MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
May 7, 2024
58 recorded votes, 1 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, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Gomes arrived late ()
Every vote, in order
Resolution Recognizing May 7th as National Fentanyl Awareness Day Whereas, Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has increasingly become a public health crisis, contributing to a rise in overdose deaths across the Nation; and Whereas, Drug traffickers mass-produce fake or counterfeit pills to…
Adopted
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, Amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7.1 Personnel, which would allow the Administration, within reasonable limits, to conduct starting salary negotiations with prospective candidates for Unit C (management) positions.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #0638).”
An Ordinance,
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #0639).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Cara Busch, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Board of Library Trustees, Ms. Busch will be replacing Joshua Amaral who has resigned; this term will expire in April 2027.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0640).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Justin Ohlson, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Cemetery Board, Mr. Ohlson will be replacing Jonathan Carvalho, whose term expired in April 2024 and has requested not to be re-appointed; this term will expire in April 2027.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0641).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Von Marie Moniz, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Human Rights Commission; this term will expire in December 2027.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0642).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of Daniel Higgins, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Water Board; this term will expire in April 2027.
Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0643).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of Marilyn Gonsalves, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Water Board; this term will expire in April 2027.
Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0644).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of John Lobo, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities; this term will expire in May 2027.
Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0645).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of Linda Haskins, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities; this term will expire in May 2027.
Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0646).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of Dennis Demarinis, Jr., New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities; this term will expire in May 2027.
Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“Rule 30 Waived and Reappointment Confirmed, Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0647).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Re-appointment of Jay J. Lewis, New Bedford, MA, 02740, as a Constable.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0648).”
An Application, Jay J. Lewis, New Bedford, MA for Reappointment as a Constable.
Reappointment Confirmed. (0649)
An Ordinance, amending Chapter 19, Articles II and I – Personnel.
Passed to be Ordained
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“Passed to be Ordained – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #0020).”
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of an Order, as Amended, for the Community Preservation Act FY24 Funding Recommendations for 21 projects totaling $1,915,000.00. $2,200,000.00.
Recommended by the Committee on Finance
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #0650).”
Ordered, that the following Preservation Act FY24 projects and funding amounts be approved. Projects Amount Boys and Girls Club Playground $ 35.000.00 Cape Verdean Ultramarine $ 25,000.00 Capitol Theater Interior Restoration $250,000.00 City Clerk Record Preservation Phase III $ 50,000.00 City Wide…
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: Choquette
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Choquette OPPOSED.) (Matter #0651).”
Written Motion, Councillors Abreu and Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings discuss the ongoing construction project on County Street; and further, that the Committee meet with local businesses to discuss the impact of the street disturbances.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0652).”
Written Motion, Councillors Pereira, Abreu, Choquette, Carney, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes and Oliver, requesting, that Jamie Ponte, Commissioner, Department of Public Infrastructure, appear before the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to discuss issues surrounding the sewage treatment plant.
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0653).”
Written Motion, Councillor Choquette, requesting, that Airport Director Scot Servis appear before the Special Committee on the Airport to give the Committee an update on the current status of the Airport.
Referred to the Special Committee on the Airport
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on the Airport. (Matter #0654).”
Petition, Kevin Sousa, Bridgewater, MA 02324 d/b/a Games to Gold, 105 Nauset Street, New Bedford, MA 02746, 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 #0655).”
Petition/Indemnity Agreement, L&p LLC/Noppowan Sawang, for permission to erect and maintain an awning at 522 Pleasant Street to overhang city property by 29ft., 3in. x 3ft. Agreement Granted – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Councillors Baptiste and Pereira not present for vote.)
Agreement Granted
Yes: Abreu, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, OliverAbsent: Baptiste, Pereira
From the minutes
“Agreement Granted – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Councillors Baptiste and Pereira not present for vote.) (Matter #0656).”
City of New Bedford City Council May 07, 2024 Ordered, that permission be granted to Bji Enterprises, Inc. dba Dartmouth Awning, on behalf of L&p LLC / Noppowan Sawang, 522 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, for permission to encroach on City Property with a 29’ 3” x 3’ Awning at 522 Pleasant…
Adopted
Yes: Abreu, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, OliverAbsent: Baptiste, Pereira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Councillors Baptiste and Pereira not present for vote.) (Matter #0657).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting a copy of an Open Meeting Law Complaint from Craig Ptaszenski, New Bedford, MA 02740, regarding the Committee on Finance meeting remotely held on April 24, 2024.
Referred to Legal Counsel David Gerwatowski
From the minutes
“Referred to Legal Counsel David Gerwatowski. (Matter #0658).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting a copy of a letter from Matthew Lindberg, Assistant Attorney General, to Legal Counsel David Gerwatowski, responding to the Open Meeting Law Complaint from Craig Ptaszenski regarding the City Council Holiday Gathering…
TABLED
Communication, Janine da Silva, Chair, Community Preservation Committee, submitting for reconsideration of the City Council, the CPA Project: New Bedford Superior Courthouse Façade Restoration Project.
