MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Meeting night
December 9, 2025
3 meetings this evening, 21 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 →6:07 p.m. · Committee on Appointments and Briefings
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Committee on Appointments and Briefings: 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, Brian K. Gomes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Leo Choquette, Joseph P. Lopes
During the meeting:
- Pereira arrived late (6:16)
3 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Communication, Councillor Gomes, submitting a Host Community Agreement Proposal Application on behalf of Shamar James, Founder/CEO of THConnect, LLC, dba Houz of Diesel, seeking to operate a co-located adult-use marijuana retail and product manufacturing establishment at 301 Herman Melville…
To remove the matter from the table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To remove the matter from the table. (Matter #0116).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Oliver)
To immediately send a letter to the Mayor asking him to enter into a Host Community Agreement (Hca) with the Houz of Diesel enabling the organization to seek reimbursement from the State for funds previously expended. This passed on a roll call vote of Yeas 9, Nays 0.
The minutes record 9–0, more votes than the 8 councilors listed as present; this looks like a typo. Individual votes are not shown until it is confirmed. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: To immediately send a letter to the Mayor asking him to enter into a Host Community Agreement (HCA) with the Houz of Diesel enabling the organization to seek reimbursement from the State for funds previously expended. This passed on a roll call vote of Yeas 9, Nays 0. (Matter #0116).”
To Table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: to Table the matter at this time. (Matter #0116).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Burgo)
6:52 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: Ian Abreu, Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Maria E. Giesta, Brian K. Gomes, Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Leo Choquette, Joseph P. Lopes
10 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
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 remove from the table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To remove from the table. (Matter #0229).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Burgo)
To receive and place on file the following documents submitted by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (EDC) and/or the Solicitor’s Office: - TIF Policy - TIF Application - TIF Agreement - TIF Compliance Report - TIF Standard Operating Procedure The Chair recognized Atty. Peter Winters, Associate City Solicitor, and asked him to provide the Committee with a synopsis of the information prov
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file the following documents submitted by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (EDC) and/or the Solicitor’s Office: - TIF Policy - TIF Application - TIF Agreement - TIF Compliance Report - TIF Standard Operating Procedure The Chair recognized Atty. Peter Winters, Associate City Solicitor, and asked him to provide the Committee with a synopsis of the information provided. Atty. Winters stated that the new document provided was the Standard Operating Policy (SOP) for the City’s TIF program, which would be used moving forward now that the State has relinquished much of its duties to municipalities. What the Committee has before them is how the policy will be handled and enforced. (Matter #0229).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Abreu)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the 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 Assessments (STA) and Tax Increment
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the 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 Assessments (STA) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) activity for all active certified projects. (Matter #0229).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Baptiste)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting two proposed Resolutions; a Resolution to file and accept grants with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, for the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC)…
To table the matter.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter. (Matter #1867).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Pereira)
To remove from the table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: To remove from the table. (Matter #1867).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Pereira)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Resolution, to file and accept grants with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, for the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program for Improvements to the Common, and Adoption of the Resolution, for the dedication of Riverside Park.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the RESOLUTION, to file and accept grants with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, for the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program for Improvements to the Common, and ADOPTION of the RESOLUTION, for the dedication of Riverside Park. (Matter #1867).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Baptiste)
Report, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council, Adoption of the Order, for the City of New Bedford to accept a donation of real estate from Wayland Development Corp., consisting of 2 parcels shown on City of New Bedford Assessors Map 132 as Lot 62 and the second on Map 132 as Lot 6.…
To table the matter.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter. (Matter #1878).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Oliver)
