Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Fall River dedicates boat ramp to Manuel Raposa Jr.; state official promises accessibility upgrades
Loading...
Summary
Fall River City officials and family members dedicated a newly completed boat ramp to former state representative Manuel Raposa Jr. During remarks, a Department of Fish and Game official said a proposed $10 million 'mass ready act' investment and local upgrades — including new boarding floats — would improve access.
Fall River City formally dedicated a newly completed boat ramp to Manuel Raposa Jr., a former state representative whose advocacy for waterfront access officials said helped bring the project to fruition. The outdoor ceremony drew local officials and family members and concluded with an unveiling of the ramp's memorial naming.
The dedication honored Manuel Raposa Jr.’s long service to the area. Representative (name not specified in transcript), speaking at the ceremony, said Raposa ‘‘served as state representative for 14 years from 1965 to 1978’’ and highlighted his role in creating institutions and recognitions tied to the region’s maritime history. Rochelle Allen, Raposa’s granddaughter, described his love of the river and said naming the ramp was “more meaningful than I can put into words” for the family.
A representative of the Department of Fish and Game described the agency’s stewardship role for public access sites and outlined planned improvements at the Fall River facility. The department representative said the state manages about 300 fishing piers, boat ramps and shore locations and noted that, ‘‘through the mass ready act [there is] a proposed $10,000,000 investment in these types of public access sites’’ statewide. The official added, “we will be making improvements to this facility, with the city. We’re gonna be upgrading the the floats out there, the boarding floats, so that the ramp will be more accessible.”
Mayor Coogan called the location a key recreational spot in the North End that has changed in recent decades and thanked the partners who helped make the project possible. Family members recounted memories, thanked officials and invited attendees to a reception at Barrett’s after the ceremony.
The dedication leaves the ramp officially recognized in Raposa’s name; city and state representatives and department staff said upgrades and continued maintenance are expected as part of the state’s planned access investments.
