MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
January 28, 2025
2 meetings this evening, 25 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
Absent: Laura-Jean Sampson
4 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
1 Citizen Input Time — Before Discussion of Financial Matters , Thomas Cabral, 62 Sawdy Pond Avenue — HERO Act .
Minutes, page 54 · Agenda packet · Video
To lift item 2 from the table
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to lift item 2 from the table, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
2 Resolution — Convene with Director of City Operations to discuss efficiencies Al Oliveira, Director of City Operations, provided a presentation of updates and renovations within different departments and divisions. Mr.. Oliveira explained that there has been ongoing
Minutes, page 56 · Agenda packet · Video
To table the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to table the resolution, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
3 Board of Election Commissioners and orders authorizing the Preliminary Municipal ‘ Election on September 16, 2025, and the Municipal Election on November 4, 2025, and designating polling places for such elections
Minutes, page 56 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the orders to the full Council for action
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to refer the orders to the full Council for action, with Councilor Sampson .absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 57 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:25 P.M
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:25 P.M., with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
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
Absent: Laura-Jean Sampson
During the meeting:
- Councilor Hart exited the Council Chamber at 7:40 p.m
21 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the appointment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to confirm the appointment, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Priority Matters
2 Mayor and confirmation of the reappointment of Eric Kelly to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate)
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the reappointment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to confirm the reappointment, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
3b Mayor and confirmation of the following reappointments to the Planning Board:: Gloria Pacheco
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the reappointments
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to confirm the reappointments, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
4 Mayor and request to deliver State of the City address on March 11, 2025
Minutes, page 1 · 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 Kilby, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
5 Mayor and request for a Joint Meeting of the City Council and the School Committee on April 8, 2025 re development of FY2026 budget
Minutes, page 2 · 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 President Camara, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Joseph D. Camara)
6 Mayor and order to transfer $2,500,000.00 from FY24 Surplus Revenue to the Employer Health Trust Fund
Minutes, page 2 · 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, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
7 Fiscal Year 2025 Quarter 2 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, with Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
Priority Communications
8 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 Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Committee Reports
9 Order — New England Power Company petition — Copicut Road and Quanipaug Road
Recommended by the Committee on Public Works and Transportation
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: HartAbsent: Sampson
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Hart opposed and Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Ordinances
10 Proposed Ordinance — Creation of Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services — Budget and Compliance
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 Councilor Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
That the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
11 Proposed Ordinance — Short-Term Rentals
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the proposed ordinance to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to refer the proposed ordinance to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Raposo)
Resolutions
12 The Committee on Finance convene with the City Administrator, the Director of City Operations and the Building Inspector to discuss safety concerns regarding the Pear! Street Parking Garage and the Third Street Parking Garage
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, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
14 The Committee on Finance convene with the City Administrator, Corporation Counsel, the Director of Financial Services, the Chairperson of the Board of Assessors, and the Veterans' Services Officer to discuss potential tax exemptions for veterans, related
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, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
15 The Committee on Finance convene with the City Administrator, Corporation Counsel, the Director of Financial Services, and the Chairperson of the Board of Assessors to discuss tax exemptions and property abatements for senior citizens
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
16 Police Chief's report on licenses Taxicab Drivers Joseph A. Gonsalves Michael Melo Private Livery Drivers Teofilo Braga Amanda Desroches-Gross Michel Josue Hugh Williams Private Livery Vehicles Tavares Transport — One (1) vehicle
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, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (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 Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
18 Committee on Finance — January 14, 2025
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Kilby)
19 Regular Meeting of the City Council — January 14, 2025
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Pereira, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 9a Board of Election Commissioners and orders authorizing the Preliminary Municipal Election on September 16, 2025, and the Municipal Election on November 4, 2025, and designating polling places for such elections
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the orders
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to adopt the orders, with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Adjournment
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:49 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:49 p.m., with Councilors Hart and Sampson absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
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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