MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods · 7:01 p.m.
August 19, 2025
9 recorded votes, 1 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, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Leo Choquette
Every vote, in order
On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee Voted: To remove the following matter from the table. Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting that an amendment to Section 1 of the Home Rule Petition with the State, regarding the Appointment of Special Police…
To remove the following matter from the table. Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting that an amendment to Section 1 of the Home Rule Petition with the State, regarding the Appointment of Special Police Officers in the City of New Bedford, the change of the wording is Chapter 32 of the general law it should read: “No retired Police Officer shall be eligible for an appointment of a Special Po
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To remove the following matter from the table. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that an amendment to Section 1 of the Home Rule Petition with the State, regarding the Appointment of Special Police Officers in the City of New Bedford, the change of the wording is Chapter 32 of the general law it should read: “No retired Police Officer shall be eligible for an appointment of a Special Police Officer if the applicant has attained the age of 70 and any Officer so appointed shall be terminated upon attaining the age of 70”; this is a home rule petition amendment to enable New Bedford Police Officers over the age of 65 the ability to be assigned to detail work in the City in New Bedford. (To be Referred to the Mayor, the Police Chief, our local State Delegation and the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods.) (Matter ID #1388) (Referred – August 18, 2022.) (September 06, 2022 – RETURNED UNSIGNED by the Mayor.) (September 28, 2022 – tabled 60 days) (February 21, 2023 – tabled) (June 27, 2023 – tabled 90 days) (February 28, 2024 – remain on the table) (August 26, 2024 – remain on the table) (March 11, 2025 – tabled for 90 days) (Matter #1388).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Carney)
To table the matter for forty-five days.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter for forty-five days. (Matter #1388).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Abreu)
On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee Voted: To remove the following matter from the table. Written Motion, Councillors Oliver, Morad, Abreu, Lopes, Baptiste, Giesta, Carney and Gomes, requesting, that Police Chief Paul Oliveira, Executive Secretary to the…
To remove the following matter from the table. Written Motion, Councillors Oliver, Morad, Abreu, Lopes, Baptiste, Giesta, Carney and Gomes, requesting, that Police Chief Paul Oliveira, Executive Secretary to the Traffic Commission Laurie Alfonso, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes, Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom, and a representative from the Traffic Division, meet with the Committee on Public Saf
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 Oliver and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To remove the following matter from the table. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Oliver, Morad, Abreu, Lopes, Baptiste, Giesta, Carney and Gomes, requesting, that Police Chief Paul Oliveira, Executive Secretary to the Traffic Commission Laurie Alfonso, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes, Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom, and a representative from the Traffic Division, meet with the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods to discuss current policies, procedures and Ordinances surrounding campers, RV’s, boats and trailers that are left unregistered and abandoned throughout the various streets and neighborhoods within the City of New Bedford; and further, to discuss improvements and initiatives to address these matters in a timelier manner so as to not pose significant safety risks and eyesores, and to the improve the overall cleanliness within the City. (Matter ID #1214) (Referred – July 18, 2024.) (August 26, 2024 – VOTE: Purchasing Agent draft an RFP for a company to take, store and/or demolish campers, RV’s, boats, etc.; VOTE: Ask Department Heads if they have space to store boats, campers, RV’s, etc.; tabled) (Matter #1214).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Burgo)
To Receive and Place on File copies of the Committee requests from the previous meeting and the Mayor’s Office email response to a memo sent to Department Heads asking if they have space to store boats, campers, Rv’s, etc. on their property, under their supervision.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: To Receive and Place on File copies of the Committee requests from the previous meeting and the Mayor’s Office email response to a memo sent to Department Heads asking if they have space to store boats, campers, RV’s, etc. on their property, under their supervision. (Matter #1214).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Morad)
To request that Legal Counsel and the City Solicitor draft an Ordinance prohibiting the parking of campers on City streets.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To request that Legal Counsel and the City Solicitor draft an Ordinance prohibiting the parking of campers on City streets. (Matter #1214).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Carney)
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #1214).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Carney)
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods meet with the CEO or designated representative for E.l. Harvey Trash & Recyclables, along with representatives from the New Bedford Health Department and the Department of Facilities and Fleet…
To Receive and Place on File a copy of the “Vector Control Plan”, from E.l. Harvey New Bedford Transfer Station, submitted by Mr. Clifford Bassett, District Manager of E.l. Harvey New Bedford. Mr. Bassett guided the Committee through the report, detailing the site assessment and root cause analysis, and rodent prevention and proofing measures that were in place prior to the fire and since added.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To Receive and Place on File a copy of the “VECTOR CONTROL PLAN”, from E.L. Harvey New Bedford Transfer Station, submitted by Mr. Clifford Bassett, District Manager of E.L. Harvey New Bedford. Mr. Bassett guided the Committee through the report, detailing the site assessment and root cause analysis, and rodent prevention and proofing measures that were in place prior to the fire and since added. (Matter #1261).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Lopes)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on this Written Motion.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on this Written Motion. (Matter #1261).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Carney)
On motion by Councillor Carney and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee Voted: To follow the Chair’s recommendation to waive the reading and take “No Further Action” on the following items. The items are as follows: Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the City immediately…
To follow the Chair’s recommendation to waive the reading and take “No Further Action” on the following items.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Carney and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To follow the Chair’s recommendation to waive the reading and take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the following items. (Matter #1443).” (Motion: Carney, second: Lopes)
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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