go from there.

What's the discussion? We can have it now. Is it a one year one year terms?

Doesn't work that way.

Yeah. I I can't I can't set the term with you. You have to set the term with the administration.

So, and and to be honest with you, the term is not being set now. We're just asking for a funding increase to have an ability to issue a lease agreement at all. So all right now we're looking for is funding and the lease issuance or agreement is we're willing to go short term separate if he wants to go one year we'll do one year short term and then we'll go point of point of information that

doesn't change anything that doesn't whether it's three years it's still the same you haven't changed anything just throwing it out there because once you move in you're not moving out until he kicks you out right like that's because that's that's ultimately what's going to happen you said in three years I'd be moving out to a new building so no we you renew it right that's just you know all right I yield

a lot happens in three years C5 council vice president yeah I just have a question Carlos on that building can you build up I don't believe so you can't build up so there's no room for expansion oh there's plenty of room for expansion I was thinking on the parking lot on the side you can add a space metal there's three parcels you talking about buying all three parcels if you could an enormous amount of room

that you could you could uh increase the services at that location what are we what are we renting one parcel two parcels the three. All three apostles.

The value that you gave for 2 million, was that for all three apostles?

Yes.

Yes.

So, it's all three parcels. Okay. The other thing is I did speak with Matt Thomas about the uh property that is going into foreclosure, which there are issues with because of people that are deceased and other things. and an appraisal was going to come in and we weren't going to get an appraisal until I believe he said mid to late September was when we'd get a copy of the appraisal and what it was valued at.

Have we gone to land court yet with it?

I don't know. I just asked him what that property was worth and he said he was having an appraisal done. So, I don't know where where that's at, but I do understand the circumstances of everybody just really uh you know, being a tight facility where there there's and I certainly don't want to see ambulances outside. Um, and I don't want to see fire trucks outside. I mean, we pay good

money for this equipment. You want to have a garage, but I just wanted to throw that out there about my conversation with um Mr. Thomas and I wondered how much expansion could be done there and if it can be done there and if you want to go with a year I'm willing to go with a year and let's see how that works because maybe the other one the other location won't be

feasible. Maybe it'll be too much.

We don't know if there's any contamination on the property. Nothing's been done. Give it a year to see where we're going, what we can do because they do bring in what's your contract with South Coast. Now, is it 2 million?

Two and a half.

Two and a half million with uh with South Coast. So, they certainly have enough to pay.

How much would you bring in with um with Brown? with prone.

We're looking at 4 point 4 point between four and 4.5 for both contracts without 4.5 for both without the addition of the um MIH programs without the addition correct. So that would even bring in more.

And I mean the EMS have funded five uh firefighters. They have bought equipment. So you know I know that we don't want to call it a quote business but with the money that's being generated it's being spent on you know services in the community on our safety officers and safety services. So with that I yield. Just wanted to council one council follow.

Thank you. Here's here's my frustration is is and I and I've said this before.

The failure to be able to plan long term, okay? There is absolutely zero strategic planning. The goalpost continues to move. It is the most frustrating thing ever.

We were supposed to be located in Dery.

We were supposed to be building a a space. We were supposed to move in here.

And now we're going to enter into a one-year contract. Maybe the property owner and I and listen and I don't disagree with him. I would never sell the property either, right? like I wouldn't and and I would be in the same situation advocating for us to go year to year, whatever the case might be. In 10 years, if we end if we go into that building, we will be there in 10 years.

That's 2.4 uh4 million that we have just spent, right? Because what are we doing?

We came back and we said we were going to use the the property that's going into foreclosure. We were going to we were going to do all this stuff, but we haven't done anything.

So So why why is it that every time we come down now at at the last minute, we've got a change in plans? Like can can somebody and I and I and I beg I beg I am begging the administration to stop coming down with these half-hearted plans and then move the goalpost the very next meeting.

So in 2021 um 2021 think about that 2021 four years ago we had five different plans co and that's why we we priced out a building in 2021. Okay.

By the time CO was over, the building went from being 3.1 million.

So, let me let me ask I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm going to interrupt.

So, let me ask you in 2021 in 2020 during CO your staffing levels went from what to what my staffing levels Yep. Because we decided to go because that's that's when the MH plant, right?

Okay.

