City Council — December 11, 2025

Good evening.

Tonight is Thursday, December 11th at 7 PM.

Uh, tonight's prayer, uh, is led by our very own deaconess in the Name of Jesus Church, Donna.

Good evening.

Thank you for inviting me.

Hello everyone, let us pray.

Heavenly Father, Savior Jesus, Holy Spirit, we ask you, Heavenly Father, to pray for this city council meeting tonight.

Give the council members wisdom and guidance as they deliberate on the items before them.

May every decision be righteous in your sight for our benefit and for your glory.

We also ask for blessings for the 2 councilwomen leaving this council, that you open those special doors for them and guide them safely to the next journey in their lives.

We pray for a safe, blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the city of New Bedford and its residents, in Jesus' mighty name.

Amen.

Thank you, Deaconess Brito.

Tonight we're led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilor at Large Linda Morad.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you.

I want to note that this meeting is being livestreamed and recorded.

City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.

I'm joined in the chamber tonight by my colleagues in government: Ward 4 City Councilor Derek Baptiste, Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette, Ward 5 Councilor Joseph Lopes, Councilor at Large Brian Gomes, Ward 6 Councilor Ryan Pereira, Councilor at Large and Second Vice President Linda M. Morad, Councilor at Large and First Vice President Naomi R.A. Carney, and Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver.

We also have the privilege tonight of having our newly elected Councilor at Large James Roy here, as well as some former councilors, former Ward 5 Councilor Kerri Winterson, former Ward 3 Councilor Henry Busquet, and I believe former Ward 5 Councilor Jane Gonza.

Oh, she's hiding over there.

Sorry, I didn't see you behind the chair there.

Jane Gonzalez as well.

Thank you for being here tonight.

And I am your council president, Shane Burgo.

I'll ask the clerk if there are any letters to be read into the record tonight.

Mr. President, I have 2.

The first is from Councilor Abreu.

Dear Council President Burgo and council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend the city council meeting on Thursday, December 11th, due to a prior family commitment.

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence.

Sincerely, Ian Abreu, Councilor at Large.

The second is from Councilor Giesta.

Dear Council President Burgo and council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend the City Council's meeting on Thursday, December 11th, due to a prior commitment.

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues, those in attendance, and the public aware of the reason for my absence.

Sincerely, Maria E. Giesta, Councilor Ward 2.

Motion to receive and place on file made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 1 under hearings.

Mr. President, item 1 is a hearing from Verizon of New England Incorporated for the location of an underground conduit line to bring service to an antenna on a light pole on County Street between North Street and Hillman Street.

This public hearing was continued to today from the previous meeting in November, and 1A is the order.

So this is a continued public hearing.

Um, the petitioner has withdrawn this, uh, public hearing, um, so there's nothing to really do with this other than obviously if anyone is here from the public that had originally wished to speak on it.

Um, I'm going to ask at this time if anyone is here to speak on this.

Anyone wish to speak in favor?

Speak in opposition?

Be recorded in opposition.

Seeing none, I'd ask for a motion to close the public hearing at this time.

Made by Council Oliver, seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question of closing the public hearing?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

And since the petitioner has withdrawn this request, the motion appropriate would be for no further action.

Made by Councilor Perera, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone— no.

All those in favor for no further action?

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Thank you.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 2.

Mr. President, item 2 is a hearing from Network and Building Consulting on behalf of Verizon of New England Incorporated for the location of one 50-foot mid-span pole and one 1.5-meter cable attachment to a proposed pole on Phillips Road near the address of 2284 Phillips Road.

2A is the order.

Motion received and placed on file.

Open the public hearing.

Made by Councilor Morad, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question of opening the public hearing?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

So, representative from Verizon New England here?

Oh, if you want to come up to the podium and present the project for us.

If you can just state your name and either the business address for the record.

Yes, so my name is Lila.

I'm here on behalf of Network Building and Consulting on behalf of Verizon.

The business address is 300— or the address of the pole or the address of the business address?

Yeah, 300 Unicorn Park Drive.

In Woburn, Massachusetts.

Essentially, Verizon is proposing to place one midspan pole existing between pole 25 and 26.

The current run, there's already a lot of heavy lines on this down Phillips Road, and a customer requested additional power lines for Eversource to place.

So due to the already heavy lineage and the sagging due to the trees that are also on Phillips Road.

They are requesting to place an additional pole just to support and bring everything to a better height there.

And I'm happy to answer any questions if there is any public comment as well.

Any questions from the body?

Chair recognizes Councilor Moreno first.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here tonight.

Um, Where is the work being done?

Is it being done on the city layout, on the street?

Where?

It's on the grass in the public right-of-way, about 6 feet off the roadway in the grass and in line with the existing poles that are running.

And there's no concrete sidewalk in that area.

It's all grass area.

Yes.

And will— what— how long will this project take?

I cannot say for sure.

Usually extremely quick.

They will move this to scheduling once the permit has been acquired.

So That would be something I would have to let you know after the fact, unfortunately.

But you don't have an idea about the duration of the project?

I mean, it's just placing one pole, so I can't imagine it would be longer than a day or two, but I can't say for certain.

This is a really heavily traveled area.

I don't know if you visited the site.

It's access to the New Bedford Business Park, so you're definitely going to need a detail in that area for whatever the duration of your project is.

So we'll condition it that way.

Absolutely.

Okay.

And it's just one pole.

You're not removing any other poles.

Nope.

Just putting a new one up.

Yes, just adding the one for support.

Thank you very much for answering my questions.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Anyone else on that first?

Anyone on a second?

All right, seeing none, this is a public hearing.

Anyone here wish to speak in favor?

Speak in favor.

Be recorded in favor.

Be recorded in favor.

Anyone wish to speak in opposition?

Speak in opposition.

Be recorded in opposition.

Be recorded in opposition.

Seeing none, motion to close the public hearing.

Motion to close the public hearing made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question of closing the public hearing?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Motion to grant the order with the provision of a detail be added, made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Uh, we are now on to mayor's papers.

