MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Ordinances · 7:00 p.m.
September 29, 2025
13 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Leo Choquette, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Derek Baptiste, Shawn Oliver
During the meeting:
- Burgo arrived late (7:04)
Every vote, in order
The following items were taken up together, without objection: Public Hearing, Continued, on a Related Motion, Councillors Morad and Carney, requesting that the City Council order the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board to hold Public Hearings relative to the Definitions, Section 1200 of…
To receive and place on file the presentation packet submitted by the Planning Department. Ms. Louro explained that this presentation was in response to a request made during the August 25, 2025 Ordinance Committee meeting and that it would cover all instances in the 2024 update to the Table of Principal Use Regulations where the Special Permit Granting Authority (Spga) had been changed or where t
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file the presentation packet submitted by the Planning Department. Ms. Louro explained that this presentation was in response to a request made during the August 25, 2025 Ordinance Committee meeting and that it would cover all instances in the 2024 update to the Table of Principal Use Regulations where the Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA) had been changed or where the use itself had been expanded or reduced. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Giesta)
To close the public hearing.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To close the public hearing. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Burgo)
In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under H. Commercial – Motor Vehicle Uses, for Motor Vehicle Light Service Station – to strike “Ba/Dn” under zone Mub, and “Ba” under zones Ia, Ib and Wi and change to “Cc”; and to strike it as well in 4850, Special Permit Required, in the Ordinance wording.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under H. Commercial – Motor Vehicle Uses, for Motor Vehicle Light Service Station – to strike “BA/DN” under zone MUB, and “BA” under zones IA, IB and WI and change to “CC”; and to strike it as well in 4850, Special Permit Required, in the Ordinance wording. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Morad, second: Carney)
In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under I. Civic and Institutional, for Wireless Communications Facilities – to strike “Ba” under zones Ra, Raa, Rb, Rc, Mub, Ia, Ib, Ic and Wi and change to “Pb”; and to strike it as well in 4940, Special Permit, in the Ordinance wording.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under I. Civic and Institutional, for Wireless Communications Facilities – to strike “BA” under zones RA, RAA, RB, RC, MUB, IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “PB”; and to strike it as well in 4940, Special Permit, in the Ordinance wording. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Morad, second: Gomes)
In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, under the categories of Material Salvage and Recycling, Biomass Recycling Facilities and Recycling Collection Facilities, that “Ba” under zones Ia, Ib, Ic and Wi be stricken and changed to “Cc”.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Choquette and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, under the categories of Material Salvage and Recycling, Biomass Recycling Facilities and Recycling Collection Facilities, that “BA” under zones IA, IB, IC and WI be stricken and changed to “CC”. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Choquette, second: Burgo)
In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, for Batch Asphalt and Concrete Plants – to strike “Cc” under zones Ib and Ic and change to “N”.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, for Batch Asphalt and Concrete Plants – to strike “CC” under zones IB and IC and change to “N”. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Morad, second: Giesta)
In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, for Contractors Yard – to strike “Y” under Ia and Ib and change to “N”. This Motion passed on a roll call vote of Yeas 7, Nays 2. (Councillors Abreu and Burgo Opposed.)
