MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Appointments and Briefings · 7:00 p.m.
March 18, 2025
18 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
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:
- Baptiste arrived late (7:16)
- Morad arrived late (7:20)
Every vote, in order
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Karen Treadup, New Bedford, MA, to the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District Committee; replacing the late Frederick J. Toomey; this term will expire May 2028. (Matter Id #0109) (Referred…
To remove the matter from the table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To remove the matter from the table. (Matter #0109).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Burgo)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Karen Treadup, New Bedford, MA, to the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District Committee.
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 APPOINTMENT of KAREN TREADUP, New Bedford, MA, to the GREATER NEW BEDFORD REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE. (Matter #0109).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Gomes)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Alex J. Weiner, New Bedford, MA to the Board of Health, this term will expire February 2028. (Matter Id #0146) (Referred – February 13, 2025.)
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #0146).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Giesta)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of James P. Dee, New Bedford, MA, to the Licensing Board, replacing Marcelino “Sonny” Almeida, who has resigned; this term will expire June 2028. (Matter Id #0147) (Referred – February 13, 2025.)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of James P. Dee, New Bedford, MA, to the Licensing Board.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of JAMES P. DEE, New Bedford, MA, to the LICENSING BOARD. (Matter #0147).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Oliver)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Robyn Branco, New Bedford, MA, as an Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, this term will expire December 2029. (Matter Id #0149) (Referred – February 13, 2025.)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Robyn Branco, New Bedford, MA, as an Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of ROBYN BRANCO, New Bedford, MA, as an ALTERNATE MEMBER of the ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS. (Matter #0149).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Lopes)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Byron Ford, Jr., New Bedford, MA, to the Redevelopment Authority; Mr. Ford will be replacing John Walsh, who has resigned; this term will expire in July 2027. (Matter Id #0205) (Referred – February 27, 2025.)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Byron Ford, Jr., New Bedford, MA, to the Redevelopment Authority.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of BYRON FORD, JR., New Bedford, MA, to the REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. (Matter #0205).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Gomes)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Kimberly Ferreira, New Bedford, MA, to the Zoning Board of Appeals; Ms. Ferreira will be replacing Laura Parrish, who has resigned; this term will expire in December 2029. (Matter Id #0206) (Referred – February 27, 2025.)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Appointment of Kimberly Ferreira, New Bedford, MA, to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of KIMBERLY FERREIRA, New Bedford, MA, to the ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS. (Matter #0206).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Baptiste)
Petition, Melody Frechette, Middleborough, MA 02346 d/b/a the Knights Bazaar, 127 West Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA, requesting 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.…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Petition, Melody Frechette, Middleborough, MA 02346 d/b/a the Knights Bazaar, 127 West Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA, requesting 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.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the PETITION, Melody Frechette, Middleborough, MA 02346 d/b/a THE KNIGHTS BAZAAR, 127 West Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA, requesting 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. (Matter #0232).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Baptiste)
The following matters were taken up together: Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a New Private Livery License on behalf of Yvain Junior Normil, 219 Acushnet Avenue, #3, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a Reliable Transit Express, 219 Acushnet Avenue, #3, New…
To table the matter at this time. Appointments & Briefings Committee March 18, 2025
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. Appointments & Briefings Committee March 18, 2025 (Matter #0233).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Baptiste)
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with local musician and cultural educator Ms. Candida Rose to discuss her proposal for expanding the Cabo Verde Heritage Month of July in the areas of culture, education, art, and music, as well as…
To receive and place on file an informational packet submitted by Candida Rose.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file an informational packet submitted by Candida Rose. (Matter #2089).” (Motion: Morad, second: Gomes)
To receive and place on file a letter of support from Ashley Payne, Tourism Director for the City of New Bedford.
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file a letter of support from Ashley Payne, Tourism Director for the City of New Bedford. (Matter #2089).”
To recommend that the City Council refer the matter to the Mayor, and that the month of July be recognized as Cape Verdean Heritage Month.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council refer the matter to the Mayor, and that the month of July be recognized as Cape Verdean Heritage Month. (Matter #2089).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Baptiste)
Written Motion, Councillors Gomes and Choquette, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with the developers of Rosa Drive along with any other developers in the City that have not completed road work, sidewalks and streetlights in order to give residents trash pickup and…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Choquette and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the matter at this time. (Matter #1662).” (Motion: Choquette, second: Gomes)
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, Council President Burgo, Councillors Abreu, Choquette, Oliver, Lopes and Carney, requesting, on behalf of the City Residents and Businesses, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings Committee meet with a representative of Eversource to discuss the…
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #0154).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Baptiste)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the recommendation that the 2025 Preliminary Election be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. (Matter Id #0150) (Referred – February 13, 2025.)
To table the matter.
Yes: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, OliverNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Giesta, Pereira
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter. (Matter #0150).” (Motion: Morad, second: Lopes)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the recommendation that the 2025 Preliminary Election be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Giesta, Lopes, PereiraNo: Carney, Gomes, Morad, Oliver
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the recommendation that the 2025 Preliminary Election be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. (Matter #0150).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Baptiste)
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with State officials, the Administration and New Bedford Port Authority to discuss the present condition of the boat slips at Pope’s Island Marina Facility; further, discuss the 2014 report provided…
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. (Matter #0804).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Pereira)
Appointments & Briefings Committee March 18, 2025 On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee Voted: To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the following matters: Related Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting that the Committee on…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the following matters: Related Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with Riley Brothers, Inc. and Eversource Representatives to review their process as it relates to street repairs. (Referred from Committee – September 20, 2022.) Related Motion, Councillor Morad, requesting that the
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the following matters: RELATED MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with Riley Brothers, Inc. and Eversource Representatives to review their process as it relates to street repairs. (Referred from Committee – September 20, 2022.) RELATED MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting that the DPI Commissioner provide the Committee on Appointments & Briefings with a listing of all Eversource permits granted in the last twenty-four (24) months for dig-ups in the City, and that the DPI Commissioner, Appointments & Briefings Committee, and Eversource take a tour of the City to view the remaining work needed to be done on the permits that are on that list. (Referred from Committee – September 20, 2022.) COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad submitting a copy of a letter from Theresa Brum, regarding the public outreach meeting held at Normandin Middle School on June 13, 2023, that was hosted by Southcoast Renewables, LLC. (Matter ID #1453) (Referred – August 17, 2023.) WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Oliver, Abreu, Pereira, Burgo, Giesta, Baptiste, Carney and Markey, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with Judith Keating, the Director of Personnel and Evan Bielski, President of the New Bedford Police Union, to discuss the feasibility of conducting a survey of the New Bedford Police Officers who have chosen to terminate employment with the City’s Police Department over the last five years. (Matter ID #1530) (Referred – September 14, 2023.) (Matter #1453).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Giesta)
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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