MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2016–2017 Council · Regular meeting · 7:05 p.m.
February 25, 2016
50 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Present: Ian Abreu, Henry G. Bousquet, Naomi R. A. Carney, Debora Coelho, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Steven Martins, Linda M. Morad, James D. Oliveira, Dana L. Rebeiro, Kerry M. Winterson
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Loan Order appropriating $18,128,896.00 for accelerated repair projects at Carney Academy, Hayden McFadden Elementary School, Casimir Pulaski Elementary School and Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School; and further, amending the Order passed…
Referred to the Committee on Finance – FAILED
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Morad, RebeiroNo: Bousquet, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – FAILED Yeas 5, Nays 6. (Councillors Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Morad, and Rebeiro IN FAVOR.) (Matter #0296).”
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0296).”
Loan Order,
Referred to the Committee on finance – FAILED
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Morad, RebeiroNo: Bousquet, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on finance – FAILED – Yeas 5, nays 6, (Councillors Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Morad and Rebeiro IN FAVOR.) (Matter #0297).”
Passed to a Second Reading
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading. (Matter #0297).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a One-year Waiver of Residency for William Shurtleff, Dartmouth, MA, as a Carpenter with the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management. Referred to the Committee on appointments and Briefings Failed – Yeas 2, Nays 9. (Councillor Carney…
One-year Waiver Granted and Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, WintersonNo: Rebeiro
From the minutes
“One-year Waiver Granted and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Rebeiro OPPOSED.) (Matter #0299).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Herbert B. Johnson, New Bedford, MA 02745, to the Human Relations Commission, replacing Janice Baptist; this term will expire April 2019.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0300).”
An Ordinance, amending Chapter 2, Article Xxiv – Community Preservation Committee. Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays Passed to a Second Reading – January 28, 2016.
Passed, to be Ordained, as Amended
From the minutes
“Passed, to be Ordained, as Amended. (Matter #0210).”
An Ordinance, rezoning Plot 91/Lot 45 from Residence “C” to Mixed-use Business, located at 170 Reynolds Street. Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, nays 0 Passed to a Second Reading – January 28, 2016.
Passed, to be Ordained – Years 11, Nays 0
From the minutes
“Passed, to be Ordained – Years 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0208).”
Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, requesting that the City of New Bedford draft a Home Rule Petition that would expand on the existing State Nuisance Law, to provide local landlords with the authority to evict tenants involved in crimes related to the use or illegal possession of guns. (To be…
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillors Gomes, Winterson, Lopes, Martins, Rebeiro, Coelho, Carney, Oliveira, Abreu and Bousquet, requesting, Again, that the New Bedford City Council go on record in support of Ati (Allegheny Technologies, Inc.) steelworkers of New Bedford and send a letter to the Ati…
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillors Carney, Abreu, Lopes, Martins, Gomes, Winterson, Coelho, Bousquet, Rebeiro and Oliveira, requesting that the City Council send a letter to Governor Baker, along with our State and Federal Delegations in opposition of our boat owners paying $700.00 a day for the at-sea…
Rule 17 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Rule 17 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0303).”
Adopted
Report, Committee on Ordinances, recommending that the City Council requests the Board of Health to use their regulatory authority and enact a regulation banning the sale of synthetic drugs in the City of New Bedford, and that they use the current Wareham and Lowell Ordinances for guidelines; and…
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0304).”
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0304).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), appropriating $5,509,000.00 for the purpose of making critically-needed repairs to City-owned building including, but not limited to, projects for the repair and renovations of public safety…
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0305).”
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0305).”
Loan Order,
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0218).”
Passed to a Second Reading
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading. (Matter #0218).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Approval of the Loan Order, in the amount of $520,000.00 to pay the costs of improving Hazelwood Park for recreational purposes including new pedestrian entrances and walkways, enhanced lighting, benches, table and other amenities and…
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0306).”
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0306).”
Loan Order,
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0015).”
Passed to a Second Reading
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading. (Matter #0015).”
