MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2016–2017 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
January 26, 2017
58 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
Resolution Honoring Ward Three Councillor Henry G. Bousquet on the Occasion of His Retirement from the New Bedford City Council Whereas, Henry G. Bousquet was born and raised in the City of New Bedford, graduating from St. Anthony’s Elementary School and Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational…
Adopted
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointments of Samuel Algarin-mojica and Jeremy A. Dellecese as New Bedford Police Officers.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0132).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Mary Sullivan, New Bedford, MA, to the Council on Aging; this term will expire December 2019.
Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #0133).”
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Lopes
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Council President Lopes not present for vote.) (Matter #0133).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Joan Swain, New Bedford, MA, to the Council on Aging; this term will expire December 2019.
Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #0134).”
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Lopes
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Council President Lopes not present for vote.) (Matter #0134).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Esperanza Alejandro-berube, New Bedford, MA, to the Council on Aging; this term will expire December 2019.
Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #0135).”
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Lopes
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Council President Lopes not present for vote. (Matter #0135).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Loan Order appropriating $4,483,000.00 for the purpose of making critically-needed repairs to City-owned building including, but not limited to, projects for repairs and renovations of public safety facilities, recreational facilities,…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance - Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0136).”
Loan Order,
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0137).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting Orders for the Transfer from Free Cash to OPEB Trust Fund in the amount of $270,000.00; School Department, Other Financing Uses in the amount $900,000.00; Police Department, Capital Outlay in the amount of $200,000.00; Public…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0138).”
An Order, Free Cash to OPEB Trust Fund.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0139).”
An Order, Free Cash to School Department, Other Financing Uses.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0140).”
An Order, Free Cash to Police Department, Capital Outlay; Public Infrastructure, Capital Outlay and Tourism, Charges & Services.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0141).”
An Order, Free Cash to Stabilization Fund.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0142).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $5,000.00 from Health, Capital Outlay, to Health, Supplies & Materials.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0143).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a One Year Waiver of Residency for Stephanie (Harrington) Sloan, Grants Administrator in the Health Department, who resides in Fall River, MA.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0146).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Sewer Abatement for Antone A. Fortes, 789 County Street, New Bedford, MA; Account Number 1019132 in the amount of $323.70. Abatement Granted.
Abatement Granted
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Paul Gordon, Acushnet, MA, as a Special Police Officer.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File (Matter #0148).”
Application, Paul Gordon, Acushnet, MA 02743, for Appointment as a Special Police Officer.
Appointment made and Confirmed
From the minutes
“Appointment made and Confirmed. (Matter #0149).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of William T. Cambra, Sr., North Dartmouth, MA, as a Special Police Officer.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0150).”
Application, William T. Cambra Sr., North Dartmoutht, MA 02747, for Appointment as a Special Police Officer.
Appointment made and confirmed
From the minutes
“Appointment made and confirmed. (Matter #0151).”
An Ordinance, amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7 Personnel, Establishment of Unit C Salary Plan.
Passed to a Second Reading
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Oliveira, WintersonNo: MoradAbsent: Rebeiro
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading – Yeas 9, Nays 1. December 08, 2016. (Council President Morad OPPOSED; Councillor Rebeiro not present for vote.) (Matter #2209).”
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – FAILS
Yes: Martins, MoradNo: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – FAILS – Yeas 2, Nays 9. (Councillors Morad and Martins IN FAVOR.) (Matter #2209).”
Referred to the Committee on Finance – All Ayes
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – All Ayes. (Matter #2209).”
Written Motion, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances amend Chapter 2, Section 2-56 of the City Code, relative to Committees, that the Special Committee on Budget Review be a Standing Committee of the City Council. (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.)
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #0152).”
Written Motion, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Special Committees on Soccer Fields, Charter Revision and Gaming/Casino be dissolved; and further requesting that the Special Committee on Employment Opportunities be dissolved and the duties and responsibilities be given to the Committee…
Referred to the Clerk of Committees Office
From the minutes
“Referred to the Clerk of Committees Office. (Matter #0153).”
Written Motion, Councillors Abreu, Gomes, Winterson, Council President Lopes and Councillor Bousquet, requesting that Jim Borghesani, Communications Director for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol, come before the Special Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis to discuss the…
Referred to the Special Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis. (Matter #0154).”
Written Motion, Councillor Abreu, Gomes, Winterson, Council President Lopes, Councillors Martins and Bousquet, requesting, that Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro and Health Director Dr. Brenda Weis, come before the Special Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis to discuss the November 2016…
Referred to the Special Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis. (Matter #0155).”
Communication, City Clerk, requesting that the City Council Order the Election Commission to hold a Preliminary Election on Tuesday March 28, 2017 and a Special Election on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, to fill the vacancy for the City Councillor of Ward Three.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0156).”