I'll ask the clerk to read M1.

Mr. President, M1 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting the appointment of Cristobal Jose Escobar of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the Veterans Advisory Board.

He'll be replacing Christopher Holtkamp, who has resigned.

This term will expire in December of 2026.

Motion received and placed on file and referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.

Motion referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings made by Council Oliver, seconded by Councilor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read M2.

Mr. President, take M2 and 3 together.

They're both reappointments.

Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read M2 and 3.

Mr. President, M2 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting the reappointment of Gonzalo Medeiros Coelho of New Bedford as a constable.

M2A is his application, and M3 is Also a communication from the mayor of the council submitting the reappointment of Amancio Soares Ribeiro of New Bedford also as a constable, and M3A is his application.

Motion to grant the reappointments made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read M4.

Mr. President, M4 is communication from the the mayor to the council submitting the appointment of Jeffrey David Foisy of New Bedford as a constable.

M4A is the application.

Motion to receive and place on file and refer to appointments and briefings.

Motion referred to appointments and briefings, seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The— we are now on to new business.

I'll ask the clerk to read items 3 through 6 together.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.

Item 3 is a loan order appropriating $21,865,465 for accelerated repair projects at the Sergeant William Carney Memorial Academy, Hayden McFadden Elementary School, and Casimir Pulaski Elementary School.

Item 4 is a loan order appropriating $7,911,603 for accelerated repair projects at Elwyn G. Campbell Elementary School, Ellen R. Hathaway Elementary School, and Carlos Pacheco Elementary School.

Number 5 is a loan order appropriating $5,703,804 to pay costs of an accelerated repair project at the Willing City Junior and Senior High School.

And item 6, Mr. President, is a loan order appropriating $200,000 to pay the cost of the schematic design and feasibility study as required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority authority with respect to the proposed accelerated repairs to the Trinity Day Academy.

All of these were passed to a second reading on November 25th, 2025.

Motion to grant the law orders for items 3 through 6.

Second.

Motion to adopt made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none.

Mr. President, also, could we waive Rule 40 on items 3 through 6?

Okay, uh, motion to adopt made by Councilmember Barrera waiving Rule 40.

I'll ask the clerk— anyone on the question?

Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilmember Baptiste?

Yes.

Councilmember Burgo?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Choquette?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Mourad?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilmember Barrera?

Yes.

Yes, passes 9 to 0, Mr. President.

Passes 9 to 0.

We're— I'll ask the clerk now to read 7 and 7A.

Mr. President, item 7 is a report from the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs recommending the City Council adoption of the resolution approving the 2025 City of New Bedford Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

And 7A is the resolution.

Motion to adopt made by Councilor Perot, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Uh, the following items 8 through 9A are all reports out of committee for no further action.

Made by Councilor Perot, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 10.

Mr. President, item 10 is written motion from Councilor Pereira requesting that the Committee on City Property meet with the Department of Public Infrastructure and the administration to review the current policy governing tree plantings on city-owned grass ribbons on newly paved streets throughout the city.

Motion to refer to the Committee on City Property, made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognizes Councilor Peronis first.

Thank you, Mr. President.

As we've seen specifically in my ward, I believe has been the largest targeting of these tree plantings.

They, they do go into on the city-owned portion of people's property, in front of people's property.

However, that burden of maintaining that tree, picking up leaves, directly affects the neighbors that are there.

I would like to see the city's planned planting these?

Are we just putting them wherever we can fit, or is there a coordinated effort to plant these?

How can people request trees?

Because there are people who would like trees, there are people who would not like trees.

And how is that being maintained?

Because to put 2 or 3 trees on an elderly person's property in which they now have to maintain is— it just sometimes doesn't make sense.

So we got to look at this, we got to see the policy, got to see the plan in place, and maybe if there's any tweaks that we can make to make it make a little more sense, because we do— we should be planting trees.

It is good.

It does beautify our city.

It does help in the summertime keep the city cooler.

But we've got to do it in a smart and educated way and not just, all right, let's plant 1,000 trees in Ward 6.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes on his first.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I just stand to support the motion.

I also received calls on this.

And if you remember, not too long ago, I was questioning these trees and how they were being put up.

And I asked that we consider a plan of action where you're putting these trees.

Along Route 18, you've put the trees— the trees are going to look beautiful, but it's going to block the light.

You've gone into neighborhoods where you've put these trees and they're growing up against the houses.

And we're making the calls on behalf of the constituents to have these things trimmed back.

There has to be— I love the trees also, but we have to have a plan.

And like the councilor said, everybody does not want a tree.

Many people are afraid of trees in front of their houses simply because the roots sooner or later get to the pipes, clog up the pipes or whatever, and just cause problems or whatever.

And, and, and that's some of the reason.

Now, I don't want— I'm not here to say no trees in the city of New Bedford.

Put the trees up, but have a plan and make sure when you're putting up these trees, including in the neighborhoods, you don't take a tree and put it right near a streetlight because the tree is going to grow into the streetlight and it's a dark neighborhood.

That's not— that, that, that's not, I, I think, the intentions of, uh, really.

But we got to really consider that.

So, um, I'm going to support the action and I'm hoping that the city can just show us a plan.

And I'm not against the trees either, but put them where they— where people want them.

Where people don't want them, I think they should also have that right.

If I don't want that tree in front of my house, I should have that right to say I don't want it.

Thank you.

Anyone else on there first?

Anyone on there second?

Seeing none, the question at hand is on referral to the Committee on City Property.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 11.

Mr. President, item 11 is written motion from Councilor Gomes requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with Derek Santos, executive director for the New Bedford Economic Development Council, along with board members of the New Bedford Business Park, for the purpose of having a discussion on implementing language in the business park's governing rules to protect against any future trash and recycling business that handles hazardous waste materials from being located in the business park.

Putting this safeguard in place would protect the business park from any hazardous waste, trash, and other detrimental materials.