So, we went up to we went from we increased by two trucks. So, about 16 employees.

16 employees. And so, since 2020 to now, how many employees have we increased? We we're at 104.

104. So we added 104 new employees and at no point No, we didn't add 104, but we're add Okay. So So how many did you add?

We added about 45 in the last two years.

Okay. So 45 just round it up to 50. You added 50 new employees. And at no point did the administration say, "This is what we're going to do. Here's the game plan. We know we're going into a different uh program. We're going to start transporting." And we had all this conversation about whether or not we should be transporting, why our ambulances are going from South Coast to to Chelton, going all the way to to

Worcester to Boston to all these other places that are not benefiting. And I know we're we're treating it like a business. We're bringing in additional revenue and I and I respect that. But with that comes overhead, it comes uh benefits, it comes retirement, it comes uh equipment. And I understand that you are bringing in money, but I've said from day one, we are getting way too big

too fast without a plan. That is my my take. So if that was the program we wanted to do, we should have had a plan in place to say, okay, this is where we're going to go. We need a facility.

We need to be centrally located. This is what we need to do and this is how much it's going to cost us. If we would have did that five years ago, we wouldn't be in the situation. It'd be a lot cheaper than where where we're standing. I for one not will not be supporting it unless we have not a first right a first refusal unless we have a lease agreement with

the option to purchase at the end of the at the end of the year or come back to to us with a plan if it's not the foreclosed property let's figure out we've got a number of properties that we could be looking at we just we just sold out the uh the Sylvia school we could have kept that we could have put in a space building we could have been centrally located right in the same spot

we just sent that uh sold that for 2002 200,000 $250,000.

Right? So, this is what I'm talking about when we start talking about the long-term planning. I need strategic long-term planning, not not yes me to death that we're going to have this vision and this is what we're going to do because I will support and I am a big supporter of EMS. I'm a big supporter of the fire department. I'm a big supporter of public safety in general across the

board. But what I do not support is the fact that we're gonna spend money after money after money and it doesn't make sense for the city number one or for the taxpayers. And I understand EMS and I'll give you the opportunity to speak and I understand that there is no rate that is being charged to the residents. So you can make the argument that there is no tax dollars going towards it. But I

would make the argument that there is because there are oped contributions across the board, retirement, pension, everything, right? That we need we need to discuss.

So, from my standpoint, it is just it is frustrating. I absolutely want to support you and give you the resources that you need, but from my standpoint, spending $243,000, whether it's a one-year or a three-year contract, is going to turn into a 10, 15, 20 year agreement on a lease, and it it does not make sense.

I would like to just defend a little bit. So, in 2021, we had decided that we were expanding and we were going to build the building up north, right? and we were going to have the building and then COVID hit and then the building went up three times the price. So then the city administrator at the time had us go and tour the marine section of the NATO building. That went on for 6 months

or eight months or nine months and then that got pulled out from underneath us.

Right? So that was no longer an option.

And then we went back to okay well we're going to take the bond and we're going to upgrade the center station. Right?

Which so we would we would take that $3.2 $2 million and we will upgrade the center station. Well, in the meantime, the upgrades to the center station have increased. So, we're looking at a $2 million increase in um upgrades to the center station, which the bond that we've changed over and over. Then we said, well, we'll we'll just take that and we'll build a garage. Well, the garage doesn't do anything because it

doesn't give you any sleeping quarters for your employees for in the dorms. It will pull my trucks in from outdoors, yes, but that was $900,000.

Can I ask you? I don't I don't mean that. So you keep talking about sleeping quarts. So are you running 24s even with the transports?

Correct.

Why are we doing that?

Because we do transports all night long.

No, I understand that. But why why wouldn't you why wouldn't you do it in twelves? Does the contract call for 24s?

We do impact trucks, but our our contract does involve 24s.

So again, and and to be perfectly honest, most of the people who are extremely injured, sick, or train wrecks come at 2 in the morning. that the ones that need transport to Rhode Island Hospital or the people that need to go to Bis Beth Israel, but we've constantly tried to kind of move forward and I and I understand your frustration and I and I I apologize if I sound defensive, but

the garage was not a solution either.

So, to spend $900,000 on a garage that was going to simply be a band-aid didn't make sense. So, then we started looking at the um the piece of land that we've been talking about. That's been about a year or a little over a year and I keep there praising it. It's in tax title.

