Here is where Fall River candidates for mayor stand on rising rents, the budget, ARPA, waterfront redevelopment

FALL RIVER ─ Here are a few takeaways from last night’s mayoral debate ahead of the Sept. 16 preliminary election with contenders incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan, Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral, Carlos Cesar, Michael Vandal and Christopher Silvia, who has suspended his campaign and did not participate.

In opening statements, Coogan called himself a “working mayor;” Cesar said his bid for mayor was because “I’m getting called to duty;” and Amaral said “I hate this city, but I love this city” and wants to represent all citizens. Vandal arrived at the debate after the opening.

Candidate priorities

On the first question of the night, candidates were asked what their priorities are if elected mayor. Cesar said fully funding public safety was a priority and that he believed money was in the budget and a forensic audit was needed. If the money wasn’t available, Cesar would look to lay-off unnecessary staff.

Amaral said “everything is a priority,” but everything depends on the budget. “If we can’t fix the budget, we can’t deal with public safety … .” Amaral said he’s been working on the issue and that he has “the answers.” He agreed with Cesar that there needs to be a forensic audit of the city budget.

Coogan as well believed many city issues were priorities and touted his record of funding public safety through American Rescue Recovery Act money and grants.

Vandal was not present at the time of the question.

Rising rents

On the issue of rising rents in Fall River, Amaral said city residents are paying higher rents than Newport and Cape Cod and pointed to the growth in market rate housing projects in the city and the tax breaks they receive from the city. “Those units do not pay taxes; those people do not pay taxes.” He noted the rise in parking issues in the city and the additional cost of educating the influx of new residents.

Coogan responded that when new students come to the district, the state funding increases per pupil. “We want to grow our schools.” On increasing rents, Coogan said that in Fall River rents are average or below and that in creating more housing “the rents should come down.”

Cesar agreed that the creation of market rate housing was hurting residents and that they must be helped first.

Vandal was not present at the time of the question.

Budget

Amaral said he would work with the City Council and School Committee. “Why we have to go there and fight each other and grandstand each other makes no sense to me,” said Amaral. “There’s a wealth in those nine people (City Council), much more than I’ve ever had. Why would l not use that?

Vandal said that he would create a company, and that if there was a loss of money, he would put it back in the budget with his own money. It was a message that Vandal repeated throughout the duration of the debate.

Coogan defended the increases in the budget during his tenure with the majority of those increases from education, “which is mandated by the state” which accounts for over $100 million in the budget. He touted an increase of revenue in new growth from expanding construction in the city.

“The money is in the budget,” said Cesar. “It’s just not being spent wisely. With all this new money coming in, but they are already coming after us.” Cesar said to watch the next City Council meeting. “They are coming after us for the rainwater fee.”

ARPA expenditures

The candidates were asked if the nearly $86 million the city received from the federal government’s COVID-related ARPA funding was spent wisely by the administration.

Vandal said he didn’t know the answer to the ARPA question.

“It was not good spending,” said Cesar, claiming that $1.5 million went to a boxing program. “I know about that. But besides that, I have no idea where the money went.”

Coogan disputed the claim and held up the 150-page ARPA status report.

Amaral questioned the reporting and alleged that there was a $10 million discrepancy in the final expenditures from the federal money.

“It hasn’t all been spent out yet because we are in the middle of a massive project on Lewiston Street,” said Coogan, referencing a $15 million overhaul of the Department of Community Maintenance headquarters.

Route 79

The candidates were asked for their vision in 10 years for the multi-million, multi-phased waterfront redevelopment project. The question of who will spearhead the redevelopment of 20 acres is still in question whether it will be the state or the Fall River Redevelopment Authority.

“I don’t care if the state gets it. The RDA is not getting it,” said Amaral who opposed proposals that housing would be the bulk of the redevelopment. “I’ll work with our investors; I will absolutely work with any investor. But I’m not here to put another 100, 200, 400 units of non-taxable income so somebody can get wealthy and live in billion homes on the water.”

Coogan said his administration has spoken with investors but there is no decision who will control the project that includes the construction of infrastructure throughout the redevelopment.

“You will see massive growth down there, which guess what, is jobs and jobs and jobs and jobs,” said Coogan.

“So here is the last opportunity this this city has to create entertainment for the residents, to create revenue, tourism, it’s on that waterfront,” said Cesar.

Cesar said he’s been working with an architect for his vision of the waterfront and a master plan.