[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6222185,"mediaKeyId","3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6","parentId",3610652,"title","Council postpones police budget interview after chief’s absence; members press administration on communication","audioSeconds",294,"startMs",1824000,"endMs",2118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6&start=1824&end=2118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6/thumbnail_1824000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6222185/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Council-postpones-police-budget-interview-after-chiefs-absence-members-press-administration-on-communication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222185-855d6286c59b105bcc3f6b914dfea718/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094872&Signature=PFRAK3rTbVJRXAOmz4bYrwM~oNPmuPO~zFoRigqynMQGoDsHmzmRSWbgGfgqG1wMyH96l9HNfL8Q97MZxEHtKWHQZSCna6Qy4Vx6xHMCFun9hd0ylyy1-3CHeXEtVHjAOhcuAi1OGtn9PmKUSjI3ppmsAm3yVB~swgw3~7oSoJHDSh3-qInQsY09usPzeL1twcXl1SMYb1aBGtXP8Akjfze97xQprwhPQ1dMogPF7HUOp7hXuJWAg7DU8NPI6NVO4erLZiFla3KPhaylat-jqxSYjhWQNDoPhzOZ8IsiYr5YDn~4-ZEYRA-fEOCo4ZlBuWKhgmJ2urm5bBDA1OPVNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River City, MA","date","2025-05-30T04:41:07Z","article","The City Council Committee on Finance voted June 4 to postpone the police department’s budget interview because the newly appointed police chief was not present. The chief had notified the mayor’s office earlier in the day that she would be absent for a family commitment, and the interim finance director said the committee received notice only that day.

Councilors criticized the lack of timely communication. One member moved that the police department be rescheduled so the newly appointed chief could appear; the motion was seconded and carried without recorded opposition. The committee agreed to reconvene the police department interview the week after next so the chief could attend.

Several councilors said they would send a letter to the police chief and request the mayor’s office explain the absence and why the council was not notified earlier through the clerk’s office. A councilor characterized the absence as an “abuse of power” in the context of failing to appear for budget review; other members framed their concerns as a breakdown in routine scheduling and communication. The clerk and interim finance director said the chief’s absence was communicated that day and that she had a family commitment scheduled in advance.

Why this matters: the police department’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget is about $27 million; committee members said the department head’s presence is necessary to answer leadership and policy questions tied to that appropriation. The committee deferred questioning for two weeks and asked staff to set a new date and to provide a direct notice to council members and the clerk’s office before the next interview.

Formal action: the committee made and seconded a motion “to postpone the police department to a later date in order to have the newly appointed chief present.” The motion passed on a voice vote; the committee set the police presentation for the next scheduled meeting cycle and will request a written explanation from the mayor’s office and a letter to the chief.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5.29.2025 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council Committee on Finance voted to reschedule the police department’s budget presentation after the newly appointed police chief was absent; councilors said they had not been notified and asked the administration for an explanation and a letter to the chief.","taxTitle","Fall River City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",4215,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6222190,"Emergency management director says $29,000 stipend, volunteer program underreview; tabletop planned for new rail service",726,2266000,2992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6&start=2266&end=2992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6/thumbnail_2266000.jpg","/articles/6222190/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Emergency-management-director-says-29000-stipend-volunteer-program-underreview-tabletop-planned-for-new-rail-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222190-b29d6fb95b4d42dd37eb6368e67737a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094872&Signature=MNWiPTWXO2iv60sdUQljHElEalir6qn3O9WxCjZJgUcLUcooO87EF-f3m8PdwotHLZa4ZiWWjk8XEX6LZo7wQvBaVQ0yQNnrW0f6C2LwTFbZ8IVdjst~dVH8EUXySfWR4NR986-1NoZ6w2PPLnEKmmaQt2NjSW7Ddo6MC60dFCjXwDyYRUloaERiWvEZiSkmozyXoRVJziOYtEUpMcFVvVheVtaagXbw9ge4APGyhaRiZKEYgmo4HxKWf~p9yr~nZceI~~Ia9RojOmSI5IqNjN0GkqkUOhFFxI6grfH1zOhAF~oa-FKWZ0LpdGDMp3KHnox94bLbzro5ct3p7UfS7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Aguilar (Emergency Management Agency) told the finance committee that the EMA director’s city stipend is $29,000 and that the position has a large volunteer component that supplements city emergency response. Aguilar said the stipend had grown slowly over many years and that volunteers provide rehab, water and other on‑scene functions for firefighters.

Aguilar told the committee he manages roughly 18 volunteers who complete a multi‑month training program including fire ground safety, emergency operations center procedures and vehicle/equipment exams. He said the EMA has received federal and state grant funding over the years—“well over $500,000 since 2004,” he said—including an Emergency Preparedness Grant (EPG) of $36,500 and a CERT grant of $5,000 in the most recent year. Aguilar said the EMA uses grant money to buy equipment (for example, $8,000 this year for dive team equipment) and to purchase vehicles; the Fire Department helps maintain and fuel EMA vehicles.

Several councilors said $29,000 is low for the responsibilities described and asked the council to consider ordinance changes that would increase the stipend or reclassify the position. A councilor said they would co‑sponsor a resolution to send the issue to the Ordinance Committee for review. Aguilar said he is open to an ordinance review and that some stipend elements are constrained by Chapter 148 (fee and ordinance structure) and by how the position has historically been funded.

Aguilar also described a planned tabletop exercise on June 10 at 10 a.m. at Fire Headquarters to test multi‑agency response to incidents tied to the new rail service; participants will include police, fire, EMS, area hospitals (including St. Anne’s), Met Flight and regional partners. Aguilar said the exercise will satisfy an annual LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) requirement and help the city qualify for federal preparedness grants.

