MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
October 9, 2025
57 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: Ian Abreu, Derek Baptiste, Naomi R. A. Carney, Leo Choquette, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Shane A. Burgo
During the meeting:
- Pereira arrived late (7:11)
Every vote, in order
Communication, Council President Burgo, to Vice-President Carney and Honorable Members of the City Council, informing that he will not be attending tonight’s Council Meeting on Thursday, October 09, 2025, due to a personal matter.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1613).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning, Relative to Parking Requirements - Appendix C - Table of Parking and Loading Requirements.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #1614).”
An Ordinance, Appendix C - Table of Parking and Loading Requirements
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #1615).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning, Relative to Parking Requirements - Appendix B – Table of Dimensional Regulations, Residential Infill Development, and Multiple building per lot.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #1616).”
An Ordinance, Appendix B – Table of Dimensional Regulations and Residential Infill Development and Multiple building per lot.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #1617).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 22 – Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Ways, Public Works.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #1618).”
An Ordinance, Chapter 22, Section 22-43 – Driveways, curbing cuts, etc. – Filing petitions; granting etc.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #1619).”
Report, Committee on Ordinances, recommending that Atty. David Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel, draft an Ordinance Amending Chapter 9 – Zoning – Appendix A: Table of Principal Use Regulations, reflecting changes to the following categories: Motor Vehicle Light Service Station, Wireless Communications…
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1620).”
Ordinance (Draft),
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #1621).”
Report, Committee on Ordinances, recommending 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…
Recommended by the Committee on Ordinances
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1622).”
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…
NO FURTHER ACTION
Written Motion, Councillors Lopes and Pereira, requesting on behalf of New Bedford residents that the City look into the possibility of placing two benches on the Cove Walk: one bench on the east side and one bench on the west side of the Cove Walk.
Referred to the Mitchell Administration and the Planning Department
From the minutes
“Referred to the Mitchell Administration and the Planning Department. (Matter #1623).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a New Private Livery License, on behalf of Jailene M. Guzman Carrero, d/b/a Dj Transportation, 458B Maxfield Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.)
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #1624).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a New Private Livery License, on behalf of Dulfeu Amado, d/b/a Grace Transportation, 837 Shawmut Avenue, New Bedford, MA. (License to Expire – June 30, 2026.)
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #1625).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a New Private Livery License, on behalf of Joao M. Pires, d/b/a Blue Line Transportation, 62 Upton Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.)
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #1626).”
Communication, Councillors Morad and Oliver, submitting a copy of an email from Lisa Dunaway, giving notice that she will not be seeking to be reappointed at the conclusion of her term on the Board of Election Commissioners.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1627).”
Communication, Councillors Morad and Oliver, submitting a copy of letter from Mayor Mitchell to the Board of Election Commissioners, regarding the appointment Patricia Lareau as the temporary Republican member to fill the Board’s vacancy. Received and Placed on File. Councillor Oliver having voted…
Reconsideration Adopted – All Ayes
From the minutes
“Reconsideration Adopted – All Ayes. (Matter #1628).”
NO FURTHER ACTION
Communication, Councillors Morad and Oliver, submitting a copy of a letter from Mayor Mitchell to the Board of Election Commissioners, regarding the appointment Daniel Higgins as the temporary Republican member to fill the Board’s vacancy. Received and Placed on File. Councillor Oliver having voted…
Reconsideration Adopted – All Ayes
From the minutes
“Reconsideration Adopted – All Ayes. (Matter #1629).”
Tabled
Communication, Department of Environmental Protection Waterways Regulation Program, submitting a Notice of a Waterway License Application, New Bedford Port Authority, New Bedford Harbor, 352 Herman Melville Boulevard, New Bedford, MA, to authorize a change in use of filled tidelands and a marine…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1630).”
Citation, Councillor Gomes, honoring Steve Marshalek, Atty. General Chief of the Southeastern Massachusetts Division, in recognition of his 24 years of committed and dedicated service to the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date
From the minutes
“Adopted, to be presented at a later date. (Matter #1631).”