City Council Order, Ordered, that Tuesday, March 28, 2017, be approved as the date for the Election Commission to hold a Preliminary Election and Tuesday, April 25, 2017, be approved as the date for the Election Commission to hold a Special Election, in the City of New Bedford, to fill the vacancy…
Adopted
Communication, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, to Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, Charitable Gaming Division, submitting their 2016 Beano Report. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0158).”
Citation, Council President Lopes, Councillors Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro and Winterson, honoring Robert Brunelle, Owner of Main Street Formals, in recognition of his continued generosity and commitment to the City of New Bedford and the donation of…
Adopted, to be presented at a later date
From the minutes
“Adopted, to be presented at a later date. (Matter #0159).”
Written Motion, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, on behalf of Geoffrey Smith, The Sightings, LLC, that the following street(s) be Closed: Union Street and Macarthur Drive, proceeding along MacArthur Drive to Conway Street/right onto Hassey Street/right at Wright Street/left back to MacArthur…
Permission Granted
Communication, Daniel Mccarthy, Race Coordinator - New Bedford Half- Marathon/Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, to City Council/City Clerk, Requesting the Closing/Obstruction of: William Street, at Sixth Street, Middle Street, at Sixth Street, Market Street, at Sixth Street, Pleasant Street, at Union…
Permission Granted
Minutes, Planning Board submitting Minutes of a meeting held on December 14, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0162).”
Minutes, Board of Assessors submitting Minutes of a meeting held on January 3, 2017.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File (Matter #0163).”
Minutes, Board of Assessors, submitting Minutes of a meeting held on January 12, 2017.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0164).”
Minutes, Licensing Board, submitting Minutes of meetings held on October 24, November 21 and December 19, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0165).”
Minutes, Zoning Board of Appeals, submitting Minutes of meetings held on November 17, December 6, and December 15, 2016.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0166).”
Application, Precision Valley Communications, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 266 Herman Melville Boulevard, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 25, 2017, 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 #0167).”
Application, Precision Valley Communications, to Disturb the Surface, of 266 Herman Melville Boulevard, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 25, 2017, 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 #0168).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 13, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 177 Cove Street (#0169) 1765 & 1765R Acushnet Avenue (#0170) 886 May Street (#0171) 118 Washington Street (#0172) 147…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 17, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Moreland Terrace (from #47 Moreland Terrace to Ash Street (#0175) Meriam Street (from Moreland Terrace to Bedford…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 18, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 89 Merrimac Street (#0180) 31 Nash Road (#0181) 61 Palmer Street (#0182) 194 Summer Street (#0183) 165 – 167 Hatch…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 20, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 159 – 161 Clara Street
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0187).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 24, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 118 Washington Street (#0188) 278 - 280 Bates Street (#0189)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 25, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Waverly Street (#0190)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 24, 2017, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Brownell Street, South of Union Street
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0191).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Approval of the STA application and Resolution as Amended, and approved by the Tax Increment Financing Board for a five (5) year STA Agreement for Quality Custom Packing, Inc., 25 Wright Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Gomes
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Gomes not present for vote.) (Matter #0192).”
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0192).”
Resolution Approving Certified Project Application and Special Tax Assessment Agreement with Quality Custom Packing Inc., and Dsms LLC. Whereas, Quality Custom Packing Inc., and Dsms LLC have applied for designation as a certified Project under the Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive…
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Gomes
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Gomes not present for vote.) (Matter #0041).”
Adopted as Amended – All Ayes
From the minutes
“Adopted as Amended – All Ayes (Matter #0041).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommend to the City Council Approval of the STA application and Resolution approved by the Tax Increment Financing Board for a five (5) year STA Agreement for Freedom Restoration and Cleaning, 1440 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Rule 42 Waived
The minutes record 10 yes votes with 11 members present and do not say who did not vote, so individual votes are not shown. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm.
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 10, nays 0.(Gomes not Present for vote.) (Matter #0193).”
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0193).”
Resolution approving Certified Project Application and Special Tax Assessment Agreement with Freedom Restoration, LLC, and 1440 Purchase Street Realty Trust Whereas, Freedom Restoration, LLC, and 1440 Purchase Street Realty Trust have applied for designation as a Certified Project under the…
Rule 42 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonAbsent: Gomes
From the minutes
“Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Gomes not present for vote.) (Matter #0043).”
Adopted – All Ayes
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy, for location of two (2) 4" Conduits and one (1) 45" x 45" x 36" Handhole in Cottage Street, North of Hawthorn Street.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR FEBRUARY 09, 2017
From the minutes
“RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR FEBRUARY 09, 2017..”
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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