Why this matters: councilors praised EMA volunteers and the director’s preparations for rail‑related incidents but said compensation policy and organizational support deserve formal review. Councilors asked for a written ordinance referral and for staff to return with options for stipend changes and potential funding sources.","Emergency Management Director Aguilar described a small stipend and extensive volunteer operations during the committee’s budget hearing and outlined a June tabletop exercise to prepare for the new rail service; councilors said they will explore raising the EMA stipend by ordinance and asked for a formal review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6222194,"Fall River firefighters and chief signal shortfalls in budget, equipment and stations",5989,641000,6630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6&start=641&end=6630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610652-c3059392f5c75cdda48eb1e5c7b357e6/thumbnail_641000.jpg","/articles/6222194/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-firefighters-and-chief-signal-shortfalls-in-budget-equipment-and-stations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222194-450bf38f31fc8cc412bb5fef7ddcc663/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094872&Signature=QwLBSMOzXlVspcCY9N7q3naMt~LI6gzK42cuQfEo6AzuZ4wgT8ccofz2zgiS-1~KdeyrdzMqEJ3aqsAqpkEGDQSzL~MrG9pdekwnyRRLzKr~dQV39-UrwsWNWxmuVI3HKInkQLi5DdfiywW7qUXc8XaYwqCsWySqMlpQSCAjNZ8EhteDuOyOcWRoORS6N5W8xIh5gdzDdXwTLx3TvNCLR8ry0wWzlO4JI~b~Ca84jPtPaVqCB4JmX0cTDCrWw2QF0yvcX2lCp-CbpfR3YVlRvVBN6R4rlZzju-VdsaXnWBdXVHGIJcqft6CibPHLbS8EuXbatBMIhbQYkm4ezJKkew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael O'Regan, president of Local 13/14, told the Fall River City Council Committee on Finance on June 4 that the proposed fiscal 2026 budget will leave the Fire Department underfunded and put residents and firefighters at risk. “The people of the city deserve a fire department that is fully staffed, fully equipped, and properly funded,” O’Regan said during the citizen input period.

O’Regan gave specific examples he said illustrated maintenance failures: frontline reserve apparatus that broke down during a January 2022 blizzard and again on May 19, 2025; ladder apparatus with hydraulic failures; and station buildings he described as infested with cockroaches, rats and mice, with asbestos, crumbling floors, mold and raw sewage in basements. He named Stanley Street, the Center station (Bedford Street), the Flint station and the Globe station among those with long‑standing problems.

Those statements set the tone for a lengthy budget review in which Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said he is “not happy with the budget” as proposed and said it leaves capital needs insufficiently addressed. Bacon said the department has begun the process to replace an engine and that procurement and funding will use capital mechanisms outside the operating line item, but he reiterated the lack of a reliable, long‑term capital plan. “We have to rebuild the capital plan,” Bacon said, adding that manufacturers’ lead times and rising prices complicate purchasing: custom pumpers can take about three years to deliver; non‑custom stock trucks arrive faster, but choices are limited.

Councilors pressed for clarity about where capital funding would come from and asked Bacon and Interim Director of Finance Emily Arpke for a clear timeline and funding sources. Arpke told councilors that some requested one‑time purchases had been discussed as funded from surplus or debt rather than from the general operating line, and that the city planned to rebuild a multi‑year capital plan this fall. Councilors repeatedly asked for an itemized capital commitment for fiscal 2026 and for documentation on pending capital projects and work orders.

The committee and staff discussed staffing and grant options. Bacon said the department was near 199 full‑time positions during fiscal 2024 but that the proposed budget reflected lower budgeted headcount (about 187.5 budgeted for FY25–26). He said the department needs roughly 200 firefighters to operate without excessive overtime. The committee and the chief discussed the SAFER federal staffing grant: Bacon described it as a three‑year program that usually requires local matching (this year’s SAFER round included a 25% match in year one, 25% in year two and 65% in year three) and said the grant’s design generally intends recipients to retain positions after grant funding ends.

Bacon and councilors also discussed maintenance and repair practice. Preventive maintenance and parts and accessories are budgeted in separate lines; Bacon said many routine repairs are done in the department’s shop and that the department recently signed an agreement with a regional repair shop to reduce hourly costs. He said some major repairs must go out to vendors because of warranty or technical reasons. Councilors asked for the repair‑shop work order log and pest‑control inspection reports for stations; Bacon said those reports are available and would be provided to the council.

Why this matters: city councilors said the committee needs to reconcile operating choices, capital planning and staffing to avoid recurring emergency repairs and service gaps. O’Regan argued the current proposals amount to cuts in real terms, saying, “we are continually asked to do more with less, and we do until we can’t.” Bacon urged a coordinated capital plan and clearer funding commitments so apparatus and station repairs are not deferred.

The committee did not adopt final budget votes for the fire department at this meeting. Councilors asked staff to return with a clearer capital plan, supporting documentation (work orders, pest reports, grant and procurement status) and a clearer explanation of how one‑time funds or debt would be used to acquire apparatus and complete station repairs in fiscal 2026.","At a June 4 Fall River City Committee on Finance hearing, a union leader and the fire chief said the municipal budget proposal does not address aging apparatus, unsafe station conditions and understaffing; councilors pressed for capital planning and requested documentation and site visits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council postpones police budget interview after chief’s absence; members press administration on communication

Emergency management director says $29,000 stipend, volunteer program underreview; tabletop planned for new rail service

Fall River firefighters and chief signal shortfalls in budget, equipment and stations