To remove from the table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: To remove from the table. (Matter #1878).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Pereira)
To Amend the Report, by striking the phrase “consisting of 2 parcels” and by striking the phrase “and the second on Map 132 as Lot 6”.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Gomes, Oliver, PereiraNo: Burgo, Giesta, MoradAbsent: Choquette, Lopes
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the REPORT, by striking the phrase “consisting of 2 parcels” and by striking the phrase “and the second on Map 132 as Lot 6”. (Matter #1878).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Baptiste)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Report, as Amended, recommending Adoption of the Order, as Amended, for the City of New Bedford to accept a donation of real estate from Wayland Development Corp., shown on City of New Bedford Assessors Map 132 as Lot 62.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Giesta, Gomes, Oliver, PereiraNo: MoradAbsent: Choquette, Lopes
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the REPORT, AS AMENDED, recommending ADOPTION of the ORDER, AS AMENDED, for the City of New Bedford to accept a donation of real estate from Wayland Development Corp., shown on City of New Bedford Assessors Map 132 as Lot 62. (Matter #1878).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Abreu)
7:41 p.m. · Committee on Audit
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Committee on Audit: committee votes are recommendations to the full council, which takes the final vote. About this committee
Attendance
Present: Linda M. Morad, Shawn Oliver, Ryan J. Pereira
Absent: Ian Abreu, Joseph P. Lopes
8 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Written Motion, Councillors Morad and Pereira, requesting that Purchasing Director Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez provide to the Audit Committee monthly – by the 5th of each month – reports detailing the previous month's Request for Proposals issued by the City of New Bedford. (Matter Id #1359)…
To Receive and Place on File a hard copy of an email from Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez, Purchasing Director, outlining how to access bidding opportunities and historical bid information on the City’s website.
Yes: Morad, Oliver, PereiraAbsent: Abreu, Lopes
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: To Receive and Place on File a hard copy of an email from Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez, Purchasing Director, outlining how to access bidding opportunities and historical bid information on the City’s website. (Matter #1359).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Morad)
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Written Motion, Councillors Morad and Pereira, requesting that Purchasing Director Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez provide to the Audit Committee monthly – by the 5th of each month – reports detailing the previous month's Request for Proposals issued by the City of New Bedford.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Morad and Pereira, requesting that Purchasing Director Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez provide to the Audit Committee monthly – by the 5th of each month – reports detailing the previous month's Request for Proposals issued by the City of New Bedford. (Matter #1359).” (Motion: Morad, second: Oliver)
Written Motion, Councillors Pereira, Oliver and Morad, requesting, that the Committee on Audit receive monthly reports for expenditures from every department and account. (To be Referred to the Committee on Audit, CFO Robert Ekstrom, the Auditor and the Administration.) (Matter Id #1155) (Referred…
To remove the matter from the Table.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: to remove the matter from the Table. (Matter #1155).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Morad)
To Receive and Place on File the FY 2025 Expenditures Report – General, Wastewater, and Enterprise Funds.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: to Receive and Place on File the FY 2025 Expenditures Report – General, Wastewater, and Enterprise Funds. (Matter #1155).” (Motion: Morad, second: Oliver)
To Table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: to Table the matter at this time. (Matter #1155).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Morad)
The following matters were taken up together without objection: Written Motion, Councillors Burgo, Giesta, Gomes, Markey, Morad and Carney, requesting that within the next 30 days, the City Auditor, City Solicitor and Interim Chief Financial Officer provide a detailed accounting of all monies spent…
To Receive and Place on File the requested reports related to the Kp Law, P.c. financial breakdown..
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: to Receive and Place on File the requested reports related to the KP Law, P.C. financial breakdown.. (Matter #1383).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Morad)
To Table both matters at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: to Table both matters at this time. (Matter #1383).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Morad)
The Committee followed the Chair’s recommendation to Waive the Reading and take No Further Action on the following item: Related Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Audit investigate the departmental deficit of $184,291 in the Mayor’s Office. (Matter Id #2003) (Referred –…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Related Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Audit investigate the departmental deficit of $184,291 in the Mayor’s Office.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the RELATED MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Audit investigate the departmental deficit of $184,291 in the Mayor’s Office. (Matter #2003).” (Motion: Morad, second: Oliver)
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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