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Photo of Cliff A. Ponte

Fall River Council President

Cliff A. Ponte

At-large · 5 terms in this record

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Council terms

2026–2027 Council2024–2025 Council2020–2021 Council2018–2019 Council2016–2017 Council
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Council

50 of 55meetings attended (91%) · whole council 93%
1,061votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
40no votes (4% of votes cast) · whole council 3%
36 of 106split votes where Ponte was in the minority (34%) · whole council 24%
6abstained
–committee seats (current council only)

On split votes, Ponte voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Ponte as present or absent at the start.
  • Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
  • Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
  • A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
  • “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

Campaign money

$13,000raised in 2025–26
$525spent in 2025–26
$14,711cash on hand through Sep 30, 2026

Where the 2025–26 contributions came from

  • Individuals98%
  • PACs and other political committees0%
  • Unions and associations2%
  • From Massachusetts86%
  • From other states14%

Gifts from individuals

  • $200 or less16%
  • More than $20084%
Year by year
YearRaisedSpentCash at the end
2026$5,000$225$14,711 so far
2025$8,000$300$9,936
2024$0$300$2,236
2023$46,000$44,993$2,536
2022$0$1,349$1,529
2021$63,594$69,616$2,797
2020$410$1,295$8,819
2019$12,230$11,662$9,704

As reported to OCPF. See the full reports at OCPF

How to read this
  • Candidates report to OCPF, the state’s campaign finance office. Most file with a bank that reports to OCPF, so totals are updated often.
  • “Raised” is all money the campaign took in, including loans from the candidate. “Cash on hand” is what was left on the latest report.
  • Shares count contributions only, from the line-by-line reports up to the latest bank report date, so they are shown as percentages. “PACs and other political committees” includes party committees. “Small gifts not listed one by one” are gifts of $50 or less that the law lets campaigns report as one total.
  • Outside spending is money spent by groups that are not part of the campaign, such as independent expenditure PACs. The candidate does not control it.
  • Federal candidates (U.S. Senate and U.S. House) report to the Federal Election Commission, not OCPF, and are not shown here.
  • MassVoter updates these numbers every night from OCPF. Last update: October 12, 2026.

These numbers describe the money; they are not a grade. Raising more or less is neither good nor bad. MassVoter does not connect donations to votes or positions.

In the news

Stories that name Cliff A. Ponte in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.

Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.

Attendance

At the start of 50 of 55 City Council meetings in 2024–2025 Council.

Missed

Every meeting (55)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2024–2025 Council

Dec 9Committee on Ordinances and Legislation convene to draft a…Motion: to adopt the resolutionPassed 6–1 · Ponte: Yes

December 9, 2025 · Item 5: Committee on Ordinances and Legislation convene to draft a proposed ordinance requiring City Council approval for any contract renewed, or extended, by the Mayor for contracted employees, Department Heads or…

Adopt resolutionPassed · 6–1

To adopt the resolution

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: Joseph D. CamaraAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a motion made by Councilor Dionne and seconded by Councilor Ponte, it was voted 6 yeas, 1 nay to adopt the resolution, with President Camara voting in the negative and Councilors Kilby and Tith absent and not voting.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Ponte)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Dec 9Committee on Ordinances and Legislation convene to discuss striking…Motion: to adopt the resolutionPassed 6–1 · Ponte: Yes

December 9, 2025 · Item 6: Committee on Ordinances and Legislation convene to discuss striking out §2-131 of the City Code re: loan order authorizations

Adopt resolutionPassed · 6–1

To adopt the resolution

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: Joseph D. CamaraAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 6 yeas, 1 nay to adopt the resolution, with President Camara voting in the negative and Councilors Kilby and Tith absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Dec 9City Council request for a home rule petition to…Motion: to adopt the resolutionPassed Unanimous, 6 present (Kilby, Tith absent) · Ponte: Yes

December 9, 2025 · Item 9: City Council request for a home rule petition to change to Plan E form of government with a City Manager

Adopt resolutionPassed · Unanimous, 6 present (Kilby, Tith absent)

To adopt the resolution

Voted: Yes

From the minutes

“On a motion made by Vice President Pereira and seconded by Councilor Dionne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the resolution, with Councilor Cadime abstaining and Councilors Kilby and Tith absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Dionne)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Dec 9Michael and Elizabeth Lamothe, 202 Cambridge Street —- Removal…Motion: to adopt the orderPassed 6–1 · Ponte: Yes

December 9, 2025 · Item 13: Michael and Elizabeth Lamothe, 202 Cambridge Street —- Removal of 14 feet for a total opening of 32 feet at 202 Cambridge Street

Adopt orderPassed · 6–1

To adopt the order

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Ponte, RaposoNo: PereiraAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted to adopt the order, with Vice President Pereira opposed and Councilors Kilby and Tith 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.

