MassVoter.com← Fall River City CouncilFall River City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Meeting night
August 11, 2026
3 meetings this evening, 44 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, Michael G. Canuel, Michelle M. Dionne, Paul B. Hart, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Joseph D. Camara, Christopher M. Peckham, Sr.
3 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Opening the hearings
Minutes, page 57 · Agenda packet · Video
To open the hearings
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to open the hearings, with Councilors Camara and Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Closing the hearings
Minutes, page 58 · Agenda packet · Video
To close the hearings
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to close the hearings, with Councilors Camara and Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 59 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 6:21 p.m
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:21 p.m., with Councilors Camara and Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
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, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Christopher M. Peckham, Sr.
6 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
2 Loan Order — Repairs, renovations and maintenance of the Third Street Parking Garage in the amount of $6,883,400.00
Minutes, page 66 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the loan order to the full Council for action
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Hart it was unanimously voted to refer the loan order to the full Council for action, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Hart)
To lift item 3 from the table
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Vice President Dionne and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to lift item 3 from the table, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Raposo)
3 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 67 · Agenda packet · Video
To table the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to table the resolution, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Dionne)
To lift item 4 from the table
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to lift item 4 from the table, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Raposo)
4 Resolution — Committee on Finance Convene to discuss the anticipated timeline of the land ownership transfer and planned real estate distribution process within the Route 79/Davoi Street Corridor Improvements Project area
Minutes, page 69 · Agenda packet · Video
To table the resolution
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to table the resolution, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 69 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 7:42 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:42 p.m., with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
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, Linda M. Pereira, Cliff A. Ponte, Andrew J. Raposo
Absent: Christopher M. Peckham, Sr.
During the meeting:
- Councilor Cadime exited the Council Chamber at 7:43 p.m
- Councilor Cadime returned to the Council Chamber at 7:46 p.m
- Councilor Hart exited the Council Chamber at 8:13 p.m
- Councilor Hart returned to the Council Chamber at 8:15 p.m
35 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Priority Matters
1 Mayor and request for confirmation of the appointment of Ann O'Neil-Souza as the City Administrator
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
To confirm the appointment
Yes: Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoAbstained: CadimeAbsent: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Camara, it was voted 7 yeas to confirm the appointment, with Councilor Cadime abstaining and Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Joseph D. Camara)
2 Mayor and communication from Corporation Counsel requesting reconsideration of the Petition for a Zoning Map Amendment previously submitted at the Regular Meeting of the City Council on July 14, 2026
Minutes, page 1 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Dionne)
Priority Communications
3 Letter from City Council President to MassDOT re: Route 79/Davol Street Corridor redevelopment
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 Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
4 Interim City Administrator/Chief of Staff and updates re: former Police Station on Bedford Street
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 Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
5 Traffic Commission recommending amendments to the traffic ordinances
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the recommendations be referred to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the recommendations be referred to the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Committee Reports
6 All readings with emergency preamble: Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Handicapped Parking * Cherry Street, South, 198 west of Grove Street «Palmer Street, North, 224 feet west of East Main Street ¢ Plain Street, East, 314 feet north of Bedford Street
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the emergency preamble
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoAbsent: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 8 yeas to adopt the emergency preamble, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime)
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 Canuel, 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 Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
7 First Reading: Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Handicapped parking removals * Third Street, West, 155 feet south of Branch Street * Hunter Street, East, 126 feet south of Hope Street * Mason Street, East, 328 feet south of Pleasant Street
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 2 · Agenda packet · Video
That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Canuel)
8 Adoption: Order — Creation of an Ad-Hoc School Transportation Committee
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
9 Committee on Ordinances and Legislation convene with Corporation Counsel to discuss potential amendments to City code §46-7, which relates to Noise
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
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 Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
10 Committee on Finance convene with various parties to discuss the current population estimates for the City of Fall River
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
That the resolution be granted leave to withdraw
The minutes record the count as 7 yeas and 1 nay but do not make clear how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Camara, it was voted 7 yeas, 1 nay, that the resolution be granted leave to withdraw, with President Ponte voting in the affirmative and Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Joseph D. Camara)
To take items 11 through 16 together
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to take items 11 through 16 together, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Citations
16 Brian Levesque — Reopening historic Night Owl Diner as Night Owl Artisan Pizza & Bakery Co.
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
That items 11 through 16 be accepted and placed on file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted that items 11 through 16 be accepted and placed on file, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Dionne)
Orders: Hearings
17 Zaibak Salem Alzaibak, 65 Little Neck Avenue, Swansea, MA 02777 d/b/a Auto Genie LLC for a license to operate an auto body shop at 235 John Street, on Lot I-15-22, Assessors Plan.
