MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
February 22, 2018
55 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Present: Ian Abreu, Naomi R. A. Carney, Debora Coelho, Hugh Dunn, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Scott J. Lima, William “Brad” Markey, Linda M. Morad, Dana L. Rebeiro
Absent: Joseph P. Lopes
Every vote, in order
Communication, Councillor Lopes, to members of the City Council informing that he will be absent for the City Council’s Celebration Meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2018, due to a prior commitment.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0187).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order, authorizing the award of a contract between the City and W/S Gold Management, for the operation and management of the New Bedford Whaling Municipal Golf Course, the term of the contract is ten years with two additional five-year…
Referred to the Committee on City Property
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on City Property. (Matter #0188).”
An Order
Referred to the Committee on City Property
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on City Property. (Matter #0189).”
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting an email from Earl Delacy regarding the Management Contract for the New Bedford Whaling City Golf Course.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0190).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, requesting to refer the disposition of the Phillips Avenue School to the Committee on City Property for their full consideration.
Referred to the Committee on City Property
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on City Property. (Matter #0191).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $20,000.00 from Airport, Salaries & Wages, to Airport, Charges & Services in the amount of Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $15,000.00 from Health, Salaries…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0194).”
Ordered, that the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) now standing to the credit of the account from Health, Salaries and Wages be and the same is hereby transferred and appropriated to as follows: Health, Charges and Services………………………………………………..$15,000 To be certified and approved by the…
Adopted
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $30,000.00 from Fire, Charges & Services to Fire, Supplies & Materials.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0196).”
Ordered, that the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) now standing to the credit of the account from Fire, Charges and Services be and the same is hereby transferred and appropriated to as follows: Fire, Supplies and Materials………………………………………………..$30,000 To be certified and approved by the…
Adopted
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting an email from Fire Chief Gomes regarding additional information on the two Transfers on the February 22, City Council Agenda.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0198).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $40,000.00 from Traffic, Salaries &Wages in the amount of $20,000.00 and Traffic, Charges & Services in the amount of $20,000.00 to Fire, Capital Outlay. Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council,…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0201).”
Ordered, that the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) now standing to the credit of the account from Department of Public Infrastructure, Salaries and Wages be and the same is hereby transferred and appropriated to as follows: Health, Charges and Services………………………………………………………..$20,000 To be…
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Markey, RebeiroNo: MoradAbsent: Lopes
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 1. (Council President Morad OPPOSED.) (Matter #0202).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $9,000.00 from City Council, Salaries & Wages, to City Council, Supplies & Materials in the amount of $8,000.00 and City Clerk, Supplies & Materials in the amount of $1,000.00.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0203).”
Ordered, that the sum of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) now standing to the credit of the account from City Council, Salaries and Wages be and the same is hereby transferred and appropriated to as follows: City Council, Supplies and Materials………………………………………..$8,000 City Clerk, Supplies and…
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Markey, Morad, RebeiroAbsent: Lopes
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Matter #0204).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Marcelino “Sonny” G. Almeida, New Bedford, MA, to the Licensing Board; this term will expire June 2022. Waive Rule 38, Reappointment Confirmed and Waive Rule 40 – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (#0205) Communication, Mayor Mitchell,…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0209).”
Application, Carlos Sousa, New Bedford, MA 02740, for Appointment as a Constable.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0210).”
Report, Committee on Appointments & Briefings, recommending to the City Council Approval of the Application, Daniel Freitas, d/b/a D.f.f. Realty Trust, for a Special Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales and Rentals, General Repairs and Light Service at 260 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Recommended by the Committee on Appointments & Briefings
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0211).”
Application, Daniel Freitas, d/b/a D.f.f. Realty Trust, for a Special Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales and Rentals, General Repairs and Light Service at 260 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Special Permit Granted
From the minutes
“Special Permit Granted. (Matter #0212).”
Report, Committee on Appointments & Briefings, recommending to the City Council to Grant the Partial Demolition – Roof only of 475 Purchase Street, (Map 41/LOT52) contingent on the ZBA and the Planning Board granting the Petitioner the relief being sought by each Board on the project.
Recommended by the Committee on Appointments & Briefings
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0213).”
Communication/Demolition, New Bedford Historical Commission, to City Council, re: Building Demolition Review: Partial Demolition – Roof Only of 475 Purchase Street, (Map 41/Lot 52), – the property owner is proposing the partial demolition of the roof for the purpose of raising the overall height of…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings - 10/26/2017
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings - 10/26/2017. (Matter #1801).”
Appointment made and confirmed
From the minutes
“Appointment made and confirmed. (Matter #1801).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of Two (2) Loan Orders, appropriating $4,100,344 for an accelerated repair project at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School and rescinding a $1,000,000.00 portion of the appropriation for accelerated repair projects at…
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0216).”
Loan Order, Appropriating $4,100,334 for an accelerated repair project at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – 01/11/2018; To be Passed to a Second Reading.)
Passed to a Second Reading
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading. (Matter #0017).”
Loan Order, Rescinding a $1,000,000.00 portion of the appropriation for accelerated repair projects at Carney Academy and the Hayden McFadden, Casmir Pulaski and Alfred J. Gomes Elementary Schools under the order approved on March 25, 2016. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – 01/11/2018; To be…
Passed to a Second Reading
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading. (Matter #0018).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of Three Orders for the Transfer from Free Cash, to OPEB Trust Fund in the amount of $150,000.00 to Police, Capital Outlay in the amount of $194,000.00; and the Stabilization Fund in the amount of $800,000.00.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0217).”
