9.22.2026 City Council - Ordinances and Legislation

The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met on September 22, 2026, to consider several proposed traffic orders, city code amendments, and parking regulations. Following roll call and the approval of the August 11, 2026 meeting minutes, the committee reviewed a slate of proposed handicap parking spaces across various city streets. The handicap parking orders were approved with an emergency preamble and recommended for ordination on all readings. The committee then addressed miscellaneous traffic orders, voting to table proposed restricted parking on King Street and a commercial loading zone on 10th Street for further review, while approving a loading zone on William Street for Azores Market and passing the removal of several obsolete handicap parking spaces through first reading.

The committee also approved an ordinance amending City Code Section 2-401 regarding the appointment, powers, duties, and term of the Chief of Police, aligning municipal code with civil service requirements following a home rule petition. Acting Chief of Police J.T. Hoar then presented recommendations and case study findings regarding the regulation of overnight commercial vehicle parking, proposing a shift from a 2-ton capacity rule to a 12,000-pound Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) standard and requesting towing authority for emergency access. Councilors expressed frustration over Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey's absence from the meeting, voted to send a formal letter requesting representation at future meetings, and tabled the commercial vehicle ordinance to allow the administration, police, and legal counsel to draft a revised ordinance keeping the $250 fine.

Finally, the committee tabled a communication from Corporation Counsel proposing to strike Section 2-33 of the city code regarding the retention of outside legal counsel due to the department's lack of attendance. The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.

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