Minutes, page 3 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Raposo)
18 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc., South Beacon Street — Three (3) new jointly owned pole locations and two (2) new jointly owned anchors
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Raposo)
19 Nelson Cabral, 57 Ryans Way, Swansea, MA, 02777 — Removal of 14 feet, 6 inches, of curbing for a total opening of 25 feet, 2 inches, at 89 McDonald 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 Cadime, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime)
Orders: Miscellaneous
20 Auto Body 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, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
21 Auto Repair Shop License Renewals Fausto Ortiz d/b/a Auto Rally inc.,1033 Pleasant Street Pablo Dayvid Rodrigues Silva d/b/a Brother's Auto Sales and Services, Inc., 59 North Quarry 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 Pereira, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
22 Police Chief's Report on Licenses Taxicab Drivers Jaime-Lee DeTerra Private Livery Drivers Jalal Muhammad Willie Blakney Private Livery Vehicles Spencer Luxury Transportation — One (1) vehicle Heavens Angel Limo — One (1) vehicle
Minutes, page 4 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the order
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Hart and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Hart, second: Raposo)
Communications: Invitations: Petitions
23 Claims .
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the claims to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was unanimously voted to refer the claims to Corporation Counsel, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime)
24 City resident and communication re: taxicab companies
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
That the communication be accepted and placed file
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted that the communication be accepted and placed file, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
25 Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Collin Dias re: July 28, 2026, alleged violation by City Council
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To refer the Open Meeting Law.complaint to Corporation Counsel
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to refer the Open Meeting Law.complaint to Corporation Counsel, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Dionne)
26 Application for a structure on or over a public way for Motta Auto Repair and Service to place a building sign (4' x 3') from July 13, 2026, to January 1, 2027, at 830 Globe Street
Minutes, page 5 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the application
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was unanimously voted to approve the application, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
27c Application for structures on or over a public way for Elections Department to hang Election Day/VOTE banners from August 19 to September 1, 2026 at the following locations: Pleasant Street (25' x 3')
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the applications for Downtown (South Main Street) and Pleasant Street
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to approve the applications for Downtown (South Main Street) and Pleasant Street, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Dionne)
To deny the application for Bedford Street
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to deny the application for Bedford Street, with Councilor Peckham absent and ' not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
28 Drainlayer License Farland Corp. Inc.
Minutes, page 6 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the drainlayer license application
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to approve the drainlayer license application, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
29 Planning Board Minutes May 13, 2026 June 10, 2026
Minutes, page 6 · 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 Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
30 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes — June 18, 2026
Minutes, page 6 · 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 Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
To take items 31 through 34 together
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to take items 31 through 34 together, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Dionne)
34 Special Meeting of the City Council — July 28, 2026
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
To approve the minutes
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Camara and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Joseph D. Camara, second: Raposo)
Committee Reports (filed late)
Late 8a Loan Order — Repairs, renovations and maintenance of the Third Street Parking Garage in the amount of $6,883,400.00 The Councilors held a brief discussion regarding the timeline for the completion of the Third Street
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Minutes, page 7 · Agenda packet · Video
To adopt the loan order
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoAbsent: Hart, Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was voted 7 yeas, to adopt the loan order, with Councilors Hart and Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
To reconsider the previous vote on item 8a
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Vice President Dionne, it was unanimously voted to reconsider the previous vote on item 8a, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Dionne)
To adopt the loan order
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoAbsent: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted 8 ‘yeas to adopt the loan order, with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)
Resolutions (filed late)
Late 10a The Committee on Public Works and Transportation convene with City residents of Judge Street and Greenleaf Street, the Director of Engineering and Planning, Corporation Counsel and other interested parties to discuss road conditions of the Arruda Lane access
Minutes, page 7 · 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 Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
Adjournment
Minutes, page 8 · Agenda packet · Video
To adjourn at 8:16 p.m
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Vice President Dionne and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:16 p.m., with Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, 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 →