Ordered, that the sum of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) now standing to the credit of the account from Free Cash be and the same is hereby transferred and appropriated to as follows: OPEB Trust Fund……………………………………………………………………………$150,000.00 To be certified and approved by the…
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Markey, Morad, RebeiroAbsent: Lopes
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Matter #0087).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council to refer to the Committee on Licensing and Zoning for Cannabis a Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, requesting, that the Committee on Finance work with the Mitchell Administration on the adoption of the maximum 2% local sale tax option…
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0218).”
Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, requesting, that the Committee on Finance work with the Mitchell Administration on the adoption of the maximum 2% local sale tax option upon the sale or transfer of marijuana or marijuana products by a marijuana retailer operating within the City of New Bedford if…
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 #1727).”
Report, Committee on Budget Review, recommending to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on a Communication, Council President Morad, submitting an email from Antonio Brito, New Bedford, MA, regarding Superintendent Durkin’s request for an additional $11 million dollars in the upcoming…
Recommended by the Committee on Budget Review
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0219).”
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting an email from Antonio Brito, New Bedford, MA, regarding Superintendent Durkin’s request for an additional $11 million dollars in the upcoming School Budget. (To be Referred to the Special Committee on Budget Review; Copy all Councillors via email…
Adopted as Amended
Report, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending that the City Council send a letter to the owners of the Reed Estate asking that signage be posted that no Drone flying take place on the property; and further that Representative Antonio Cabral be sent a copy of the letter asking…
Recommended by the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0221).”
Report, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending that the City Council follow the recommended action on the Written Motion, Councillors Oliveira, Lopes, Gomes, Martins, Winterson, Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Rebeiro, requesting, that the city Administration conduct a feasibility…
Recommended by the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0222).”
Written Motion, Councillors Oliveira, Lopes, Council President Gomes, Councillors Martins, Winterson, Alves, Bousquet, Carney and Rebeiro, requesting, that the City Administration conduct a feasibility study to develop a second entrance and exit to the Pulaski School, this is the only elementary…
Adopted
Report, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending that the City Council follow the recommended action on the Written Motion, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the New Bedford Police Department, the Fire Department and Ems look into implementing the I Teeth Clamp, which is a…
Recommended by the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0224).”
Written Motion, Council President Gomes, requesting that Mayor Mitchell, Police Chief Provencher and City Solicitor McDermott, authorize the Police Department to enforce No Trespassing Notices across the City, this action will help to assist property/homeowners that have followed the legal process…
Adopted
Report, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending that the City Council follow the recommended action on the Written Motion, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that the Police Department provide the City Council with the number of repeat overdoses in a twenty-four hour period in New…
Recommended by the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0225).”
Written Motion, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that the Police Department provide the City Council with the number of repeat overdoses in a twenty-four hour period in New Bedford, and that we look into possibly drafting an Ordinance addressing the matter; and further; that we ask our State…
Adopted
Report, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending that the City Council follow the recommended action on the Related Motion, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that Police Chief Cordeiro institute foot patrols during the next several months in those neighborhoods known for higher crime.
Recommended by the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0227).”
Related Motion, Councillor Coelho, requesting that Police Chief Cordeiro institute foot patrols during the next several months in those neighborhoods known for higher crime. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – 06/08/2017.) Rule 42 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. Referred to…
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting that Mayor Mitchell and School Superintendent Durkin put together the cost of installing security in all schools throughout the City, which includes panic buttons, cameras, and evacuation plan; and further, consider hiring armed guards possibly using…
Livery License Renewal Granted
From the minutes
“Livery License Renewal Granted. (Matter #0230).”
Communication, Councillor Lopes, submitting a Petition signed by Residents of Portland Street, requesting that SRTA Bus Company stop using Portland Street as a bus route. (To be Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods.)
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0232).”
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting a letter to John Remedis, New Bedford Rotary Club, thanking them for the invitation to attend their weekly luncheon meeting at the Wamsutta Club.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0233).”
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals Chairperson Debra Trahan, stating her support for Petition #4217, pertaining to an additional one year extension for the proposed expansion planned by the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0234).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to the City Council, notifying that the Office of the City Clerk has received Meeting Minutes from the Historical Commission for a meeting held on December 04, 2017; Council on Aging Board of Directors for a meeting held on September 14, 2017;…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0235).”
Application, Precision Valley Communications of Vermont, LLC, for permission to maintain a Street Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 10 Nashua Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 15, 2018, subject to ratification by the…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0238).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at Holden Street P 118/L 223, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 16, 2018, 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 #0239).”
Application, W.c. Smith & Son, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 646 Rockdale Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 20, 2018, 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 #0240).”
Application, Precision Valley Communications of Vermont, to Disturb the Surface, of 33 Alford Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 14, 2018, 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 #0241).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 30 Cox Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 15, 2018, 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 #0242).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating, to Disturb the Surface, of 10 Nashua Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 15, 2018, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council. Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. Presented to the Mayor for approval February 26,…
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 February 14, 2018, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 60 Cove Street (#0250) Intersection of Cove Street and Salisbury Street (#0251)
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 February 16, 2018, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 450 Bolton Street (#0252) 151 Worcester Street (#0253) 367 – 369 West Clinton Street (#0254) 603 Church Street…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0272).”
Application, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 22, 2018, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Potter Street, West of Turner Street
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #0273).”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one (1) 4" Conduit in Arch Street, North of Arnold Street.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 08, 2018
From the minutes
“RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 08, 2018..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of two (2) 4" Conduits and one (1) 45”x45”x36” Handhole in Acushnet Avenue, North of Homestead Street.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 08, 2018
From the minutes
“RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 08, 2018..”
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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