911 upgrades, police body cams and more: Fall River City Council OKs ARPA-funded projects

FALL RIVER — The City Council has the authority to expend $16 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds as they see fit, and Tuesday they green-lighted six out of seven projects proposed by the administration.

After accepting the six projects, which amount to more than $3.17 million, the City Council still has more than $12.8 million to spend from ARPA money supplied through the Bristol County Commissioners office, which received a total of $110 million. The commission then portioned out that amount among 20 cities and towns, with Fall River receiving the second-highest amount (New Bedford received $17 million).

While state law doesn't require Mayor Paul Coogan to seek City Council approval — which has been a bone of contention with some city councilors — the Bristol County Commission, who must approve all proposed projects from the municipalities, made council approval a requirement.

And there is still plenty more ARPA funding left to expend of the additional $70 million that the city originally was awarded from the federal government, which came in two payments.

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Last June, the city received the first installment of nearly $35 million. During the discussion about various proposed projects, City Administrator Seth Aiken informed the City Council that there is about $15 million remaining and the second installment of nearly $35 million in ARPA is available.

However, Coogan, who has final authority to expend that money, has not yet sent it to the City Council to accept the appropriation.

How Fall River will use ARPA funds: Skate park renovations, a splash pad at Kennedy Park

Funding will equip police with body-worn cameras

The biggest ticket item approved by the City Council was an appropriation of $1.52 million for a five-year body-worn camera program.

The money will help with the purchase of 225 body-worn cameras, docking stations, sidearm activation kits and upgraded Tasers. New technology is needed so the body-worn cameras can turn on the cameras and begin recording when officers deploy their Tasers.

The money will also fund data storage systems.

On June 17, the FRPD started its body-worn camera pilot program, equipping seven walking beat police officers with the technology.

The Community Development Agency provided over $15,680 to the pilot program, which has full support from the Coogan administration and the City Council.

“As you know, there is a strong likelihood that body cameras are very much the way of the future. They create both accountability and protection for police, and they create accountability and protection for the public,” said Aiken.

Projects for cleaner streets and clearer water

A total of $1.148 million will purchase a graffiti removal machine, two infrared-equipped pothole and asphalt repair equipment that can be used year-round and three street sweeper apparatus.

The Department of Community Utilities was awarded $241,275 for its “Blue Water Project” to alleviate algae blooms, caused by increased phosphorus, in the South Watuppa Pond.

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The money will be used in conjunction with two matching grants and meant to restore water quality in the South Watuppa, which could mean it potentially could be used as a back-up water supply with recreational use for the public.

In addition, the City Council approved a $305,000 project that will upgrade the city's public safety 911 system.

The City Council voted mostly unanimously on all five projects, except for City Council Vice President Michelle Dionne who opposed the funding for body-worn cameras, graffiti machine, pothole repair apparatus and street cleaning equipment.

Dionne has advocated recently that $15 million of the $16 million appropriation should be used on water and sewer projects to offset future rate hikes.

A member of the mayor's ARPA task force, Dionne said those projects had already been approved for funding from the $70 million COVID relief money.

One project tabled

The Department of Community Utilities has a $1.365 million project proposal to purchase the Adirondack Farm on the North Watuppa Pond and renovate a structure to create a Bioreserve Education and Discovery Center along with environmental and education partners in the bioreserve.

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Of that funding, $365,000 would be used toward the purchase of the property in addition to other money and $1 million would be spent to create the education center.

While the City Council expressed support for the project, City Councilor Shawn Cadime said the more appropriate funding would come from the Community Preservation Act fund, a tax used to fund projects in the areas of preservation, acquisition and creation of open space, historic resources, recreation and community housing.

“For me I think that project is perfect for CPA. I think when we start talking about community preservation, I think we should be putting aside our Community Preservation Act money for that and freeing up $1.3 million for something else, whether it's for infrastructure or something along those lines,” said Cadime.

Looking at many of the CPA funding that’s been approved, “it’s a lot of private work being done,” said Cadime.

In the final vote, the council agreed to table the matter.

Jo C. Goode may be reached at jgoode@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism and subscribe to The Herald News today!

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River City Council OKs ARPA funds for body cams, algae bloom, 911