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City Council — January 8, 2026
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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
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Today is Thursday, January 8th, 7:01 PM, in the City Council chamber.
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At this time, I will recognize Deaconess Donna Britto of the In the Name of Jesus Church to lead us in a prayer.
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1:15
Amen.
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1:16
Thank you for inviting me.
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1:17
Happy New Year, everyone.
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1:21
Let us pray.
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Heavenly Father, Savior Jesus, Holy Spirit, as we begin this new year, we lift up our city council to you.
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1:32
Grant them wisdom to lead, unity to work together, and courage to serve justly.
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Bless our city with peace, opportunity, and health for all residents.
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May our leaders always remember their call to serve the least among us, and may our community be a beacon of your love and grace.
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Help us to build a future of hope, understanding, and shared prosperity.
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In Jesus' mighty name, amen.
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2:12
I will ask Councilor at Large Ian Abreu to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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2:15
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.
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2:31
Thank you, Mr. President.
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2:32
Thank you, Councilor.
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2:36
I am joined this evening by my colleagues in the New Bedford City Council: Councilor-at-Large Ian Abreu, Councilor of Ward 2 Scott Pemberton, Councilor of Ward 1 Leo Choquette, Councilor-at-Large James Roy, Councilor-at-Large Naomi Carney, Councilor of Ward 3 Sean Oliver, and Councilor-at-Large Shane Burgo.
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2:57
I would just like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.
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3:00
City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.
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3:06
I'll ask the clerk at this time if there are any letters to be read into the record.
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3:09
Mr. President, I have one letter from Councilor Lopes.
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3:12
Dear Council President Pereira and honorable members of the council, I am writing to inform you that I'll be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, due to a prior commitment.
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3:23
Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware the reason for my absence.
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3:27
Sincerely, Joseph P. Lopes, Councilor of Ward 5.
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3:30
Motion received and placed on file.
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3:32
Motion to receive and place on file has been made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
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3:37
Any discussion on receiving the letter and placing it on file?
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3:41
All those in favor say aye.
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3:42
Aye.
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3:43
Opposed?
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3:44
The ayes have it.
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3:44
The chair would also like to recognize we have been joined by Councilor-at-Large Brian Gomes.
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3:50
Mayor's Papers is before us.
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3:52
I'll ask the clerk to read item M1, please.
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3:54
Mr. President, M1 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting the reappointment of Gordon Carr, the executive director of the New Bedford Port Authority, as the New Bedford designee to the Steamship Authority Port Council.
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4:06
This term will expire on December 31st, 2026.
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4:13
Motion to grant the reappointment's been made by Rule 38, uh, been made by Councilor Abreu, along to waiving Rule 38 and Rule 40, seconded by Councillor Baptiste, who has joined us.
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4:26
Um, 8 votes are needed as this is waiving rules.
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4:30
I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
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4:32
Councillor Abreu?
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4:33
Yes.
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4:33
Councillor Baptiste?
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4:34
Yes.
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4:35
Yes.
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4:35
Councillor Burgoyne?
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4:36
Yes.
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4:37
Yes.
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4:37
Councillor Carney?
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4:38
Yes.
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4:38
Yes.
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4:39
Councillor Chauquet?
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4:40
Yes.
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4:41
Yes.
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4:41
Councillor Gomes?
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4:42
Yes.
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4:42
Yes.
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4:43
Councillor Oliver?
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4:44
Yes.
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4:45
Yes.
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4:45
Councillor Pemberton?
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4:46
Yes.
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4:47
Yes.
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4:47
Councillor Pereira?
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4:48
Yes.
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4:48
Yes.
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4:49
Councilor Roy?
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4:49
Yes.
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4:50
Yes.
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4:50
Passes 10 to 0, Mr. President.
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4:52
Item passes 10 to 0.
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4:54
Colleagues, I would also just like to share, um, I've had a communication with, um, Mr. Gordon Carr, and, uh, he has been— if reappointed, which we just did, uh, he will be serving as the Port Council's chairman next year, representing New Bedford and serving as the chair of that board.
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5:09
So best of luck to him.
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5:10
I'll ask the clerk to read item number M2, please.
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5:14
Mr. President, M2 is communication from the mayor to the city council submitting the reappointment of Michael J. Paiva of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the Traffic Commission.
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5:22
This term will expire in December of 2028.
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5:25
Same course of action.
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5:27
Second course of action made by Councilor Gomes, second by Councilor Oliver.
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5:31
And that is to grant the reappointment, waiving Rules 38 and 40.
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5:35
8 votes are needed.
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5:36
I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
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5:38
Councilor Abram.
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5:39
Yes.
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5:40
Councilor Baptiste.
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5:41
Yes.
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5:41
Councilor Burgos.
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5:42
Yes.
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5:43
Yes.
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5:43
Councilor Carney.
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5:44
Yes.
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5:45
Yes.
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5:45
Councilor Yes.
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5:47
Yes.
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5:47
Councilor Gomes.
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5:48
Yes.
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5:49
Yes.
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5:50
Councilor Oliver.
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5:51
Yes.
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5:51
Yes.
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5:52
Councilor Pemberton.
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5:52
Yes.
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5:53
Yes.
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5:53
Councilor Pereira.
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5:54
Yes.
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5:55
Yes.
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5:55
Councilor Roy.
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5:56
Yes.
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5:57
Yes.
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5:57
Passes 10 to 0.
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5:58
Item passes 10 to 0.
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6:00
I do not believe I see him in attendance.
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6:02
I don't think so.
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6:03
Okay.
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Anyway, I'll ask the clerk to read M3.
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6:07
Mr. President, M3 is communication from Mayor Mitchell to the council submitting the reappointment of Reverend Dr. Sandra Gatlin Whitley of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the Council on Aging.
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6:17
Her term will expire in December of 2028.
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6:20
Is it in course of action?
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6:22
Motion's been made to waive Rules 38 and 40 and grant the reappointment by Councilor Carney, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
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6:29
Any discussion?
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6:30
I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
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6:33
Councilor Abreu?
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6:34
Yes.
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6:34
Councilor Baptiste?
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6:36
Yes.
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6:36
Councilor Berrigo?
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6:37
Yes.
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6:38
Yes.
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6:38
Councilor Carney?
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6:39
Yes.
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6:39
Yes.
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6:40
Councilor Choquette?
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6:41
Yes.
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6:42
Yes.
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6:42
Councilor Gomes?
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6:44
Yes.
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6:44
Councilor Oliver?
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6:45
Yes.
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6:45
Yes.
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6:46
Councilor Pemberton?
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6:46
Yes.
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6:47
Yes.
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6:48
Councilor Pereira?
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6:48
Yes.
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6:49
Yes.
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6:49
Councilor Roy?
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6:50
Yes.
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6:51
Yes.
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6:52
Passes 11— I'm sorry, 10 to 0.
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6:53
Item passes 10 to 0.
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6:55
I'll ask the clerk to read item M4.
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6:58
Mr. President, M4 is a communication from Mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the appointment of Wayne Edwards of New Bedford, Massachusetts to the Veterans Advisory Board replacing Karen Cosme, whose term has expired.
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7:09
This term will expire in December of 2026.
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7:12
Same course of action.
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7:14
Motion's been made to waive Rules 38 and 40 and grant the appointment by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
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7:24
Anyone on the question?
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7:24
Chair recognizes Councilor Burgos.
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7:27
Yeah, so I know everyone's like, what are you doing?
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7:29
This isn't a reappointment.
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7:30
Um, so yeah, so to To explain a little bit, for those of us that have been on council and know about the Veterans Advisory Board, they struggle a lot to fill the vacancies.
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7:40
I think right now they have about 4 or 5 vacancies.
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7:43
If we're able to fill this, then they'll only have 4 vacancies.
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7:45
They're looking right now, they have a pending application, and hopefully if that person gets through, they'll only have 3 vacancies.
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7:53
Unfortunately, very sadly, a lot of times when we do fill these vacancies, the person ends up dying.
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8:01
And so that's why it's very hard to fill this board.
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8:04
And even when we do fill the board, they have a tough time meeting a quorum.
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8:07
And so as we know, we just reorganized this body.
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8:11
It will take time for our new president to put out the committee assignments, get appointments and briefings scheduled, have this— I know typically we would send this to committee to be screened, then have him referred back out.
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8:24
Then get re— get actually appointed, that will take months.
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8:30
So to get this Veterans Advisory Board, tongue twister there, the VAB, back on board to be meeting and functional, I'm asking for this one exception that we waive the screening.
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8:44
If you've looked at his application, you've had a chance, you see that this veteran is recently retired, has a lot of time on his hand, and is willing to give back to this board, which again is a voluntary board.
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8:55
He has contract negotiation and purchasing experience.
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8:58
He's very much interested in veteran housing, mental health, and availability of service.
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9:04
What we can do, if you'd like, we can waive the screening, grant the appointment, and not waive Rule 40.
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9:10
And if you have reservations and you want to reach out to him, and within 24 hours you can have it put back on for the next council agenda, but I would just ask that you consider passing this through so we don't hold up the work of the Veterans Advisory Board at this time.
