MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Meeting night
March 24, 2026
3 meetings this evening, 39 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, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Paul B. Hart
2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Opening the hearings
Minutes, page 153 · 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 Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Closing the hearings
Minutes, page 162 · Agenda packet · Video
To close the hearings at 7:33 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to close the hearings at 7:33 p.m., with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
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, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Paul B. Hart
2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
2 Communication - Mayor and request from Purchasing Agent for City Council approval to conduct a public online auction for surplus property .
Minutes, page 164 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the matter to full Council for action
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to refer the matter to full Council for action, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 164 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:54 p.m
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:54 p.m., with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Peckham)
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, Michael G. Canuel, Michelle M. Dionne, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr., Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Paul B. Hart
During the meeting:
- President Ponte returned to the podium at 8:37 p.m
- President Ponte returned to the podium at 9:04 p.m
35 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Priority Matters
1 Mayor and proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Enterprise Fund budgets for Water and Sewer Divisions
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the budgets to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to refer the budgets to the Committee on Finance, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
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 Canuel, it was unanimously voted to refer the recommendations to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
Ordinances
3 Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Section 1 Parking prohibited at all times (insert) « Lindsey Street, East, from Cory Street to Brightman Street Section 2 Parking prohibited at all times (strike out) * Lindsey Street, East, from Ballard Street to Brightman Street
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 Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, with Councilor Hart absent and nof voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
That the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
That the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, as amended
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through second reading and enrollment, as amended, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained, as amended, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Resolutions
5 Committee on Finance convene with Director of Financial Services, the Director of City Operations and the Interim Director of Community Maintenance to provide updates on the Administration's planning for residential solid waste and recycling collection
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
6 Capital Improvement Plan be approved by the City Council
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To oY refer the resolution to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoAbstained: PereiraAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted to oY refer the resolution to the Committee on Finance, with Councilor Pereira voting present and a Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Orders: Hearings
12 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid — Install underground facilities on Alden Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the orders
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to adopt the orders, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
13 Daniel Gonzalez, 150 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02171 — Removal of 47 feet, 6 inches, of curbing and an addition of 18 feet of curbing for a total opening of 47 feet, 6 inches, at 160 Franklin Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
14 J & M Development Group Corp, 263 Gifford Road, Westport, MA, 02790 — Removal of 12 feet (on County Street) of curbing for a total opening of 32 feet at 215-219 Earle : Street
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the order to the Committee on Regulations
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to refer the order to the Committee on Regulations, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Peckham)
15 Tucker Dachshund, LLC, 88 Earle Street - Removal of 39 feet of curbing (on Laurel Street) for a total opening of 82 feet at 25 Rhode Island Avenue
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the order to the Committee on Regulations
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to refer the order to the Committee on Regulations, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Peckham)
16 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 Peckham, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
17 City Engineer — Street opening less than 5 years at 1216-1218 Stafford Road
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the street opening request
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to approve the street opening request, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
18 Final Reports for the acceptance of the following streets * } a. Brookfield Terrace extending from the southerly side of Fieldstone Lane westerly to terminus
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the final report
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to approve the final report, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
18b Final Reports for the acceptance of the following streets * } a. Brookfield Terrace extending from the southerly side of Fieldstone Lane westerly to terminus: Fieldstone Lane extending from the southerly terminus of Hayfield Lane to
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the final report
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to approve the final report, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
18c Final Reports for the acceptance of the following streets * } a. Brookfield Terrace extending from the southerly side of Fieldstone Lane westerly to terminus: Stonybrook Circle extending from the westerly side of Fieldstone Lane westerly to
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the final report
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to approve the final report, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Peckham)
19 Final Report for the acceptance of Draper Street extending southerly from Globe Mills Avenue to terminus and northerly from Globe Mills Avenue to terminus
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the final report
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to approve the final report, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
20 Application for a License to Conduct One-Day Bingo — We Love Children Fund Organization, May 2, 2026 at 20 Star Street
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the license application
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to approve the license application, with Councilor Hart absent and not . voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Canuel)
