MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Meeting night
November 17, 2022
2 meetings this evening, 18 recorded votes in all, in the order they were held.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →6:04 p.m. · Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review (2022–2023)
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreements Review (2022–2023): committee votes are recommendations to the full council, which takes the final vote. About this committee
Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Brian K. Gomes, Scott J. Lima, William “Brad” Markey, Linda M. Morad, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Derek Baptiste, Hugh Dunn, Maria E. Giesta
During the meeting:
- Carney arrived late (6:46)
- Lima arrived late (6:56)
7 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
New Bedford, Massachusetts Meeting: Special Committee on Cannabis Regulation & Host Community Agreements Review Date: November 17, 2022 Time: 6:04 P.m. Place: City Council Chamber, Room 214, Municipal Building Present: Councillors Ryan Pereira, Vice Chairman; Ian Abreu; Shane Burgo; Naomi Carney…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Host Community Agreement, between the City of New Bedford and Elevation Retail LLC to operate a recreational adult only marijuana facility on Phillips Road.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT, between the City of New Bedford and Elevation Retail LLC to operate a recreational adult only marijuana facility on Phillips Road..” (Motion: Abreu, second: Burgo)
That a letter be sent to the Administration asking why the Host Agreements were signed by the Mayor prior to the review and approval of the City Council.
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: That a letter be sent to the Administration asking why the Host Agreements were signed by the Mayor prior to the review and approval of the City Council..”
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Host Community Agreement with Ember Gardens Nbr, LLC and Ember Gardens, Nbp, LLC of 1 Nauset Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, to operate a recreational adult use marijuana facility at its proposed facility on 1 Nauset Street, in New Bedford.
Yes: Abreu, Burgo, Markey, PereiraNo: Gomes, MoradAbsent: Baptiste, Dunn, Giesta
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT with Ember Gardens NBR, LLC and Ember Gardens, NBP, LLC of 1 Nauset Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, to operate a recreational adult use marijuana facility at its proposed facility on 1 Nauset Street, in New Bedford..” (Motion: Burgo, second: Abreu)
To table this matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To table this matter at this time..” (Motion: Morad, second: Gomes)
To receive and place on file the letter received from the law firm of Koldys & Kelleher, P.c., as it related to the petition being discussed.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file the letter received from the law firm of Koldys & Kelleher, P.C., as it related to the petition being discussed..” (Motion: Morad, second: Burgo)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the First Amended Host Community Agreement, between the City of New Bedford and Metro Harvest, Inc., to operate a recreational adult use marijuana facility at 507-513 Church Street.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the FIRST AMENDED HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT, between the City of New Bedford and Metro Harvest, Inc., to operate a recreational adult use marijuana facility at 507-513 Church Street..” (Motion: Gomes, second: Burgo)
To follow the Chair’s recommendation to waive the reading and report out to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on items four (4) through seventeen (a) 17a.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Lima, the Committee VOTED: To follow the Chair’s recommendation to waive the reading and report out to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on items four (4) through seventeen (a) 17a..” (Motion: Burgo, second: Lima)
7:36 p.m. · Committee on Finance
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Committee on Finance: committee votes are recommendations to the full council, which takes the final vote. About this committee
Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Hugh Dunn, Brian K. Gomes, Scott J. Lima, William “Brad” Markey, Linda M. Morad, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Maria E. Giesta
During the meeting:
- Baptiste arrived late (7:47)
11 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
New Bedford, Massachusetts Meeting: Committee on Finance Date: November 17, 2022 Time: 7:36 P.m. Place: City Council Chamber, Room 214,~ Municipal Building Present: Councillors William Brad Markey, Chairman; Scott Lima, Vice Chairman; Ian Abreu; Derek Baptiste (7:47); Shane Burgo; Naomi Carney;…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000), to authorize the borrowing of funds to pay costs of a schematic design/feasibility study for an accelerated repair project at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School, 212 Nemasket Street.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Lima, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the LOAN ORDER in the amount of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000), to authorize the borrowing of funds to pay costs of a schematic design/feasibility study for an accelerated repair project at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School, 212 Nemasket Street..” (Motion: Morad, second: Lima)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000), to authorize the borrowing of funds to pay costs of a schematic design/feasibility study for an accelerated repair project at the Ellen R. Hathaway Elementary School, 256 Court Street.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Lima, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the LOAN ORDER in the amount of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000), to authorize the borrowing of funds to pay costs of a schematic design/feasibility study for an accelerated repair project at the Ellen R. Hathaway Elementary School, 256 Court Street..” (Motion: Morad, second: Lima)
