MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting · 7:00 p.m.
September 10, 2026
77 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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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
During the meeting:
- Baptiste arrived late (7:07)
Every vote, in order
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 102’ of Conduit and one Handhole in front of existing Lightning Control Cabinet in Willis Street, this conduit is necessary to provide service to 25 Willis Street.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #1438).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 50’ of Conduit from existing Handhole to Customer Installed Lightning Control Cabinet in Maxfield Street.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #1440).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 59’ of Conduit and one Handhole in Pleasant Street and Tower Drive, this conduit is necessary to provide service to the intersection of Pleasant Street and North Street.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #1442).”
Hearing, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 51’ of Conduit and two Handholes in Belleville Avenue, this work is necessary to provide upgraded underground service and increase system reliability on Belleville Avenue.
Hearing Held
Petition Placed
An Order,
Adopted and ordered recorded
From the minutes
“Adopted and ordered recorded. (Matter #1444).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting for approval an amendment to a Lease-Purchase Agreement and Ground Landlord Estoppel and Agreement, for the City-owned property located at 32 Madison Street, that is occupied by Pace, the amendment would allow Pace to borrow against its…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1445).”
Amendment Lease & Ground Landlord Estoppel and Agreement,
Approved
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting an Ordinance, amending Chapter 9, Relative to Definition and Use Classification of Data Centers.
Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board. (Matter #1447).”
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 #1448).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Alyssa Dacunha, Assistant Director of the Board of Health, of Dartmouth, MA as the Executive Director of the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities; this term will expire April 2028.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #1449).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Joana Goncalves, Community Relations Specialist of New Bedford, MA as the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission; this term will expire September 2029.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. (Matter #1450).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Ymane Galotti, New Bedford to the Zoning Board of Appeals, replacing Guelmie Santiago, who no longer resides in New Bedford; this term will expire December 2028.
Rule 38 Waived, Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“Rule 38 Waived, Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1451).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Ian Daley, Taunton, MA as a Constable.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1452).”
An Application, Ian Daley, Taunton, MA, Reappointment as a Constable.
Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #1453).”
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Reappointment of Ricky Nunez, New Bedford, MA as a Constable.
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1454).”
An Application,Ricky Nunez, New Bedford, MA, Reappointment as a Constable.
Reappointment Confirmed
From the minutes
“Reappointment Confirmed. (Matter #1455).”
Report, the Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council Adoption of the Order, for the Transfer of $157,791.00 from School General Expense to School Transportation.
Recommendation Followed
From the minutes
“Recommendation Followed. (Matter #1456).”
Ordered, that the sum of One Hundred Fifty-seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety-one Dollars ($157, 791) now standing to the credit of the account from School General Expense be and the same is hereby transferred and appropriated to as follows: School…
Adopted
Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, requesting, that all future Budget Book submissions to the New Bedford City Council provide a line-by-line breakdown of all dues and subscriptions as part of each department’s submission.
Referred to the Committee on Finance, Mayor Mitchell and the CFO’s Office
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance, Mayor Mitchell and the CFO’s Office. (Matter #1457).”
Written Motion, Councillor Abreu, requesting that the Committee on Finance and the Administration, through either the City’s public safety departments or the Department of Health and Human Services, identify and appropriate available funds to establish a program providing bicycle safety flags at no…
Referred to the Committee on Finance, CFO Robert Ekstrom, and the Administration
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Finance, CFO Robert Ekstrom, and the Administration. (Matter #1458).”
Written Motion, Councillor Burgo, requesting that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods review the lack of public trash receptacles throughout the City of New Bedford and make recommendations for increasing the availability and accessibility of trash receptacles in neighborhoods and…
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. (Matter #1459).”
Written Motion, Councillor Burgo, requesting that the Committee on Audit review the Mayor’s new staff hire, including the position, compensation, funding source, and hiring process, and report its findings and recommendations to the full City Council.
Referred to the Committee on Audit
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, PereiraNo: Roy
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Audit – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Roy OPPOSED.) (Matter #1460).”