NO FURTHER ACTION
Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, requesting, on behalf of Southcoast Lgbtqia+ Network, that the following street(s) be Closed: Oneida Street, from Lt. Walter P. Fuller Memorial Parkway to Lake Street, (In Front of the Buttonwood Senior Center), on Saturday, June 01, 2024, from 7:00 A.m. to 5:00…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be Closed: William Street, from South Sixth to Eighth Street, (Steeple Playhouse) on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 4:00 P.m. to 10:00 P.m., for the purpose of Aha! Pride Block Party Annual Celebration of Lgbtq+ History and…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Giesta, requesting, on behalf of the Day of Portugal Committee, that the following street(s) be Closed: Webster Court, from Madeira Avenue to Hope Street and 81 Tinkham Street, (Senhor Da Pedra Club Grounds) and the stretch of Tinkham Street, on Friday, June 07, 2024, at…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillors Giesta and Abreu, requesting, on behalf of the Senhor Da Pedra Club and Feast Committee, that the following street(s) be Closed: Webster Court, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street) and Tinkham Street, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street), on…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be Closed: William Street, from Pleasant Street to Sixth Street, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 5:00 P.m. to 6:30 P.m., for the purpose of an event on City Hall Steps recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. Permission…
Permission Granted
Constable Bond, Steven R. Verroneau, Fall River, MA 02721, in the amount of $5,000.00 with the United Casualty and Surety Insurance Company.
Approved
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 March 07, 2024; March 21, 2024; March 28, 2024 and April 04, 2024.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0667).”
Applications, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 22, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 899 Pleasant Street (#0668) 1502 Purchase Street (#0669)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Morgado Company, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 1190 Church Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 23, 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 #0670).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating Co., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at Es Phillips Road 113N x Unnamed extension of Braley Road, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 24, 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 #0671).”
Applications, Eversource Energy (Electric), for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 24, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Pine Street to MacArthur Drive (#0672) MacArthur Drive, from Pine Street to…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Mike Andrade Excavation, LLC, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 76 Upton Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 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 #0678).”
Applications, Newport Construction Corporation, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 29, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Park Avenue to Irvington Street (including intersections) (#0679) Nash Road…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Dig It Construction, LLC, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 449 North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 30, 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 #0681).”
Applications, Able Asphalt, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on May 02, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 43 Byron Street (#0682) Ws Mt. Pleasant Street/Lot 1 (#0683) Ws Mt. Pleasant Street/Lot 2…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, New England Boring Contractors., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 30, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 930 Pleasant Street (#0685) Corner of Purchase Street and Hillman Street…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 22, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 899 Pleasant Street (#0688) 1502 Purchase Street (#0689)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Morgado Company, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, of 1190 Church Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 23, 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 #0690).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating Co., to Disturb the Surface, of Es Phillips Road 113N x Unnamed extension of Braley Road, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 24, 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 #0691).”
Applications, Eversource Energy (Electric), to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 24, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Pine Street to MacArthur Drive (#0692) MacArthur Drive, from Pine Street to Walnut Street (#0693) Walnut…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Mike Andrade Excavation, to Disturb the Surface, of 76 Upton Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 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 #0698).”
Applications, Newport Construction Corporation, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 29, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Park Avenue to Irvington Street (including intersections) (#0699) Nash Road and King Street to Church…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Dig It Construction, LLC, to Disturb the Surface, of 449 North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 30, 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 #0701).”
Applications, Able Asphalt, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on May 02, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 43 Byron Street (#0702) Ws Mt. Pleasant Street/Lot 1 (#0703) Ws Mt. Pleasant Street/Lot 2 (#0704)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, New England Boring Contractors, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 30, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 930 Pleasant Street (#0705) Corner of Purchase Street and Hillman Street (#0706) 43 Tower Drive (#0707)
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 22, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 950 Abrams Street, Acushnet Avenue – Terry Lane (#0708) 1332 Acushnet Avenue, Nye Street – Tallman Street (#0709) 3243…
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 24, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 32 Frederick Street, Cleveland Street – E. Rodney French Boulevard (#0721) 116 Hadley Street, Kearsarge 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 April 29, 2024, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 118 Sycamore Street, Emerson Street – Ash Street (#0730) 35 Pierce Street, Court Street – Elm Street (#0731) 94 Front…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, of 81 – 83 Willard Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on May 02, 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 #0735).”
Application, Win Waste Innovations, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 862 Purchase Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 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 #0736).”
Application, Jaw Waste Services, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 21 – 23 Willard Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 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 #0737).”
Application, C.j. Sylvester Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 294 Weld Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 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 #0738).”
Application, Vaz Construction, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 498 South Second Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on April 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 #0739).”
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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