Appointments and Briefings.

Second.

Motion to refer to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes on his first.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

The motion is self-explanatory, but I'm going to say this.

This was not my idea.

This is a constituent call, actually from Wendy Morrow, asking if this would be considered.

It's in order to protect the business park from any further development of any type of business such as this.

So while this is here by Councilor Gomes, I want you to know that it comes from a constituent, and we're all aware of who Wendy is and her strong advocate against that project that is in the park.

I think she's looking to protect the park, and I think we can back her up on that.

And that's why this motion is here tonight.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Thank you.

Anyone else on there first?

Chair, again, it's Councilor Morad on there first.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Um, well, I think my colleague Councilor Gomes and, and Uh, Miss Morell for putting this forward.

I know Councilor Gomes and maybe Councilor Carney was here many years ago when Tom Davis was with us.

He was the executive director of the park.

And actually, when I was the Ward 1 councilor, this language was in the bylaws of the business park indicating that this type of business could not be located in the park.

But once Tom Davis retired and the park management was taken over by New Bedford Economic Development Council, and the current leadership there— the bylaws were changed, and here we are.

So it'll be interesting to see if there's any appetite on the part of the current leadership of the New Bedford Business Park to see whether in fact they would be willing to, to do something like this again, where that's exactly how it was before.

So I support the motion, and I thank my colleague for it forward.

Anyone else on that first?

Anyone on a second?

Seeing none, the motion at hand is on referral to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, and a roll call has been requested.

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on referral to Appointments and Briefings.

Councilor Baptiste?

Yes.

Councilor Burgos?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Chauquet.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Mourad.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 9 to 0.

Passes 9 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 12.

Mr. President, item 12 is a written motion from Councilors Gomes and Oliver Request that the City Council send a letter to State Representative Christopher Markey, Representative Steven Zerharos, and the Joint Committee on the Judiciary regarding Bill H4736 pertaining to establishing penalties for reckless or negligent operation of a vehicle and hindering the movement of other vehicles, seeking consideration of an amendment to the bill to include a penalty of a 5-year driver's license suspension for violators, as well as a 5-year ban on obtaining a new license for anyone found in violation of the proposed legislation.

Full recommendation, waive Rule 40.

Second.

And 17.

Second.

Okay.

Motion made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Oliver, um, on waiving Rule 17.

Waive Rule 17 first.

So motion to waive Rule 17 first made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Um, we'll ask the clerk to call the roll on waiving Rule 17 to discuss pending legislation.

Councilor Baptiste?

Yes.

Councilor Burgos?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Chilcott?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopez?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Mourad?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 9 to 0, Mr. President.

Passes 9 to 0.

And then did, did you want to speak on this, Councilor?

Yes, sir.

Okay, Chair recognizes Councilor Gomez on this first.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'll be very brief.

Mr. President, as you know, uh, Councilor— um, Councilor— Representative Mackey has filed a bill along with a colleague in Boston to address this bike thing and the cars blocking streets in City of Fall River and everywhere else.

When I seen the bill I was very encouraged and I commend him because nobody else in Boston was doing it.

We have asked in this city council for action from Boston and we have gotten no response back, if you all remember.

And now that the bill has been filed, I would like to see some teeth in it.

Some real teeth.

And that's the reason that this is here.

And this is not to criticize the bill in any way that has been put forward.

Forth.

I want to see some teeth in it.

What they're talking about is taking away the vehicles.

We've been talking a lot about that, and we've seen vehicles taken away.

I think the real dent that we can put in this is if you have an operating license and you're— you get caught doing this, you lose your license for 5 years.

If you don't have a license, you're not getting a license for 5 years.

Now, why that, Brian?

Well, you're reckless, and reckless people like that and reckless driving on the streets of the City of New Bedford and in this Commonwealth and across this country cannot be tolerated.

And we want to put— I want to put some teeth in this that sends a clear message to those people that will think about what they're doing before they do it.

Because also, you've got to commend the police departments across the Commonwealth who have been doing an excellent job in trying to deal with this.

I've seen it being dealt with right here in the city of New Bedford with state police, and pretty interesting how they did a couple of actions.

But anyway, put some teeth into this bill, Councilor Marchi— Representative Marchi, and send a clear message to those that want to do this type of criminal activity that it won't be tolerated.

Because it's not only people get hurt, you're doing damage to our roads, you're obstructing traffic, and it's just total nonsense.

And you got pretty cars like that, cruise them like we did.

Don't ruin them.

Chair recognizes Councilor Oliver as first.

Thank you.

Oh, I know.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I, I stand as the, uh, the co-sponsor of this motion along with my colleague from the South End to, uh, just reiterate, uh, most of what he spoke to.

Um, you know, we know that, um, any type of law or ordinance is only as good, uh, only has as good of a bite as the language that gets put in it.

So I think by sending a strong message to the offenders that you are going to be held accountable, and not only accountable in the way that you will lose your vehicle, which clearly they have no care of or they wouldn't be driving it in the way that they, they are, that you're going to lose a lot more too.

You know, you're going to— and I think that it's appropriate that we send this message to the representatives who have been brave enough to put it forward.

A lot of times when you speak with some of the state delegation, they're like, oh, that has to be taken care of on the state level, and then we don't see any action on that.

So we have 2 individuals here that are trying to address a growing issue, and I think a letter of support from this body will only give them the support they need to get it passed.

So I'm happy to co-sponsor it with my colleague from the South End, and I hope my colleagues will also.

Thank Thank you.

Anyone else on that first?

Anyone on their second?

Seeing none, um, is there a roll call requested on this too, Councilor Gomes?

Okay, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on a motion to, uh, as we saw in the motion, to send a letter to State Rep asking to add that language.

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilor Baptiste?

Yes.

Councilor Burgum?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Choquette?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Morad?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 9 to 0.

Passes 9 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 13.

