8.25.2026 Fall River City Council - Committee on Public Safety

The Fall River City Council's Committee on Public Safety met to discuss traffic issues, downtown lighting, and fire department equipment. The meeting began with public input from several residents of Progress Street, including David Burns, Gerald Montigny, and Saima Beer, who detailed significant problems with traffic, parking, littering, and public nuisances related to the Letourneau Elementary School. They cited issues with both parents and school staff monopolizing parking, blocking access, and engaging in smoking and alleged marijuana use on the street.

The committee then addressed these concerns with school and city officials. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith apologized and committed to addressing the behavior of school staff. School officials, including COO Ken Pacheco, presented a new traffic flow plan for the school to be implemented on the first day of the new school year. Long-term solutions, such as leasing parking space from the nearby Market Basket, were also discussed. The committee, along with Police Sergeant Thomas Ferris and Traffic Director Stephanie MacArthur, agreed to increase police and parking control presence during the first few weeks of school to enforce the new plan. The matter was tabled for future review. The committee also received an update on downtown lighting from City Administrator Ann O'Neil-Souza and Director of Community Maintenance Chris Hathaway. A plan to replace 58 lights on South Main Street is in the capital improvement plan, with $200,000 in free cash allocated for fiscal year 2027. Finally, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon updated the committee on the acquisition of new PFAS-free turnout gear. He explained that the department is carefully trialing gear from different manufacturers to ensure firefighter safety and comfort before making a large purchase. The administration has committed to funding the new gear once a selection is made, with a plan to phase the purchases over several years.

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