MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
January 23, 2024
2 meetings this evening, 34 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 →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, Joseph D. Camara, Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Bradford L. Kilby, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo, Laura-Jean Sampson
Absent: None
1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Adjournment
Minutes, page 102 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 6:10 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:10 p.m..” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
7:00 p.m. · Fall River City Council · Regular meeting
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda packet · Revised agenda · Meeting video · City meeting page
Attendance
Present: Shawn E. Cadime, Joseph D. Camara, Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Bradford L. Kilby, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo, Laura-Jean Sampson
Absent: None
33 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To lift item 4b from the table
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, Sampson
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was voted 9 yeas to lift item 4b from the table.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Pereira)
To revisit this item after item 18 on the agenda was heard
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to revisit this item after item 18 on the agenda was heard.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Ponte)
Priority Matters
1 Mayor and confirmation of the appointment of Jeffrey Bacon to Fire Chief
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the appointment
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, Sampson
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was voted 9 yeas to confirm the appointment.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
2 Mayor and request to deliver "State of the City" on March 12, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the request be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the request be accepted and placed on file.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Raposo)
3 Fiscal Year 2024 Quarter 2 Budget Report
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the item to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to refer the item to the Committee on Finance.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Dionne)
4 Mayor and Five Year Financial Forecast
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the item to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to refer the item to the Committee on Finance.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Raposo)
Priority Communications
5 Board of Election Commissioners and re-submitted orders authorizing the Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the State Primary Election on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and the Biennial State Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024,
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To waive the rules to allow Ryan Lyons, Chairperson of the Board of Elections, to answer questions
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow Ryan Lyons, Chairperson of the Board of Elections, to answer questions.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Dionne)
6 Chair of the Board of Election Commissioners and copy of certified results from the Municipal Election held on November 7, 2023
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
That the results be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Hart and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the results be accepted and placed on file.” (Motion: Hart, second: Raposo)
Resolutions
7 Committee on Finance meet with the Board of Park Commissioners to discuss the staffing needs of the Parks Division
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
8 Committee on Economic Development and Tourism meet with community arts organizations to provide 2023 year in review and plans for 2024
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To waive the rules to allow Seth Thomas Aitken, City Administrator, to answer questions
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow Seth Thomas Aitken, City Administrator, to answer questions.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Raposo)
10 Committee on Finance meet with City Administrator and representatives from the One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce and Viva Fall River to provide update on ARPA funding
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution, as amended, by inserting "and be it further resolved, that a presentation be made by the Administration to review all ARPA projects and funding and to provide a status where they stand."
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, SampsonNo: Joseph D. Camara
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay to adopt the resolution, as amended, by inserting "and be it further resolved, that a presentation be made by the Administration to review all ARPA projects and funding and to provide a status where they stand.", with President Camara voting in the negative.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
11 Committee on Finance meet in executive session with City Administrator, Corporation Counsel and Director of Financial Services to provide update on financial impact of high profile lawsuits
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, SampsonNo: Joseph D. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted to adopt the resolution, with Council President Camara opposed.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Hart) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Orders: Miscellaneous
12 Police Chief's report on licenses: Taxicab Drivers Alyssa Lafferty Lisa Padula Private Livery Drivers Wayne Delisle
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Sampson)
13 Auto Repair Shop License Renewal: Richard R. Torres d/b/a Empire Hyundai, Inc. — 428 Pleasant Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by President Camara, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Joseph D. Camara)
Communications: Invitations: Petitions
14 Claims © .
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
That the claims be referred to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted that the claims be referred to Corporation Counsel.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
15 Drainlayer license — RMT Excavation Inc.
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the drainlayer license
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to approve the drainlayer license.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
16 Meeting of the City Council and Organization of City Government — January 2, 2024
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Bulletins: Newsletters: Notices
17 Taunton River Stewardship Council 2023 Annual Report and Fall River delegate Position
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
That the report be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the report be accepted and placed on file.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
18 Communication from city residents re Charter recommendations from the Special Charter Review Committee
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
To waive the rules to allow the City Administrator to provide additional information regarding this proposal, Councilor Ponte inquired as to whether the proposed buyer would be applying for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) if the sale were to occur and Seth Thomas Aitken, City Administrator, stated that no specific details had been negotiated regarding that possibility
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, Sampson
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was voted 9 yeas to waive the rules to allow the City Administrator to provide additional information regarding this proposal, Councilor Ponte inquired as to whether the proposed buyer would be applying for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) if the sale were to occur and Seth Thomas Aitken, City Administrator, stated that no specific details had been negotiated regarding that possibility.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Raposo)
To adopt the order
Yes: Hart, Kilby, SampsonNo: Cadime, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted 3 yeas, 6 nays, to adopt the order, with Councilors Kilby and Sampson voting in the affirmative, and the motion failed to carry.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Hart)
To refer the item to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to refer the item to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Raposo)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 6a Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, handicapped parking Alden Street Buffinton Street East Main Street Hunter Street London Sireet Mason Street Middle Street Robeson Street Whipple Street
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the emergency preamble, On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, Sampson
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was voted 9 yeas to adopt the emergency preamble, On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Late 6b Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, miscellaneous Section 1 Stop intersections Branch Street, Eastbound, John Street West Street, Southbound, Probber Lane Section 2 One-way streets Anawan Street, Easterly, from Water Street to Pond Street .
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Late 6c Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, All-night parking of commercial vehicles
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Late 6d Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Prohibited parking due to impeding emergency vehicles
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 8 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Late 6e Proposed Ordinance — Amendments to Sec. 50-305, Salary schedules for EMS Local 1202 AFSCME personnel
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 8 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Late 6g Proposed Ordinance — Panhandling restrictions
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 8 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Late 6h Proposed Ordinance — Establishing position of Finance, Management and Compliance Analyst
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 8 · Agenda packet · Video
To waive the rules to allow the City Administrator, Director of Financial Services and Director of Human Resources to answer questions
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Sampson and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow the City Administrator, Director of Financial Services and Director of Human Resources to answer questions.” (Motion: Sampson, second: Kilby)
That the resolution be granted leave to withdraw
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the resolution be granted leave to withdraw.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Orders: Miscelleanous (filed late)
Late 13a Amended City Council meeting schedule for 2024
Minutes, page 9 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Hart)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 10 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 10:04 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:04 p.m.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Raposo)
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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