MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Finance · 7:01 p.m.
March 16, 2026
12 recorded votes, 0 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, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Shawn Oliver, Scott Pemberton, Ryan J. Pereira, James Roy
Absent: Leo Choquette
During the meeting:
- Baptiste arrived late (7:16)
- Burgo arrived late (7:11)
Every vote, in order
Written Motion, Councillor Oliver, requesting, that the Committee on Finance meet with Chief Financial Officer, Bob Ekstrom, and MAA Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors Sherie Pinzino, to review the current criteria for tax exemption eligibility at age 70 and to consider taking the…
To Table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: to Table the matter at this time. (Matter #1499).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Abreu)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a Loan Order, appropriating $12,610,194.00 for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to City-owned buildings including, but not limited to, projects for the repair and renovation of public safety facilities, recreational…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Loan Order in the amount of $12,610,194, for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to City-owned buildings including, but not limited to, projects for the repair and renovation of public safety facilities, recreational facilities, general office space, replacement of capital equipment and vehicles, and road and infrastructure improvements.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, RoyAbsent: Choquette
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the LOAN ORDER in the amount of $12,610,194, for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to City-owned buildings including, but not limited to, projects for the repair and renovation of public safety facilities, recreational facilities, general office space, replacement of capital equipment and vehicles, and road and infrastructure improvements. (Matter #0106).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Baptiste)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the attached updated City’s Fund Balance Management Policy. (Matter Id #0158) (Referred – February 12, 2026.)
To recommend to the City council Approval of the updated City’s Fund Balance Management Policy.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City council APPROVAL of the updated City’s Fund Balance Management Policy. (Matter #0158).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Pereira)
Communication, (Matter Id #0159)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $5,037,282.00 from Free Cash to Cable Access, Stabilization Fund.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $5,037,282.00 from FREE CASH to CABLE ACCESS, STABILIZATION FUND. (Matter #0159).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Carney)
Communication, (Matter Id #0161)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $60,386.00 from Free Cash to Public Infrastructure, Purchase of Services.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Pemberton, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $60,386.00 from FREE CASH to PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, PURCHASE OF SERVICES. (Matter #0161).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Pemberton)
Communication, (Matter Id# 0163) and an Order (Matter Id #0164)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $175,000.00 from Free Cash to Waste Collection and Disposal, Purchase of Services.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $175,000.00 from FREE CASH to WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL, PURCHASE OF SERVICES. (Matter #0164).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Baptiste)
Communication, (Matter Id #0165)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $84,700.00 from Free Cash to Tourism, Purchase of Services.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $84,700.00 from FREE CASH to TOURISM, PURCHASE OF SERVICES. (Matter #0165).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Burgo)
Communication, (Matter Id #0167)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Order for the Transfer of $70,000.00 from Free Cash to Recreation and Parks, Purchase of Services.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $70,000.00 from FREE CASH to RECREATION AND PARKS, PURCHASE OF SERVICES. (Matter #0167).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Burgo)
Communication, (Matter Id #0169)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Order for the Transfer of $63,662.00 from Free Cash to Mis, Purchase of Services.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $63,662.00 from FREE CASH to MIS, PURCHASE OF SERVICES. (Matter #0169).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Burgo)
Communication, (Matter Id #0171)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Order, for the Transfer of $17,610.00 from Free Cash to Auditor, Purchase of Services.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $17,610.00 from FREE CASH to AUDITOR, PURCHASE OF SERVICES. (Matter #0171).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Burgo)
The following items were not read. Communication, Councillor Morad, submitting a letter from Joseph Gomes, expressing his concerns regarding property taxes and senior adjustments, highlighting the difficulties seniors face in making ends meet and remaining in their homes. (Matter Id #1798)…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the matter at this time. (Matter #1798).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Roy)
Communication, Councillor Morad, submitting a copy of a letter issued by the Law Offices of David J. Hoey P.c. to the City of New Bedford, pursuant to M.g.l. Ch. 258 § 4, relating to claims regarding the Estate of the late Paul N. Coderre, Jr. and his widow, Jane Coderre. (Matter Id #1451)…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the matter at this time. (Matter #1451).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Roy)
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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