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of Mr. Buddy Andrade, that the following street(s) be Closed: Purchase Street, from Acushnet Avenue to Purchase Street, and Manny Costa Way, from Acushnet Avenue to South Second Street, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 7:00 A.m. to 7:00…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, on behalf of Veteran’s Day participants, that the following street(s) be Closed: Rockdale Avenue, from Kempton Street to West Clinton Street; Union Street, from Rockdale Avenue to County Street; Pleasant Street, from Market Street to Elm Street; William…
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Giesta, requesting, on behalf of Dee’s Hot Dogs., that the following street(s) be Closed: Belleville Avenue, from Tarkiln Hill Road to Jireh Street, on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 8:00 A.m. to 9:00 P.m., for the purpose of Dee’s Hot Dogs 40TH Anniversary Block Party…
Permission Granted
Constable Bond, Michael J. Mcluskey, Acushnet, MA, in the amount of $5,000.00 with Western Surety Company.
Approved
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, notifying that the Office of the City Clerk has received Meeting Minutes from the Board of Assessors for meetings held on August 14 and September 04, 2025; the Board of Health for meetings held on May 29, June 30 and July 16,…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1636).”
Applications, Pariseault Builders, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 01, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 834 – 836 Purchase Street (#1637) 834 – 836 Purchase Street (#1638)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Ryco Excavating, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 4543 Acushnet Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 24, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1639).”
Application, D.w. White Construction, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 80 Wright Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 25, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1640).”
Application, Arne Excavating LLC, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 136 Winterville Road – Dartmouth to City of New Bedford water and sewer, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 26, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1641).”
Application, Aqua Line Utility, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 680 Purchase Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1642).”
Application, John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 116 Charles Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1643).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 146 - 148 Court Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1644).”
Application, Danella Line Services, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at County Street @ North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 30, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1645).”
Application, Roto Rooter, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 283 Cedar Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 30, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1646).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at Blaze Road, Ns 230E. x Briarwood Drive, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 03, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1647).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 39 Foster Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 03, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1648).”
Application, Morgado Company, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 39 Foster Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 06, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1649).”
Application, Ryco Excavating, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, of 4543 Acushnet Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 24, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1650).”
Application, D.w. White Construction, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, of 80 Wright Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 25, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1651).”
Application, Arne Excavating, LLC, to Disturb the Surface, of 136 Winterville Road, Dartmouth to City of New Bedford water and sewer, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 26, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1652).”
Application, Aqua Line Utility, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, of 80 680 Purchase Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1653).”
Application, John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete, to Disturb the Surface, of 116 Charles Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1654).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 146 - Court Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1655).”
Application, Danella Line Services, to Disturb the Surface, of County Street @ North Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 30, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1656).”
Application, Roto-Rooter, to Disturb the Surface, of 283 Cedar Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 30, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1657).”
Application, R.j. Canessa Excavating, to Disturb the Surface, of Blaze Road, Ns 230E. x Briarwood Road, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 03, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1658).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 39 Foster Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 03, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1659).”
Application, Morgado Company, to Disturb the Surface, of 132 - 134 Butler Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 06, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1660).”
Application, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, of 841 - 849 County Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 23, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1661).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 24, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 1911 Acushnet Avenue (#1662) 2620 Acushnet Avenue (#1663) Intersection of East Clinton Street and Clinton Place…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 26, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Union Street, Jfk Boulevard - Route 18, street and street to house (#1665) Union Street, Jfk Boulevard - Route 18,…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 29, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: East Rodney French Boulevard, Ricketson Street to 1299 East Rodney French Boulevard, (#1667) Forest Street, working…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 30, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 48 Vine Street (#1670) 149 Sylvia Street (#1671) 88 - 90 Howard Street (#1672) 436 Purchase Street (#1673) 2036…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Harvey New Bedford, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 181 - 183 State Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on October 03, 2025, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1684).”
Petition, Network Building and Consulting on behalf of Verizon New England, Inc., for location of one (1) 45- foot midspan Pole and one (1) Cable in Hathaway Road.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, October 23, 2025
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, October 23, 2025..”
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →