MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Meeting night
January 27, 2026
3 meetings this evening, 27 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, Michael G. Canuel, Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Linda M. Pereira
2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Opening the hearings
Minutes, page 66 · Agenda packet · Video
To open the hearings
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to open the hearings, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Closing the hearings
Minutes, page 67 · Agenda packet · Video
To close the hearings at 6:17 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to close the hearings at 6:17 p.m., with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
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, Michael G. Canuel, Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Linda M. Pereira
4 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Before the numbered agenda items
Minutes, page 68 · Agenda packet · Video
To lift item 2 from the table
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Vice President Dionne and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to lift item 2 from the table, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Raposo)
2 Resolution — Convene with Director of Engineering and Planning and Administration to develop a comprehensive funding strategy to match or supplement the City's annual Chapter 90 allocation to increase investment in roadway improvements
Minutes, page 69 · Agenda packet · Video
To table the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was unanimously voted to table the resolution, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Cadime)
3 Resolution - Convene with the Administration and the Director of City Operations to present a definitive action plan for the repair of the Pearl Street and Third Street parking garages OO Al Oliveira, Director of City Operations, provided a summary of recent appraisals and
Minutes, page 72 · Agenda packet · Video
To recommend that the resolution be referred to the full Council for action
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to recommend that the resolution be referred to the full Council for action, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 72 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:02 p.m
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:02 p.m., with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
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, Michael G. Canuel, Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Linda M. Pereira
21 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Priority Matters
1 Fiscal Year 2026 Quarter 2 Budget Report
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the matter to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was unanimously voted to refer the matter to the Committee on Finance, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Ponte)
Priority Communications
2 City Council President's letter to Corporation Counsel and the Director of Human Resources re: entering the executive summary of a recent internal personnel investigation into the public record and related reply from Corporation Counsel !
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Vice President Dionne and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Raposo)
3 City Council President's letter to Mayor in support of proposed renovations to the City Clerk and City Council offices and City Council Chamber lobby
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
4 Director of Engineering and Planning re: current reconstruction projects under contract
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
6 Traffic Commission recommending amendments to the traffic ordinances
Minutes, page 3 · 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 Peckham, it was unanimously voted to refer the recommendations to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
7 Order — Sale of the former Davol School located at 112 Flint Street to Contractor's Landing, LLC, for $150,000
Recommended by the Committee on Real Estate
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoAbsent: Pereira
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was voted 8 yeas to adopt the order, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Resolutions
8 Administration prepare a full cost analysis of providing residential solid waste and recycling collection in-house and presents this analysis to the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
Yes: CanuelNo: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoAbsent: Pereira
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was voted 1 yea, 7 nays, to adopt the resolution, with Councilor Canuel voting in the affirmative and Councilor Pereira absent and not voting, and the motion failed to carry.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
9 City Council send letter to Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, requesting guidance in obtaining additional funding to assist with sustainment of the Fall River Addiction Support and Treatment (FAST) Team following
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
Citations
10 911 Emergency Dispatchers, AFSCME Council 93, Local 3177 — Service to the City of Fall River on the night of July 13, 2025, during the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence fire
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the citation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Canuel and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adopt the citation, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Canuel, second: Raposo)
Orders: Hearings
11 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid — One (1) new pole location on Miller Street
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
12 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid — Install underground facilities on Pleasant Street
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Hart)
13 Auto Repair Shop License Renewal Richard R. Torres d/b/a Empire Hyundai, Inc., 428 Pleasant Street
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
14 Police Chief's Report on Licenses Taxicab Drivers Domingos Almeida, Jr. Austin Lee Braga Michael E. Diniz Jennifer Hyllested Ashraf Kamal Antar Judy B. Palani Chad Quigley Private Livery Vehicles Larince Seide — One (1) vehicle
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
15 Fall River Taxi Service, Inc. - New Taxicab Vehicle Applications for License Nos.
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Communications: Invitations: Petitions -
16 Claims
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the claims to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
17 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes — December 18, 2025
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
That the minutes be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted that the minutes be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
To take items 18 through 23 together
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to take items 18 through 23 together, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
23 Regular Meeting of the City Council — January 13, 2026
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 7a Proposed Ordinance — Amendments to the titles of the Committee on Real Estate and the Committee Human Services, Housing, Youth, Elder and Veterans' Affairs
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
To pass the proposed ordinance through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to pass the proposed ordinance through first reading, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Canuel)
Late 7b Resolution — Convene with the Administration and the Director of City Operations to.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the resolution to the Committee on Real Estate
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to refer the resolution to the Committee on Real Estate, with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Adjournment
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:59 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:59 p.m., with Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
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 →