Mr. President, item 13 is a written motion from Councilor Gomes requesting that a letter be sent to the New Bedford School Committee asking that they consider naming the new elementary school currently being built in the South End, the Congdon de Valls Oliveira Elementary School, after the late Bruce Oliveira, who was a longtime school committee member who worked tirelessly on behalf of the students and schools throughout the city of New Bedford.

And further, the school committee will consider replacing portraits of all 3 men in the entrance lobby of the school with a synopsis of their contributions.

Refer to the New Bedford School Committee.

Motion to refer to New Bedford School Committee made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Yes, Mr. President, I like— on the question, with respect, of course, and approval from the maker of the motion, I'd like to make a motion to amend the language to state that after the portion where it says Condon DeValls Oliveira Elementary School, that we add, um, you know, to include the act, the new elementary school slated as Ashley Swift School to be named the Bruce J. Oliveira Elementary School.

Um, at the end, the reason why is that after speaking to Miss Pamela Oliveira, the wife of our departed friend Bruce Oliveira.

She indicated to me that Mr. Oliveira had actually attended Ashley School as a child and that she, she had actually been interested in having— if something was to be named after Bruce, that it would be that.

So with, with, again, with the recommendation and, and approval of the maker of the motion, I'd like to make that amendment.

Thank you.

So if I'm understanding, for clarification purposes, Councilor, are you saying for a different school to be named after?

Yes.

Okay, so that would be an entirely separate motion?

No, what he's saying is when I was asked this evening after his conversation, of course, with Ms. Oliver, is that, um, this motion goes through as all the Condon, Duval's, Oliveira Elementary School, and further consideration for the Ashley— further also consideration for the Ashley Swift School.

Yeah, to be named Bruce J. Oliveira Elementary School.

In addition— no, not 2 schools.

They make the choice.

We're not going to make the choice.

My recommendation is the new school, and after speaking to his wife, I are hearing this conversation.

Yep.

So, so I'm going to put both of them forth, and it's all— this is all about consideration, if I may speak.

Yeah, so the chair will organize.

Councilor Gomez on his first.

I just want to clarify, sorry about that, Mr. President.

We're sorry about that.

Maybe I should have had him just do it in a related motion, but we did it this way, and I don't have a problem with it.

Um, it's 2 separate schools, but consideration for for both schools, not for Bruce's name to be on both schools.

Whatever the school committee decision, that's going to be their decision.

That's not going to be ours.

We're just making a recommendation, just as we've made other recommendations on behalf of others that we have lost.

And it's really sad that we have to stand here and do that.

Bruce, let me just say this: naming the school, or whatever naming after Bruce Oliver, is well deserved.

Many of you know who we're talking about, and general public.

Bruce was a kind, gentle giant.

I've used that term for a few people, and he was.

He was kind, he was informative, always left with a handshake.

And I can tell you this, in my worst time of my life, 7 years ago, when I was going through what I was going through— and I won't refresh anybody's memory, you know what I'm talking about— Bruce was one of them guys that were there for me, who put his hand on my shoulder after a debate knowing that I had just been through or debated, I shouldn't have had to be or dealt with what I was doing, what I was dealing with on the stage with phony candidates.

You can recognize what I'm saying, Mr. President.

He was one that was there with his hand on my shoulder telling me, you're all right, you're all right.

And that's the kind of guy Bruce was.

He was caring.

He cared about people.

And he cared about what you felt.

And he cared about even in your conversations, the debate where they had to do with the school department or whatever, when he was explaining something, you might have not agreed, but you agreed when you left because you left with a handshake.

And that was the kind of man that he was.

And I think he's deserving to have something named after him.

I know that I've heard about the mayor wanting to name the new clinic or whatever being located at the school.

There's been some other thoughts about the kitchen on— the new kitchen that has been built, the central kitchen.

I think it would be most appropriate that something is named after Mr. Oliver so that we know, and that long time after, people will know what this man contributed to, not only the school department, many different organizations.

And we're well aware of it, too big of a list to go through.

You could talk about them all night.

I want you to know, even as only one person in this room, I think I said to her as the Mr. Chairman, I didn't stay at the last finance meeting because I couldn't.

You want to know why, Mr. President?

Because Bruce Olivera wasn't sitting back there like he always is on every issue that we have to deal with this school department, not answering the questions or whatever.

There was just a feeling in this man that I couldn't stay here that night.

I just— I felt I would be very emotional no matter what happened because that's the kind of, uh, impression that Bruce Oliver put on this man, and I'll take that forever with me.

And, you know, when you lose somebody, you think about the kindness, you think about all them things, and you think about yourself in general, how a better person you can be, such as the person that has left us.

Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. President.

Thank you.

Anyone else on there first?

Okay.

Anyone else on there second?

Okay, all right.

So if I'm understanding correctly, as the maker of the motion, you'd like to amend your original motion to include, um, the consideration— the Condon, Duval's, Olivera Elementary School, and further consider— in consideration for Ashley Swift.

Yes.

Yeah, our office staff is really great at cleaning up our messes, so they clean them up all the time.

They clean them up all the time.

You should know that.

All right, so, um, as the maker of the motion, you can make that adjustment on your own.

We will not need to vote to do that.

And all right, so everyone understands the motion that is being done here?

Again, just to reiterate for those at home, uh, this motion made by Councilor Gomes is to refer to the New Bedford School Committee consideration of renaming either the Condon Naval School, currently the Condon Naval Oliveira Elementary School, or possibly the Ashley Swift, uh, Ashley Swift Oliveira, uh, Bruce Oliveira School.

Um, so that motion has been made.

Everyone has spoken.

Anyone else?

No.

All right.

So all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Related motion.

Oh, is that a joke or— Nope.

Oh, okay.

This is how we would appropriate it.

Charter rule.

Chair recognizes Councilor Oliveira.

Oliver.

Oh, sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Yes.

See, that's the type of impact that Bruce Oliveira had.