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9:24
Thank you.
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9:28
Anyone else on debate?
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9:31
Okay, seeing none this time, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
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9:36
Councilor Abreu?
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9:37
Yes.
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9:38
Councilor Baptiste?
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9:39
Yes.
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9:40
Councilor Brigo?
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9:41
Yes.
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9:41
Councilor Carney?
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9:42
Yes.
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9:43
Yes, Councillor Chauquette.
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9:44
Yes.
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9:45
Yes, Councillor Gomes.
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9:46
Yes.
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9:46
Yes, Councillor Oliver.
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9:48
Yes.
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9:48
Yes, Councillor Pemberton.
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9:50
Yes.
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9:50
Yes, Councillor Pereira.
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9:51
Yes.
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9:52
Yes, Councillor Roy.
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9:53
Yes.
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9:54
Yes, passes 10 to 0, sir.
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9:56
Item passes 10 to 0.
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9:58
M5 is before us.
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10:00
Mr. President, M5 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting the appointment of Daniel Luis Reyes Ortiz of New Bedford as a constable, and M5A is his application.
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10:10
Motion to receive and place on file and refer to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
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10:13
Second.
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10:14
Motion to receive and place on file the communication and refer the item, the appointment, to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Oliver.
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10:24
Any discussion on referral?
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10:26
All those in favor say aye.
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10:27
Aye.
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10:28
Opposed?
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10:28
The ayes have it.
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10:29
I will ask the clerk— we are moving on to new business now, and I'll ask the clerk to read item number 1.
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10:35
Mr. President, item 1 is a report from the Committee on Finance.
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10:38
Recommending to the council approval of the report as amended, recommending adoption of the order as amended for the City of New Bedford to accept the donation of real estate from Wayland Development Corporation shown on the City of New Bedford Assessor's Map 132 as Lot 62.
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10:53
Motion to receive and place on file and grant the order as amended.
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10:58
Motion to receive and place on file the report and adopt the order as amended, made by Councilor Oliver.
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11:04
Seconded by Councilor Abril.
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11:05
Any discussion on the item before us?
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11:09
All those in favor say aye.
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11:10
Aye.
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11:11
Opposed?
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11:11
The ayes have it.
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11:12
I will ask the clerk to read item number 2.
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11:14
Mr. President, item 2 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending to the City Council adoption of the resolution to file and accept grants with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant program for improvements to the common, and adoption of the resolution for the dedication of Riverside Park.
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11:35
2A and 2B are the resolutions.
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11:41
Motion to adopt the resolutions items 2A and 2B made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Oliver.
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11:48
Any discussions on these items?
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11:50
All those in favor say aye.
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11:52
Aye.
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11:53
Opposed?
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11:54
The ayes have it.
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11:55
I will ask the clerk to read item number 3.
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11:57
Mr. President, item 3 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending to the City Council approval of the appointment of Jason Thode as the New Bedford Chief of Police.
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12:06
3A is a communication from the mayor.
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12:08
Motion to receive and place on file and approve the appointment and waive Rule 40, Councilor.
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12:14
And waive Rule 40.
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12:15
Yes.
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12:16
Motion to grant the appointment and waive Rule 40 made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
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12:23
Anyone on the question?
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12:25
Chair recognizes Councilor Carney.
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12:28
Yes, thank you very much.
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12:30
For those who weren't here or didn't watch the appointments and briefings when this item came before us, I did welcome Chief Doty to the city.
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12:41
I wish him luck in his appointment because I know he'll be granted.
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12:44
But as I stated in appointments and briefings, my My response will be a no.
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12:51
And the reason for that, I won't go into major details.
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12:53
I did at the appointments and briefings meeting.
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12:55
Anybody can tune in and watch it.
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12:57
But as I said, we had 3 people, 3 police officers that were in front of the screening committee.
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13:08
2 were from out of town and 1 was our own Captain Nate Rodriguez.
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13:14
Now there's 3 appointments there, and the 3 appointments went to the mayor's office, and the mayor chose Chief Doty, and which is his prerogative to choose the chief of police.
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13:26
But I'm of strong opinion that we should look at our own, and we have a homegrown here.
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13:33
The man's been in the city and working for the police department for well over 25 years, and I thought that he should have had a chance to become chief of police.
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13:43
So that's why my, my answer, my response will be no this evening in the chief's appointment, only for the fact that I think that we should start looking at our own.
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13:53
And what do we tell our men in uniform coming through the ranks, that you're going to work hard and come through the ranks, but when it comes to the top steps in the top positions, you're not going to get it.