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Dec 9Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, One-way streets * Lindsey Street,…Motion: to adopt an emergency preamblePassed 5–2 · Ponte: No

December 9, 2025 · Item 23: Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, One-way streets * Lindsey Street, Northerly, from President Avenue to Brownell Street Stipulations 1. MassDOT perform necessary modifications at the Brightman Street and Lindsey Street intersection…

Ordinance: emergency preamblePassed · 5–2

To adopt an emergency preamble

Voted: No

Yes: Cadime, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, RaposoNo: Dionne, PonteAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 5 yeas, 2 nays, to adopt an emergency preamble, with Councilors Dionne and Ponte voting in the negative and Councilors Kilby and Tith absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Cadime)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Dec 9Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, One-way streets * Lindsey Street,…Motion: that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading,…Passed 5–2 · Ponte: No

December 9, 2025 · Item 23: Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, One-way streets * Lindsey Street, Northerly, from President Avenue to Brownell Street Stipulations 1. MassDOT perform necessary modifications at the Brightman Street and Lindsey Street intersection…

Ordinance: all readings and final passagePassed · 5–2

That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained, as amended

Voted: No

Yes: Cadime, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, RaposoNo: Dionne, PonteAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Cadime, 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 Councilors Dionne and Ponte opposed and Councilors Kilby and Tith 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.

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Dec 9Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Section 4 Stop signs…Motion: to adopt an emergency preamblePassed 6–1 · Ponte: No

December 9, 2025 · Item Late 4a: Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Section 4 Stop signs (insert) - Brightman Street, Westerly, at the intersection of Lindsey Street Section 2 One way streets (strike-out) - Brightman Street, Easterly,…

Ordinance: emergency preamblePassed · 6–1

To adopt an emergency preamble

Voted: No

Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, RaposoNo: PonteAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted 6 yeas, 1 nay, to adopt an emergency preamble with Councilor Ponte voting in the negative and Councilors Kilby and Tith absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Dec 9Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Section 4 Stop signs…Motion: that the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading,…Passed 6–1 · Ponte: No

December 9, 2025 · Item Late 4a: Proposed Ordinance — Traffic, Miscellaneous Section 4 Stop signs (insert) - Brightman Street, Westerly, at the intersection of Lindsey Street Section 2 One way streets (strike-out) - Brightman Street, Easterly,…

Ordinance: all readings and final passagePassed · 6–1

That the proposed ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained

Voted: No

Yes: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, RaposoNo: PonteAbsent: Kilby, Tith

From the minutes

“On a further motion made by Councilor Raposo 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, with Councilor Ponte opposed and Councilors Kilby and Tith absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Nov 25Confirmation of the appointment of Emily Arpke to the…Motion: to add that the appointment be confirmedPassed 5–4 · Ponte: Yes

November 25, 2025 · Item 1: Mayor and request for confirmation of the appointment of Emily Arpke to the position of Director of Financial Services

Confirm appointmentPassed · 5–4

To add that the appointment be confirmed

Voted: Yes

Yes: Hart, Kilby, Ponte, Raposo, TithNo: Cadime, Dionne, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira

From the minutes

“On a motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Kilby, it was voted 5 yeas, 4 nays, to add that the appointment be confirmed with a one year contract to include a stipulation that the renewal of said contract be subject to the City Council approval, with President Pereira and Councilors Cadime and Dionne voting in the negative.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Kilby)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Nov 25Confirmation of the appointment of Emily Arpke to the…Motion: to confirm the appointmentPassed 6–3 · Ponte: Yes

November 25, 2025 · Item 1: Mayor and request for confirmation of the appointment of Emily Arpke to the position of Director of Financial Services

Confirm appointmentPassed · 6–3

To confirm the appointment

Voted: Yes

Yes: Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Ponte, Raposo, TithNo: Cadime, Dionne, Pereira

From the minutes

“On a further motion made by Councilor Ponte and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted 6 yeas, 3 nays, to confirm the appointment with the above stipulations, with Vice President Pereira and Councilors Cadime and Dionne voting in the negative.” (Motion: Ponte, second: Hart)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (1006)

    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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