MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Meeting night
March 23, 2021
3 meetings this evening, 36 recorded votes in all, in the order they were held.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Fall River ballot: 16 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →5:55 p.m. · Public Hearings
Sources: Minutes (PDF, in the agenda packet where the council approved them) · Agenda packet · Meeting video
Public hearings let residents speak for or against petitions such as curb cuts, pole locations and licenses. The full council decides them at its regular meeting.
Attendance
Present: Michelle M. Dionne, Pamela S. Laliberte, Trott Lee, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Leo O. Pelletier, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte
Absent: Bradford L. Kilby
4 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 114 · Agenda packet · Video
That the hearing be opened
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted that the hearing be opened, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Peckham)
That the hearing be opened
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the hearing be opened, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Dionne)
That the hearing be closed
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was unanimously voted that the hearing be closed, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Pelletier)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 115 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 6:25 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:25 p.m., with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Pelletier)
6:00 p.m. · Committee on Finance
Sources: Minutes (PDF, in the agenda packet where the council approved them) · Agenda packet · Meeting video
Committee on Finance: committee votes are recommendations to the full council, which takes the final vote. About this committee
Attendance
Present: Shawn E. Cadime, Michelle M. Dionne, Pamela S. Laliberte, Trott Lee, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Leo O. Pelletier, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte
Absent: Bradford L. Kilby
3 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
3 Loan order ~ $390,000 for an excavator for the Department of Community Maintenance and a bucket truck with lift for the Police Department Mrs, Sahady stated that the loan order needs to be amended to $500,000 ($350,000 for the
Minutes, page 40 · Agenda packet · Video
To recommend that the loan order be referred to the full Council for action
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to recommend that the loan order be referred to the full Council for action, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Peckham)
4 Loan order ~ $2,700,000 for constructing a building at Fire Headquarters to house Rescue-7 and the crew Mrs. Sahady stated that this loan order would be for the construction of a building adjacent to Fire Headquarters for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division to house Rescue 7 and will
Minutes, page 41 · Agenda packet · Video
To recommend that the loan order be referred to the full Council for adoption
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to recommend that the loan order be referred to the full Council for adoption, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 41 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 9°04 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9°04 p.m., with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Peckham)
7:00 p.m. · Fall River City Council · Regular meeting
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda packet · Meeting video · City meeting page
Attendance
Present: Shawn E. Cadime, Michelle M. Dionne, Pamela S. Laliberte, Trott Lee, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Leo O. Pelletier, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte
Absent: Bradford L. Kilby
29 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To take item 3 out of order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to take item 3 out of order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Dionne)
Priority Matters
3 Mayor and order re: Confirmatory Taking of Assessors' Parcel ID No. H20-0021 (Kuss Middle School)
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To invite Attorney Matthew Thomas to explain the request
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to invite Attorney Matthew Thomas to explain the request.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Dionne)
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Pereira)
1b Mayor and order appropriating $1,738,680 as follows:: $ 456,151 from the State and County Assessments to the School Appropriation
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To lift the item from the table
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was unanimously voted to lift the item from the table, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Pelletier)
To waive rules to invite Mary Sahady, Director of Financial Services to explain the request
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to waive rules to invite Mary Sahady, Director of Financial Services to explain the request, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Peckham)
To refer the appropriation back to the Mayor and request that it be changed to the Health Care General Fund fine item
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Laliberte, Lee, Peckham, Pelletier, PereiraNo: PonteAbsent: Kilby
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was voted 7 yeas, 1 nay, to refer the appropriation back to the Mayor and request that it be changed to the Health Care General Fund fine item, with President Ponte voting in the negative and Councilor Kilby absent and not voting, a copy of which letter is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Peckham)
2 Mayor and Memorandum of Understanding between the Fall River Police Association, MassCOP Local 1854, and the City of Fall River
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To waive the rules to allow Mrs
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow Mrs.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Dionne)
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Lee and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Lee, second: Peckham)
4 President re: establishment of policy on use of City Council Attorney
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To accept and place on file the policy
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Laliberte, it was unanimously voted to accept and place on file the policy, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Laliberte)
5 Planning Board and resolution to include the Notre Dame Rectory , 529 Eastern Avenue) and adjacent parcels in the Central HD Zone
