Fall River Debates Future of Historic Armory and Demolition Delays

Overview: The Fall River City Council meeting convened to address several significant municipal concerns, with the future of the Bank Street Armory and amendments to the city’s demolition delay ordinance taking center stage. The discussion on the Bank Street Armory included proposals to transfer its oversight from the Board of Park Commissioners to the Historical Commission and the involvement of the Preservation Society in decisions regarding the property. Additionally, the meeting touched on the extension of demolition delays for City-owned properties, raising the demolition delay from six to twelve months, and the potential introduction of a subcommittee dedicated to the Armory’s redevelopment.

Fall River Commission on Disability Allocates $112,000 for Scholarships

Overview: The Fall River Commission on Disability made financial decisions in their recent meeting, including the allocation of $112,000 for scholarships and the acceptance of an $11,000 donation from BOS Bank. The meeting also addressed issues with a proposed memorandum of understanding with the Fall River Police Department, which the commission decided to table for further review.

Fall River Planning Board Approves Waterfront District Extension

Overview: The Fall River Planning Board meeting on April 10, 2024, was marked by discussions and decisions, including the approval of a zoning map amendment ordinance to extend the Waterfront and Transit Oriented Development (WTOD) district, the rejection of a plan for properties at Northern Avenue and Seabrook Street, and the endorsement of plans for properties at Chicago Street and Pail Street.

Fall River City Council Tackles School Budget and Housing Initiatives

Overview: In the latest Fall River City Council meeting, the spotlight was on the detailed presentation of the Fall River Public Schools budget for fiscal year 2022. The presentation was comprehensive, covering topics such as enrollment numbers, the Student Opportunity Act, Chapter 70 funding, required local contribution, net school spending, indirect cost agreement, transportation, health insurance, and ongoing school maintenance projects. The Superintendent emphasized the district’s strategic planning for sustainable budgeting, particularly in maintaining current infrastructure and staffing levels without impacting future staffing, despite the challenges of ongoing negotiations with all nine school units.

Fall River Committee Votes to Replace MCAS Graduation Requirement

Overview: The Fall River School Committee’s recent meeting saw a decision as the members voted to replace the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) graduation requirement with the Thrive Act. This decision follows a presentation of over 130,000 signatures from registered voters advocating for the change. The Thrive Act, aimed at addressing disparities faced by special education students and multilingual learners, consists of three key components designed to reform educational assessments and support methods in the state.