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14:05
So anyways, that might be a no, but I do welcome Chief Doty.
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14:08
I know he'll be appointed tonight, and I do welcome him to the city, and I really do appreciate him coming here and deciding to live in New Bedford and not live in the outskirts.
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14:18
So thanks for that.
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14:19
Thank you.
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14:19
Thank you, Mr.
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14:20
Chair.
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14:20
Thank you, Councilor Carney.
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14:22
Any other— anyone else on the question?
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14:25
Okay.
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14:25
A roll call was requested, but we are waiving Rule 40.
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14:27
We need a roll call regardless.
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14:29
Thank you, Councilor.
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14:30
Clerk will call the roll.
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14:31
Councilor Abril?
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14:32
Yes.
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14:33
Yes.
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14:33
Councilor Baptiste?
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14:34
Yes.
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14:35
Councilor Borgo?
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14:36
Yes.
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14:36
Yes.
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14:36
Councilor Carney?
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14:37
No.
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14:38
No.
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14:38
Councilor Choquette?
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14:39
Yes.
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14:40
Yes.
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14:40
Councilor Gomes?
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14:41
Yes.
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14:41
Yes.
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14:42
Councilor Oliver?
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14:43
Yes.
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14:43
Yes.
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14:44
Councilor Pemberton?
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14:45
Yes.
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14:45
Yes.
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14:46
Councilor Pereira?
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14:47
Yes.
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14:47
Yes.
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14:47
Councilor Roy?
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14:49
Yes.
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14:49
Yes.
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14:49
Passes 9 to 1, Mr. President.
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14:51
Item passes 9 to 1.
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14:53
I will ask the chief to approach the podium, please.
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15:09
I, Jason Thody.
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15:10
I, Jason Thody.
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15:11
Do solemnly swear.
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15:12
Do solemnly swear.
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15:13
That I will faithfully and impartially.
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15:15
That I will faithfully and impartially.
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15:17
And to the best of my ability and understanding.
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15:19
And to the best of my ability and understanding.
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15:21
Perform my duties as Chief of Police.
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15:23
Perform my duties as Chief of Police.
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15:25
By serving the citizens of New Bedford.
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15:27
By serving the citizens of New Bedford.
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15:29
Officer And the officers in my command, with compassion, courage, and integrity.
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15:36
I will do all in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the charters and ordinances of the City of New Bedford.
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15:51
So help me God.
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16:27
Congratulations, Chief.
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16:28
I'll ask the clerk to read items— item M, uh, item 4, please.
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16:34
Mr. President, item 4 is report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending to the council approval of the appointment of George M. Beverus of New Bedford to the Board of Park Commissioners, replacing Lee Blake, who has resigned, for Aides to Communication.
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16:47
Same course of action.
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16:49
Motion to grant the appointment and waive Rule 40, made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
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16:54
Anyone on the question?
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16:57
Roll call vote.
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16:59
Councilor Abreu?
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17:00
Yes.
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17:01
Councilor Baptiste?
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17:01
Yes.
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17:02
Yes.
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17:03
Councilor Burgos?
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17:03
Yes.
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17:04
Yes.
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17:06
Councilor Carney?
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17:06
Yes.
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17:07
Yes.
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17:07
Councilor Chauquette?
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17:08
Yes.
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17:09
Yes.
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17:09
Councilor Gomes?
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17:10
Yes.
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17:11
Yes.
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17:11
Councilor Oliver?
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17:12
Yes.
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17:13
Yes.
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17:13
Councilor Pemberton?
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17:14
Yes.
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17:15
Yes.
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17:15
Councilor Pereira?
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17:16
Yes.
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17:16
Yes.
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17:17
Councilor Roy?
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17:18
Yes.
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17:18
Yes.
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17:19
Passes 10 to 0.
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17:21
Item passes 10 to 0.
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17:23
I will ask Mr. Viveras to step up to be sworn in.
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17:42
I, George Viveras.
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17:43
I, George Viveras.
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17:44
Do solemnly swear.
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17:45
Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially perform my duties as a member of the Board of Park Commissioners in accordance with the laws and the Constitution of the United States, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the charter and ordinances of the City of New Bedford.
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18:11
Charter and ordinances of the City of New Bedford.
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18:14
So help me God.
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18:15
So help me God.
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18:43
Without objection, the chair will take items 5, 6, and 7 together.
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18:47
They are all items out of committee and all to be passed to a second reading.
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18:52
I'd like to sever item number 7, please.
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18:55
Okay, item 7 has— item 7 will be severed, so we'll take items 5 and 6 together.
