MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
March 12, 2026
43 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: Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Leo Choquette, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Shawn Oliver, Scott Pemberton, Ryan J. Pereira, James Roy
Absent: Ian Abreu
Every vote, in order
Communication, Councillor Abreu, notifying that he will be unable to attend the City Council Meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026, due to a prior commitment.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0271).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 215’ of Duct encased in concrete in Coffin Avenue, this work is necessary to provide upgraded service to 229 Coffin Avenue.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #0272).”
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #0273).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 58’ of Duct encased in concrete in Acushnet Avenue, this work is necessary to provide upgraded service to 229 Coffin Avenue.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #02724).”
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #0275).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of 118’ of Conduit in Foley Drive, this work is necessary to provide service to Lot 132 on Foley Drive.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed on File
From the minutes
“Petition Placed on File. (Matter #0276).”
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #0277).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Kendra Parker, as Acting Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.
Tabled
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a request for a waiver for the education and experience requirements for the position of Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.
Tabled
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Loan Order appropriating $13,787,624.00 for the purpose of paying the costs of replacement of the roof and accessibility upgrades at the Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School located at 286 South Second Street.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0280).”
An Order,
Passed to a Second Reading
From the minutes
“Passed to a Second Reading. (Matter #0281).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 16, Article Viii-Stormwater Management.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #0282).”
An Ordinance,
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances. (Matter #0283).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 9, Section 4100A, Relative to Municipal Facility Conversion.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #0284).”
An Ordinance,
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #0285).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Renee Ledbetter, New Bedford, to the Election Commission, replacing Donald Gaudette, Jr., who has resigned; this term will expire April 2027.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0286).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Virginia J. Senna-davis, New Bedford to the Veterans Advisory Board, replacing William Andrews whose term has expired; this term will expire December 2028.
Rule 38 Waived, Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, RoyAbsent: Abreu
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived, Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 10, Nays 0. (Matter #0287).”
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with James Marshall, Director of Cable Access, for the purpose of discussing why the Educational Channel was changed from 9 to 96 and why the Government Access Channel was changed from 18 to 97; and…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0288).”
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods meet with DPI Commissioner Jamie Ponte, Police Chief Jason Thody, Fire Chief Brian Medeiros, Emergency Management Director Brian Nobrega, Cable Access Director James Marshall and a representative from…
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #0289).”
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, on behalf of Pastor Harold Taylor of the United House of Prayer for All People, that Emerson Street, between Mill Street and Kempton Street in a north and south direction, be renamed “Charles Manual Bishop Daddy Grace Way” in recognition of his…
Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications. (Matter #0290).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for Renewal of a Private Livery License on behalf of Franklin Lobo, 2220 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a Frank’s Transport Service, 2220 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 - June 30,…
) Livery License Renewal Granted
From the minutes
“) Livery License Renewal Granted. (Matter #0291).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, submitting an Application for a Renewal of a Private Livery License on behalf of Isabel Gomez Hernandez, 92 Ruth Street, Apt. 1, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a Yessica Coreas Transportation, 92 Ruth Street, Apt. 1, New Bedford, MA. (Term…
) Livery License Granted
From the minutes
“) Livery License Granted. (Matter #0292).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, submitting an Application for a Renewal of a Private Livery License on behalf of Camille Taylor, 14 Beetle Street, Apt. 1, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a Ct Live Your Best Life Transportation, INC., 14 Beetle Street, Apt. 1, New Bedford,…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #0293).”
Communication, Janine da Silva, Chairperson, Community Preservation Committee, submitting the Community Preservation Committee’s FY26 Project Funding Recommendations.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance. (Matter #0294).”
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, Dennis Farias, submitting a copy of a letter sent to the Office of the Attorney General notifying them of two Ordinances that were passed/amended regarding Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning, in compliance with MGL C. 40A, S.5.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0295).”
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be Closed: Acushnet Avenue, from William Street to Union Street; Barker’s Lane, from Acushnet Avenue to North Second Street; (Parade will be handled by NB Police Detail) on Thursday, April 09, 2026, from 3:00 P.m. to 9:00…
Permission Granted
Communication, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to the City Council, notifying that the Office of the City Clerk has received Meeting Minutes from the Board of Assessors for a meeting held on February 04, 2026; the Community Preservation Committee for meetings held on January 22, 2026 and…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #0297).”
Application, Geologic Earth Exploration, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at MacArthur Drive, closest to 180 MacArthur Drive, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 02, 2026, 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 #0298).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 643 Union Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 06, 2026, 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 #0299).”
Application, Mike Andrade Excavation LLC, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 155 Bullock Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 06, 2026, 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 #0300).”
Application, Haugland Energy Group, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at South Second Street, working between Walnut Street and School Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 09, 2026, 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 #0301).”
Applications, Aqua Line Utility, Inc., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 09, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 164 Harwich Street (#0302) 228 230 Rockdale Avenue (#0303) 456 Rockdale Avenue (#0304)…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Geologic Earth Exploration, to Disturb the Surface, of MacArthur Drive, closest to 180 MacArthur Drive, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 02, 2026, 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 #0306).”
Application, Jlc Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 643 Union Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 06, 2026, 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 #0307).”
Application, Mike Andrade Excavation LLC, to Disturb the Surface, of 155 Bullock Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 06, 2026, 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 #0308).”
Application, Haugland Energy Group, to Disturb the Surface, of South Second Street, working form Walnut Street to Second Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 09, 2026, 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 #0309).”
Applications, Aqua Line Utility, Inc., to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on March 09, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 164 Harwich Street (#0310) 228 - 230 Rockdale Avenue (#0311) 456 Rockdale Avenue (#0312) 464 Rockdale Avenue…
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 March 05, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 70 Ridgewood Road (#0314) Ivy Road, between intersection of 100 Birchwood Drive & Ivy Road to intersection of 12…
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 March 06, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 280 - 282 Ashley Boulevard (#0316) 228 Highland Street (#0317) 111 Plymouth Street (#0318) 36 Seventh Street (#0319)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of 58’ of Conduit encased in concrete in South Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 65 Potomska Street for an Electric Bus Charging Station.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, March 26, 2026
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, March 26, 2026..”
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 →