MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
April 11, 2024
64 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Present: Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Leo Choquette, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Ian Abreu, Maria E. Giesta
Every vote, in order
Communication, Councillor Giesta, to Members of the City Council, informing that she is unable to attend the City Council Meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0459).”
Communication, Councillor Abreu, to Members of the City Council, informing that he will be delayed in attending the City Council Meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0460).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting Orders for the Transfer out of the Free Cash Account, to the Stabilization Fund in the amount of $3,170,000.00; to the OPEB Trust Fund in the amount of $1,270,000.00; to General Government Unclassified, Charges & Services in the amount of…
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0461).”
An Order, (Stabilization Fund in the amount of $3,170,000.00; OPEB Trust Fund in the amount of $1,270,000.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0462).”
An Order, (General Government Unclassified, Charges & Services in the amount of $2,200,000.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0463).”
An Order, (Waste Collection and Disposal, Charges and Services in the amount of $1,896,712.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0464).”
An Order, (Ems, Salaries and Wages in the amount of $338,517.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0465).”
An Order, (Purchasing, Salaries and Wages in the amount of $72,631.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0466).”
An Order, (Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund Budget in the amount of $1,000,000.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0467).”
An Order, (Ems, Capital Outlay in the amount of $464,028.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0468).”
An Order, (Police, Capital Outlay in the amount of $332,777.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0469).”
An Order, (Police, Charges & Services in the amount of $113,110.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0470).”
An Order, (Fire/Ema, Supplies and Materials in the amount of $76,200.00; Traffic, Supplies and Materials in the amount of $23,820.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0471).”
An Order, (Tourism, Charges & Services in the amount of $37,500.00)
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0472).”
Related Motion, Councillor Morad, requesting that CFO Ekstrom provide the Committee on Finance a detailed listing of costs associated with the newly signed Capitol Waste Services contract from inception through April 30, 2024, these expenditures will be discussed in conjunction with the…
Referred to the Committee on Finance and CFO Ekstrom
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance and CFO Ekstrom. (Matter #0473).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of John Taxiarchos, as the City’s Treasurer/Collector; Mr. Taxiarchos has been serving the City as Interim Treasurer/Collector since November of 2023.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0474).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Jody G. Seivert, New Bedford, MA, to the Community Preservation Committee; this term will expire April 2027.
Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraAbsent: Abreu, Giesta
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Matter #0475).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Richard J. Coletti, E. Wareham, MA as a Constable.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0476).”
An Application, Richard J. Coletti, E. Wareham, MA 02538, for Reappointment as a Constable.
Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #0477).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Steven R. Verronneau, New Beford, MA as a Constable.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0478).”
An Application, Steven R. Verronneau, New Bedford, MA 02745, for Reappointment as a Constable.
Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #0479).”
Report, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council, Adoption of an Ordinance, as Amended, relative to Chapter 19, Section 23, Article II, repealing the current residency requirement in its entirety for all Unit C, non-union, management positions in City government; and relative to…
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0480).”
An Ordinance, as Amended, relative to Chapter 19, Article II, Employee Residency, repealing the current residency requirement in its entirety for all Unit C, non-union, management positions in City government.
Passed to a Second Reading, as Amended
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading, as Amended. (Matter #0020).”
Written Motion, Council President Carney, submitting, to the City Council, the Reappointment of Denis Lawrence, Jr., New Bedford, MA 02740, as the Clerk of Committees, for a term to expire April 2025.
Rule 38 Waived, Reappointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraAbsent: Abreu, Giesta
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived, Reappointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Matter #0481).”
Substitute Motion, Councillors Gomes and Pereira, requesting that the City Clerk notify Mr. Martires Heredia-Cuevas, owner/operator of Domonic Auto Services located at 31 Scott Street, that by the operations of the conditions in his Special Permit regarding the installation of Mdc Traps, that the…
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, on behalf of Lillian Connor, 974 Rockdale Avenue, that the New Bedford Housing Authority build a ramp in front of said address due to Ms. Connor’s lumbar disc disease, that makes it difficult to climb stairs.
Referred to the New Bedford Housing Authority
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, PereiraNo: MoradAbsent: Abreu, Giesta
From the minutes
“Referred to the New Bedford Housing Authority – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Morad OPPOSED.) (Matter #0484).”
Written Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Internal Affairs review a report from the State Office of Public Safety and Inspections, regarding Building Department procedures and operations.
Referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs. (Matter #0485).”
Communication, Councillor Periera, submitting the City of New Bedford’s Building Department Review Report, prepared by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Public Safety & Inspections (Opsi).
Referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs. (Matter #0486).”
Written Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings explore the possibility of creating a Special Committee on Automation and Artificial Intelligence.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0487).”
Written Motion, Councillors Pereira and Giesta, requesting, that the Departments of Public Infrastructure and Planning discuss the feasibility of conducting neighborhood traffic studies to improve driving conditions with the increase in vehicles on city streets.
Referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure and the Planning Department
From the minutes
“Referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure and the Planning Department. (Matter #0488).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of Albert Williams, 1 Deerfield Lane, Fairhaven, MA 02719 d/b/a Elite Transportation, 1 Deerfield Lane, Fairhaven, MA 02719, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting Renewal of a Private Livery License, to…
) Livery License Granted
From the minutes
“) Livery License Granted. (Matter #0489).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of Renne Depina, 61 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745 d/b/a United Care Transport, INC., 189 Wood Street, New Bedford, MA 02745, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting a Renewal of A Private Livery…
) Livery License Granted
From the minutes
“) Livery License Granted. (Matter #0490).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of David Bizarro, 85 Osborne Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 d/b/a Bizarro’s Transportation, 85 Osborne Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting a Renewal of A Private Livery…
) Livery License Granted
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of Camille Taylor, 14 Beetle Street, New Bedford, MA 02746 d/b/a Ct Live Your Best Life Transportation, LLC, 14 Beetle Street, New Bedford, MA 02746, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting Renewal of a…
) Livery License Granted
From the minutes
“) Livery License Granted. (Matter #0492).”
Communication, Councillor Morad, submitting a copy of a letter of support for the Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford’s (Cvanb) application for a Mass Development Tdi Equity Grant for the restoration of the historic Strand Theater.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0493).”
Communication, Councillor Gomes, submitting a letter from MassDOT, District Highway Director, in response to an invitation to the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods meeting that was held on March 19, 2024.
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0494).”
Communication, Councillor Gomes, submitting a letter from Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development (Srpedd), Assistant Director of Transportation Planning, in response to an invitation to the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods meeting that was held on March 19, 2024.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0495).”
Citation, Councillors Lopes and Morad, honoring Amaral & Associates Real Estate, INC., in recognition of their Kempton Street Ribbon Cutting Celebration and with sincere appreciation for their dedication and commitment in serving the housing needs within our community.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date
From the minutes
“Adopted, to be presented at a later date. (Matter #0496).”
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of HallKeen Management, that the following streets be Closed: A Portion of State Street, from Hazard Street to Austin Street on April 08, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for the purpose of allowing trucks maneuverability to reposition storage…
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified. (Matter #0497).”
Written Motion, Council President Carney, requesting, on behalf of Buddy Andrade, that the following street(s) be Closed: Bedford Street, from South Sixth Street to Pleasant Street and Wing Street, from South Sixth Street to Pleasant Street, Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 8:00 A.m. to 6:00 P.m.,…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, on behalf of Harry Henderson and Robin Ellis, 127- 129 Clara Street, requesting that the Traffic Commission install two (2) Handicap Parking” spaces in front of said address. (Handicap placards and property owner’s letter enclosed.)
Referred to the Traffic Commission
From the minutes
“Referred to the Traffic Commission. (Matter #0499).”
Constable Bond, Abel Cordeiro Leite, New Bedford, MA 02745, in the amount of $5,000.00 with the Western Surety Company.
Approved
Application, D.f. Pray, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 133 Union Street to North Second Street and Union Street to Barker’s Lane, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 26, 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 #0501).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating Co., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 46 - 50 Union Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 26, 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 #0502).”
Application, Mike Andrade Excavation LLC., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 30 Nashua Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 29, 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 #0503).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating Co., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 1108 Victoria Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 03, 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 #0504).”
Applications, Farland Corp. Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 03, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 229 Coffin Avenue (#0505) 550 County Street (#0506)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Roto-Rooter Services Co. for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 1956 Purchase Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 04, 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 #0507).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating Co., to Disturb the Surface, of 46 – 50 Union Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 26, 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 #0508).”
Application, Mike Andrade Excavation LLC., to Disturb the Surface, of 30 Nashua Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 29, 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 #0509).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating Co., to Disturb the Surface, of 1108 Victoria Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 03, 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 #0510).”
Applications, Farland Corp. Inc., to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 03, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 229 Coffin Avenue (#0511) 550 County Street (#0512)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Roto-Rooter Services Co., to Disturb the Surface, of 1956 Purchase Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 04, 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 #0513).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 22, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 88 Townsend Street (#0514) Brook Street, working from Princeton Street to Clifford Street (including intersections)…
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 March 28, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 2043 Acushnet Avenue, Brooklawn Street – Working on Acushnet Avenue side (#0520) 134 S. 2nd Street, Madison Street –…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Roto-Rooter Services Co., to Disturb the Surface, of 237 Collette Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 01, 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 #0529).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 04, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 1968 Purchase Street, corner property with Weld Street – working on Purchase Street (#0530) 11½ Nye Street – Belleville…
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 April 05, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 404 Nash Road, King Street – Stanley Street (#0540) Church Street, working from 582 Church Street to Nash Road…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Jaw Waste Services, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 171 Weld Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 25, 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 #0542).”
Application, Jaw Waste Services, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 55 Salisbury Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 29, 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 #0543).”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy and Verizon New England, Inc for joint location of one pole on Thompson Street and one jointly owned pole at the intersection of Hyacinth and Thompson Streets.
Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024
From the minutes
“Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one handhole in County Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 197 County Street.
Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024
From the minutes
“Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 8’ of Conduit in Amanda Avenue, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 8 Amanda Avenue.
Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024
From the minutes
“Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location one handhole in Allen Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 564 Allen Street.
Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 2024
From the minutes
“Received And Hearing Ordered for Thursday, April 25, 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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