MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Meeting night
September 8, 2026
2 meetings this evening, 14 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 →6:33 p.m. · Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications: committee votes are recommendations to the full council, which takes the final vote. About this committee
Attendance
Present: Derek Baptiste, Joseph P. Lopes, Shawn Oliver, James Roy
Absent: Shane A. Burgo, Leo Choquette
4 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Communication, Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, submitting a Memorial Park Bench and Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located along the new pathway on Brownell Avenue, at the foot of Sheldon Street, in honor of Freddie Mello. (Matter Id #1230) (Referred –…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Memorial Park Bench and Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located along the new pathway on Brownell Avenue, at the foot of Sheldon Street, in honor of Freddie Mello.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: to recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the Memorial Park Bench and Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located along the new pathway on Brownell Avenue, at the foot of Sheldon Street, in honor of FREDDIE MELLO. (Matter #1230).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Roy)
Communication, Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, submitting a Memorial Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located at Fort Taber, replacing an existing bench, in memory of Arthur C. Burton, Jr. (Matter Id #1323) (Referred – August 25, 2026)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Memorial Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located at Fort Taber, replacing an existing bench, in memory of Arthur C. Burton, Jr.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the Memorial Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located at Fort Taber, replacing an existing bench, in memory of ARTHUR C. BURTON, JR. (Matter #1323).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Roy)
Communication, Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, submitting a Memorial Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located at the corner of Buttonwood Street and Lake Street, to the right of the Italian American Memorial, in memory of Carl Natho. (Matter…
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Memorial Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located at the corner of Buttonwood Street and Lake Street, to the right of the Italian American Memorial, in memory of Carl Natho. This Item was not read.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: to recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the Memorial Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program Application for a bench and plaque to be located at the corner of Buttonwood Street and Lake Street, to the right of the Italian American Memorial, in memory of CARL NATHO. This Item was not read. (Matter #1324).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Roy)
Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications meet with Rosemary Gill, President & CEO of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, to discuss a portrait tribute of Armand Marchand and George Charbonneau, founders of the New Bedford Festival Theatre…
To recommend that the City Council take “No Further Action” on the Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications meet with Rosemary Gill, President & CEO of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, to discuss a portrait tribute of Armand Marchand and George Charbonneau, founders of the New Bedford Festival Theatre and former New Bedford High Schoo
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Roy, the Committee VOTED: to recommend that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications meet with Rosemary Gill, President & CEO of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, to discuss a portrait tribute of Armand Marchand and George Charbonneau, founders of the New Bedford Festival Theatre and former New Bedford High School Drama Club teacher; this portrait would hang in the entrance lobby of the Zeiterion Theater as a tribute to a man who gave it all to the art of the theater through his productions and to his legacy in the City of New Bedford. (Matter #1256).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Roy)
7:00 p.m. · Committee on Ordinances
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
Committee on Ordinances: 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, Leo Choquette, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Shawn Oliver, Scott Pemberton, Ryan J. Pereira, James Roy
Absent: None
10 recorded votes, 9 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Written Motion, Councillors Burgo, Abreu and Lopes, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances consider whether the appropriate policy outcome is either the complete removal and abolition of automated license plate reader systems and other similarly invasive surveillance technologies within the…
To receive and place on file a Draft Ordinance, relative to Automated License Plate Readers (“ALPR”) and Mass Location-Tracking Technologies, submitted by Councillor Burgo, Ordinance Committee Chair.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Abreu and seconded by Councillor Pereira, the Committee VOTED: To receive and place on file a DRAFT ORDINANCE, relative to Automated License Plate Readers (“ALPR”) and Mass Location-Tracking Technologies, submitted by Councillor Burgo, Ordinance Committee Chair. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Abreu, second: Pereira)
To table the matter at this time.
Yes: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, PembertonNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Carney and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Carney, second: Gomes)
To Amend the Ordinance.
Yes: RoyNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Roy and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the ORDINANCE. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Roy, second: Baptiste)
To table the matter at this time, with the previous Amendment pending.
Yes: Carney, Gomes, OliverNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Lopes, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time, with the previous Amendment pending. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Carney)
To Amend the Ordinance by adding the phrase “of seven days” after the word “period” in Section G, item #1.
Yes: Abreu, LopesNo: Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the ORDINANCE by adding the phrase “of seven days” after the word “period” in Section G, item #1. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Abreu)
To Amend the Ordinance by adding the phrase “usage will be limited to use by sergeants, lieutenants, captains, Deputy Police Chiefs and the Police Chief” after the words “required by law” in Section G, item #2.
Yes: LopesNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Abreu, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the ORDINANCE by adding the phrase “usage will be limited to use by sergeants, lieutenants, captains, Deputy Police Chiefs and the Police Chief” after the words “required by law” in Section G, item #2. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Lopes, second: Abreu)
To table the matter at this time.
Yes: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, OliverNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To table the matter at this time. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Carney)
To Amend the Ordinance by adding the phrase “of fourteen days” after the word “period” in Section G, item #1.
Yes: LopesNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Gomes, the Committee VOTED: To AMEND the ORDINANCE by adding the phrase “of fourteen days” after the word “period” in Section G, item #1. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Oliver, second: Gomes)
To move the question.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Lopes, Pemberton, Pereira, RoyNo: Gomes, Oliver
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To move the question. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Baptiste)
To recommend to the City Council Approval of the Ordinance, relative to Automated License Plate Readers (“ALPR”) and Mass Location-Tracking Technologies.
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Lopes, Pemberton, Pereira, RoyNo: Carney, Gomes, Oliver
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Pereira and seconded by Councillor Baptiste, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDINANCE, relative to Automated License Plate Readers (“ALPR”) and Mass Location-Tracking Technologies. (Matter #1304).” (Motion: Pereira, second: Baptiste)
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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