So, we've been being patient. We're sitting back and we're waiting. Well, now we're to the point where we we felt that we needed to have space and this was the way to go. And and um that's it's not like we've continually changed the channel. The channel's continually been changed.

All right.

So, the Sylvia school, I can speak to that. The demolition alone of that was upwards of over 2.5 million because of the contaminants of the rest of the buildings that still needed to be taken down. And that was a big part of where it just became not cost effective for us to do it anymore. Somebody who's not in um the wages that we need to pay to do work like that could demo it for cheaper

and also will do more with it on the back end that will make them money to recuperate it. And we wouldn't be able to do that with this, but we did consider it. Absolutely.

But at 243,000 the cost back the the payback period is 10 years, right? So like I that's just the demo that wasn't building a new building.

I recognize that, but I and I'm not and I'm not suggesting the chief because I know she wasn't in the position of chief when we were having these conversations, but the the goal nobody can deny that the goalpost has moved at least 20 times.

So with that, I know I know we got folks that need to be recognized. I'm not going to belabor the point. I just I I I won't be supporting it as is if it's moving forward. So with that I yield.

Thank you councel. No further questions.

Thank you very much for coming down everybody.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Motion to adjurnn finance.

Second.

Motion to adjourn finance. Second it.

All in favor.

Any opposed?

City counc fin two break.

The city council meeting will come to order. The clerk will call the role.

Councilors Kadine.

Dion here.

Hart here.

Kilby here.

Here Raposo here.

Tip here.

President Camaro here. Will everyone in the council chair please rise for a moment of silent prayer?

Please remain standing for salute to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit this meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed acknowledged and permissible.

Before we begin the meeting, there are a number of citations that have been waiting here very patiently for the top 10 students of Dery High School.

I could have the students.

Can you hear me now?

Yep.

If I could have the students come down, please. The ones that are here. Not all top 10 students were able to attend.

So, we have an official resolution on behalf of the entire city council. These are the five of the top 10 students of DEFY. Um, if you could just when I call out your name as you speak, could you just tell us what college you're going to? If you are going to college, and I'm sure you are top 10 students, you're pretty or your parent be very upset.

Be leaving pretty soon.

It's an official resolution resolution.

Be it resolved that the city council hereby extend this commendation to each member of you in recognition of BMC Dery High School top 10 student class of 2025. Be it further resolved that the forever city council extends best wishes for continued success and that this resolution be entered into the records of the city council. It was adopted at the last meeting June 15, 2025. Proposed

by the entire city council, every member signed by myself, council president and the clerk Allison Bushad.

First, Owen Mitchell Mones, solitarian.

Congratulations.

Hold on, when we're done, just tell me what college you're going to.

Uh, Rener Poly Techch Institute.

What are you taking for your major?

Political science.

No, data. Computer science.

Good for you. Hold on one second.

Good for you. Shake your hand. Next, Madison Marie Ferrer.

Where are you going?

Uh, Nor Eastern University and I'm studying PR.

What is she studying?

PR.

Oh, nice.

Next we have Michaela Isabelle Gonzalez.

And where are you going?

I'm going to Emanuel College and I'm studying nursing.

Nice.

Emanuel.

Emanuel studying nursing.

Yeah. Long road.

Casey Aya Huarez.

I'm going to Georgetown studying biochemistry.

Excellent.

Not political science. None of them.

And we have Madison Tabascus. Did I pronounce that right? I'm sorry.

Tabacus.

Typicus.

Tikas.

I'm going to Northeastern University and I'm studying nursing.

So I was not in the top 10. Just none of those counsels were in the top 10. I know most of them they went to school with me. Congratulations to all of you. Um, also the rest of the stop 10 could not be here with the valadictorian Kathina Ramsey, Olivia Rumsley, William Rumsley, and Harry Zang, and Taweed Sad. They were not able to attend. But congratulations to all of you. You all make your parents very

proud. You make us as elected officials knowing that you're in this community very, very proud. Good luck to you in college and may you have a long and successful career.

Congratulations. Congratulations.

Congratulations. Good luck.

We have another city council meeting in three weeks. You're all welcome to come back and hear that one.

after this meeting they're happy they're not going into political science.

