City staff outline $36–37 million Stafford Square flood-control plan, seek federal funding and partnerships

Paul Furlan, administrator of community utilities for the City of Fall River, gave a detailed presentation on a proposed Stafford Square stormwater and drainage project intended to reduce chronic flooding at the intersection of Pleasant, Quarry and County streets. Furlan said the project area drains roughly 373 acres, includes undersized historic pipes that currently handle up to a 2-year storm, and affects approximately two census tracts (roughly 10,000 residents) with high social vulnerability. "We're about 35, 40% design right now," Furlan said, and he estimated construction costs at about $36,000,000 to $37,000,000.

Planned work includes a large box culvert (described in the presentation as roughly 12 feet by 5 feet) routed through plazas and parking areas to convey separated storm drainage away from the Stafford Square intersection and to reduce the load on combined sewers. The project design incorporates phased options and green infrastructure where possible to improve conveyance and water quality. Furlan said the city has funded design through ARPA and Bristol County ARPA and secured a MassWorks grant for completing 100% design. He said the city applied to FEMA's BRIC program through MEMA and anticipated a federal decision in winter 2026–27. "When we did the cost-benefit analysis ... we were at a 1.7," Furlan said, describing a benefits estimate of about $62,000,000 tied to avoided damages and service disruptions.

Councilors pushed on timing and local contributions. Furlan said the city expects to have bid-ready documents in about eight months if full funding is secured and estimated roughly a three-year construction period after funding is available; councilors observed that, including funding cycles and procurement, residents should expect improvements over a multi-year horizon (4–5 years in some scenarios). On local share, Furlan described a best-case federal/local funding stack that could cap BRIC contributions near $20,000,000 and MassWorks near $5,000,000; he said an illustrative city authorization might be about $8,000,000 but cautioned that these numbers are contingent on multiple funding outcomes.

Furlan also described interim and pilot measures: the city has partnered with a nonprofit, Stone Living Labs (with a Woods Hole partner), to mount a flood sensor at the intersection for early warning and is exploring flashing advance signs, temporary closures, and better deployment of barriers. Chief JT Hoare described police operational responses during severe storms: officers deploy sawhorses, restrict nonessential calls to prioritize safety, and stage tow trucks where appropriate. "We have deployed sawhorses over there," Chief Hoare said, describing an instinctual, staffed response rather than an automated closure system.

Councilors requested follow-up details on the project's benefit-cost time horizon, local-match scenarios, and phasing options. Staff agreed to provide bid-ready documents when design is complete and to return with additional funding analysis for the committee's consideration.