But I stand to make a related motion to to request that a letter be sent to the New Bedford School Committee asking for them to consider the, the newly constructed New Bedford Public School Culinary and Nutrition Center to be named after the late Bruce Oliveira, longtime school committee member who worked tirelessly on behalf of all students and the schools throughout the city of New Bedford.

And further, that the school committee consider placing his portrait somewhere in the Whaler Cafe in view of the the public with a brief synopsis of all of Bruce's contributions to the city.

Second.

Motion made by Council Oliver, seconded by Councilor Pereira.

Anyone on the— Chair, I can ask Councilor Oliver on this first.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Um, in an effort to not get all convoluted, I did it this way.

There's no doubt that Bruce Olivera left a lasting impact on this community through everyone in this council, the administration, everybody recognizes Bruce's contributions to the city of New Bedford.

And anything that you name after that gentleman, for the most part, is going to be well received.

As to what that's going to be, we can have a debate about that.

But the reason why I'm writing this— and not that I don't support the motion before— it's actually to perhaps even send a stronger message to the school committee on how quickly we want to get something like this done and what Bruce really meant to this community is because, in my opinion, the— well, not in my opinion, but Bruce was a very strong advocate of the Central Kitchen.

And in my opinion, Bruce served the entire city, similar to what this building is going to do.

It's going to serve the entire city.

Naming a school after him is great, absolutely, 100%.

Like I said, I don't care you know, what it is, but I thought that this would be a better suited venue where the general public and all students will be able to know the contribution that Bruce had put to the city of New Bedford.

So thank you.

Anyone else on there first?

Anyone on there second?

Seeing none, I assume you'll get that related motion.

Wonderful.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 14.

Mr. President, item 14 is communication from Councilor Mourad submitting a letter from Eric Cohen, the executive director for the New Bedford Contributory Retirement Board, regarding the FY27 cost of living adjustment base increase for retirees.

Motion referred to the Committee on Finance, made by Councilor Perara, seconded by Councilor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Motion to take up and adopt consent, made by Councilor Perara, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Motion to adjourn.

Oh, we adjourn.

Thank you.

I'd like to ask our Dean of the Council, Councilor Gomes, to offer our holiday greeting on behalf of the City Council.

Thank you, Mr. President, and I appreciate that, but may I ask you a favor this evening.

Would you let the longtime 20-year Councilor Morad give the greetings for this coming Christmas season this evening to the general public?

I would appreciate it.

Councilor Morad.

I never steal the stage by myself.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilor Gomes.

Um, I appreciate that.

As he's the dean, he's always done this, so obviously I didn't prepare anything.

But so from my colleagues on the New Bedford City Council and the team that work with us every day, we send our greetings for the holiday season to the residents of the city of New Bedford.

This is a joyous time in the city and across the world for people celebrating their holiday, whatever your faith is, and and being with their family and being with those that they love.

It's also a trying time for some people because they don't have others that they feel close to.

They have things they're dealing with in their life that don't allow them to be happy and celebrate during this time of year.

To those, we send our prayers and hope that, you know, they'll feel some type of relief and some type of joy in the holiday season.

Season.

To the residents of the city of New Bedford, enjoy each other, enjoy your neighbors.

As my colleague always says, be mindful of those that don't have.

Reach out to them and make them feel included.

To the veterans that are serving, that served in the past, thank you.

To those who are serving now, you're away from your family during this holiday season, thank you.

But enjoy your holiday season with the people surround you.

It's a joyous time.

And, uh, for all those that are in our city, God bless you.

Happy New Year.

We hope the new year brings you nothing but joy, happiness, and success.

To the city of New Bedford, God bless the city of New Bedford.

May it always prosper.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilor Gomes.

Thank you, Councilor President.

Chair, I think it's Councilor Carney.

Thank you, Mr. President.

On behalf of the City Council, we want to thank you very much for your year of service as a council president.

You served us well, and we appreciate what you've done for us.

And as you're going out, we have a little parting gift for you.

So we want to thank you again so much for what you've done for us.

So I will approach the bench and hand you your present.

The bench.

Is it empty?

Thank you all very much.

I wasn't, I wasn't prepared at all for this at all.

As Councilor Gomes knows, I always have a speech prepared in my desk.

For any, any such moments.

That's why I was brief, because I know you had something there.

If you'll indulge me for a moment, if I could speak from the dais.

Tonight marks our final meeting of the year, and it has truly been an honor to lead this distinguished body.

But tonight is also a moment to honor 2 extraordinary people, 2 extraordinary public servants whose absence will be deeply felt in the year ahead: Councilor-at-Large Linda Mourad and our Ward 2 Councilor Maria Giesta.

Councilor Linda Mourad has devoted 20 years of her life to the people of New Bedford, a full 2 decades of service marked by her sharp attention to detail, her deep knowledge of city government, and her unwavering dedication to fiscal responsibility and doing right by taxpayers.

Whether people agreed with her on any given issue or not, no one can deny the hours she invested, the scrutiny she brought, and the tenacity she showed in advocating for what she believed was best for our city.

Councilor Morette has been a mentor to many of us, myself included.

Her institutional knowledge is unmatched, her passion undeniable, and her commitment to New Bedford steadfast.

Her impact will continue to be felt long long after her time on this council ends.

Going to miss me?

No, because I'm going to see you all the time.

Councilor Maria Giesta has served 8 years on this council, but her lifetime of public service began long before that.

She brought to this chamber years of federal experience, a deep understanding of constituent services, and an unparalleled ability to connect with residents one-on-one.

Councilor Giesta's heart has always been with the people, especially the families, seniors, and neighborhoods she has championed for so long.

Her warmth, compassion, and willingness to fight for those who often feel unheard have set her apart.

She has always carried herself with grace and a genuine love for her community.

These 2 women are shining examples of leadership, sacrifice, and civic devotion, not only to their families but to our entire city.

I am grateful to have served alongside them, learned from them, and witnessed firsthand the difference they've made.

New Bedford is a better place because they have chosen to serve it.

Thank you.

