MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Meeting night
December 9, 2020
2 meetings this evening, 45 recorded votes in all, in the order they were held.
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Start my ballot →7:03p.m. · New Bedford City Council · Regular meeting
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Derek Baptiste, Naomi R. A. Carney, Debora Coelho, Hugh Dunn, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Scott J. Lima, Joseph P. Lopes, William “Brad” Markey, Linda M. Morad
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Baptiste arrived late ()
40 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Communication, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the Substantial Amendment to the FY 2015- 2019 Office of Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan and FY 2019 Action Plan, which sets forth activities to be funded through the Cdbg-cv and Esg-cv for the current Fiscal Year.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File (Matter #1626).”
City of New Bedford in City Council Decmber 9, 2020 Resolution of the New Bedford City Council Authorizing the Mayor to Apply for Federal Financial Assistance Fromthe United States of America Whereas, The United States Congress has made funding available to the City of New Bedford, through the U.s.…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1628).”
Ordered, that the City of New Bedford is hereby authorized to enter into an eight (8) year lease with All American Investment Group LLC for the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. Submitted for the City Council approval in accordance with M.g.l c.30B, Section 12 (b) for contracts in…
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradAbsent: Baptiste
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Baptiste not present for vote.) (Matter #1629).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of Celeste Paleologos, New Bedford, MA to the Zoning Board of Appeals; this term will expire December 2025.
Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradAbsent: Baptiste
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Baptiste not present for vote.) (Matter #1630).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Veto of the Ordinance, Relative to the Residency of City Personnel; the proposed Ordinance would define Residency requirements for employees of the City of New Bedford.
Received and Placed on File
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradAbsent: Baptiste
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Baptiste not present for vote.) (Matter #1631).”
An Ordinance, Passed to a Second Reading, Yeas 10- Nays 1. (Councillor Coelho Opposed.) – November 12, 2020. Veto Received and Ordered Spread on the Records – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Baptiste not present for vote.)
VETO Received and Ordered Spread on the Records
Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradAbsent: Baptiste
From the minutes
“VETO Received and Ordered Spread on the Records – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Councillor Baptiste not present for vote.) (Matter #1304).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of the Order, for the Transfer of $1,686,699.00 from Water Free Cash, to the Fiscal Year 2021 Water Enterprise Fund Budget, and that the portion raised by Water Receipts is hereby reduced by the same amount.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1632).”
Ordered, that to balance the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 the sum of One Million, Six Hundred Eighty-six Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-nine Dollars ($1,686,699) now standing to the credit of the account from Water Free Cash be and is hereby assigned to…
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1586).”
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1586).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of the Order, as Amended, for the Transfer of $3,503,036.00 from Free Cash to Fiscal Year 2021 General Fund Budget, and that the portion raised by Ordinary Revenue and Municipal Receipts is reduced by the same amount.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1633).”
Ordered, that to balance the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 the sum of Three Million, Eight Five Hundred Ninety Three Thousand and Thirty Six Dollars ($3,893,036) ($3,503,036) now standing to the credit of the account from Free Cash be and is hereby…
Adopted as Amended
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Adopted as Amended - Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1584).”
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1584).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $489,174.00 from Downtown Free Cash, to the Fiscal Year 2021 Downtown Enterprise Fund Budget, and that the portion raised by Enterprise Fund Receipts is hereby reduced by the same amount.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1634).”
Ordered, that to balance the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 the sum of Four Hundred Eighty-nine Thousand One Hundred Seventy Four Dollars ($489,174) now standing to the credit of the account from Downtown Free Cash be and is hereby assigned to the Fiscal…
Adopted December 11, 2020
From the minutes
“Adopted December 11, 2020. (Matter #1590).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $1,300,000.00 from the Special Projects Fund, to the Fiscal Year 2021 Wastewater Enterprise Fund Budget, and that the portion raised by Wastewater Receipts is hereby reduced by the same amount.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1635).”
Ordered, that to balance the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 the sum of One Million, Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,300,000) now standing to the credit of the account, from Special Projects Fund be and is hereby assigned to the Fiscal Year 2021…
Passed to be Ordained
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, MarkeyNo: Giesta, Morad
From the minutes
“Passed to be Ordained – Yeas 9, Nays 2. (Councillors Giesta and Morad OPPOSED. (Matter #1462).”
Written Motion, Councillors Morad, Abreu, Giesta, Council President Lopes, Councillors Carney, Lima and Markey, requesting that Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky appear before the Committee on Finance to discuss the Administration’s intentions concerning another Tax Title sale for properties…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1636).”
Written Motion, Councillors Abreu, Giesta and Council President Lopes, requesting, that the New Bedford City Council and the Administration draft an Ordinance regarding the at-home delivery cannabis service recently approved and adopted by the State's Cannabis Control Commission (Ccc) on November…
Referred to the Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1637).”
