The Fall River City Commission on Disability voted to approve the minutes of its November 2024 meeting and discussed upcoming appointments, a scholarship deadline and routine finance reports during a brief meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

The approvals and administrative items matter because the commission’s membership and scholarship program affect which community representatives serve on the commission and which students are considered for scholarships the group funds. Commission business included forwarding appointment materials to the mayor’s office and placing them on the City Council agenda for consideration.

Following roll call, commissioners moved to approve the Nov. 2024 minutes. The motion received a second and passed on a roll-call vote with Chairman Dennis Paulselli, Vice Chairwoman Debbie Pacheco, Commissioner Dan Robillard and Commissioner Anne O'Neil Souza voting yes. Attorney Gary Howiak noted he is not a voting member.

Commissioners reviewed the finance packet for December and the schedule for the commission’s scholarship process. The commission said schools must submit scholarship candidates by April 1; the scholarship award event is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at McGovern’s restaurant. Jan, a staff member, said, “I don't. As far as I know, everything is in order,” when asked whether there were any problems with the event logistics.

Under new business the commission reported that materials for two reappointments and one new commissioner nomination had been submitted to the mayor’s office and were placed on the City Council agenda for the council meeting on Tuesday the 14th (as stated in the meeting). The commission expect(sic) that at least one new appointee may join the commission at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

On ADA and policy work-group updates, Attorney Gary Howiak said he had nothing to report but offered to prepare materials for the next meeting if the commission wanted him to do so, saying, “I do not, Dennis. Next meeting, if you want me to prepare something, I'll be happy to.”

With no further business, commissioners moved to adjourn; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with the same members voting yes. The commission’s next regular meeting was scheduled for Feb. 12, 2025.