I would also like to thank our dedicated staff.

We often say that we are nothing without the team that keeps us organized and on track, and that could not be more true.

Their professionalism, patience, and ability to manage all 11 of our personalities is remarkable.

They not only guide us but often help ground us and make the work possible.

This year has been filled with many, many, many, many challenges, but also a lot of triumphs.

And I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together.

The strength of this council has been evident in every difficult decision, every debate, and every moment we stood up for what is right for the people of New Bedford.

On a personal note, this year brought one of the biggest losses of my life— the passing of my grandmother.

Having her here to witness my election as council president was a blessing I will cherish forever.

As I said the night— that night I took this gavel, that moment was her victory.

Her sacrifices paved the way for any success I have known.

When she passed, your support meant more than words can ever capture.

From our office staff who helped communicate with all of you, to our 2 vice presidents who kept meetings moving, to each of you who reached out in your own way, your kindness lifted me when I needed it most.

It is something I will never forget, and I know my grandmother felt that love as well.

As we bring this year to a close, I remain proud of this council.

I am grateful for your partnership and hopeful for what lies ahead for our city.

I thank you all for your service and your commitment to the people of New Bedford.

And as always, luchem defundo.

Thank you.

And with that, I'll ask for a motion to adjourn.

Oh, Chair recognizes Councillor Gomes.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

We usually go through the line here when we know colleagues are leaving.

I've been here a long time.

I want to thank Counsel Morad for her service.

I want to thank Counsel Morad for her friendship.

I want to thank Counsel Morad for her arguing.

I just want to thank her.

She has been an integral part of the City Council.

Many of us know what her background is.

She knows how to do the numbers.

She knows how to come up with the figures.

All you have to do is say one simple thing to her when you're in conversation is, I like to cut 5% from the budget.

Oh, you do?

Yeah, I'm going to put those numbers through for you.

I, I didn't ask her to do that.

I didn't ask her That's the kind of colleague that I have had.

And I've been here a long time, and everything is not bright and shiny all the time.

But let me tell you something about this room.

Many have passed, some of them in this room this evening.

One of my colleagues sitting in the back, Councilor Goncalves, who was my friend and my colleague in another journey in our life before we came here.

When we talk about a family, or the word family is used, I always looked at it that way.

This is my family away from my family because we spend a lot of time together.

We spend a lot of time together, whether it's in these chambers, whether it's at functions, wherever we are.

See, we somewhat come familiar with each other.

You almost know when not to bother a colleague when it's having a bad day or it's having a good day.

With Councilor Morad, she's been compassionate and caring about each and every one of her colleagues.

Who's the lady who remembers everybody's birthday?

Councilor Morad.

Who's the lady that remembers this?

Councilor Morad.

Who's the lady that will step forward and do the inaugural preparing?

Councilor Morad.

I only did the dirty work, as you know.

You know, I wanted to show a couple of my colleagues that were coming on what we had, and some of what we had, some of you have not really seen, and that's all we were trying to do.

But the paper decided to write it as, you know, we were doing the limousine and all this was all deals and Whatever it was, which just, it kind of really bugged me because it wasn't about that.

It was about showing the new colleagues in this building, along with Councilor Morad, of what we had.

Because I can tell you, when I first come here, you feel like you get elected and it's a hell of a honeymoon, as they say.

But when I first got here, politics was taken very seriously in this city.

Very, very seriously.

I can remember my first inaugural.

Coming in this building, doing the business that we have to do, going outside and seeing motorcycles and blue lights and cars with blue lights on them, and we're all taken in this motorcade from here to vocational high school.

It seemed like going 50, 60 miles an hour.

We really weren't, but it felt like the inaugural, you know, the inaugural of big, and it was well deserved.

You had ran for office.

That's how intense it was around here.

And the more intense that I would like to talk about is how we got along.

Because I keep going back to that family thing because maybe I shouldn't bring it up, but because it was brought up in a situation in here that somewhat incriminated people, I think it was taken out of context.

It's a matter of being with people all the time.

You get used to them.

And it's somewhat of family.

With Councilor Morad, again, she's always been there for everybody.

In my darkest time, right here in this chamber, I met with Councilor Morad.

That's the second time I'm saying it tonight.

And as you know, you can see that I get a little emotional, Mr. President, and my colleagues sitting here, because some of the first things that I did when that— can't swear, huh?

I came to see my staff.

Dennis is right there, Donna, Sue.

Came to see my staff, because I thought that was important, that they know the real story.

They know the real story, and the real story that never changed.

Some of the second people that I met with, and my colleagues right to my right, Joe Lopes, one of the first to call me up and ask me if I was all right.

That's what we mean about family.

I met here with Councilor Mourad for over an hour, probably, and a half.

Had to talk to somebody.

How to tell the story, because that's all I wanted people to do was understand Councilor Mourad was there.

Councilor Mourad ended it that night with, I'm going to give you a hug.

I had gotten in trouble for a hug, but she gave it to me.

A few weeks later, we're doing something in public and she calls me aside and she says, Councilor Gomes, stop doing what you're doing.

And I looked at her like, She was watching me because she knew.

She knew, like she watches everybody.

I don't want to call her a mama or a mom, but she looked over this council.

She made sure everybody was all right in the trying times.

She said to me, stop doing what you're doing.

I said, what am I doing?

She said, when people are approaching you, you're almost like pushing them away.

You're not embracing people as I've always seen you do before.

Stop doing it.

That just sunk into me like, that's a colleague that cares, that's someone who cares.

The whole point I'm trying to point out is that Councilor Mourad had not only cared about the city of New Bedford, she cared about her colleagues.

She cared about people in general.

Me and her have had the toughest fights, arguments.

Thought I was going to get scratched.

Just joking.

But don't think you're out of this either, Jane.

'Cause, uh, yeah, well, you were part of it too.

You, you, you, you came after me too.

But you know the funniest thing?

It was so real.

It was so real.

There was no backstabbing.

There's no nothing.

