MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2014–2015 Council · Regular meeting · 7:06 p.m.
January 8, 2015
56 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: David Alves, Henry G. Bousquet, Naomi R. A. Carney, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Steven Martins, Linda M. Morad, James D. Oliveira, Dana L. Rebeiro, Kerry M. Winterson
Absent: Debora Coelho
During the meeting:
- Rebeiro arrived late ()
Every vote, in order
Communication, Councillor Coelho, to Members of the City Council, informing that she will be unable to attend the City Council Meeting on Thursday, January 08, 2015, due to illness.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0008).”
Communication, Councillor Rebeiro, to Members of the City Council, informing that she will be late to the City Council Meeting on Thursday, January 08, 2015, due to her attendance at a Parker Street Neighborhood Association Meeting.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0009).”
Citation, Councillors Lopes and Rebeiro, honoring Ermelinda Botelho Madeira, Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School, in recognition of her using what she had learned in the New Bedford Fire Department’s Fire Safety Program which saved the lives of her family and neighbors.
Adopted
Citations, Council President Gomes and Councillor Lopes, honoring Kyle J. Cabral, Nathan Avelar, Jean M. Lopez, Sean A. Nichols, Eric A. Cardoso, Jordan Z. Dasilva and Bruce E. Szyndlar, Jr., in recognition of their appointments as New Bedford Police Officers.
Adopted
Citations, Councillors Martins and Lopes, honoring John V. Nicastro, Shannon Nicastro, Olivia Nicastro and Roman Nicastro, in recognition of their tribute to the men and women of the New Bedford Police Department by providing them with flowers and thank you cards acknowledging their hard work and…
Adopted
Written Motion, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the City Council and the Mayor go on record in complete support of New Bedford Police Department and the men and women of the department who do a very dangerous job protecting the City and its Citizens each and every day; and further, that…
Adopted
Citation, Council President Gomes, honoring 2014 Game Changer Marques Houtman, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee, in recognition of his many years of success in the field of athletics and his continuing dedication to his community.
Adopted
Citation, Council President Gomes, honoring Jamie Dias, in recognition of his longtime commitment and dedication to the Cape Verdean Community with thanks and appreciation.
Adopted
Citation, Council President Gomes, Councillors Carney and Rebeiro, honoring Helena Almeida, Commander of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association, in recognition of her being the first woman selected as Commander of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Adopted
Citations, Council President Gomes, Councillors Carney and Rebeiro, honoring William Tilden, Toni M. Bailey, Dolores W. O’neale, Patrick S. O’neale, Ronald Rock, Raymond Rose and Kim Corazzini, in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the 2014 Santa Sightings 5K Fun Run Holiday event.
Adopted
Citation, Council President Gomes, Councillors Carney and Rebeiro, honoring Geoffrey Smith, in recognition of his commitment and dedication to the 2014 Santa Sightings 5K Fun Run Holiday event and his Holiday Spirit.
Adopted
Citations, Council President Gomes and Councillor Bousquet, honoring New Bedford Fire Department Ladder 1 Firefighters, Captain Brian Arruda, Carlos Costa, Travis Rebello and Eric Britto, in recognition of their heroic rooftop rescue of a man and his dog on December 29, 2014.
Adopted
Resolution Honoring the New Bedford Cultural Council for “Deck the Windows” Whereas, The New Bedford Cultural Council sponsored a new event in 2014, to bring art and holiday cheer to the Downtown area while creating a family-friendly atmosphere to brighten streets and attract additional shoppers…
Adopted
Hearing, on Nstar Electric Company for location of one (1) 4” Conduit in Gifford Street. Donna Rosa-Gonsalves, Right of Way Representative of Nstar Electric was present and in favor and answered questions. No One Opposed; Hearing closed.
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #0022).”
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded in Book of Locations order Records
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: MartinsAbsent: Coelho
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded in Book of Locations order Records – Yeas 9, Nays 1. (Councillor Martins Opposed.) (Matter #0023).”
Hearing, on Nstar Electric Company & Verizon New England, INC., for joint location of one (1) Pole in Gifford Street. Donna Rosa-Gonsalves, Right of Way Representative of Nstar Electric was present and in favor and answered questions. No One Opposed; Hearing closed.
