9.9.2026 Commission on Disability

Meeting summary The Fall River Commission on Disability met on September 9, 2026, to address funding requests, elect officers, and review departmental updates. Superintendent-Director Brian Bentley of Diman Regional Vocational High School presented a request for approximately $3,000 to purchase a Stryker evacuation chair for Diman's new four-story facility, supplementing three existing chairs previously funded by the commission. Following discussion regarding whether commission funds can assist a regional school where approximately 76.5% of students are Fall River residents, the commission voted 3-0 (with Vice Chair Debbie Pacheco abstaining due to employment conflict) to table the request and seek guidance from Corporation Counsel. The commission approved the meeting minutes from June 24, 2026, and conducted annual officer elections. Dennis Polselli was re-elected Chair, Debbie Pacheco was re-elected Vice Chair, Lisa Silva was elected Secretary, and Dan Robillard was reappointed Treasurer. The commission also received updates concerning the planned sensory playground at Abbott Court, scholarship distributions (seven of nine disbursed to educational institutions), and ongoing website transition work with the Health and Human Services department. Topics discussed Commission Officer ElectionsDennis Polselli was elected Chair, Debbie Pacheco was elected Vice Chair, and Lisa Silva was elected Secretary for the upcoming year. Motion to take agenda items out of order to address the Diman funding request first — passedMotion to take agenda items out of order to address the Diman funding request first Diman Evacuation Chair Request and Residency Fund RestrictionsSuperintendent Brian Bentley detailed the need for a fourth Stryker evacuation chair at Diman Regional Vocational High School. Commissioners debated legal guidelines surrounding whether handicap parking revenue funds can support regional schools serving multiple towns. Motion to table the Diman evacuation chair funding request until the October meeting and seek an opinion from Corporation Counsel — tabledMotion to table the Diman evacuation chair funding request until the October meeting and seek an opinion from Corporation Counsel Meeting Minutes ApprovalThe commission voted to adopt the meeting minutes of June 24, 2026. Motion to approve the meeting minutes of June 24, 2026 — approvedMotion to approve the meeting minutes of June 24, 2026 Election of Dennis Polselli as Chair of the Commission on Disability — passedElection of Dennis Polselli as Chair of the Commission on Disability Election of Debbie Pacheco as Vice Chair of the Commission on Disability — passedElection of Debbie Pacheco as Vice Chair of the Commission on Disability Election of Lisa Silva as Secretary of the Commission on Disability — passedElection of Lisa Silva as Secretary of the Commission on Disability Abbott Court Sensory Playground UpdateCommission members scheduled a meeting with Mike Dion and a grant writer to discuss progress on the Abbott Court sensory playground project. Scholarship Distribution and Website UpdatesThe commission discussed that seven of nine scholarships were distributed to higher education institutions, and Commissioner Robillard reported progress on updating the commission's municipal webpage. Motion to adjourn the meeting — passedMotion to adjourn the meeting Links Read the meeting summary Watch the full meeting