_ To receive and place on file the Conservas/Island Creek Oysters proposal.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Lima, the Committee VOTED: _ To receive and place on file the Conservas/Island Creek Oysters proposal..” (Motion: Morad, second: Lima)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the STA Agreement and Resolution approved by the Tax Increment Financing Board for a five (5) year Agreement for Island Creek Oysters INC. and Harborview LLC.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council Approval of the STA Agreement and Resolution approved by the Tax Increment Financing Board for a five (5) year Agreement for ISLAND CREEK OYSTERS INC. AND HARBORVIEW LLC..” (Motion: Morad, second: Carney)
To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the Related Motion, Councillor Morad, requesting, that New Bedford Economic Development Council Executive Director Derek Santos provide to the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance the draft minutes from the June 1, 2022 Tax Increment Financing Board meeting detailing the Board’s discussion regarding the proposed Special Tax Assessm
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the RELATED MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting, that New Bedford Economic Development Council Executive Director Derek Santos provide to the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance the draft minutes from the June 1, 2022 Tax Increment Financing Board meeting detailing the Board’s discussion regarding the proposed Special Tax Assessment (STA) agreement.for Island Creek Oyster Company; and further, that said draft minutes be submitted 5 business days prior to the Committee on Finance meeting where the discussion of said STA is to be conducted..” (Motion: Morad, second: Burgo)
To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the Related Motion, Councillor Morad, requesting, that New Bedford Economic Development Council Executive Director Derek Santos provide to the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance the recently revised and adopted language of the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Program Policy and Guidelines which were to include the new Massachusetts Di
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the RELATED MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting, that New Bedford Economic Development Council Executive Director Derek Santos provide to the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance the recently revised and adopted language of the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Program Policy and Guidelines which were to include the new Massachusetts Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) requirements..” (Motion: Morad, second: Burgo)
To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the Written Motion, Councillor Morad, requesting, that Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell advise the Council as to why he instructed Election Commissioner Manuel DeBrito to mail November 2022 General Election postcards to registered voters in the City of New Bedford; and further, that Interim Chief Financial Officer Michael Gagne advise the C
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting, that Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell advise the Council as to why he instructed Election Commissioner Manuel DeBrito to mail November 2022 General Election postcards to registered voters in the City of New Bedford; and further, that Interim Chief Financial Officer Michael Gagne advise the Council as to where the funding for the postage for said mailing was allocated in the FY2023 budget..” (Motion: Morad, second: Burgo)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the COLA base increase from $12,000 to $14,000, effective July 1, 2023, as detailed in a Communication dated 9/22/2022 from Eric Cohen, Executive Director of the New Bedford Retirement Board.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Dunn, Gomes, Lima, Markey, Morad, PereiraAbsent: Giesta
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the COLA base increase from $12,000 to $14,000, effective July 1, 2023, as detailed in a Communication dated 9/22/2022 from Eric Cohen, Executive Director of the New Bedford Retirement Board..” (Motion: Morad, second: Carney)
That the Administration provide the City Council with a breakdown on how they will pay for the COLA increase.
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: That the Administration provide the City Council with a breakdown on how they will pay for the COLA increase..”
To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the items eight (8), nine (9), and ten (10).
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council to take “No Further Action” on the items eight (8), nine (9), and ten (10)..” (Motion: Morad, second: Carney)
To follow the Chair’s recommendation and waive the reading, report out to the City Council recommending they take “No Further Action” on the Written Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Department of Public Infrastructure Commissioner, Jamie Ponte, appear before the City Council’s Committee on Finance to discuss the department’s water shut-off policies and payment procedures.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To follow the Chair’s recommendation and waive the reading, report out to the City Council recommending they take “No Further Action” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Department of Public Infrastructure Commissioner, Jamie Ponte, appear before the City Council’s Committee on Finance to discuss the department’s water shut-off policies and payment procedures..” (Motion: Burgo, second: Carney)
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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