Madam clerk, Mr. President, the first item before you is the mayor's request for confirmation of the appointment of Katherine Gibney as a member of the election. Second motion to confirm, adopt has been confirmed has remained second. All in favor? I any opposed? Motion carries.

Item number two is the mayor's request for confirmation of the appointment of Inesh Dilva Paulino to the uh position of city clerk. Motion motion to confirm.

Motion to confirm has been made and second roll call vote on that.

We'll get a roll call vote on that. Roll call vote on that.

On confirmation, counselors Kadim, yes.

Dion, yes. Hart, yes. Kilby absolutely positively yes.

Pereira yes.

Ponti Raposo.

Yes.

Tiff.

Yes.

President Camara.

Yes. Of course.

Congratulations.

Oh, I'm so happy for her. Such a good work.

Couldn't happen to a nicer person.

Absolutely.

We're going to have to extend a name tag.

Yeah, it's going to go across the entire desk.

You're You're rolling tonight, Council President.

That's what happens when you get tired.

I'm click. Item three is a communication from the mayor and a proposed ordinance regarding the establishment of a library programs revolving fund.

Motion to refer to committee ordinances.

Motion refer to committ legislation as a made in second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item number four is a communication from the mayor and a proposed ordinance regarding creation of the position of supervisor of school crossing guards and adjustments to the current salaries of cross.

Motion for committes. Motion further committee arts and legislations remain in second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item number five is the mayor's communication in an order appropriating $243,000 to the EMS expenses from EMS revenues.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt the remaining seconded.

All in favor? Roll call. Roll call.

Roll call.

on adoption of the order. Council Kadim, no.

Dion, no.

Hart, yes.

Kilby, yes.

Pereira, yes.

Ponti.

Reposo, yes. tip.

Um, first I was going to to support support this, but after listening to all the facts from my um colleague um Sean and um councelor Dion, I think they are right because um this is a yes or no. There's no discussion on a vote. Is that we can discuss a vote? No. What was made in second roll call you get to you can keep going if you want to explain why.

No, you're fine.

Okay, President Camar.

No, the motion fails.

Pass.

No.

Four. I Okay.

Item number six is a communication from the chair of the board of election commissioners and the warrant for the preliminary city election scheduled for September 16th.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt. There's been a second.

All in favor? I.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

We have the traffic commission recommending amendments to the ordinances.

Motion for the committee on ordinances.

Second.

Motion for committees. Re second. All in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Whereas the recent Gabriel House assisted living facility fire was a tragic event for all within this floor of a community, including residents, family members, and first responders.

And whereas this devastating occurrence has brought to light the significant differences of inspection and emergency procedure regulations for assisted living facilities versus those applied to long-term care facilities, which are much more frequent and detailed within Massachusetts general laws. And whereas stricter regulations for assisted living facilities such as more frequent safety

related inspections from various government and private entities could assist with emergency response time, evacuation protocols, and adequate assistance for those who have mobility related disabilities. Now therefore, be it resolved that the committee on ordinances and legislation convene with corporation council, the fire chief, and the director of inspectional services to discuss the creation of an ordinance to

impose stricter requirements for various types of inspections and emergency procedures for assisted living facilities within the city of motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt is a remaining second.

All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Whereas providing community utility services to adjacent municipalities would strengthen collaboration in relation to environmental protection of nearby wetlands and reservoirs with neighboring communities. And whereas expanding the service area for these essential utilities could provide additional revenue for the water and sewer enterprise funds which would financially assist with maintenance of

vital infrastructure to continue providing safe drinking water and wastewater treatment. And whereas intermunicipal plans would also assist in ensuring long-term development, growth, and reliability of these important services and help to lessen the financial burden on those who live or own property in the city of Fall River. Now therefore, be it resolved that the committee on finance convene

with the administrative community utilities to discuss potential methods of developing intermunicipal community utility services and information regarding the possible financial, environmental, and public safety benefits that these service expansions may generate.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt and remain a second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

All right. Yeah. Items 10 and 11 are citations.

Motion to adopt 10 and 11.

Second.

Motion to adopt. Motion to take item 10 and 11 together.

Second.

As made and second. All in favor?

Motion.

Any opposed?

Motion to approve.

