9.9.2026 Commission on Disability

The Fall River Commission on Disability met on September 9, 2026, to address funding requests, elect officers, and review departmental updates. Superintendent-Director Brian Bentley of Diman Regional Vocational High School presented a request for approximately $3,000 to purchase a Stryker evacuation chair for Diman's new four-story facility, supplementing three existing chairs previously funded by the commission. Following discussion regarding whether commission funds can assist a regional school where approximately 76.5% of students are Fall River residents, the commission voted 3-0 (with Vice Chair Debbie Pacheco abstaining due to employment conflict) to table the request and seek guidance from Corporation Counsel.

The commission approved the meeting minutes from June 24, 2026, and conducted annual officer elections. Dennis Polselli was re-elected Chair, Debbie Pacheco was re-elected Vice Chair, Lisa Silva was elected Secretary, and Dan Robillard was reappointed Treasurer. The commission also received updates concerning the planned sensory playground at Abbott Court, scholarship distributions (seven of nine disbursed to educational institutions), and ongoing website transition work with the Health and Human Services department.

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