It's just real.

We have a disagreement and we're going to have it out.

And you know the funniest thing?

We're going to stand on stage tomorrow morning Whether it's a grand opening or it's a cutting of a ribbon, and we're going to stand proud together because we are the New Bedford City Council.

Councilor Mourad brought that here.

I've always tried to bring that here, that no matter what, whether we debate or not, whatever the debate is, that we never leave these chambers angry.

And you know, for a while there, we're leaving angry.

I can tell you I was leaving angry.

But that wasn't the case and scenario in this building.

You just didn't leave there.

You just left with a tap on the shoulder.

Whether it was John Saunders, and I can go through the names, but we're concentrating on Councilor Mourad.

I just want to thank you, Councilor Mourad, for everything.

I want to thank you for what you've done for this City Council.

You will be deeply, deeply missed on this City Council.

Nobody knows how to play with the numbers better than you, except for Joe.

And he's behind you.

And you're just going to be missed, Councilor Marat.

And I will miss your ways about doing things.

I love talking to you on the phone.

And you know, when I get on the phone with you sometimes, I get carried away.

And the funniest thing, I like to make people also laugh with things that happen with us.

And she would ask me a simple question, was why is the traffic 2 ways on County Street.

And I'm giving you just an example.

I say because the traffic's got to go 60 miles an hour and every car's got to be through there through A. Councilor Gomes, I did not ask you that.

I asked you a point and please explain to me.

And when she usually talks to me like that, I kind of backtrack and I just give her the point.

That's the kind of colleague that you had.

That's the kind of colleague that I had.

And I'm going to miss you.

And, um, thank you for everything.

And We're going to be talking, we're going to be walking, we're going to be doing things together because that's just the way it should be.

Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for everything.

Chair recognizes— Mr. President, before you recognize it, may I also say is that also, Councilor Murad, thank you for the sacrifices, many of the sacrifices that all of us experience in the City Council.

The sacrifice of not being with family when we, when we were called to be on, or arriving at a function late because we're taking care of other business.

Thank you for that.

Thank you very much.

On behalf of your family, I want to thank them on also for the sacrifice.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Lopes.

Oh no, no, no.

Councillor Mourad, 20 years.

I remember our first conversation at the old Davies Locker.

We sat down at a fundraiser.

Don't remember who it was.

The breakfast wasn't that good, but the conversation was great.

You won that year and I lost, but we continued a conversation.

Linda's friendship wasn't based on you being in the room.

It was based on her connection with you.

And when I finally did win, you were one of the first people to greet me in the room.

And I haven't forgotten that.

We've had— as Councilor Gomes says, I think you've had a fight with all 11 of us.

But you made the discussion in the room better by having a difference of opinion.

Opinion.

And that is the true definition of a stateswoman.

And that is what you were.

You are more than a city councilor.

You are more than a city council president.

You are a stateswoman.

You provided guidance in a room that sometimes had one opinion but didn't see the other.

And you brought that to the forefront.

And that can never be diminished, no matter what the general public will say.

Say, oh, she can be cranky.

But I always say, when your birthday comes around, she was the first person to send you a text or call.

When my grandfather passed away, you're the first person to call me in the room.

I tell people Linda's heart is bigger than her bite, but you don't always see the heart because you focus on the bite.

You are a true definition of what an individual should be.

Your kindness is greater than anything.

Your love of family, community, and everyone that you've ever worked with in this room.

People came back that have retired to come to see you, to be here for you, because we respect you, we admire you, and we're grateful for the opportunity that we had to serve with you.

I know I'm still going to talk to you because it didn't change when I was out of office before, and I'm still going to bust your chops.

And I look forward to that.

But I want to thank you for 20 years of friendship.

You know, 18 years of— 16 years of camaraderie, but 20 years of friendship.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councilor Carney.

Oh no, colleagues, I, I didn't want this tonight.

We, we heard you didn't want it, but we, we couldn't let that, uh, All these years of service in this city and working alongside us, we just couldn't let you go away without saying a couple of words.

I just want to mimic some of my colleagues here too.

When you talk about family and you talk about her heart, her heart is there.

She is the first one that gives you that birthday card.

She never forgets it.

Every year you get a birthday card from Councilor Morad.

I remember when I broke my tibia and I was having a hard time at home.

I couldn't maneuver around the house and my arms hurt because of those stupid crutches or whatever.

There was a knock on my door.

Who was it?

Councilor Morad.

She brought me a wheelchair.

Do I need any food?

Can I help you with anything?

When, when you're down and out, the first one that steps up to the plate is the woman sitting right to the left of me.

Have we had our little tizzies and little things?

Yes, we have, and we all have.

But when she is passionate about something, she will let you know, and we'll let her know back.

But it's a banter back and forth, but it's done after that, and we move on.

What she brought to this council, her knowledge Like my colleagues say, her knowledge is phenomenal in finance.

She sits down there during budget season and grinds those numbers and shares them.

She doesn't hold them to herself.

She shares them with the college.

This is what I think we should do.

And we look at it.

She's right.

She is right, I will say, 100% of the time.

But this woman has put in sacrifice, worked with us, and family.

When it comes to family, you cannot take that away from this woman.

When it comes to family, you know, my kids, when they had their babies, first one, give me their address.

Something arrives in the mail from, from Councilor Mourad.

Everybody knows that heart of gold.

And I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my colleague, being my friend, being amazing to my family.

It's been wonderful.

I will miss you.

And we served over a decade together, and hopefully we'll see each other out and about.

Um, well, watch your family grow because they grow and they're beautiful people.

And I'm going watch your niece as she strives.

And don't forget to call me when it's time for donations, because I'll always be there to hand something to you for her so she can succeed.

But thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

And we're going to miss you.

Thank you.

Okay, Mr. President, we're done, right?

Oh, chair recognizes Councilor Baptiste.

Thank you, Council President.

Somewhere right now, Gilly Safiolis and John Mitchell's cracking a bottle like the '72 Dolphins, knowing that you're leaving.

You know, Councilor, Councilor, you know I've been counting down the days.

I know, I get the texts.

I get the texts.

I know he got it on the board.

He rips it off every day.

I just want to say, like, when I first got into council, everybody said, don't trust Linda Moret.

And I've gone to trust Linda more than a lot of people that I was able to trust and know.

The one thing is When the year that she was city council president, I think my phone went off 17 times a day with just group texts about council stuff.

Derek, you going to be here?

You're going to be here in 3 more minutes.

This is going to be up over here.

So I think that I've never saw somebody so dedicated to a job, dedicated to their family, dedicated to the community.

No matter what.

You were probably the first Republican I liked.

Sean, you can look at me like that.

I met her first.

No, honestly, I got to see your dedication and how hard you work and your attention to detail.

How you don't go with the flow, you make the flow, and how you also stand for what you believe in, even if other people don't.

Having that courageousness in you on this body, it means a lot to stand out when everybody is just trying to do what, what's popular, what's on the radio, what everybody thinks will get them votes, and going against the status quo.

Of all that stuff.

So I just want to say thank you.

Just thank you for being who you are.

I'm expecting when there's a thunderstorm to see your dog hiding under the chair, the picture.

Here goes Shy.

You get the pictures too?

So I'm not special?

I don't even feel good.

Now I feel bad now.

I want to rescind this whole speech.

No, when we get all— when we get, you know, these pitches and we get to talking about family and other stuff outside of politics, that's when you get to know a person.

I tell a lot of people, you know, I don't really have a lot of friends in politics.

I've made all my friends outside of politics, and I've made a lot of good people to meet during the time.

But I think it's— I think it's a good thing.

I think, I think it's a good thing with you retiring on your terms the way you want to do it.

And, you know, in a couple of years, we might see you come back.

You might get bored.

You know what I'm saying?

There's only so much walking the dog you can do.

There's only so many pictures you can take.

I don't think there's that many gigs in the phone.

But congratulations on your service to the city.

And thank you.

I wasn't always a councilor.

I was a constituent at one time, just a constituent at one time, and you know you served me well, so I appreciate that.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Council.

All right, I believe that is everyone that wanted to speak.

So now it's my turn.

I can say something.

Did you want to say something?

Yeah.

Unless Councilors Busquet and Gonzales wanted to.

I recognize Councilor Morad.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Colleagues, thank you.

I appreciate your kind words.

I didn't want this tonight.

There's no resolution on the agenda, as you see.

I know Councilor Giesta didn't want it either.

Either, um, you know, I just wanted to go quietly.

I appreciate all your kind words.

Um, I, I really love this job.

I I loved it because I was able to use my skills and my knowledge to help other people.

And I— that was so rewarding to me over the course of my term.

And I met some very interesting people over the course of my 20 years.

I had some opportunities that we don't normally get as private citizens.

You all know that.

And, you know, some of the knowledge I gained and the growth I did as an individual person as a result of my term on the City Council was, was great.

I've, uh, enjoyed getting to know all of you and your families.

Um, family is very important to me.

I've known for a while, I've known almost 2 years that I was done.

Um, I'm— it's time.

It's 20 years.

God bless Councilor Gomes.

Uh, you know, God bless Councilor Gonzales.

She did 20 years as well.

20 years enough time for me, time for not having to worry about being here at 9:30 at night and being on my couch with my feet up or doing whatever it is I want.

But I appreciate the citizens of New Bedford giving me this opportunity.

I will always treasure the memories I have of this position and all the people that I served with, some who came back tonight, and all of you here in the room.

I wish you all continued success, and I'll do my best not to send any more pictures or anything like that.

I also— I, I also want to make sure— Councilor Carney said I never shared anything with more than 4 people.

Honest, never.

I— it was only 4 people.

I never shared anything more.

We don't need any more open meeting law violations.

Um, and you know And that's part of the frustration, and I bet you all feel that as well.

I mean, the city of New Bedford is damn lucky with the elected officials that it has in this chamber and school committee and the assessor.

I mean, you're, you're upstanding individuals serving the city of New Bedford, but sometimes you'd never know it based on the 4 or 5 voices that are loudly misspeaking, uh, you know, your reputations and the reputations of this body.

And, uh, and that's the frustrating part, because it doesn't pay to fight back, it doesn't pay to respond, because it just ignites the fire even further.

But I know that the people in New Bedford know that they got good public servants, people who are, uh, really care about the city of New Bedford and, uh, and are happy that they have people who are not being indicted or anything like that, serving them in, in their, in their job, in their community.

So, so to all of you, thank you.

As I said, I didn't want this tonight.

I appreciate your kind words, and I treasure your friendship right here.

Thank you all.

Don't clap.

Motion to adjourn.

Okay, okay, okay, enough, enough.

Motion to adjourn.

Uh, Council President, Council President, can I have one more Chair recognizes Councillor Carney.

Yeah, I, I didn't want to just say just a couple of words about my colleague that also is not here with us this evening.

I just, I hope she'll tune in at some point.

I know she's going through a few things with, with family, and I just wanted to let her know that I was very honored and privileged to serve with Councilor Diesta, um, and, and her, um, and I will miss her dearly along with my colleague on the left-hand side of me, leaving me the only woman on this council.

But anyways, I just want to say that, um, Councilor Diesta, if you're watching, you did a great job in Ward 2.

You were— I worked with you very well with a lot of issues that were there in Ward 2.

And I will miss you deeply.

And you did a great job when you were here.

So thank you, Councilor Giesta.

All right, there was a motion to adjourn made by Councilor Morad, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question of adjournment?

On the question?

Only kidding.

Seeing none, roll call has been requested.

No, no, just kidding.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

We are adjourned at 8:11 PM.

My final gavel.

Oh yes, all right, we're closed out now, Susie Q.

We're done.

Yes, thank you for speaking.

Okay, great.

Um, so the counselors, we're gonna do our holiday message.