MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
May 12, 2025
2 meetings this evening, 14 recorded votes in all, in the order they were held.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →6:02 p.m. · Committee on Finance
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Committee on Finance: committee votes are recommendations to the full council, which takes the final vote. About this committee
Attendance
Present: Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Leo Choquette, Maria E. Giesta, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Ian Abreu, Naomi R. A. Carney, Brian K. Gomes
During the meeting:
- Baptiste arrived late (6:09)
- Oliver arrived late (6:38)
7 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Communication (Matter Id #0295)
To Amend the Order, by striking the figure $238,000.00 and replacing it with $200,231.00.
The minutes record 4–3 with 8 councilors present and do not say who did not vote, so individual votes are not shown. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the ORDER, by striking the figure $238,000.00 and replacing it with $200,231.00. (Matter #0295).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Choquette)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Order, as written.
The minutes record 5–2 with 8 councilors present and do not say who did not vote, so individual votes are not shown. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).
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 ORDER, as written. (Matter #0295).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Baptiste)
To Amend the Order, by striking the figure $238,000.00 and replacing it with $200,000.00 and to recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order, as Amended, Amending the Order Adopted by the City Council on October 10, 2024, and signed by the Mayor on October 18, 2024, which, in accordance with M.g.l., Chapter 44, Section 53E ½, the Revolving Fund under the control of the Department of Facilit
The minutes record 6–1 with 8 councilors present and do not say who did not vote, so individual votes are not shown. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the ORDER, by striking the figure $238,000.00 and replacing it with $200,000.00 and to recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, AS AMENDED, Amending the Order Adopted by the City Council on October 10, 2024, and signed by the Mayor on October 18, 2024, which, in accordance with M.G.L., Chapter 44, Section 53E ½, the Revolving Fund under the control of the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, known as the QUEST CENTER REVOLVING FUND, whose amount limited at $150,231.00, is hereby authorized at $200,000.00 for FISCAL YEAR 2025. (Matter #0295).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Giesta)
Written Motion, Councillors Lopes and Morad, requesting, that Derek Santos, Executive Director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, provide to the Committee on Finance the annual program report detailing the status of the City of New Bedford Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Special Tax…
To receive and place on file a copy of the 2024 New Bedford Tax Increment Financing Program Annual Report, submitted by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (EDC).
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file a copy of the 2024 New Bedford Tax Increment Financing Program Annual Report, submitted by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (EDC). (Matter #0229).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Giesta)
That a Communication be sent to the Solicitor’s Office requesting that they provide the New Bedford City Council with an updated Sop explaining how TIFs/STAs will be processed based on the changes made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Office of Business Development.
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: That a Communication be sent to the Solicitor’s Office requesting that they provide the New Bedford City Council with an updated SOP explaining how TIFs/STAs will be processed based on the changes made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Office of Business Development. (Matter #0229).”
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #0229).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Giesta)
The following item was not read: Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a Communication from Mayor Mitchell, regarding the appointment of Treasurer/Collector John Taxiarchos as Tax Title Custodian, due to that the former Tax Title Custodian, Sherie Pinzino, has…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a Communication from Mayor Mitchell, regarding the appointment of Treasurer/Collector John Taxiarchos as Tax Title Custodian, due to that the former Tax Title Custodian, Sherie Pinzino, has transitioned out of the Treasurer’s Office and can no longer perform tha
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Giesta and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a Communication from Mayor Mitchell, regarding the appointment of Treasurer/Collector John Taxiarchos as Tax Title Custodian, due to that the former Tax Title Custodian, Sherie Pinzino, has transitioned out of the Treasurer’s Office and can no longer perform that role. (Matter #0160).” (Motion: Giesta, second: Oliver)
7:03 p.m. · Committee on City Property
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Committee on City Property: 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, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: None
7 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, requesting that the Committee on City Property begin the proceedings to seek proposals for the disposition of a long-term leasehold interest in property owned by the City, located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club. (Matter Id…
To remove from the table the Communication and the Request for Proposals.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To remove from the table the COMMUNICATION and the REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. (Matter #1012).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Burgo)
To recommend to the City Council, that the proposal submitted by National Downtown Club, LLC, an affiliate of Lafrance Hospitality, has been hereby selected as the successful proposal submitted pursuant to an RFP for lease of the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, Pereira
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council, that the proposal submitted by National Downtown Club, LLC, an affiliate of Lafrance Hospitality, has been hereby selected as the successful proposal submitted pursuant to an RFP for lease of the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club. (Matter #1012).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Choquette)
To recommend to the City Council, Approval of the Revised Lease of the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club, pursuant to the proposal selected by the Committee and hereto attached; and further that the City Council Authorize the Mayor and Solicitor to execute the lease pursuant to the attached proposal and proposed lease agreement.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, PereiraNo: Morad
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council, APPROVAL of the REVISED LEASE of the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club, pursuant to the proposal selected by the Committee and hereto attached; and further that the City Council AUTHORIZE the Mayor and Solicitor to execute the lease pursuant to the attached proposal and proposed lease agreement. (Matter #1012).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Burgo)
To receive and place on file the Non-Price (Technical) proposal packet submitted by National Downtown Club, LLC, an affiliate of Lafrance Hospitality, for lease of the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club; and further, to receive and place on file the Revised Lease Agreement packet for the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street,
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file the Non-Price (Technical) proposal packet submitted by National Downtown Club, LLC, an affiliate of Lafrance Hospitality, for lease of the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club; and further, to receive and place on file the Revised Lease Agreement packet for the property owned by the City located at 26 Union Street, formerly known as the National Club. (Matter #1012).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Burgo)
Written Motion, Councillors Gomes and Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on City Property meet with Director of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, Mary Rapoza, and a representative from the Administration to discuss the opening of the Ashley Park Warming House community room for a senior citizen…
To receive and place on file two flyers announcing activities for the Parks, Recreation & Beaches Department.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file two flyers announcing activities for the Parks, Recreation & Beaches Department. (Matter #2033).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Baptiste)
To table the matter at this time. City Property Committee May 12, 2025
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. City Property Committee May 12, 2025 (Matter #2033).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Gomes)
Written Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on City Property investigate the feasibility of obtaining the Hastings Keith Federal Building for the purpose of establishing a “City Hall Annex”. (Matter Id #1659) (Referred – October 10, 2024.)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Written Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on City Property investigate the feasibility of obtaining the Hastings Keith Federal Building for the purpose of establishing a “City Hall Annex”.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on City Property investigate the feasibility of obtaining the Hastings Keith Federal Building for the purpose of establishing a “City Hall Annex”. (Matter #1659).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Carney)
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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