MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Special Committee on Housing · 7:00 p.m.
May 15, 2025
7 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Naomi R. A. Carney, Leo Choquette, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Shawn Oliver
Absent: Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Linda M. Morad, Ryan J. Pereira
Every vote, in order
The following matters were taken up together, without objection: Written Motion, Councillors Carney, Abreu and Oliver, requesting, that the Administration look into leasing or purchasing the nursing home facilities in the City that are closed, such as the former Hallmark Nursing Home on Rockdale…
To remove from the table the matter regarding the lease or purchase of former nursing homes in New Bedford with the intent to create additional affordable housing units.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: To remove from the table the matter regarding the lease or purchase of former nursing homes in New Bedford with the intent to create additional affordable housing units. (Matter #0566).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Choquette)
To receive and place on file a copy of the presentation provided by the Office of Housing and Community Development. Joshua Amaral, Director of Housing and Community Development, was recognized. Mr. Amaral stated that the City has moved forward with an initiative called ‘Building New Bedford’. As part of this program, a Vacant Properties initiative was launched, and using ARPA funds, Jordan Latham
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Choquette, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file a copy of the presentation provided by the Office of Housing and Community Development. Joshua Amaral, Director of Housing and Community Development, was recognized. Mr. Amaral stated that the City has moved forward with an initiative called ‘Building New Bedford’. As part of this program, a Vacant Properties initiative was launched, and using ARPA funds, Jordan Latham was appointed as the Vacant Property Development Manager within his Department. Mr. Amaral noted that Ms. Latham has been with the City for about a year and a half and introduced her to the Committee. Jordan Latham was recognized and explained that the 2008 Vacant Building Ordinance prompted the City to address vacant properties in response to neighborhood complaints. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive process, a dedicated department was established to identify vacant properties, understand the reasons for their vacancy, and assist their reintegration into the community. Ms. Latham proceeded to deliver a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee on the Vacant Properties Initiative. (Matter #0566).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Choquette)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the following matters: Written Motion, Councillors Carney, Abreu and Oliver, requesting, that the Administration look into leasing or purchasing the nursing home facilities in the City that are closed, such as the former Hallmark Nursing Home on Rockdale Avenue and the former Sassaquin Nursing Home on Acushnet Avenue, to help combat th
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 following matters: WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Carney, Abreu and Oliver, requesting, that the Administration look into leasing or purchasing the nursing home facilities in the City that are closed, such as the former Hallmark Nursing Home on Rockdale Avenue and the former Sassaquin Nursing Home on Acushnet Avenue, to help combat the housing crisis that the City is currently facing by creating and additional affordable housing units in New Bedford; and further, that the City Council reach out to our State and Federal Delegation for assistance in obtaining supplementary funds for this project, by way of grants and/or other available resources. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu, Carney, Lopes and Oliver, requesting, that the City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development appear before the Special Committee on Housing to discuss efforts to identify vacant properties and encourage their return to occupancy. (Matter #0566).” (Motion: Giesta, second: Oliver)
Communication, Council President Morad, submitting a copy of a letter from the Realtor Association of Southeastern Massachusetts (Rasem) stating their opposition to the rent stabilization motion heard at the City Council Meeting of March 09, 2023. (Matter Id #0588) (Referred – March 23, 2023.)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Communication, Council President Morad, submitting a copy of a letter from the Realtor Association of Southeastern Massachusetts (Rasem) stating their opposition to the rent stabilizati
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Carney and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad, submitting a copy of a letter from the Realtor Association of Southeastern Massachusetts (RASEM) stating their opposition to the rent stabilizati (Matter #0588).” (Motion: Carney, second: Oliver)
Communication, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Zach Boyer. (Matter Id #1791) (Referred – October 26, 2023.)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Communication, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Zach Boyer.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Choquette and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Zach Boyer. (Matter #1791).” (Motion: Choquette, second: Oliver)
Communication, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Lena Silva. (Matter Id #1792) (Referred – October 26, 2023.)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Communication, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Lena Silva.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Carney and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Lena Silva. (Matter #1792).” (Motion: Carney, second: Giesta)
Communication, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Maria Rosario. (Matter Id #1874) (Referred – November 09, 2023.)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Communication, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Maria Rosario.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Giesta and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, Councillor Burgo, submitting a copy of an email regarding Rent Stabilization from Maria Rosario. (Matter #1874).” (Motion: Giesta, 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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