MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
February 27, 2024
3 meetings this evening, 20 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: 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
2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Opening the hearings
Minutes, page 81 · Agenda packet · Video
To open the hearings
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to open the hearings.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Closing the hearings
Minutes, page 82 · Agenda packet · Video
To close the hearings at 6:09 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to close the hearings at 6:09 p.m.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
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
2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
2 Resolution ~ The Committee on Finance convene to discuss funding an Affordable oo Housing Trust
Minutes, page 84 · Agenda packet · Video
To lift iter 3 from the table
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by President Camara, it was unanimously voted to lift iter 3 from the table.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Joseph D. Camara)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 85 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:18 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:18 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
16 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Priority Matters
1 Mayor and request to accept a Zoning Map Amendment for the Waterfront and Transit- Oriented Development District (WTOD)
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the proposed zoning map amendment to the Planning Board
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to refer the proposed zoning map amendment to the Planning Board.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Raposo)
Resolutions
2 The Committee on Finance convene with the Administration and the "For Youth Initiative" Coordinator to discuss current and future use of Bristol County American Rescue Plan Act funding as well as updates on the program overall
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To amend the resolution by striking out "Bristol County ARPA Funds" and inserting in place thereof "City ARPA Funds." On a further motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the resolution be adopted, as amended
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by President Camara, it was unanimously voted to amend the resolution by striking out "Bristol County ARPA Funds" and inserting in place thereof "City ARPA Funds." On a further motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the resolution be adopted, as amended.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Joseph D. Camara)
3 The City Council request that the Bristol County District Attorney work to have community service related to memorial repair and maintenance within the Greater Fall River area assigned to those who are found guilty of vandalizing war and/or veterans
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To amend the resolution by striking out "compel the applicable court" and inserting in place thereof "argue before the applicable court." On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted that the resolution be adopted, as amended
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Vice President Pereira and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to amend the resolution by striking out "compel the applicable court" and inserting in place thereof "argue before the applicable court." On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted that the resolution be adopted, as amended.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Hart)
Orders: Hearings
4 Massachusetts Electric Company and Verizon New England, Inc. — Installation of one 1) new jointly owned pole on Fifth Street and the relocation of one (1) jointly owned pole on Spring Street
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
5 Massachusetts Electric Company and Verizon New England, Inc. — Installation of one 1) new jointly owned pole on Pearce Street
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
6 St. John's Holy Ghost Association, Inc., 1975 Pleasant Street - Removal of 12 feet, 6 inches at 1975 Pleasant Street/Fielden Street
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
Orders: Miscellaneous
7 Police Chief's report on licenses: Taxicab Drivers Nicholas Costa Judy Palani Private Livery Drivers Bruce Domingos Keith Tavares Private Livery Vehicles Keith Tavares — One (1) vehicle
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
8 Auto Body Shop License Renewals: Joseph Silva d/b/a Joe's Collision Center, Inc. — 170 Jefferson Street Paulo J. Medeiros, Sr., d/b/a Paul's Auto Body & Sales — 325 Oman Street
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
9 Auto Repair Shop License Renewals: Joseph Silva d/b/a Joe's Collision Center, Inc. —- 170 Jefferson Street Antonio F. Pinto d/b/a Pinto's Auto Repair & Sales, Inc. - 2447 South Main Street Naomi Soares d/b/a RS Performance and Repair — 1030 Dwelly Street
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Communications: Invitations: Petitions
10 Claims
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the claims to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
11 Open Meeting Law Complaint filed by Patrick Higgins re: alleged violation by the City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation — February 15, 2024
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the complaint to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to refer the complaint to Corporation Counsel.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Bulletins: Newsletters: Notices
12 Massachusetts Department of Utilities Notice of Filing and Request for Comments re Petition of Weaver's Cove Industrial Park, LLC for an exemption from Minimum Bridge Clearance Requirements with a deadline of March 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
That the notice be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted that the notice be accepted and placed on file.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
‘ 9 yeas to adopt the emergency preamble
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 adopt the emergency preamble.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
That the proposed ordinance 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 Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, 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: Kilby)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:33 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:33 p.m.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
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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