Motion to adopt.

Adopt items 10 and 11 as made and seconded.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 12 is an order granting permission to Armando and Cassandra Lima for the um opening of a curb at 363 Miller Street.

Motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt as made and seconded.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

We have an order authorizing the renewal of auto repair shop licenses at 155 Milicanin Boulevard and 334 Rhode Island Avenue.

Motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt has been made and seconded. All in favor? Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 14 is the police chief's report on licenses.

Motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt the police chief's report on licenses as a mean and second.

All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 15 are requests for the acceptance of streets. We have Fieldstone Lane, Brookfield Terrace, and Stony Brook Circle.

Motion to refer to planning board.

Second.

Motion refer to planning board has remained second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 16 are a number of claims which are in your packet.

Motion to refer to corporation council.

Motion for the claims are in the packet to corporation council as remain in second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 17 is a communication from a city resident regarding a fallen tree in the area of Pilaski Park near 466 Warren Street.

Motion refer trees to the park board commissioner or department of trees and cemeteries. You referred to both technically.

Okay.

Refer to parks and cemeteries and trees.

Seconded.

Motion has remained second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

18 is an open meeting law complaint um filed with regard to the committee on real estate meeting held on July 15th.

Motion defer to corporation council.

Motion defer to corporation council. A minute.

Second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 19 is also an open meeting law complaint filed with regard to corporation, excuse me, city council meeting held on July 15th.

Yeah.

Second.

Motion has remained in second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 20 is a drain layer application.

Motion to approve.

Motion to approve the drain layers application has been made and second.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 21 is an application for structures um for the election uh division and this is for downtown South Main Street, Bedford Street and Pleasant Street.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve as made and second.

All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Excuse me. I should have specified that particular application was for the period of September 2nd through September 16th.

Motion to approve has been made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 22 is the application for structures on or over public way for the elections department. These are also for downtown Bedford Street and Pleasant Street. This would run from October 21st through November 4.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve the remaining second.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 23 are also applications for structures on or over a public way. These were received after the um election request. These are for virtually the same locations, South Main Street, Bedford Street, and Pleasant Street. Um and this would the request is for September 5th through October 5th. However, um the facilities has agreed that they would place these

up as soon as the other banners are down. And this is for the 31st Juna road race.

Yes.

Motion to approve.

Motion to approve. There's remaining second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item 24, amendments of the zoning board of appeals.

Motion to accept, place on file.

Motion to accept and place on file.

Remain in second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Motion to take 25 to 28 together.

Motion to take items 25 through 28.

Madam clerk, can you um can you read items 25 through 28, please? We have minutes of the city council public hearings from July 15th.

The committee on finance on July 15th, the regular meeting of the city council on July 15th, and the special meeting of the city council on July 21st.

Motion has remained second. All in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion carries. Motion to approve items 25 through 28 as made and seconded. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 29 is a notice of casualty and loss at 593 Ellbury Street.

Motion accept, place on file.

Motion to accept and place on file has remained in second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Next, we have the mayor's request um to accept a donation of equipment and supplies um for the um fire department from Blount Fine Foods in the amount of $51,337.70.

Motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt is remain second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on August 12th voted unanimously to recommend the accompanying proposed ordinance accompanied by an emergency preamble be passed through first reading. Second reading passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained. This is handicap parking ordinance.

Motion to adopt emergency preamble.

Motion to adopt emergency preamble is remain in second. All in favor? I.

Roll call.

Roll call.

On the emergency preamble. Councelors Kadim.

Yes.

Dion.

Yes. Hart, yes.

Kilby, yes.

Pereira, yes.

Ponti Raposo, yes.

Tip, yes.

And President Camara, yes.

Motion to pass through all readings.

Motion to pass ordinance is remain and second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on August 12th. Voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance be passed through first reading. This is a miscellaneous traffic order.

Motion so made.

Motion passed. First reading has been made a second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Mr. President, can we have a brief recess to sign the election warrant?

City council recess for two seconds.

Please.

City Council reconvene. M clerk.

Mr. President, we have no further business.

Motion to adjurnn.

Second.

Motion to adjurnn has made a second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

Good night, everybody. Good job.

My marble coming.

Hey, hey hey.

pain.

Hey

Hey,