MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Ordinances · 7:01 p.m.
February 24, 2025
10 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Committee on Ordinances: 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, Leo Choquette, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Joseph P. Lopes
During the meeting:
- Carney arrived late (8:00)
Every vote, in order
Written Motion, Councillors Choquette, Oliver and Abreu, requesting, that the City Council accept and adopt the provisions of the Hero Act, passed by the Governor and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically with respect to tax exemptions outlined for disabled Veterans.…
To receive and place on file a copy of a drafted Order, accepting the provisions and clauses specifically with respect to tax exemptions outlined for disabled veterans.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file a copy of a drafted ORDER, accepting the provisions and clauses specifically with respect to tax exemptions outlined for disabled veterans. (Matter #0020).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Abreu)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order, accepting the provisions of the “Hero Act”, passed by the Governor and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically with respect to tax exemptions outlined for disabled Veterans.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, accepting the provisions of the “HERO ACT”, passed by the Governor and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically with respect to tax exemptions outlined for disabled Veterans. (Matter #0020).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Baptiste)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 17, Section 17-14, Telephonic and Burglar Alarm System. (Matter Id #1098) (Referred – June 27, 2024.)
To receive and place on file a chart detailing the number of alarm notifications received by the Police Department in 2024. Police Chief Paul Oliveira was recognized and acknowledged that the current fee structure for false alarms is outdated and largely unenforceable as it stands. To address the misuse of false alarm calls, the proposal suggests allowing the first two false alarms to be free, wit
The minutes spell one name “Oliveira”; the only councilor with a similar name is Councilor Oliver, so it is read as Oliver. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file a chart detailing the number of alarm notifications received by the Police Department in 2024. Police Chief Paul Oliveira was recognized and acknowledged that the current fee structure for false alarms is outdated and largely unenforceable as it stands. To address the misuse of false alarm calls, the proposal suggests allowing the first two false alarms to be free, with a $50 fine imposed for the third. Chief Oliveira reviewed the chart shared with the Committee, noting that many parties that will be affected are indeed repeat offenders. (Matter #1098).” (Motion: Morad, second: Giesta)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Ordinance, Amending Chapter 17, Section 17-14, Telephonic and Burglar Alarm System.
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 17, Section 17-14, Telephonic and Burglar Alarm System. (Matter #1098).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, Amending Chapter 9, Section 20, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board.) (Matter Id #1322) (Referred – August 13, 2024.)
To send a Favorable Recommendation for the Ordinance amendment. (Received – September 10, 2024.) (September 19, 2024 – public hearing held, matter tabled.)
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: to send a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION for the Ordinance amendment. (Received – September 10, 2024.) (September 19, 2024 – public hearing held, matter tabled.) (Matter #1322).”
To remove from the table.
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: To remove from the table. (Matter #1322).”
To call for a new public hearing, and that the information received to date be reviewed at that time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Giesta and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To call for a new public hearing, and that the information received to date be reviewed at that time. (Matter #1322).” (Motion: Giesta, second: Baptiste)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order, accepting the provisions of M.g.l., Chapter 40, Section 57, and an Ordinance amending Chapter 10, Section 10-45 of the City Code, pertaining to local licenses and permits; denial, revocation or suspension for failure to pay…
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #0797).” (Motion: Morad, second: Giesta)
Written Motion, Councillor Morad, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances review the current application of Sections 19-7 and 19-7.1 of the City Code and consider any amendments should it be determined that the application of said Sections needs to be clarified. (Matter Id #1863) (Referred –…
To receive and place of file the Ordinance drafted by Atty. Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel, addressing the hourly compensation of Unit C employees.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place of file the Ordinance drafted by Atty. Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel, addressing the hourly compensation of Unit C employees. (Matter #1863).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Oliver)
To table the matter for 30 days.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter for 30 days. (Matter #1863).” (Motion: Morad, second: Oliver)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →