[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5975620,"mediaKeyId","5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b","parentId",5838183,"title","Residents urge tougher dumping fines; council directs ordinance committee to consult police and counsel","audioSeconds",917,"startMs",3929000,"endMs",4846000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b&start=3929&end=4846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b/thumbnail_3929000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975620/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Residents-urge-tougher-dumping-fines-council-directs-ordinance-committee-to-consult-police-and-counsel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975620-6a0c25746614e8363bccad91985c4997/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066847&Signature=Aauvm2v5mxiOmGH1IWJyr0cOjxEkDQHqQ~M7tGAPa6GE7FSfPCOIXt7FI4-yNc9JfxPvdzY~2uqdtKfI-L9vLrlXCBQ6HHOUMKDB0vouGf1gfTUQt0oOQ4C3zLpKooc6ocYLVUiQGU0cdzAkRfZBfE-87MEqA5vE~Cp19yZtq45RG9R6YQx-GQPNT~dYHdeJWSFNiLdQmHV6rcqip2i3JX0KErZsw-gSFtjeyHe7si-tWk7Jiua8quQOuovfoAWFyIS1k8TOMqcwM-q~R7j3rwuO2bYCW-0BpseP5yTpBIX9aZAC8k~5ueZ9y~1b-Kcdi2I9W3EFS~Ydh5zOGnKUng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River City, MA","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","Residents who volunteer to clean Fall River parks and waterways asked the city council to strengthen penalties for illegal dumping and to make fines commensurate with cleanup costs.

Sarah and James Riley, of 1679 Copacot Road, told the council they work with environmental police officers and volunteer groups removing garbage from the bioreserve and other places. Sarah Riley said fines should “reflect significant and unquantifiable manpower costs to the city, investigation, enforcement, DCM removal, and cost of elimination,” and that fines should be posted so the public “cannot claim ignorance.” She described recent cases in which an offender who dumped 43 contractor bags was fined $300 and a separate case involving a U-Haul unload.

Councilor Hart, who has sponsored related action, said the matter will go to the ordinance committee and invited the volunteers to attend committee meetings. Another councilor suggested that construction companies dumping C&D material sometimes find it cheaper to pay a low fine than to properly dispose of debris and proposed higher fines — for example, around $3,000 — to deter commercial dumping.

The council adopted a resolution directing the committee on ordinances and legislation to convene with the police chief, the director of city operations and the corporation counsel to review enforcement methods and potential amendments to fines. The motion to adopt the resolution carried unanimously.

Why it matters: Volunteers and enforcement officers said current penalties do not deter repeat dumping and that municipal cleanup imposes staffing and disposal costs. Council action opens a formal review of the ordinances and enforcement practices and could lead to higher civil penalties or new enforcement strategies.

Discussion vs. action: The public comments were part of citizen input. The council’s action was a directive resolution to the ordinance committee to study enforcement and possible fee increases; no specific fine changes were adopted at the meeting.

Next steps: The ordinance committee will meet with the police chief, director of city operations and corporation counsel to examine current enforcement, the existing fine schedule, and options to update the ordinance and posting requirements. Volunteers were invited to participate in committee hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9.23.2025 Fall River City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Residents asked councilors to increase fines for illegal dumping and for fines to better reflect cleanup costs; the council directed the ordinances committee to meet with the police chief, director of city operations and corporation counsel to consider changes.","taxTitle","Fall River City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",4215,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975626,"Veterans groups back VSO; council presses administration for update and approves salary amendment",4266,196000,4462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b&start=196&end=4462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b/thumbnail_196000.jpg","/articles/5975626/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Veterans-groups-back-VSO-council-presses-administration-for-update-and-approves-salary-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975626-29c241335632c74761d6246f6623f2f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066847&Signature=afhDbDMq9xtmXkyGibDj2z2n4adT26zfGPy3utV4O58EjHeX~MEdwBQSTKQdycRLL~hp-QZ7-SP6VSNm73Op8L8MFLDA-9TmszChcY4IxztCob6vK5n9MLE6UG7gAGs4y7ujeEoahMCPwtQlfax9B271-CWOLPK9zPgx3acpi~yp-dFQEZMG1g~YlpnGsBEK~1Q-LABrVC5vx0R-5pl~iWAonzwMJZPNYz3epm3gd9XG7-kvU8hkT1hPGjK1l-oOTaivSoinbu0jY13nI64qo32NDTgG0ijiTPrPnv1F2tW0QjJF8Anr215tqPqu9iBdeRDBJvUt-bxtQczGAX0PSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of veterans organizations told the Fall River City Council they support Veteran Service Officer Talos Ferris and urged councilors to back him. At the same council meeting the council sought an update from the administration about whether an internal investigation into claims involving the VSO had been opened, and later passed an ordinance amending the veterans benefits agent’s salary schedule.

