MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
September 24, 2024
2 meetings this evening, 29 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 →6:30 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: Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Bradford L. Kilby, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo, Laura-Jean Sampson
Absent: Shawn E. Cadime, Joseph D. Camara
5 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
1 Citizen Input Time os Christopher Conlin, 73 Bowen Street - Homeless ordinance Kelly Buchanan, 16 Bradford Avenue — Illegal encampments Tl, Rev. James Hornsby, 260 Lake Avenue — Homeless ordinances
Minutes, page 95 · Agenda packet · Video
To waive the rules to allow a non-Fall River resident to speak
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow a non-Fall River resident to speak, with President Camara and.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Sampson)
To waive the rules to allow a non-Fall River resident to speak
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Sampson and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow a non-Fall River resident to speak, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Sampson, second: Dionne)
To waive the rules to allow a non-Fall River resident to speak
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Sampson and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to waive the rules to allow a non-Fall River resident to speak, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Sampson, second: Dionne)
To table item 2
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to table item 2, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 96 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:06 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:06 p.m., with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
7:00 p.m. · Fall River City Council · Regular meeting
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda packet · Meeting video · City meeting page
Attendance
Present: Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Bradford L. Kilby, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo, Laura-Jean Sampson
Absent: Shawn E. Cadime, Joseph D. Camara
24 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To take item 8 out of order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to take item 8 out of order, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Citations
8 Family of the late Jim Soule - Commitment to preserving the history of the City of Fall River
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the citation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to adopt the citation, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Kilby)
Priority Matters
1a Mayor and confirmation of the following appointments to the Cultural Council:: David Mello
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the appointments
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to confirm the appointments, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
1b Mayor and confirmation of the following appointments to the Cultural Council:: Christine Nicole Pelletier Southgate
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the appointments
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to confirm the appointments, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Priority Communications
2 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 Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to refer the recommendations to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
3 Special Charter Review Committee Report
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the report be referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted that the report be referred to the Committee on Finance, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Hart)
Ordinances
4 Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Section 1.
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through ordination
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through ordination, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
5 Proposed Ordinance — Membership of the Historical Commission
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through ordination
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through ordination, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
6 Proposed Ordinance — Trolley Fees
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, as amended
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, as amended, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Hart)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through ordination, as amended
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through ordination, as amended, with Councilor Raposo abstaining and President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Ponte)
Resolutions
7 The Committee on Finance convene with the City Administrator and the Administrator ‘ of Community Utilities to discuss overdue water service payments owed to the City of Fall River from the Town of Westport
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Orders - Miscellaneous
9 Police Chief's report on licenses: Taxicab Drivers Starling G. Mordan German Stephen Joseph Stets Richard Ogebebor
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, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
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 Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
11 Fall River Public Library Annual Report
Minutes, page 4 · 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 Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted that the report be accepted and placed on file, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
12 Structure on or over a public way application for the Greater Fall River Re-Creation's Annual Children's Holiday Parade to hang banners (24" x 30') on Bedford Street at the Central Fire Station and South Main Street at Center Place from November 15, 2024, to
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the application
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to approve the application, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
13 Committee on Finance — September 10, 2024
Minutes, page 4 · 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, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
14 City Council — September 10, 2024
Minutes, page 4 · 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, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 3a Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Handicapped parking * Third Street, West, Starting at a point 74 feet north of Branch Street - Ninth Street, West, Starting at a point 105 feet south of Bedford Street * Alden Street, West, Starting at a point 21 feet south of Ross Street
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the emergency preamble
Yes: Dionne, Hart, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, Raposo, SampsonAbsent: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was voted 7 yeas to adopt the emergency preamble, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Sampson)
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 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, with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Late 3b Proposed Ordinance — Unauthorized camping on public property
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the emergency preamble
Yes: Dionne, Hart, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: SampsonAbsent: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was voted 6 yeas, 1 nay, to adopt the emergency preamble, with Councilor Sampson voting in the negative and with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Ponte)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained, as amended
Yes: Dionne, Hart, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: SampsonAbsent: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained, as amended, with Councilor Sampson opposed and with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Hart) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Adjournment
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn. at 7:36 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Sampson, it was unanimously voted to adjourn. at 7:36 p.m., with President Camara and Councilor Cadime absent and not voting.” (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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →