June 23, 2026

“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of LARA HARRINGTON, New Bedford, MA to the AIRPORT COMMISSION. (Matter #0894).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Abreu)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #0895).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Oliver)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of KREG R. ESPINOLA, New Bedford, MA to the STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY BOARD of GOVERNORS. Appointments & Briefings Committee June 23, 2026 (Matter #0896).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Lopes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #0652).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Abreu)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“On motion by Councillor Gomes and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the REAPPOINTMENT of RICARD REZENDES, New Bedford, MA to the LICENSING BOARD. (Matter #0893).” (Motion: Gomes, second: Lopes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the following items: Appointments & Briefings Committee June 23, 2026 WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Markey, requesting, that the City Council go on record in opposition to Parallel Products, Inc., of New England, 100 Duchaine Boulevard, New Bedford, being issued any type of permitting from the City of New Bedford or the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Protection (MEPA) for any recyclable plastics, glass waste or a waste water sludge facility at this location, until company officials hold a meeting with residents of the Pinehill Drive/Phillips Road area and City officials; and further, that Parallel Products, Inc. officials explain how land in the Industrial Business Park was bought or leased for this type of operation; and further, that the company explain to the residents and the City of New Bedford how this operation will not affect the quality of life of the abutting neighborhoods and businesses located in New Bedford Industrial Business Park; and further, that the meeting be held for the convenience of the neighborhood at the Casimir Pulaski School, making it easier for residents who live in the area to attend. (Matter ID #0465) (Referred – March 14, 2019.) (June 12, 2019 – Remain in Committee) (May 17, 2022 – Remain in Committee) WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes, Abreu, Markey, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Lima, Lopes, Council President Morad and Councillor Rebeiro, on behalf of the residents and businesses in the immediate area of the New Bedford Business Park, requesting that the City Council go on record as being in opposition to the waste, recycling, trash and sludge facility currently being proposed by Parallel Products of New England, located at 100 Duchaine Blvd; and further, that letters be sent to the Massachusetts Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs and the City of New Bedford’s Planning Department, Board of Health, Environmental Stewardship and Conservation Commission, asking that unfavorable recommendations be made concerning this proposal and/or that any permits sought by Parallel Products for this project be denied due to the fact that the location of said business is in very close proximity to a residential area and that the New Bedford Business Park was established and intended for production and hi-tech businesses; furthermore, that letters be sent to Gov. Baker, Sen. Mark Montigny and the City’s entire State legislative delegation, Senators Warren and Markey and Congressman Keating expressing the City Council’s opposition to any state or federal permitting of this facility; and that letters also be sent to every business located in the Business Park, asking that they join the community and City officials in our firm opposition to this type of industry being located within this area; and finally, that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with all park businesses in order to learn their opinions regarding this proposed project and what impact they foresee it having on the Business Park, the residents and overall quality of life within the area. (To be Adopted, Referred to the Committee on Appointments & Briefings, and that Rule 40 be Waived.) (Matter ID #0797) (Referred – May 09, 2019.) (May 14, 2019 & May 15, 2019 – Letters sent to all parties outlined in motion) (June 12, 2019 – tabled; Committee requests every business owner in the business park be given the opportunity to submit in writing their position on Parallel Products, and whether they are in support or opposition of this type of facility being located within the business park community) (June 27, 2019 – letters sent to all businesses in the business park with info from the June 12, 2019 meeting; to date, one response received.) (May 17, 2022 – Remain in Committee) Appointments & Briefings Committee June 23, 2026 WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Markey, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with Members of South Coast Neighbors United and Attorney Kirstie Pecci, the Director of Conservation Law Foundation’s Zero Waste Products, to discuss Phase 1 and 2 of Parallel Products project proposed for the City of New Bedford. (Matter ID #1116) (Referred – August 19, 2021.) (September 30, 2021 – tabled) WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, Giesta, Lima, Council President Abreu and Councillor Morad, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings hold a meeting with Officials from Parallel Products, the Mitchell Administration and the City Solicitor for the purpose of explaining the agreement that the City and the Mayor entered into with Parallel Products which allows Mr. Tim Cusson, CEO of Parallel Products to move forward with the construction plan in the New Bedford Business Park; and further, an explanation as to why the residents of Pine Hill and Sassaquin areas were not notified before the signing of this agreement which will affect the quality of life for the residents and businesses in the area for many years to come; and further that the Administration provide the City Council, residents, and business owners in the area, an explanation on how this agreement of receiving $800,000 a year will benefit the abutting area and the City; and whereas the New Bedford City Council signed onto a letter submitted to MEPA on May 10, 2021 along with Mayor Jon Michell, expressing strong opposition to the establishment of a glass/solid waste/biosolids processing facility to be operated by Parallel Products at 100 Duchaine Boulevard; although changes have been made to the project proposal, the City Council will send a letter expressing our continued opposition to this project in its entirety because of the detrimental impact it would have on the residents, businesses and the community of New Bedford; the City has been subjected to multiple environmental injustices and this project will in fact be another one; and furthermore, the City Council would also like to state its opposition to the City’s Host Agreement entered into with Parallel Products, and that the New Bedford City Council was unaware any of agreement, as it was entered into solely by Mayor Jon Mitchell. (Matter ID #1382) (Referred – August 18, 2022.) (October 18, 2022 – tabled) WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Oliver, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with MBTA South Coast Rail officials for the purpose of discussing the safety of the Purchase Street Train corridor; the installation of safety fencing from Minuteman Car Wash, south and the support wall south on Purchase Street, from Penniman Street to the train station; and further, requesting that the Purchase Street support wall have the same façade as the train station. (Matter ID #0116) (Referred – January 25, 2024.) (June 17, 2025 – tabled) (March 17, 2026 – Remain in Committee) RELATED MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with the County Street business owners, Anthony Veilleux of Eversource, Mayor Mitchell, EDC Director Derek Santos, and Director of Tourism Ashley Payne for a discussion regarding past project issues and possible resolutions. (Referred from Committee – July 16, 2024.) Appointments & Briefings Committee June 23, 2026 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 further, requesting that Cable Access return the channels to their original listings, as this change has been very troubling to many Cable Access viewers. (Matter ID #0288) (Referred – March 12, 2026.) (Matter #1423).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Lopes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)