UPDATE: This story has been updated with reports that six votes are needed to approve the sale of city property. Only four (4) councilors voted in favor on Tuesday.
The city’s handling of homeless encampments across Fall River has been an issue at recent city council meetings and was again last night.
During citizen’s input at the council’s finance committee meeting, resident Kevin Andrade, whose family owns a small restaurant on Rodman Street, shared stories of how patrons and family members have been harassed by the homeless encamped at the nearby Quequechan River Rail Trail.
Complaints have also been raised about encampments located at the bottom of Kennedy Park near Bay Street. City Councilor Linda Pereira said more enforcement needs to take place to protect the homeless and nearby residents.
The council is asking the Coogan Administration to devise a strategy to help the homeless while protecting the safety of local residents.
By a 4-3 vote, the council gave its initial approval to the sale of the Bank Street Armory to local developer Alan Macomber who plans to convert the historic structure into a mix of market rate and affordable housing. Councilor Pereira was joined by councilors Michelle Dionne and Joseph Camara in voting against the sale, holding hope that the city could purchase and preserve the property.
In deciding to sell the armory for Mr. Macomber, the Coogan Administration concluded the cost to renovate the historic building, and then support its use, would not be cost-effective for the city to undertake. According to reports, the sale of the armory is not final as six votes are required for the sale. Councilors Leo Pelletier and Pam Laliberte were not at last night’s meeting and did not vote.
In a reversal from its last meeting, the council voted down advancing an ordinance that would ban the use of single-use thin plastic bags. Councilors have heard complaints from residents and advocated for doing more research as to the environmental benefits of such a program and how the state and other local communities are enforcing a ban.
Video courtesy Fall River Government Television
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