Council splits over trash-related transfers; $3 million to stabilization passes, $1.1 million transfer fails

The Fall River City Council on Tuesday split over year-end transfers tied to solid waste costs, approving a $3 million transfer to the general stabilization fund while rejecting a separate $1,100,004 transfer intended to cover community maintenance (solid waste) expenses. The meeting featured repeated complaints from councilors about not being notified of a contract change and sharp questions about the administration's communication with the council.

Several councilors said the administration delivered the transfer request late in the fiscal year and that the council had not been involved in the contract process. Councilor Kadeem, who spoke during the transfers discussion, told colleagues he would not support the transfer at that time, saying on the record, "I will not be supporting this." Several other councilors also voiced concern that a solid waste contract apparently changed in October 2024 without the council's prior review.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Emily (interim CFO) explained the timing confusion around free cash figures: different worksheets submitted at different times showed $6,716,004 and $5,716,404, a discrepancy she said resulted from order timing and a previously rejected solid waste transfer. The interim CFO recommended relying on the most recent $6.7 million figure when assessing available free cash.

Councilors and the interim CFO described the core financial choice as whether to use available free cash now to cover costs or leave the city exposed to a deficit next fiscal year. Councilor Kilby warned of state processes that could become necessary if the city defaults and argued financial prudence favored appropriation now; other councilors emphasized the breach in communication and asked for direct explanations from the mayor's office and legal staff about why an order was not brought to the council earlier.

At roll call on the proposed $1,100,004 transfer from FY '24 surplus revenue to community maintenance expenses, five councilors voted no and four yes, so the motion failed. The record shows the roll-call votes as: Councilor Kadeem — No; Councilor Dionne — No; Councilor Hart — Yes; Councilor Kilby — Yes; Councilor Ponte — No; Councilor Raposo — No; Councilor Tipp — No; President Camara — Yes; Vice President Perera — Yes (4 yes, 5 no). The council then approved a separate $3 million transfer from FY '24 surplus revenue to the general stabilization fund by voice vote.

Councilors repeatedly referenced a solid waste contract that the administration said had increased by roughly $3 million and that Attorney Thomas had previously discussed with the council. Some councilors said they had pressed for an RFP and other options during earlier task-force work but that those steps had not resulted in earlier savings. Councilors also said EZ Disposal and other private vendors had raised cost and tonnage issues; councilors who contacted EZ Disposal afterward reported the company had not told them it would stop service but had expressed concerns over reimbursement and disposal logistics.

The council later approved an appropriation order under Chapter 44, Section 32, Massachusetts General Laws, transferring $2,000,000 from FY '24 surplus revenue to the employer health trust fund to address healthcare payments. Additional smaller appropriations and transfers for city departments that were discussed in the meeting were either adopted or rejected individually after debate.

Councilors sought clearer processes going forward. Some urged a formal resolution or follow-up briefing to outline who in the administration participates in contract changes and what notice the council should receive; others said they would continue to work with the administration to ensure needed payments are made while holding the administration accountable for process lapses.

Votes at a glance - Transfer of $1,100,004 from FY '24 surplus revenue to community maintenance expenses — Failed (4 yes, 5 no; roll call recorded). - Transfer of $3,000,000 from FY '24 surplus revenue to general stabilization fund — Adopted (voice vote; "Aye"). - Appropriation of $2,000,000 to employer health trust fund (Chapter 44, §32) — Adopted (voice vote).