Communication, Councillor Abreu, submitting the Cannabis Control Commission Final Regulations on at- home delivery cannabis service. (To be Referred to the Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review.)
Referred to the Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1638).”
Communication, Derek Santos, Executive Director, New Bedford Economic Development Council, to Council President Lopes and Members of the City Council, submitting two proposed STA applications approved by the Tax Increment Financing Board for a five (5) year Agreement for The Atlantic Red Crab…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1639).”
Resolution, approving Certified Project Application and Special Tax Assessment Agreement with Atlantic Red Crab Company LLC.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1640).”
Resolution, approving Certified Project Application and Special Tax Assessment Agreement with Eastern Fisheries, Inc. Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (#1641) Tax Increment Exemption/Housing Development Incentive Program, National Downtown Club 2135 & 319 Commercial Street…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1642).”
Communication, John W. Parsons, Esq., Executive Director, Commonwealth of Massachusetts/Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, submitting copy of a memorandum sent to the New Bedford Retirement Board regarding the amount to be appropriated for the City of New Bedford’s retirement…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1643).”
Written Motion, Council President Lopes, requesting, on behalf of Anne Louro, Preservation Planner, that the following street(s) be Closed: Purchase Street, from Union Street to Spring Street, on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 8:00 A.m. to 8:00 P.m., for the purpose of a Cvpa and Aha! event in…
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2020 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOSEPH P. LOPES, ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2020
From the minutes
“GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2020 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOSEPH P. LOPES, ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2020. (Matter #1644).”
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified. (Matter #1644).”
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 Gnb Regional Refuse Management District for a meeting held on September 23, 2020; and the Zoning Board of Appeals for a meeting held on…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1645).”
Application, Abf Freight System, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 134 Pleasant Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 25, 2020, 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 #1646).”
Application, Coastal Excavation Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 62 North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 23, 2020, 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 #1647).”
Application, Morgado Company, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 78 Ridgewood Road provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 25, 2020, 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 #1648).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 53 Oak Street provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 2, 2020, 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 #1649).”
Application, Rj Canessa Excavating, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 926 Elliot Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on December 4, 2020, 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 #1650).”
Application, Coastal Excavation, Corp., to Disturb the Surface, of 128 Davis Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on February 14, 2020, 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 #1651).”
Application, Morgado Company, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, of 78 Ridgewood Road, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 25, 2020, 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 #1652).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 53 Oak Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 25, 2020, 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 #1653).”
Application, Rj Canessa Excavating, to Disturb the Surface, of 926 Elliot Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 25, 2020, 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 #1654).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 20, 2020, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Hathaway Road, working from Nausett Street to North property line of 480 Mt. Pleasant Street (#1655) Lot 529 Acushnet…
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 November 25, 2020, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 155 North Street (#1657) Lot 444 Acushnet Avenue, Homstead Street – Ludlow Street (#1658) Lot 449 Armsby Street,…
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 November 30, 2020, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 195 Crapo Street (#1661) 104-108 County Street, corner property working on Delano Street side (#1662) 143 Ricketson…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Jaw Waste Services, LLC, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on November 20, 2020, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 78 Thomas Street
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1664).”
Applications, Abc Disposal Service, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on July 03, 2020, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 196 Campbell Street (#1665) 101 Nautilus Street (#1666) 41 Bedford Street (#1667) 715…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
7:54 p.m. · New Bedford City Council · Special meeting
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Derek Baptiste, Naomi R. A. Carney, Debora Coelho, Hugh Dunn, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Scott J. Lima, Joseph P. Lopes, William “Brad” Markey, Linda M. Morad
Absent: None
5 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Communication, Council President Lopes, to City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, calling a Special Meeting of the City Council for Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 7:30 P.m., via Zoom to Hold A Hearing on Tax Classification for Fiscal Year 2021.
Received and Placed on File
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1669).”
Legal Ad, Published, Wednesday, November 25, 2020, in the New Bedford Standard- Times, Giving Notice of Tax Classification Hearing for Fiscal Year 2021, at 7:30 P.m. Via Zoom.
Received and Placed on File
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1670).”
Communication, Board of Assessors, submitting Informational Packet to assist Councillors in selection of Minimum Residential Factor for Fiscal Year 2021, dated December 8, 2020.
Received and Placed on File
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1671).”
Ordered, That the Minimum Residential Factor of 0.8235 for Local Assessment Be and the Same Is Hereby Adopted for Fiscal Year 2021. (Shift of 1.73%.)
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradNo: Gomes
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Gomes OPPOSED.) (Matter #1672).”
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1672).”
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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