Renee Brown, who identified herself as “the commander of the Fall River War Veterans Council,” told the council she came \"in support of Talos Ferris, the VSO,\" and described her outreach to him after she was elected commander. Brown said the council had lost membership over years of “rumors and gossip” and that, \"if it wasn't for Talos, the Fall River War Veterans Council would not have a working relationship with a lot of these organizations.\" She urged councilors to visit the VSO office and meet veterans in the community.

Another member of the public, Jordan Sylvia, also spoke in defense of Talos Ferris and criticized what he called longtime council “meddling” in administration matters; his remarks were delivered during the public-comment period.

Separately, a councilor asked on the record whether the administration had responded to a prior council request to investigate “claims that were levied by our VSO agent.” The councilor said he had sent a letter to the Human Resources Department and requested that the administration provide an update through council leadership or the clerk. Council President Kamara and others agreed to follow up with the mayor, human resources and the city administrator to determine whether the investigation had been commenced or concluded.

On the business agenda the council voted to pass to be ordained, as amended, an adjustment to the veterans benefits agent salary schedule. Multiple councilors praised the VSO and thanked colleagues who moved the measure out of an ordinance subcommittee. The vote to pass the salary amendment carried without recorded opposition.

Why it matters: The public statements in support of the VSO and the council’s request for an update underscore continuing concern among councilors and veterans about allegations involving a city employee and the timeliness of the administration’s response. The salary amendment will change the pay schedule for the veterans benefits agent; the ordinance was passed to be ordained as amended.

Distinguishing discussion and action: Public comments were delivered during citizens’ input. Councilors’ questions requesting an update from the administration constituted a formal request for information and direction to the mayor and HR. The salary amendment was passed by the council as an ordinance matter.

Next steps: Council leadership said they would follow up with the mayor, the human resources department and the city administrator to determine the status of any investigation and would report back to the council. The salary amendment will be enacted according to the ordinance process.","Speakers from the Fall River War Veterans Council urged support for Veteran Service Officer Talos Ferris; councilors requested an update from the administration on an internal inquiry and passed an ordinance amending the veterans benefits agent salary schedule.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975630,"Fall River council asks administration to study ending EMS enterprise fund, establish special revenue account",889,1407000,2296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b&start=1407&end=2296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838183-7c7648eb024ecdcf37bf8e881b53646b/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/5975630/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-council-asks-administration-to-study-ending-EMS-enterprise-fund-establish-special-revenue-account","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975630-1e878cad70cc76ce8844b4eb093236ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066847&Signature=nWNT9a~Yn8ApNOF6xOquq0NE2l5Er9aILA~4hXOoQE~CvhNKrysoAqpeYgsdmIhHzUTqIHdDrXPVV~dLRUyu21pgbvRm7ymWuBu5zbxpPG2ZpsHgBk9HeJa6cXPfFKc8Kkije1PmkIJkqMeQreCnf8OOoj6ojaCmu~rug0gL~o~zejT63n6WhF8JoTa6doNxjeRdPZ5R7bmAIIHuKNJ7KL4OV2VWui-5hpbP2~4yz-ofnk7YHw5fkJeLgOZ6zFMn~Bz5fIQugfYXb~OxQglGLl9KBO9dSoLhTcZ6rK9FQkGI1Jl7s6rZayG5IW-BPugSyQwOeQcN8jZrL6uwpBJT9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fall River City Councilors introduced a resolution asking the mayor to request revocation of the city’s EMS enterprise fund under Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 44, section 53F½ and to establish a special revenue account for ambulance receipts. The resolution was presented during a committee and discussed at length at a full council meeting.

