MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
January 25, 2024
42 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Present: Ian Abreu, Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Leo Choquette, Brian K. Gomes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Maria E. Giesta, Joseph P. Lopes
Every vote, in order
Communication, Councillor Lopes, to the City Council President and Honorable Members of the City Council, notifying that he will be unable to attend the City Council Meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2024, due to a previously scheduled surgery.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0100).”
Communication, Councillor Giesta, to the City Council President and Honorable Members of the City Council, notifying that she will be unable to attend the City Council Meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2024, due to illness.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0101).”
Resolution, Councillor Burgo, that the New Bedford City Council supports the passage of the Thrive Act.
Rule 17 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraAbsent: Giesta, Lopes
From the minutes
“Rule 17 Waived – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Matter #0102).”
Adopted and Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraAbsent: Giesta, Lopes
From the minutes
“Adopted and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Matter #0102).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 40’ of Conduit in Sharon Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 984 Sharon Street.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #0103).”
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded in Book of Location Order Records
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded in Book of Location Order Records. (Matter #0104).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy & Verizon New England, Inc. for location of one jointly owned pole in South Front Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 756 South Water Street.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #0105).”
NO FURTHER ACTION
An Order,
NO FURTHER ACTION
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Catherine Kramer, New Bedford, MA to the Airport Commission; this term will expire December 2026.
Referred to the Committee of Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee of Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0110).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Martha Reed, New Bedford, MA to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, replacing the late Reverend Pamela J. Cole; this term will expire May 2026.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0111).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Caroline Conzatti, New Bedford, MA to the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District, replacing John Perry, who has resigned; this term will expire June 2025.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0112).”
Written Motion: Councillor Morad, requesting that the Management Information Systems Director John Costa, Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom and Acting Administrative Assistant to the Board Assessors Judith Serdahl come before the Committee on Finance to discuss the recent change of vendor for…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0113).”
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications discuss making New Bedford a Purple Heart City with signage that would recognize the City residents who have received the Purple Heart, and further that the signage would be located at the borders…
Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications. (Matter #0114).”
Written Motion Councillor Gomes and Council President Carney, requesting that the Committee on Public Safety, and Neighborhoods meet with the residents of Seymour Street to discuss their concerns and questions, with the business located at 101 Seymour Street; this business is in a residential area…
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0115).”
Written Motion: Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with MBTA South Coast Rail officials for the purpose of discussing the safety of the Purchase Street Train corridor; the installation of safety fencing from Minuteman Car Wash, south and the support…
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0116).”
Petition, Richard Frade, Lakeville, MA 02347 d/b/a Church St LLC, 781 Church Street, New Bedford, MA 02745, requesting that he be granted a Waiver of Residency in accordance with Section 15-38 of the City Code, to obtain a License to Deal in Junk, Old Metals or Any Other Secondhand Articles.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0117).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a copy of an Open Meeting Law Complaint from Craig Ptaszenski, New Bedford, MA 02740, regarding the City Council Holiday gathering held on December 28, 2023.
Referred to the Legislative Counsel David Gerwatowski
From the minutes
“Referred to the Legislative Counsel David Gerwatowski. (Matter #0118).”
Communication, Councillor Morad, submitting a copy of a Notice of Intent to File Lawsuit from Craig Ptaszenski, New Bedford, MA 02740 regarding Mr. Ptaszenksi being blocked on Linda Morad’s Facebook page.
Referred to the City Solicitor Eric Jaikes
From the minutes
“Referred to the City Solicitor Eric Jaikes. (Matter #0119).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a copy of a request from Patrick Higgins and Associates for meeting minutes for the calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0120).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a copy of a response to Patrick Higgins and Associates regarding a request for meeting minutes for the calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0121).”
Citations, Councillor Gomes, honoring, Ryan Donahue, Mackenzie Sylvester, Shawn Raposo, Sarah Fine, Andy Soares, Nivaldo Mendes and Dylan Deston in recognition of their appointments as New Bedford Police Officers.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date
From the minutes
“Adopted, to be presented at a later date. (Matter #0122).”
Communication, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, submitting the Annual Report for the 2023-2024 School Year.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0123).”
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 Board of Assessors for meetings held on December 07 and December 14, 2023; the Community Preservation Committee for a meeting held on November…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0124).”
Application, D. F. Pray, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 278 Union Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 16, 2024, 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 #0125).”
Applications, B & B Excavation., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 10, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 117 Union Street, including Barkers Lane, Acushnet Avenue and North Second Street (#0126)…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Mirra Company, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at Brooklawn Street between Acushnet Avenue and Fielding Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 12, 2024, 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 #0128).”
Application, Mht Excavating, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 875 Lucy Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 17, 2024, 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 #0129).”
Application, Frank Corp. Environmental services, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 4227 Acushnet Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 19, 2024, 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 #0130).”
Applications, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 22, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 17 Timberlane Road (#0131) 30 Moynan Street (#0132)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, B & B Excavation, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 10, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 117 Union Street, including Barkers Lane, Acushnet Avenue and North Second Street (#0133) Commercial Street,…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Mirra Company, to Disturb the Surface, of Brooklawn Street, between Acushnet Avenue and Fielding Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 12, 2024, 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 #0135).”
Application, Mht Excavating, to Disturb the Surface, of 875 Lucy Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 17, 2024, 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 #0136).”
Application, Frank Corp. Environmental Services, to Disturb the Surface, of 4227 Acushnet Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 19, 2024, 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 #0137).”
Applications, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 22, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 17 Timberlane Road (#0138) 30 Moynan Street (#0139)
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 12, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 392-394 Shaw Street (#0140) 144 Princeton Street (#0141)
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, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Adelaide Street and Ethel Street (#0142) Belleville Avenue, between Holly Street and Sawyer Street (#0143) 369 Earle…
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 19, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Ashley Boulevard and Central Avenue (#0151) Ashley Boulevard and Clifford Street (#0152) 181-185 Branscomb Street…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, E.l. Harvey, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 465 Chancery Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on January 19, 2024, 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..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 45’ of Conduit in Acushnet Avenue, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 2147 Acushnet Avenue.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, February 8, 2024
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, February 8, 2024..”
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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