8.11.2026 Fall River City Council

Meeting summary The Fall River City Council meeting on August 11, 2026, consisted of a public hearing, a Committee on Finance meeting, and a full council session. The meeting began with a public hearing on an auto body shop license, a utility pole installation, and a curb removal, all of which were later approved by the full council. The Committee on Finance meeting featured a commendation for Juliana Madera, a high school student who raised $35,000 via a GoFundMe for residents displaced by a fire on Hick Street. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to resident concerns about the dangerous condition of Aruta Lane, a private road in Tiverton that provides the only access for 20 Fall River households on Greenleaf and Judge Streets. After discussion on the jurisdictional complexities, the council passed a resolution to refer the matter to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. The council also received extensive updates on the Route 79 corridor project. Director of Engineering Dan Aguiar discussed the final construction punch-list items, while Ken Fiola of the Bristol County Economic Development Consulting detailed the state's bidding process for the 19 acres of new developable land. Multiple councilors expressed strong disappointment that the city would not have a representative on the state's committee for selecting the developer, despite being a key partner in the project. During the full council meeting, Ann O'Neil-Souza was officially confirmed as the new City Administrator by a 7-0-1 vote. The council also approved a $6,883,400 loan order for repairs and renovations to the 3rd Street parking garage. An Open Meeting Law complaint filed by School Committee member Collin R. Dias against the council, alleging intimidation by Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey, was referred to the law department for review. Various other licenses, ordinances, and administrative items were also addressed. Topics discussed Public Hearing: Auto Genie LLC Auto Body Shop LicenseA public hearing was held for an auto body shop license at 235 John Street. The applicant's attorney, Peter Salino, explained they had already received a variance from the ZBA. License to operate an auto body shop at 235 John Street for Auto Genie LLC was approved. — approvedLicense to operate an auto body shop at 235 John Street for Auto Genie LLC was approved. Petition for jointly owned pole locations on South Beacon Street was approved. — approvedPetition for jointly owned pole locations on South Beacon Street was approved. Public Hearing: National Grid/Verizon Pole InstallationA hearing was held for the installation of three new poles and two anchors on South Beacon Street to provide power to a new 17-home condo development. Public Hearing: Curb Removal at 89 McDonald StreetProperty owner Nelson Cabral requested to widen a curb opening from approximately 10 feet to 25 feet to improve driveway access and encourage off-street parking. Citation for Juliana MaderaThe City Council recognized student Juliana Madera with a citation for organizing a GoFundMe that raised $35,000 for victims of the Hick Street fire. Aruta Lane Road ConditionsResident Jennifer Dutra and her neighbors from Greenleaf and Judge Streets requested help addressing the dangerous condition of Aruta Lane, their only access road. The council discussed the jurisdictional issue, as the road is a private lane in Tiverton, and ultimately referred the matter to the Public Works committee. Zoning Amendment Petition CorrectionResident Ian Tompkins addressed the council regarding his zoning amendment petition, which was not sent to the planning board in time. He agreed to accept a refund of his fees and resubmit a revised petition later. Loan order for $6,883,400 for repairs to the 3rd Street Garage was adopted by the full council. — passedLoan order for $6,883,400 for repairs to the 3rd Street Garage was adopted by the full council. Loan Order for 3rd Street Parking GarageA loan order for $6,883,400 for repairs, renovations, and maintenance of the 3rd Street parking garage was discussed and ultimately approved by the full council. The work is hoped to be completed by November. Loan order for $6,883,400 for the 3rd Street parking garage was referred from the Committee on Finance to the full council. — referredLoan order for $6,883,400 for the 3rd Street parking garage was referred from the Committee on Finance to the full council. Route 79 Corridor Construction UpdateDirector of Engineering Dan Aguiar provided an update on the Route 79 project, noting that it is about 90% complete. He detailed ongoing work on punch list items and safety enhancements for shared-use path crossings, which MassDOT agreed to reconstruct to original specifications. Route 79 Land Development PlanKen Fiola briefed the council on MassDOT's invitation to bid for the development of the 19-acre Route 79 corridor. Councilors expressed significant concern and disappointment that the city will not have a representative on the state's proposal evaluation committee. Appointment of City AdministratorThe City Council confirmed the Mayor's appointment of Ann O'Neil-Souza as the new City Administrator. Confirmation of the appointment of Ann O'Neill-Souza as City Administrator. — approvedConfirmation of the appointment of Ann O'Neill-Souza as City Administrator. A request to reconsider a zoning map amendment petition was accepted and placed on file, effectively granting the petitioner a refund. — approvedA request to reconsider a zoning map amendment petition was accepted and placed on file, effectively granting the petitioner a refund. Former Police Station UpdateA communication from the interim city administrator regarding updates on the former police station on Bedford Street was accepted and placed on file. Handicapped Parking OrdinanceThe council passed a proposed ordinance for handicapped parking through all readings with an emergency preamble. Adoption of an emergency preamble for a proposed ordinance on handicapped parking. &mda...