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #0024).”
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded in Book of Locations order Records
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: MartinsAbsent: Coelho
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded in Book of Locations order Records – Yeas 9, Nays 1. (Councillor Martins Opposed.) (Matter #0025).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Sewer Abatement Request for Mcdonald’s, 141 Coggeshall Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, Account No. 032194A, in the amount of $2730.70. Abatement Granted – Yeas 8, Nays 2. (Councillors Rebeiro and Winterson Opposed.)
Abatement Granted
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, OliveiraNo: Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Coelho
From the minutes
“Abatement Granted – Yeas 8, Nays 2. (Councillors Rebeiro and Winterson OPPOSED.) (Matter #0026).”
Related Motion, Councillor Rebeiro requesting that the City Council send a letter to Mayor Mitchell and the Water Board asking how sewer abatements are addressed and is there any priority given to abatement requests , i.e. dates the sewer abatements are received by DPI: dollar amount of said…
Adopted
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Loan Order, appropriating $950,000.00 for Phase I of the Ashley Park/Sagamore Street Improvement Project. (Charter Ruled 12/18/2014.) Charter Ruled – December 18, 2014.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #2040).”
Loan Order, Charter Ruled – December 18, 2014.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #2041).”
Related Motion, Councillor Morad requesting that CFO Ari sky provide the Council, a monthly detailed listing of expenditures under the $4,970,000.00 CIP Bond; and further that no expenditures or encumbrance be authorized by the Administration for any of the $4,970,000.00 be appropriated to the…
Adopted
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Coelho, Oliveira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Councillor Oliveira not present for vote.) (Matter #0028).”
An Ordinance, amending Chapter 9 Relative to Family Day Care Facilities. (Passed to a Second Reading 12/18/2014. Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0.
Passed, to be Ordained
Yes: Alves, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, WintersonNo: BousquetAbsent: Coelho
From the minutes
“Passed, to be Ordained – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Bousquet OPPOSED.) (Matter #1812).”
Written Motion, Councillor Martins, requesting, Buddy Andrade, Derek Santos, and any other member of the Economic Development Council be invited to the next Special Committee on Employment Opportunities Meeting to discuss updates on the offshore wind industry and to discuss jobs in the City of New…
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillors Oliveira, Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Winterson, Martins, Morad, Council President Gomes, Coelho, Rebeiro and Carney, requesting, that Pat O’Connor, owner of the New Bedford Bay Sox be invited to a Committee on Appointments and Briefings meeting to inform the Council of the…
Adopted
Written Motion, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with all parties responsible for the New Year's Eve celebration in Downtown New Bedford, for the purpose of bringing back the First Night concept to Downtown New Bedford on New Year's Eve; and…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0031).”
Written Motion, Councillor Winterson, requesting, that a representative from Nstar Gas Company, Inc., contact this Councillor regarding the possibility of installing gas lines in Tanglewood Drive, so that the homeowners on that street may heat their homes with gas, as residents on nearby streets…
Referred to NSTAR Gas Company and Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to NSTAR Gas Company and Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0032).”
Written Motion, Councillors Lopes, Winterson, Martins, Rebeiro, Carney, Oliveira, requesting, that the New Bedford City Council go on the record in opposition to the proposed Nstar Gas Company 8.6% increase, which would go into effect in 2016. (To be Referred to the Massachusetts Department of…
Adopted. (Councillor Morad OPPOSED.)
From the minutes
“Adopted. (Councillor Morad OPPOSED.) (Matter #0033).”
Written Motion, Councillors Coelho and Lopes, requesting, that the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches address the Ashley Park Warming House and remove the graffiti which is on the back side of the building, and that the litter and debris also be removed from that location.
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillors Carney and Rebeiro, requesting, on behalf of Reverend Irma Thibodeaux and Parishioners of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 532 County Street, that two (2) handicap parking spaces be installed on Mill Street, adjacent to said Church; and further, enclosed is…
Referred to the Traffic Commission
From the minutes
“Referred to the Traffic Commission. (Matter #0035).”