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To accept and place on file the communication and adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was unanimously voted to accept and place on file the communication and adopt the resolution, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Pelletier)
Resolutions
6 Committee on Finance convene with Administration to discuss plan for use of anticipated funding to be received through Stimulus Plan
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
That the resolution be adopted
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the resolution be adopted, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Pereira)
Citations
7 Students and faculty of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School Electricity Program
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the citation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Lee, it was unanimously voted to adopt the citation, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Lee)
Orders - Hearings
8 Street Acceptance: Acceptance of Lynwood Street, extending from Mariano S. Bishop Boulevard to a dead end, along with Way Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the street acceptance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to approve the street acceptance, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Peckham)
9 Pole Location: Massachusetts Electric Company for one new pole location on June Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Pelletier)
Orders: Miscellaneous
10 City Engineer prepare plans for the acceptance of Detroit Street extending from Stevens Street to Omaha Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the order to the Planning Board
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to refer the order to the Planning Board, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Pereira)
11 Police Chief's Report on Licenses: Taxicab Drivers Debra G. Bertrand Jean P. Charlot Nicholas Costa 2021 Second Hand License Renewals: Curt Barreira d/o/a Jimmy Jr's Tire Service — 729 Davol Street William Leach d/b/a Marine Consignment of Fall River — 75 Ferry Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Pereira)
Communications: Invitations: Petitions
12 Claims
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the claims to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Pereira)
13 Committee on Finance — February 9, 2021
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Cadime)
14 Open Meeting Law Complaint filed by Patrick Higgins re: alleged violation by the City Council Committee on Regulations on March 8, 2021
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the matter to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was unanimously voted to refer the matter to Corporation Counsel, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Pelletier)
Bulletins: Newsletters: Notices
15 Notice of Casualty and Loss at 130 Bigelow Street
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To accept and place the matter on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to accept and place the matter on file, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Dionne)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 5a Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Handicapped Parking
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the emergency preamble
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Laliberte, Lee, Peckham, Pelletier, Pereira, PonteAbsent: Kilby
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was voted 8 yeas to adopt the emergency preamble, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Dionne)
That the proposed ordinance, accompanied by an emergency preamble, be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance, accompanied by an emergency preamble, be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Dionne)
Late 5b Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To pass the ordinance through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to pass the ordinance through first reading, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Dionne)
Late 5c Proposed Ordinance — Abutters Lot Program
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To pass the ordinance through first reading, as amended
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Lee, it was unanimously voted to pass the ordinance through first reading, as amended, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Lee)
Late 5d Loan order — $2,100,000 for improvements to several city buildings
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the loan order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the loan order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Peckham)
Late 5e Loan order — $500,000 for an excavator for the Department of Community .
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the loan order, as amended
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the loan order, as amended, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Peckham)
Late 5f Loan order — $2,700,000 for constructing a building at Fire Headquarters to house .
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the loan order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the loan order, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Pereira)
Resolutions (filed late)
Late 6a Committee on Finance convene with Administration to discuss improvements and repairs at city parks and baseball fields
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution, with Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 9:59 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Laliberte, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:59 p.m.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Laliberte)
From the official minutes kept by the Fall River City Clerk (agendas and minutes). The minutes are scanned documents; we read them with text recognition, check every vote count against the councilors named, and quote the exact sentence for each vote. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: the nine 2026–2027 councilors from the City of Fall River's official councilor photos (Contact the Council page, fallriverma.gov); earlier councilors cropped from the 2024–2025 council group photo and the 2022–2023 council group photo (as published by Fall River Reporter, September 2022). Trott Lee: from his campaign Facebook page (facebook.com/trottlee4cc). Ricky Tith: from Fall River Reporter (April 2025). 2018–2019 councilors (Steven A. Camara, Stephen R. Long, Derek R. Viveiros) and the 2018–2019 group photo: from the City of Fall River’s FY2019 budget book. Richard Cabeceiras, Raymond A. Mitchell and the 2016–2017 group photo: Herald News photo by Jack Foley (January 2016), provided by the Fall River City Clerk. The 2020–2021 and 2022–2023 group photos: provided by the Fall River City Clerk.
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