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Park board approves several community-event permits, tables two requests
Summary
At its March 5 meeting, the Fall River City Park Board of Commissioners approved permits for multiple community events and directed staff to reply to a commercial inquiry; the board tabled two requests pending more information.
The Fall River City Park Board of Commissioners on March 5 approved permits for several community events and voted to respond to a commercial inquiry while tabling two requests that need more detail.
The board approved the City of Refuge Easter Egg Hunt at Chu Park for 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on April 12 after commissioners said organizers must still obtain signoffs from the building inspector, the health department and the fire department. The board also approved two weekend sensory-play dates at Avidcore for April 13 and April 27 and granted a permit for the Vietnam Veterans Day event at Bicentennial Park on March 29; Commissioner Victor Farris was recorded as abstaining from that vote. The annual Arbor Day fair at Abbott Court and the girls softball league’s use of Ruggles and Dumont parks were approved as requested. Commissioner Amber Burns’ fifth annual back-to-school block party at Kennedy Park was approved for Aug. 9; Burns abstained from that vote.
The board voted to send a written reply to a commercial solicitation from RE/MAX stating the parks department has no single flat parcel of three or more acres suitable for a traveling amusement provider and advising the company to contact city hall if they wish to pursue a non-parks location.
Two requests were tabled for further detail. A request to use Kennedy Park for a children’s basketball tournament scheduled for Aug. 30 was discussed in detail—organizer Britney Maderas/Madruga (speaker identified in the record) reviewed planned activities and permitting questions—and the board voted to table the item until the organizer provides a detailed plan and confirms dates relative to other park events. A separate request from Bobby Bailey to use Dumont Park for six freshman softball dates was also tabled so that the board and the established softball league can coordinate schedules and field priority.
Votes at a glance: the board recorded the following motions during new business — • Motion to respond to RE/MAX that the parks department lacks three-plus acres: moved by Commissioner Amber Burns; second by Commissioner Helen Rigo; outcome: approved. • Motion to waive rules for Britney Maderas’/Madruga’s request (allowing public comment out of order): moved by Commissioner Burns; second by Commissioner Victor Farris; outcome: approved. • Motion to table Britney Maderas’/Madruga Kennedy Park request until next meeting: moved by Commissioner Victor Farris; second by Commissioner Cecilia (full name not given); outcome: approved. • Motion to approve City of Refuge Easter Egg Hunt at Chu Park (April 12, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.): moved by Commissioner Cecilia; second by Commissioner Burns; outcome: approved. • Motion to approve Avidcore sensory-play weekends (April 13 and April 27): moved by Commissioner Victor Farris; second by Commissioner Burns; outcome: approved. • Motion to approve Bicentennial Park Vietnam Veterans Day event (March 29): moved by Commissioner Helen Rigo; second by Commissioner Burns; outcome: approved; Commissioner Victor Farris abstained. • Motion to approve Abbott Court Arbor Day annual event: moved by Commissioner Burns; second by Commissioner Farris; outcome: approved. • Motion to table Bobby Bailey’s Dumont Park softball dates pending exact dates and discussion with the softball league: moved by Commissioner Cecilia; second by Commissioner Burns; outcome: approved. • Motion to approve Amber Burns’ back-to-school block party (Aug. 9, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.): moved by Commissioner Victor Farris; second by Commissioner Cecilia; outcome: approved; Commissioner Burns abstained. • Motion to approve girls softball league use of Ruggles and Dumont fields: moved by Commissioner Victor Farris; second by Commissioner Burns; outcome: approved.
The board recorded that organizers must obtain department-level signoffs where required: food vendors must come from the city’s preapproved vendor list and the health department will determine whether donated or prepared foods require additional permits. Organizers were advised to provide a site map showing vehicle and vendor placement and to follow fire-department rules for tents larger than 10-by-10 feet.
The board said tabling items gives staff time to verify overlapping uses (for example, the city feast, cleanup timing and competing permits) and lets departments preclear food, sanitation and public-safety requirements before final approval.
