MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Appointments and Briefings · 7:00 p.m.
February 18, 2025
15 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, 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: Derek Baptiste
During the meeting:
- Pereira arrived late (8:00)
Every vote, in order
Councillor Carney announced the start of Citizen’s Input Time, not to exceed the first thirty (30) minutes of the meeting. Citizen’s Input Time - Joyce Rowley, 58 Mott Street, New Bedford, 02744, speaking on “Relocating the Elephants and Defunding the New Bedford Zoo”. (Referred – November 15,…
To take “No Further Action” on the matter at this time. Mr. Gregory Swan was present and addressed the Committee. Mr. Swan expressed his concern regarding the need for the City to negotiate with Eversource relative to natural gas suppliers.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the matter at this time. Mr. Gregory Swan was present and addressed the Committee. Mr. Swan expressed his concern regarding the need for the City to negotiate with Eversource relative to natural gas suppliers..” (Motion: Morad, second: Burgo)
To Receive and Place on File a hardcopy of a packet provided by Mr. Swan in regard to his topic, “New Bedford Negotiations with Eversource in Relation to Natural Gas Suppliers”.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To Receive and Place on File a hardcopy of a packet provided by Mr. Swan in regard to his topic, “New Bedford Negotiations with Eversource in Relation to Natural Gas Suppliers”..” (Motion: Gomes, second: Lopes)
Appointments & Briefings Committee February 18, 2025 Public Hearing on an Application, Steven Jaskolka, d/b/a Jaskolka’s Auto Body, Sales & Service, for a Special Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales and/or Rentals, Body Repair, General Repair and Light Service, at 119 Potter Street, New Bedford, MA…
To open the public hearing The Chair recognized the applicant, Mr. Steven Jaskolka. Mr. Jaskolka stated that he has lived in New Bedford for forty-five years.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To open the public hearing The Chair recognized the applicant, Mr. Steven Jaskolka. Mr. Jaskolka stated that he has lived in New Bedford for forty-five years..” (Motion: Burgo, second: Oliver)
To close the Public Hearing.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Giesta and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To close the Public Hearing..” (Motion: Giesta, second: Burgo)
To Amend the number of vehicles from 20 on the premises at any time, to 13 on the premises at any time; and to recommend to the City Council Approval of the Application, as Amended, Steven Jaskolka, d/b/a Jaskolka’s Auto Body, Sales & Service, for a Special Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales and/or Rentals, Body Repair, General Repair and Light Service, at 119 Potter Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the number of vehicles from 20 on the premises at any time, to 13 on the premises at any time; and to recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPLICATION, AS AMENDED, Steven Jaskolka, d/b/a Jaskolka’s Auto Body, Sales & Service, for a SPECIAL PERMIT for Motor Vehicle Sales and/or Rentals, Body Repair, General Repair and Light Service, at 119 Potter Street, New Bedford, MA 02740..” (Motion: Oliver, second: Abreu)
Appointments & Briefings Committee February 18, 2025 Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, submitting an Application for a New Private Livery License, on behalf of Junior L. Morpeau, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a Jm&v, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA.…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Application for the New Private Livery License, on behalf of Junior L. Morpeau, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a Jm&v, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2025.)
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPLICATION for the NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of JUNIOR L. MORPEAU, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a JM&V, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2025.) (Matter #0022).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Giesta)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Marcus Coward, New Bedford, MA to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Genesis Galan, who has resigned; this term will expire December 2025. (Matter Id #2009) (Referred – November 26, 2024.)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Marcus Coward, New Bedford, MA to the Human Rights Commission; replacing Genesis Galan, who has resigned, this term will expire December 2025.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of MARCUS COWARD, New Bedford, MA to the HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION; replacing Genesis Galan, who has resigned, this term will expire December 2025. (Matter #2009).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Abreu)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Manuel H. Silva, New Bedford, MA, to the Traffic Commission; this term will expire December 2027. (Referred – January 23, 2025.)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Reappointment of Manuel H. Silva, New Bedford, MA to the Traffic Commission; this term will expire December 2027.
Yes: Abreu, Burgo, Carney, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, OliverNo: ChoquetteAbsent: Baptiste
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the REAPPOINTMENT of MANUEL H. SILVA, New Bedford, MA to the TRAFFIC COMMISSION; this term will expire December 2027..” (Motion: Burgo, second: Gomes)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Sherie Pinzino, New Bedford, MA, as the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors. (Referred – January 23, 2025.) Ms. Pinzino was recognized and shared that she has been with the City for the past ten years in…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Sherie Pinzino, New Bedford, MA, as the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of SHERIE PINZINO, New Bedford, MA, as the ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS..” (Motion: Gomes, second: Lopes)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Brian Ayotte, New Bedford, MA, to the Community Preservation Committee; Mr. Ayotte will be replacing Ross Nunes; this term will expire April 2026. (Referred – January 23, 2025.) Mr. Ayotte was recognized and provided a…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Brian Ayotte, New Bedford, MA, to the Community Preservation Committee; replacing Ross Nunes, this term will expire April 2026.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of BRIAN AYOTTE, New Bedford, MA, to the COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE; replacing Ross Nunes, this term will expire April 2026..” (Motion: Abreu, second: Choquette)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Richard Mccue, New Bedford, MA, to the Licensing Board; replacing Nick Nanopoulos, whose emergency appointment expired on January 12, 2025; this term will expire June 2030. (Referred – January 23, 2025.) Mr. McCue was…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Richard Mccue, New Bedford, MA, to the Licensing Board; replacing Nick Nanopoulos, whose emergency appointment expired on January 12, 2025; this term will expire June 2030.
Yes: Abreu, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraAbsent: Baptiste
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of RICHARD MCCUE, New Bedford, MA, to the LICENSING BOARD; replacing Nick Nanopoulos, whose emergency appointment expired on January 12, 2025; this term will expire June 2030..” (Motion: Oliver, second: Choquette)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Karen Treadup, New Bedford, MA, to the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Techical High School District Committee; replacing the late Frederick J. Toomey; this term will expire May 2028. (Referred – January 23,…
To Table the matter at this time as the Appointee was not able to attend this meeting.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: to Table the matter at this time as the APPOINTEE was not able to attend this meeting..” (Motion: Pereira, second: Lopes)
Appointments & Briefings Committee February 18, 2025 Communication, Councillor Gomes, submitting a Host Community Agreement Proposal Application on behalf of Shamar James, Founder/CEO of THConnect, LLC, dba Houz of Diesel, seeking to operate a co-located adult-use marijuana retail and product…
To Table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: to Table the matter at this time..” (Motion: Gomes, second: Pereira)
Written Motion, Councillors Abreu, Oliver, Lopes, Choquette and Carney, requesting, that a representative from the New Bedford Board of Health or the New Bedford Health Department appear before the Committee on Appointments & Briefings to discuss the Board’s recent vote to adopt a new Cigar Minimum…
, that the City Solicitor render an opinion if the Board of Health instituting a new cigar minimum pricing regulation is a reasonable health regulation.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: , that the City Solicitor render an opinion if the Board of Health instituting a new cigar minimum pricing regulation is a reasonable health regulation..” (Motion: Pereira, second: Choquette)
To Table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: to Table the matter at this time..” (Motion: Abreu, second: Burgo)
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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