MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Finance · 7:02 p.m.
August 17, 2026
9 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
Present: Derek Baptiste, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Joseph P. Lopes, Shawn Oliver, Scott Pemberton, Ryan J. Pereira, James Roy
Absent: Ian Abreu, Leo Choquette, Brian K. Gomes
Every vote, in order
Item number seven was taken out of order without objection. Communication, Ryan A. Pavao, First Assistant City Solicitor, submitting Orders for the Layout and Taking of Hillman Street, variable width, from Sta. 72+32.80, at the terminus of Pleasant Street 41.74 feet easterly to terminus at Sta.…
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Orders for the Layout and Taking of Hillman Street, variable width, from Sta. 72+32.80, at the terminus of Pleasant Street 41.74 feet easterly to terminus at Sta. 72+74.52 at Purchase Street, for the purpose of realigning Hillman Street to the west so that a new signalized intersection can be built. On the question: Councillor Baptiste informed the
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDERS for the LAYOUT and TAKING of Hillman Street, variable width, from Sta. 72+32.80, at the terminus of Pleasant Street 41.74 feet easterly to terminus at Sta. 72+74.52 at Purchase Street, for the purpose of realigning Hillman Street to the west so that a new signalized intersection can be built. On the question: Councillor Baptiste informed the Committee that he had spoken to Jamie Ponte, Commissioner, Department of Public Infrastructure and believes this to be a good project given that it will connect Hillman Street in its entirety. (Matter #1224).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Baptiste)
On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee Voted: to remove the following item from the table. Written Motion, Councillors Morad, Gomes, Giesta and Lopes, requesting that Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes and a representative of…
To remove the following item from the table. Written Motion, Councillors Morad, Gomes, Giesta and Lopes, requesting that Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes and a representative of the Administration appear before the Committee on Finance to discuss options regarding the $3.5 million settlement to be received from the MBTA; said discussion shall include but not be li
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: to remove the following item from the table. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Morad, Gomes, Giesta and Lopes, requesting that Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes and a representative of the Administration appear before the Committee on Finance to discuss options regarding the $3.5 million settlement to be received from the MBTA; said discussion shall include but not be limited to appropriating the monies to the Stabilization Fund or to a newly created Revolving Fund account with the intention of restricting the funds to create a revenue stream dedicated to paying for ongoing maintenance of the pedestrian bridge currently being constructed across Route 18 that the City of New Bedford will be required to maintain after construction is completed. (Matter ID #1357) (Referred – August 13, 2024.) (October 21, 2024 – remain on the table) (February 19, 2025 – tabled) (Matter #1357).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Pereira)
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Burgo, the Committee VOTED: to table the matter at this time. (Matter #1357).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Burgo)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $37,154.00 from Mayor Purchase of Services to Mayor Other Charges & Expenses. (Matter Id #1181) (Referred – July 16, 2026.)
To table the matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Pemberton, the Committee VOTED: to table the matter at this time. (Matter #1181).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Pemberton)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $2,000.00 from Assessors Purchase of Services to Assessors Other Charges & Expenses. (Matter Id #1183) (Referred – July 16, 2026.)
To table the matter at this time.
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, PereiraNo: RoyAbsent: Abreu, Choquette, Gomes
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: to table the matter at this time. (Matter #1183).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Pereira)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $650.00 from Labor Relations Purchase of Services to Labor Relations Other Charges & Expenses. (Matter Id #1185) (Referred – July 16, 2026.)
To table the matter at this time.
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, PereiraNo: Carney, RoyAbsent: Abreu, Choquette, Gomes
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: to table the matter at this time. (Matter #1185).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Pereira)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $157,791.00 from School General Expense to School Transportation. (Matter Id #1187) (Referred – July 16, 2026.)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $157,791.00 from School General Expense to School Transportation.
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, PereiraNo: RoyAbsent: Abreu, Choquette, Gomes
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Burgo and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $157,791.00 from SCHOOL GENERAL EXPENSE to SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION. (Matter #1187).” (Motion: Burgo, second: Baptiste)
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Order for the Transfer of $395,000.00 from Zeiterion Theatre Supplies to Zeiterion Theatre Purchase of Services. (Matter Id #1189) (Referred – July 16, 2026.)
To recommend to the City Council Adoption of the Order for the Transfer of $395,000.00 from Zeiterion Theatre Supplies to Zeiterion Theatre Purchase of Services. At this time Councillor Burgo made a motion to Table the item, and was seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $395,000.00 from ZEITERION THEATRE SUPPLIES to ZEITERION THEATRE PURCHASE OF SERVICES. At this time Councillor Burgo made a motion to Table the item, and was seconded by Councillor Oliver, the Committee (Matter #1189).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Roy)
To table the matter at this time.
Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Oliver, Pemberton, PereiraNo: Lopes, RoyAbsent: Abreu, Choquette, Gomes
From the minutes
“The Committee VOTED: to table the matter at this time. (Matter #1189).”
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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