Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, along with newly elected members of the city council and school committee, were sworn in to office yesterday at inauguration exercises held at Durfee High School.
For Mayor Coogan, this is his fourth and final inauguration ceremony, indicating that he plans not to seek re-election in 2027. During his address, the mayor focused on the successes of his first six years in office. Among them, the rise in property values across the city has made it a desired destination for families.
The mayor also stressed improvements made within the city’s public school district.
Mayor Coogan also proclaimed that over his tenure, Fall River has become a safer place to live.
The mayor said he looks forward to what will become of development along the waterfront. He ended his remarks by committing to cooperate with his newly elected partners in city government.
Eight of the nine members of the Fall River City Council took their oaths of office yesterday. They are Shawn Cadime, Joseph Camara, newcomer Mihael Canuel, Michelle Dionne, Christopher Peckham, Linda Pereira, Cliff Ponte, and Andrew Raposo. Councilor Paul Hart was not in attendance. Councilor Ponte was elected by his colleagues to serve as president for 2026. He said the 2025 election was one where voters sought out leaders who would act on their concerns and interests.
Councilor Michelle Dionne was elected to serve as vice president for the coming year.
Three new faces make up the six-member panel of the Fall River School Committee. Ana Riley hopes to utilize her experience as an educator and administrator, both in Fall River and Rhode Island, to aid her in setting policy within the district.
Ms. Riley is joined on the school committee by fellow newcomers Emanuel Moniz and Shanell Stewart, along with incumbents Kevin Aguiar, Collin Dias, and Thomas Khoury.
Video provided by Fall River Government Television
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