Written Motion, Councillor Abreu and Council President Pereira, requesting that DPI and any other applicable City department provide the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs a list of all logged calls regarding odor complaints in the South End and surrounding the Sewage Treatment Plant.
Referred to the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs
From the minutes
“Referred to the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs. (Matter #1461).”
Written Motion, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Audit review the City of New Bedford's Health Insurance brokers' fees, consultant’s fees, and any other information surrounding this matter that the Committee deems relevant; and further, that the Committee review all commissions…
Referred to the Committee on Audit
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Audit. (Matter #1462).”
Communication, Councillor Gomes, submitting a request on behalf of the New Bedford Veterans’ Advisory Board, for permission to place two plaques at two existing memorial trees, located at Clasky Common Park, that were planted and dedicated in 1951, in honor of Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Wives.…
Rule 40 Waived
Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1463).”
Communication, Anne Louro, Preservation Planner, to City Council, re: Building Demolition Review: 262 Carroll Street, (Map 38/Lot 172), a Circa 1927, Wood Frame Structure – Partial Demolition, advising that “the structure is not located within a National Register Historic District; the structure is…
Demolition Granted
Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Kendra Parker, as Acting Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.
Removed from the Table. Approve Appointment – FAILED
No: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“Removed from the Table. Approve Appointment – FAILED – Yeas 0, Nays 11. (Matter #0278).”
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.
Removed from the Table. Approve Waiver Request – FAILED
No: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy
From the minutes
“Removed from the Table. Approve Waiver Request – FAILED – Yeas 0, Nays 11. (Matter #0279).”
Citations, Councillor Gomes, honoring, Richard Mccue, Steven Beaulieu, David Arruda, Michael Dandurand, Jorge Melo, Angel Martin, Steve Lavoie, Robert Kirby, Anthony Poente, Lance Brightman, Richard Spoor, Dwayne Ferreira, Steven Silva, Matthew Ostiguy, Peter Katsoules, Kenneth Letourneau, Marc…
Adopted, to be presented at a later date
From the minutes
“Adopted, to be presented at a later date. (Matter #1465).”
Citation, Councillor Gomes, honoring, Hector Velez, Legacy Barbers, in recognition of his generosity to the schoolchildren of New Bedford by volunteering his time and staff to the Annual “Cuts for School” Event.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date
From the minutes
“Adopted, to be presented at a later date. (Matter #1466).”
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of Csl Consulting, that the following street(s) Be Closed: Bethel Street, from Elm Street to the Intersection of Johnny Cake Hill, on Tuesday, September 08, 2026, at 7:00 A.m. Through Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5:00 P.m., one side of the…
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified. (Matter #1467).”
Written Motion, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be Closed: Sycamore Street, from Ash Street to Cedar Street, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 1:00 P.m. to 8:00 P.m., for the purpose of a Neighborhood Block Party. Permission Granted.
Permission Granted
Written Motion, Councillor Lopes, requesting, on behalf of Madalena Sebastiao, owner of 149 Washington Street, New Bedford, MA, that a Handicap Parking space be installed at said address. (Copy of Handicap Placard enclosed.)
Referred to the Traffic Commission
From the minutes
“Referred to the Traffic Commission. (Matter #1469).”
Petition/Indemnity Agreement, Brandon Sadek d/b/a Smashed Burger LLC, for Permission to Erect and Maintain a 4ft. x 6ft. Illuminated three-sided freestanding sign at 102 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740. Provisionally Granted, subject to approval of the Building Commissioner and subject to…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified. (Matter #1470).”
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 August 13, 2026; the Planning Board for meetings held on June 10 and July 8, 2026; the Public Health…
Received and Placed on File
From the minutes
“Received and Placed on File. (Matter #1471).”
Application, Lombardi Construction Company, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 71 Eighth Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 28, 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 #1472).”
Application, Jlc Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 864 Acushnet Avenue, Washburn Street and Hicks Street to Howe Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 21, 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 #1473).”
Application, Frank Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 198 Arnold Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 18, 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 #1474).”
Application, Msr Utility Maintenance Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 377 Bedford Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 18, 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 #1475).”
Application, Frank Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 123 County Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 19, 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 #1476).”
Application, Rj Canessa Excavating., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 922 Tradewind Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 21, 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 #1477).”
Application, Roto-Rooter, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 152 Pitman Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 21, 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 #1478).”
Applications, Aqua Line Utility, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 27, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 490 Bedford Street (#1479) 516 - 518 Rockdale Avenue (#1480) 520 Rockdale Avenue (#1481)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Aqua Line Utility, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 517 Rockdale Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 28, 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 #1482).”
Application, Dirty Diggin Construction, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 116 - 118 Howard Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 31, 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 #1483).”
Application, Msr Utility Maintenance Corp., for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 65 Ryan Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 31, 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 #1484).”
Application, Able Asphalt, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 22 Bream Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 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 #1485).”
Application, Jc Excavation, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 142 Armsby Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 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 #1486).”
Application, Frank Corp., to Disturb the Surface, of 198 Arnold Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 18, 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 #1487).”
Application, Msr Utility Maintenance Corp., to Disturb the Surface, of 377 Bedford Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 18, 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 #1488).”
Application, Frank Corp., to Disturb the Surface, of 123 County Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 19, 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 #1489).”
Application, Rj Canessa Excavating, to Disturb the Surface, of 922 Tradewind Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 21, 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 #1490).”
Application, Roto-Rooter, to Disturb the Surface, of 152 Pitman Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 21, 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 #1491).”
Applications, Aqua Line Utility, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 27, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 490 Bedford Street (#1492) 516 - 518 Rockdale Avenue (#1493) 520 Rockdale Avenue (#1494)
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Aqua Line Utility, to Disturb the Surface, of 517 Rockdale Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 28, 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 #1495).”
Application, Dirty Diggin Construction, to Disturb the Surface, of 116 - 118 Howard Avenue, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 31, 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 #1496).”
Application, Msr Utility Maintenance Corp., to Disturb the Surface, of 65 Ryan Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 31, 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 #1497).”
Application, Able Asphalt, to Disturb the Surface, of 22 Bream Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 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 #1498).”
Application, Jc Excavation, to Disturb the Surface, of 142 Armsby Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on September 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 #1499).”
Applications, Eversource Gas, to Disturb the Surface, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 18, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Hathaway Street, No. Front Street - Hathaway Street (#1500) Collette Street, Church Street – Acushnet Avenue (including…
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 August 21, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 37 Orchard Street (#1502) 2286 - 2288 Acushnet Avenue (#1503) Clinton Place, East Clinton Street to Dead End (#1503a)…
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 August 24, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Maxfield Street, Pleasant Street - County Street (#1507) 152 Tarkiln Hill Road (#1508) Pleasant Street, Willis Street -…
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 August 26, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 82 Cottage Street (#1510) 13 Spruce Street (#1511) 25 Fairmount Street (#1512)
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 August 28, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: 114 Division Street (#1513) 1200 Acushnet Avenue, corner property with Sawyer Street (#1514)
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 August 31, 2026, subject to ratification by the Mayor and City Council as follows: Elm Street and County Street intersection (#1515) 335 Rockdale Avenue (#1516) Ns Pitman Street, corner…
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified
From the minutes
“Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified..”
Application, Quality Equipment Management, for permission to maintain a Street Obstruction at 771 - 777 Purchase Street, provisionally granted by the City Clerk on August 31, 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 #1522).”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy & Verizon New England, Inc for joint location of two jointly owned Poles, one Anchor and one guy on Acushnet Avenue, this work is necessary to provide system improvements and increased reliability to Acushnet Avenue.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy & Verizon New England, Inc for joint location of one jointly owned Pole on Ashley Boulevard, this work is necessary to provide service to 297 Ashley Boulevard.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company for location of approximately 53’ Conduit on Purchase Street and approximately 200’ of Conduit and one Manhole on Maxfield Street, this work is necessary to provide service to 1204 Purchase Street.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026..”
Petition, Nstar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 126’ of Conduit and one Handhole on County Street, this work is necessary to provide upgraded underground service and increase system reliability on County Street.
Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 2026
From the minutes
“Received and Hearing Ordered for Thursday, September 24, 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.
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