The resolution, read into the record by a council member, states that “the Department of Emergency Medical Services, EMS, within the city of Fall River is currently operated as an enterprise fund pursuant to the provisions of Mass General Laws, chapter 44, section 53 f and a half,” and that the council believes moving receipts into a special revenue account “will provide greater fiscal sustainability and flexibility for the city.”

Councilor Michelle Dion, co-sponsor of the resolution, said the administration has not yet decided whether to submit a formal request to revoke the statute’s application for the city and that no financial study has been completed. Dion said she and other councilors want to “work with you as counselors, to see what the positives and the negatives are.”

The EMS chief told the council there are ways the enterprise account can be better utilized to benefit other public safety agencies and noted that some practices — including a longstanding fee-for-service arrangement and year-end reimbursements from PCG — have not been systematically reviewed. The interim chief said the city receives an annual PCG reimbursement that results in periodic transfers; an example figure discussed in the meeting was about $329,000 in prior reimbursements.

Interim finance staff clarified that the PCG reimbursement is recorded as a revenue line and that the timing of the lump-sum PCG payment typically occurs in June, which is why transfers are recorded at year end. The chief and finance staff discussed indirect costs and examples of how EMS revenues have been used; the chief estimated indirects to EMS are roughly $4,000,000 and identified roughly $16.2 million as the department’s operating budget for FY26 as presented.

Councilors pressed for best-practice comparisons from peer cities and for clear financial modeling. One councilor said he reviewed 17 communities and found Fall River among the more aggressive programs outside of Boston EMS. Another councilor (sponsor) outlined the rationale for the change: EMS does not charge a traditional user fee the way water and sewer do but bills insurers for transports, producing retained earnings that the council could use more flexibly if revenues were in the general fund.

No final decision to revoke the enterprise fund was taken at the meeting. The council and administration agreed to produce a financial analysis and policy recommendations before the FY27 budget cycle. The administration said it would “look at this thing very well” and provide a full analysis in the months before the budget is submitted so the council can discuss options, which may include retaining or eliminating the enterprise fund.

Why it matters: The change would shift how ambulance receipts are recorded and could make some EMS revenues available for citywide capital and operating needs rather than restricted to EMS account rules. Councilors said the goal is to preserve EMS service levels while increasing fiscal flexibility for capital replacements and other public safety needs.

Discussion vs. action: The meeting produced discussion and a directive to do analysis; the council did not vote to revoke the enterprise fund. Councilors asked the administration for a timeline and financial model and the administration committed to deliver an analysis prior to FY27 budget submission.

Next steps: The administration will analyze alternatives, including how PCG and other reimbursements would be recorded, whether indirects and firefighter reimbursements will shift, and how any change would affect EMS operations and public safety response. The council asked to be briefed before final budget decisions.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during council discussion or read the resolution into the record and are listed in the speakers section below.","Councilors introduced a resolution urging the mayor to request revocation of the EMS enterprise fund under MGL c.44 §53F½ and to create a special revenue account for ambulance receipts; councilors and the EMS chief agreed to a financial analysis before the FY27 budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge tougher dumping fines; council directs ordinance committee to consult police and counsel

Veterans groups back VSO; council presses administration for update and approves salary amendment

Fall River council asks administration to study ending EMS enterprise fund, establish special revenue account