MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
July 16, 2024
3 meetings this evening, 33 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 98 · Agenda packet · Video
To open the hearing
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to open the hearing.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Closing the hearings
Minutes, page 99 · Agenda packet · Video
To close the hearing at 6:03 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 hearing at 6:03 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
6 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
1 Citizen Input Time — Before Discussion of Financial Matters CJ Ferry, 300 Buffinton Street - Taxes/Fees Robert Camara, 127 Gagnon Street ~ Oath, Laws, Duty
Minutes, page 104 · Agenda packet · Video
To waive the rules to allow Mr
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow Mr.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Kilby)
That the City Clerk send a letter to ' Corporation Counsel on behalf of the City Council regarding this matter and requesting information regarding the anticipated date that the proposed ordinance will be presented, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the City Clerk send a letter to ' Corporation Counsel on behalf of the City Council regarding this matter and requesting information regarding the anticipated date that the proposed ordinance will be presented, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Dionne)
To lift item 2 from the table
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to lift item 2 from the table.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Raposo)
2 Resolution - Committee on Finance reconvene with a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the City Administrator and the City Engineer for an update on the progress of the Route 79/Davol Street Corridor
Minutes, page 105 · Agenda packet · Video
To table the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to table the resolution.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Dionne)
3 Order/Resolution — Drafted ballot question relative to the new Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School Seth Thomas Aitken, City Administrator, provided a brief overview of the decisions made in the past regarding the construction of a new Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
Minutes, page 108 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the order/resolution to full Council for action
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to refer the order/resolution to full Council for action.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 108 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 8:14 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by President Camara, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:14 p.m.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Joseph D. Camara)
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, 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
25 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To present the citation for item 9 prior to addressing agenda items
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to present the citation for item 9 prior to addressing agenda items.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Priority Matters
1 Mayor and confirmation of the appointment of Paulo J. Amaral to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate)
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the appointment
Yes: Hart, Kilby, RaposoNo: Cadime, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, Sampson
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was voted 3 yeas, 6 nays to confirm the appointment, with Councilor Kilby and Councilor Raposo voting in the affirmative, and the motion failed.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
2 Mayor and confirmation of the appointment of Ryan Pacheco to the Greater Fall River Vocational School District Committee
Minutes, page 1 · 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 Sampson and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was voted 9 yeas to confirm the appointment.” (Motion: Sampson, second: Ponte)
3 Mayor and confirmation of the reappointment of Maria Connie Soule to the Historical Commission
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the reappointment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to confirm the reappointment.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
4a Mayor and the following grant orders from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS): $10,200 - EOPSS Department of Fire Services — Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE)
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
4b Mayor and the following grant orders from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS): $3,100 - EOPSS Department of Fire Services — Senior Student Awareness of Fire Education (Senior SAFE)
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
4c Mayor and the following grant orders from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS): $100,000 — EOPSS — Municipal Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (MLCGP)
Minutes, page 2 · 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)
5 Mayor and Director of Financial Services correspondence re: updated amortization schedule for the Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School project
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the correspondence be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the correspondence be accepted and placed on file.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Pereira)
6 Fiscal Year 2024 Quarter 4 Budget Report
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the report to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to refer the report to the Committee on Finance.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
Priority Communications
7 Traffic Commission recommending amendments to the traffic ordinances
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the recommendations to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by President Camara, it was unanimously voted to refer the recommendations to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Joseph D. Camara)
Resolutions
8 Committee on Public Safety convene with the Director of Traffic and Parking and a representative of the Fall River Police Department to discuss possible plans to remedy the vehicular, bicycle and pedesirian safety matters within the area of the Pine Street
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Citations
9 Ben Courville — Quick action of performing a successful Heimlich Maneuver in an emergency
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the citation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the citation.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Orders: Hearings
10 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc.- __ Installation of one (1) new jointly owned pole and one (1) new jointly owned anchor , on Vaile 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 Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
11 Kyra Cordeiro, 363 Hyacinth Street - Removal of 16 feet at O Hyacinth 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)
12 Eleanor Cahill, 71 Marion Street - Removal of 24 feet at 77 Marion 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 Hart, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Orders: Miscellaneous
13 Police Chief's report on licenses: Taxicab Driver Ronnie Sulyma
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)
14 Auto Body Shop License Renewal: Fausto Ortiz d/b/a Auto Rally Inc. - 1033 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 Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
15 Auto Repair Shop License Renewals: , Fouad Rechmani d/b/a JC Gas, LLC - 537 Bedford Street Francisley J. Grizotte d/o/a Shea's Automotive Center — 400 Stafford Road John A. Heisman d/b/a Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. — 129 Rhode Isiand Avenue
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
16 Order — City Council Reappointment of Joyce B. Rodrigues to the Historical Commission
Minutes, page 4 · 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)
Communications: Invitations: Petitions
17 Claims
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the claims to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
18 Communication regarding Auto Repair Shop License No. 329 and requested amendments to license
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the communication to the Committee on Regulations
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to refer the communication to the Committee on Regulations.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
To take items 19a through 19f together
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to take items 19a through 19f together.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
19f City Engineer — Street openings less than 5 years for the following locations:: Palmer Street at Stafford Road Palmer Street at East Main Street Palmer Street at Wilbur Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the street opening requests
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to approve the street opening requests.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 7a Order/Resolution — Drafted ballot question relative to the new Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order/resolution
Yes: Hart, Kilby, PereiraNo: Cadime, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Ponte, Raposo, Sampson
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/resolution, with Vice President Hart and Councilor Kilby voting in the affirmative, and the motion failed.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Hart)
Adjournment
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 8:37 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:37 p.m.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
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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