21 Drainlayer Licenses : Narragansett Improvement Company .
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the drainlayer license applications
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to approve the drainlayer license applications, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Canuel)
22 Planning Board Minutes — February 11, 2026
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
That the minutes be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the minutes be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Hart absent y and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
Bulletins: Newsletters: Notices
23 Notice of Casualty and Loss at 452 Adams Street
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
That the notice be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted that the notice be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
24 Department of Environmental Protection - Notice of Waterway License Application No.
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
That the notice be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Camara, it was unanimously voted that the notice be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Joseph D. Camara)
25 Department of Public Utilities — Notice of filing and request for comments re Petition of Massachusetts Electric Company and Nantucket Electric Company, each d/b/a National Grid, for approval of their 2026 Energy Efficiency Reconciling Factors for effect May 1,
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
That the notice 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 notice be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
Priority Matters (filed late)
Late 1a Mayor and request for the confirmation of the reappointment of Amber Burns to the Board of Park Commissioners
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the reappointment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to confirm the reappointment, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
To confirm the reappointment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to confirm the reappointment, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Raposo)
Late 1c Mayor and request for the confirmation of the reappointment of Mark Nassif, Jr., to the Retirement Board
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the reappointment
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Canuel and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted to confirm the reappointment, with Councilor Hart absent and nof voting.” (Motion: Canuel, second: Peckham)
Priority Communications (filed late)
Late 2a City Council President's letter re: Updates from the Administration on the current status ' of the Civil Service process for the hiring of a Police Chief
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting. tS 2b.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Peckham)
That the proposed ordinance be referred 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 that the proposed ordinance be referred to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Peckham)
Resolutions (filed late)
Late 6a City Council exercise its authority under Section 2-7(a) of the City Charter, which relates .
Minutes, page 8 · Agenda packet · Video
That the City Council send a letter to formally request that the Mayor attend a future meeting to discuss this matter and provide insight as to why an investigation is not being conducted by the Administration
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoNo: PereiraAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by President Ponte, it was voted that the City Council send a letter to formally request that the Mayor attend a future meeting to discuss this matter and provide insight as to why an investigation is not being conducted by the Administration, with Councilor Pereira opposed and Councilor Hart absent and not voting, a copy of which is attached and hereto made a part of these minutes.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Ponte) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
That, within the correspondence voted upon in relation to the Mayor attending a City Council meeting, the City Council also formally request that the Mayor implement paid administrative leave for all employees involved in this matter
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoNo: Canuel, Joseph D. Camara, PereiraAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Peckham, it was voted 5 yeas, 3 nays, that, within the correspondence voted upon in relation to the Mayor attending a City Council meeting, the City Council also formally request that the Mayor implement paid administrative leave for all employees involved in this matter, with Councilors Camara, Canuel and Pereira voting in the negative, and Councilor Hart absent and not voting, a copy of which is attached and hereto made a part of these minutes.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Peckham)
To adopt the resolution
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoAbstained: PereiraAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Peckham and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 7 yeas to adopt the resolution, with Councilor Pereira voting present and Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Peckham, second: Cadime)
To approve the request
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was voted 8 yeas to approve the request, with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 10 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 9:33 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:33 p.m., with Councilor Hart absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime)
Late 6a City Council exercise its authority under Section 2-7(a) of the City Charter, which relates .
Minutes, page 11 · Agenda packet · Video
To send a letter to the Administration requesting that the Mayor attend a future Regular Meeting of the City‘Council to address matters related to a potential investigation into the Fall River Police Department
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoNo: PereiraAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a further motion that was made and seconded, it was voted to send a letter to the Administration requesting that the Mayor attend a future Regular Meeting of the City‘Council to address matters related to a potential investigation into the Fall River Police Department, with Councilor Linda Pereira opposed and Councilor Paul Hart absent and not voting.” The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
To request that the three . employees who have been named in these recent allegations be placed on paid administrative leave by i the Administration, effective immediately, pending the results of an outside investigation into this matter, OF
Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Peckham, Ponte, RaposoNo: Canuel, Joseph D. Camara, PereiraAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a further motion that was made and seconded, it was voted 5 yeas, 3 nays, to request that the three . employees who have been named in these recent allegations be placed on paid administrative leave by i the Administration, effective immediately, pending the results of an outside investigation into this matter, OF with Councilors Joseph Camara, Michael Canuel and Linda Pereira voting In the negative, and .”
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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