Communication, Attorney Donald R. Perry, representing Irmandade do Espirito Santo das Nove Ilhas Dos Acores, Inc, to City Council, requesting a One Year Extension of a Special Permit granted on December 19, 2013, to locate a non-profit Organization at 199 Bonney Street, due to a closing that did…
One-Year Extension Granted
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Coelho
From the minutes
“One-Year Extension Granted – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Matter #0036).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting letter from Daniel P. Collins, Chief of Staff, Department of Public Utilities, responding to a letter concerning a Motion on the City Council Agenda of November 13, 2014, about the proposed increase by Nstar Electric…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0037).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the following individuals for confirmation by the City Council as New Bedford Police Officers: Kyle J. Cabral, Nathan Avelar, Jean M. Lopez, Sean A. Nichols, Eric A. Cardoso, Jordan Z. Dasilva and Bruce E. Szyndlar, Jr.
Removed from the Table and Appointments Approved
From the minutes
“Removed from the Table and Appointments Approved. (Matter #2055).”
Written Motion , Council President Lopes, requesting, on behalf of The Zeiterion Theatre, that the following street(s) be Closed: Spring Street, between Purchase Street and Acushnet Avenue, on Saturday, January 17, 2015, from 5:00 P.m. to Monday, January 19, 2015, at 3:00 A.m., for the purpose of…
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRIAN K. GOMES ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2015, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2015
From the minutes
“GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRIAN K. GOMES ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2015, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2015. (Matter #0038).”
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified. (Matter #0038).”
Communication/Email, Councillor Alves, submitting a copy of an email to Scott Downing, Executive Secretary, Traffic Commission, requesting removal of a Handicap Parking Sign from the corner of Hathaway Street and Acushnet Avenue, due to the party having moved to a new address.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0039).”
Communication, Councillor Morad, submitting email from Bonny Beauvais, Danvers, MA, dated December 26, 2014, regarding moving Emily and Ruth to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0040).”
Communication, Councillor Morad, submitting email from Elise Margulis, Livingston, Nj, dated December 26, 2014, regarding moving Emily and Ruth to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0041).”
Minutes, Historical Commission, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on November 03, 2014.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0042).”
Minutes, Bristol Coalition, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on December 16, 2014.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0043).”
Minutes, Board of Assessors, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on December 18, 2014.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0044).”
Application, South Shore Disposal, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 277 Pleasant Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 18, 2014, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0045).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 270 North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 19, 2014, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0046).”
Application, Cardoso Contracting, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 332 Ashley Boulevard , provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 02, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0047).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 81 Walden Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 05, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0048).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 35 Durfee Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 05, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0049).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, of 270 North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 19, 2014, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0050).”
Application, Cardoso Contracting, to Disturb the Surface, of 332 Ashley Boulevard, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 02, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0051).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 81 Walden Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 05, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0052).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 35 Durfee Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 05, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0053).”
Application, Nstar Gas Company, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 22, 2014, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 161 Portland Street
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0054).”
Applications, Nstar Gas Company, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 07, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Cedar Grove Street (North Front Street/Belleville Avenue) (#0055) 209-234 Coggeshall Street (#0056) Cotter Street…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Nstar Gas Company, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 08, 2015, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 28 Bourne Street (#0059) 32 Bourne Street (#0060) 170 Buchanan Street (#0061) 30 Calumet Street (#0062) Chancery…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Abc Disposal Service, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 29, 2014, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 520 Farm Street (#0064) 64 Holden Street (#0065) 289 Coffin Avenue (#0066) 188…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Written Motion, Council President Gomes, and Councillor Lopes, requesting, that the City Council go on record against any possible decision or consideration by the Administration or the Chief of the Fire Department to close Firehouse 11, located on Brock Avenue in the City’s South End; and further,…
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Coelho
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Matter #0070).”
Adopted
From the official minutes kept by the New Bedford City Clerk (agendas and minutes). The minutes are text documents; we read every action, check every roll-call count against the councilors named, and quote the exact wording. Most items pass by voice vote, and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown only for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: cropped from the City of New Bedford's official 2026 City Council photo (newbedford-ma.gov). The 2024–2025 group photo, and the photos of Maria E. Giesta and Linda M. Morad cropped from it: City of New Bedford, provided by the City Clerk.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →