Fall River Now — Weekly Recap, Week Ending July 17, 2026

Transcript Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending July 17, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news. Topping the news, the City Council reversed course this week to pass a contentious city budget. At a meeting on Tuesday, councilors approved a budget for July after previously rejecting numerous items in the administration's proposed fiscal year twenty-seven budget. At a special meeting on June 30th, the council had cut the appropriation order to zero and called for an interim budget to be passed instead. This week’s vote marks a shift to fund city operations for the month. In school news, a Fall River School Committee panel recommended software changes that could save the district over one hundred ninety thousand dollars. The Instructional Subcommittee reviewed the proposal during its meeting on Wednesday. The changes involve curriculum and program updates for the school system. The Fall River Housing Authority announced a new program to provide housing vouchers for youth aging out of the foster care system. The board made the announcement and approved several contracts at its meeting on Monday. Also this week, local boards made decisions impacting businesses and traffic. The Licensing Board voted on Wednesday to lift restrictions on package stores and also approved permits for several new eateries. The same day, the Traffic Commission approved a new parking ban for a section of Brightman Street and created a new loading zone. The Board of Park Commissioners gave the green light for a new farmers market to operate in Kennedy Park. The board unanimously approved the proposal at its meeting on July 1st. On the city's non-emergency reporting line, residents filed about a half-dozen reports this week about road conditions. Most of the complaints concerned potholes on streets including President Avenue, Osborn Street, and Woodman Street, with one resident noting damage to vehicle tires. Looking ahead, several city meetings are scheduled for next week. The Fall River School Committee will meet on Monday, July 20th. The City Council's Committee on Ordinances and Legislation is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 23rd. Fall River Now generates content via AI, like this podcast. Check FallRiverNow.com for more information. In this episode Fall River City Council Approves Financial Measures and Rezone for Waterfront Development Fall River City Council Rejects FY27 Budget Items, Calls for Interim Budget Fall River School Panel Recommends Software Changes to Save Over $190,000 on July 15 Sinkhole Reported Near Tucker Street Fall River Disability Commission Transfers Website Management to High School in June 24 Vote Fall River Traffic Board Approves Brightman Street Parking Ban, New Loading Zone at July 15 Meeting Fall River Licensing Board Lifts Package Store Restrictions, Approves New Eateries on July 15 Unspecified Issue Reported Near Walnut Street Fall River City Council Reverses Course to Pass Contentious July Budget at July 14 Meeting Road Damage Reported Near President Avenue Fall River Park Board Approves Kennedy Park Farmers Market at July 1 Meeting Fall River Public Works Committee Approves Amended Curb Cut for California Street Property on July 14 Unfilled Potholes Reported Near Florida Street Resident Reports Multiple Potholes Near Osborn Street Pothole Reported at Eastern Avenue and Holden Street Potholes Reported on Woodman Street Multiple Potholes Reported Near Greenleaf Street Fall River Library Trustees Address Open Meeting Law Complaint on July 14 Fall River Housing Authority Announces Foster Youth Vouchers, Approves Contracts at July 13 Meeting