Written Motion, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, on behalf of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, that the following street(s) be Closed: Purchase Street, from School Street to Union Street, (In Front of the Zeiterion Theatre), on: Friday, May 06, 2016, at 6:00 A.m. to: Sunday, May 08, 2016, 12:00…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, on behalf of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center’s Viva Portugal Event, that the following street(s) be included: Spring Street, from Pleasant Street to Acushnet Avenue on: Friday, May 06, 2016, at 6:00 A.m. to: Sunday, May 08, 2016, 12:00 (Noon).…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Winterson, requesting, that the following street(s) be Closed: Oneida Street, from Lake Street to Fuller Memorial Parkway; Lake Street, from Oneida Street to Buttonwood Street; Buttonwood Street, from Lake Street to Fuller Memorial Parkway; Fuller Memorial Parkway, from…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillors Bousquet, Lopes, Abreu, Council President Morad, Councillors Oliveira and Winterson, requesting, that the Administration work with the Health Department to develop a hoarding task force, an interagency response team to identify, recover, and get help for people who…
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0310).”
Written Motion, Councillors Coelho, Lopes, Carney, Winterson, Abreu and Martins, requesting that Acting Police Chief Lizotte provide the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods with the data of overdoses in the City of New Bedford for the past six (6) months. (To be Referred to the Committee…
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0311).”
Written Motion, Councillors Martins, Oliveira and Bousquet, requesting, that Hands Across the River Coalition, Inc., and South Coast Neighbors United Organization be invited to attend a Committee on Appointments and Briefings meeting to discuss their opposition to the Access Northeast Lng expansion…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0312).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of Henry N. Lee, 23 Sycamore Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 d/b/a Lee Transportation Corp., P.o. Box 5622, New Bedford, MA 02742 hereby submit a copy of the Application requesting a New Private Livery License, under the…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0313).”
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting an email from Milton Rocha regarding the rolling closures of the fire stations in New Bedford. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0314).”
Communication, Councillor Martins, submitting an article from the Worcester Telegram, dated February 14, 2016, entitled “Worcester argues for significantly reduced bill for panhandler Ordinance legal costs.” (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.)
Referred to the Committee on Ordinance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinance. (Matter #0315).”
Citation, Councillor Lopes, honoring Jill Horton-simms, New Bedford Local Cultural Council, in recognition of her Leadership Circle Award for excellence in individual contributions to community arts and culture – 2016.
Removed from the Table and Referred to the Special City Council Meeting on March 03, 2016
From the minutes
“Removed from the Table and Referred to the Special City Council Meeting on March 03, 2016. (Matter #0214).”
Annual Report, Tax Increment Financing Board (TIF) submitting the 2015 TIF Board Annual Report. (Copy all Councillors via email 02/22/2016.)
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0316).”
Minutes, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on December 8, 2015.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0317).”
Minutes, Board of Assessors, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on February 4, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0318).”
Minutes, New Bedford Council on Aging Advisory Board, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on January 14, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0319).”
Minutes, Board of Assessors, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on February 12, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0320).”
Minutes, Zoning Board of Appeals, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on January 21, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0321).”
Application, Sherry Construction Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at Corner of Elm and Bethel Streets (25 Elm Street), provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 12, 2016, 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 #0322).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 45 Timberlane Road, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 16, 2016, 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 #0323).”
Application, Precision Valley Communications, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 46 Foster Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 16, 2016, 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 #0324).”
Application, Frank Corp. Environmental Services, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at Corner of Ash Street and Maple Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 25, 2016, 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 #0325).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, Inc. for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 226 Court Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 25, 2016, 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 #0326).”
Application, Sherry Construction Corp., to Disturb the Surface, of Corner of Elm and Bethel Streets (25 Elm Street), provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 12, 2016, 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 #0327).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, to Disturb the Surface, of 45 Timberlane Road, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 16, 2016, 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 #0328).”
Application, Precision Valley Communications, to Disturb the Surface, of 46 Foster Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 16, 2016, 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 #0329).”
Application, Frank Corp. Environmental Services, to Disturb the Surface, of Corner of Ash Street and Maple Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 25, 2016, 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 #0330).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, Inc. to Disturb the Surface, of 226 Court Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 25, 2016, 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 #0331).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 25, 2016, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Adelaide Street (#0332) 293 – 317 Raymond Street (#0333)
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 February 17, 2016, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 187 Chancery Street (#0334) 22 Merrill Street (#0335) 239 Plymouth Street (#0336) 170…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
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.
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