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Cliff Ponte elected city council president; Michelle Dion named vice president
Summary
The newly constituted Fall River City Council elected Cliff Ponte president and Michelle Dion vice president by viva voce votes (each receiving eight votes) during the inaugural proceedings; both were sworn in and spoke to priorities of accountability and collaboration.
The newly seated City Council of Fall River elected Cliff Ponte as council president and Michelle Dion as vice president by viva voce votes during the inaugural ceremony. Both officers were sworn in and gave brief remarks.
A motion to elect a council president was made and seconded; as councilors were called to voice their choices, Cliff Ponte received eight votes and was declared president for 2026. Ponte accepted the office, took the oath and thanked colleagues. "Tonight is not about a gavel. It is not about titles, and it's certainly not about just one person standing on this stage," Ponte said, adding that the council will be "measured by outcomes."
The council then proceeded to elect a vice president in the same manner. Michelle Dion received eight votes, was sworn in and thanked those present. In remarks after her oath, Dion urged civic participation and said, "When you come across people who don't vote and tell you their vote doesn't matter, please tell them how wrong they are," and described 2026 as a year for "positive change and collaboration."
The votes were taken by roll call/viva voce; specific movers and seconders for the motions were not recorded in the transcript. The council later adopted a motion to adjourn, which carried by voice vote.
