Fall River city councilors clash in heated exchange over tabling of mayor reappointments

Things got heated between several city councilors during Tuesday’s meeting leading to one of the councilors almost getting tossed from the proceedings.

The meeting, which was held virtually due to Fall River’s red designation concerning COVID-19, became confrontational rather quickly.

On the meeting docket was Mayor Coogan’s request to have several reappointments confirmed by the Council. At this time, Michelle Dionne requested that the council not vote on the reappointments together and take each request separately. When it came time for the reappointment of Christopher Antao to the Cultural Council is when the fireworks began.

When City Clerk Alison Bouchard announced Antao’s name to be reappointed, Councilors Brad Kilby and Linda Pereira quickly stated to table the request.

Councilor Shawn Cadime questioned why the reappointment was being tabled. Pereira stated that there are no discussions for a table and to move on. A vote was taken and the tabling passed. Once the vote finished, Cadime requested the floor.

“I just got a lesson on some curtesy and some rules. I just ask that when one of my colleagues makes a motion to table that they explain before they make a motion to table.”

Kilby interrupted Cadime to tell him that there are no discussions for a table. Cadime snapped back which led to a back and forth over who had the floor to speak. Kilby accused Cadime of being passive-aggressive.

“There is nothing passive-aggressive about me Brad. We have had this conversation before. I am just aggressive. Not passive. Ok?”

Cadime reiterated that he would like to know why a colleague tables an issue in front of the Council leading Kilby to repeat several times “I’ll tell you.”

This then led to a heated exchange between City Council President Cliff Ponte Jr and Kilby when Ponte was in the process of trying to get the meeting in order.

As Ponte attempted to speak, Kilby quickly interrupted which led Ponte to exclaim “no” multiple times and led Ponte to try and quiet Kilby to get order.

“Stop interrupting me. I’m telling you to stop interrupting each other. One person is going to speak.”

Kilby continued to interrupt Ponte while he had the floor until Ponte threatened to toss Kilby from the meeting.

“This is the last time I am going to remind you. I will remove you from this meeting.” Kilby responded by calling Ponte a “piece of work.”

The two continued a back and forth exchange.

“This is the last time I am going to tell you (Kilby) or I will remove you from this meeting and I don’t want to do it.”

The exchange continued after Ponte told Kilby to stop interrupting councilors and Kilby once again called Ponte a “piece of work.” This ended the exchange between the two.

When it came to vote on the next reappointment to the Cultural Council, Donna Valente, Dionne went on to say how important the Cultural Council is.

“These people are in charge of state funding for arts and culture. They approved 44 projects for over $100,000.”

Dionne stated she was in favor of the tabling and would like to see the reappoints come in front of the Council.

Valente’s reappointment was then also tabled with Kilby the lone no vote.

The City Council was also expected to vote on the approval of David Marciello as the new City Administrator, but Mayor Coogan withdrew his request on Tuesday afternoon.