Complaints on snowstorm response leads to Fall River City Council resolution for Public Works Committee debriefing

Fall River officials are responding to criticism from residents after a recent snowstorm.

Social media, Fall River Reporter, and city politicians have received quite a few complaints about snow removal, or lack thereof, after a snowstorm late last month.

Last night, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution co-sponsored by councilors Michael Canuel and Vice President Michelle Dionne requesting a Public Works Committee debrief on the recent snowstorm.

Canuel noted that “this resolution reflects the concerns I’ve heard from residents and business owners about road conditions and the city’s response — their voices deserve to be represented in this conversation. This discussion is about how we as a city can learn, improve, and make progress — one day at a time, one snowstorm at a time — and to evaluate operational performance, identify challenges, and determine whether changes to ordinances, procedures, staffing, equipment, or funding levels are warranted.”

The resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, the snow event of January 25 and 26, 2026, has prompted concerns among residents and business owners regarding snow removal operations, public safety, street accessibility, and the overall effectiveness of storm response, and 

WHEREAS, effective snow and ice removal is critical to ensuring safe travel, maintaining emergency access, and ensuring the continuity of municipal services during winter weather events, and 

WHEREAS, a post-storm review provides an opportunity to evaluate operational performance, identify challenges, and determine whether changes to ordinances, procedures, staffing, equipment, or funding levels are warranted, now therefore 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Committee on Public Works and Transportation convene to conduct a debrief of the recent snow event, including but not limited to discussion of the following: 

•An overview of snow removal operations, including the number of pieces of equipment deployed during the recent storm, comparisons to prior years and prior storm events, and any impact equipment availability had on snow removal operations during and after the storm 

• General street accessibility, parking ban implementation, impacts on emergency 

access, and effects on residents and local businesses 

• Factors contributing to extended cleanup periods 

• Operational challenges encountered during the snow event 

• Planning efforts, staffing levels, equipment availability, and overall preparedness for the remainder of the winter season, including consideration of operational efficiencies and any potential funding needs to implement those efficiencies, and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Administration, including representatives from the Department of Community Maintenance and the Division of Traffic and Parking, the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Chief of Emergency Medical Services and the School Department’s Chief Operating Officer, be invited to participate in the committee discussion and provide input, data, and recommendations. 

We will keep you updated on when the debriefing will take place.