Yes: Carney, Choquette, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, PereiraNo: Abreu, BurgoAbsent: Baptiste, Oliver
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, for Contractors Yard – to strike “Y” under IA and IB and change to “N”. This Motion passed on a roll call vote of Yeas 7, Nays 2. (Councillors Abreu and Burgo OPPOSED.) (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Morad, second: Giesta)
In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, under the categories of Freight Terminal and Heavy Materials Sales and Distribution, that “Ba” under zones Ia, Ib, Ic and Wi be stricken and changed to “Cc”.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: In Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, under J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses, under the categories of Freight Terminal and Heavy Materials Sales and Distribution, that “BA” under zones IA, IB, IC and WI be stricken and changed to “CC”. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Morad, second: Giesta)
To request that Atty. David Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel, research the Industrial items under Massachusetts General Laws and draft an Ordinance for Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations to reflect the following changes: H. Commercial – Motor Vehicle Uses: Motor Vehicle Light Service Station – strike “Ba/Dn” under Mub, and “Ba” under Ia, Ib and Wi and change to “Cc”; strike it as well in 485
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To request that Atty. David Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel, research the Industrial items under Massachusetts General Laws and draft an Ordinance for Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations to reflect the following changes: H. Commercial – Motor Vehicle Uses: Motor Vehicle Light Service Station – strike “BA/DN” under MUB, and “BA” under IA, IB and WI and change to “CC”; strike it as well in 4850, Special Permit Required, in the Ordinance wording. I. Civic and Institutional: Wireless Communications Facilities – strike “BA” under RA, RAA, RB, RC, MUB, IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “PB”; strike it as well in 4940, Special Permit, in the Ordinance wording. J. Industrial – General Industrial Uses: Batch Asphalt and Concrete Plants – strike “CC” under IB and IC and change to “N”. Biomass Recycling Facility – strike “BA” under IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “CC”. Contractors Yard – strike “Y” under IA and IB and change to “N”. Freight Terminal – strike “BA” under IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “CC”. Heavy Materials Sales and Distribution – strike “BA” under IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “CC”. Material Salvage and Recycling Facility – strike “BA” under IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “CC”. Recycling Collection Facility – strike “BA” under IA, IB, IC and WI and change to “CC”. (Matter #1031).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Carney)
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances review the mobile Food Truck Ordinance, Section 15-72, the locations where these trucks are allowed to operate, the use of their power generators and also the noise that affects the quality of life in the neighborhoods…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances review the mobile Food Truck Ordinance, Section 15-72, the locations where these trucks are allowed to operate, the use of their power generators and also the noise that affects the quality of life in the neighborhoods and areas that the food trucks are
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances review the mobile Food Truck Ordinance, Section 15-72, the locations where these trucks are allowed to operate, the use of their power generators and also the noise that affects the quality of life in the neighborhoods and areas that the food trucks are operating in. (Matter #0853).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Burgo)
Written Motion, Councillors Burgo, Pereira, Abreu, Carney, Oliver, Lima, Baptiste, Gomes and Morad, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances explore the enactment of an Ordinance or City policy to establish parental paid leave to provide compensation for a period of time for City employees in…
To remove from the table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Giesta and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To remove from the table. (Matter #1429).” (Motion: Giesta, second: Lopes)
To receive and place on file an informational packet submitted by José Gouveia, Director of the Personnel Department. Mr. Gouveia was recognized and explained that since the Committee last met, he had followed up on the number of people who have taken maternity leave in order to give him an idea of what the City would be looking at, taking into consideration that it would vary from year to year. I
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file an informational packet submitted by José Gouveia, Director of the Personnel Department. Mr. Gouveia was recognized and explained that since the Committee last met, he had followed up on the number of people who have taken maternity leave in order to give him an idea of what the City would be looking at, taking into consideration that it would vary from year to year. In his research, he determined going beyond maternity leave, if every employee was to be paid one week of leave, it would be close to $1.4 million. As it relates to maternity leave, as of this year, there are eight, with an average of twelve weeks being used. On paternity leave, there are fourteen so far this year. On average, the cost for both numbers would be between $360,000 – $450,000. Mr. Gouveia went on to say that as the Committee makes a decision, there are three things to keep in mind: the first being affordability, the second being the fairness of the program (should critical illness time off be considered as well) and thirdly, there is a legal component to this as well, and the guidelines and parameters of the law need to be followed. (Matter #1429).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Carney)
To request that Atty. David Gerwatowksi, Legal Counsel, draft a Parental Leave Ordinance that would grant employees paid parental leave for up to six weeks at full pay and an additional six weeks at 75% pay, to be used in the first year of a child’s birth or adoption.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Giesta, the Committee VOTED: To request that Atty. David Gerwatowksi, Legal Counsel, draft a Parental Leave Ordinance that would grant employees paid parental leave for up to six weeks at full pay and an additional six weeks at 75% pay, to be used in the first year of a child’s birth or adoption. (Matter #1429).” (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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