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19:02
Mr. President, item 5 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending to the City Council approval of the ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Comprehensive Zoning by adding Section 4200D, Solar Energy Systems.
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19:14
5A is the ordinance.
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19:16
And item 6 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending to the City Council approval of the ordinance amending Chapter 9 of Comprehensive Zoning relative to accessory dwelling units.
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19:25
6A is the ordinance.
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19:32
Motion to pass both ordinances 5 and 6 to a second reading, made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by— seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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19:41
Anyone on the question?
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19:43
All those in favor say aye.
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19:44
Aye.
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19:46
Opposed?
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19:46
The ayes have it.
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19:47
I will ask the clerk to read item number 7.
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19:49
Mr. President, item 7 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending to the council approval of the ordinance as amended relative to Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning, relative to parking requirements, Appendix C, Table of Parking and Loading Requirements.
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20:02
7A is the ordinance as amended.
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20:04
Motion to send this item back to the Committee on Ordinance— second— additional public input.
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20:10
Motion to refer the item back to the Committee on Ordinances made by Councilor Choquette, seconded by Councilor, uh, Gomes.
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20:19
Any discussion on the item?
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20:20
On the question?
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20:22
Chair recognizes Councilor Chaukat.
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20:24
Good evening.
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20:26
So I'm joined in the chambers tonight by many residents of Ward 1, and if you are from Ward 1, please feel free to raise your hand.
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20:37
So unfortunately, the public hearing that we had a week before Christmas was not very well advertised, and there were a lot of individuals whose opinions were not allowed to be made as a record or matter of public record.
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20:53
So I really believe that since we work for these people and that many of us knocked on their doors, these folks need to have the ability to speak on this issue.
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21:06
Now, that may or may not stop what is about to happen with these parking requirements and the changes in the zoning, and it may very well not affect them at all.
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21:18
We may move on, but we have to make sure that we allow these folks to have their opinions heard.
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21:26
These are the people we work for.
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21:28
These are the people who pay our salaries, and these are the people who have concerns.
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21:35
And I would respectfully request that you know, folks look past the notion that, well, they had their chance.
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21:45
There was a public meeting.
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21:48
Because the next time some of us need votes from these folks, they may knock on— you may knock on their door and they may say, nope, the time has passed, not interested in talking to you.
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21:59
So going forward, I want this to go back to committee.
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22:06
And again, we're not, we're not trying to beat the Russians to the moon.
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22:10
One additional meeting is not going to end the city of New Bedford and the ability to make zoning changes, some of it, some of which I do agree with, but some of which I don't agree with.
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22:21
And as President Kennedy once said, some of the best ideas in government come by letting the people speak.
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22:27
This is the people's house.
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22:29
Councilor, I stole your Your quote.
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22:32
But this is the people's house, and, you know, we need to let the people speak, because if not, then why are we even here?
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22:41
I yield.
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22:42
Thank you, Councilor Choquette.
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22:45
Thank you, Councilor Choquette.
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22:46
Uh, just for clarification purposes, I just would like to say that our office staff properly advertised this, uh, as required by Mass state law in the Standard Times and the city's website.
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22:57
For both the planning board and the committee.
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22:59
Um, so just, just for the record, the chair will rec— please, no applause.
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23:05
Thank you.
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23:06
Uh, chair will recognize Councilor Burgo.
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23:09
Uh, thank you, Mr. President, uh, for making those remarks, because that was the first thing I wanted to address about being well advertised.
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23:15
Because one of the criticisms, I think, of the public hearing was— well, first of all, there was a picture of a long line of individuals, some of which don't even live in New Bedford, and that was one of the criticisms.
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23:25
So people who don't live in New Bedford apparently got the advertisement, but some residents in Ward 1, I think theatrically I might say raise your hand if you were going to attend that meeting.
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23:36
I think they were aware of it but just assumed that it wasn't going to go through.
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23:40
It's also insulting to, I think, our planning board that did a lot of work crafting this.
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23:45
I know there's a lot of talk around just housing in particular in particular, but this parking ordinance does a lot more than just around housing and single-family housing or multifamily housing.
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23:56
It has to do with a whole myriad of parking situations.
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24:01
And I think that it's very shortsighted to get angry about one particular type of housing that Ward 1 in particular has tried as hard as they can to keep out of their particular ward.
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24:13
The whole not in my backyard mentality, while the rest of New Bedford from Ward 2 to 6 has tried their best to make it possible for people in New Bedford to live.
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24:24
So it's frustrating to me to see the work of government do this and see a small amount of people try to insult the work that has been done here and make it seem as though something's being rushed through when that is the last thing that has has taken place here.
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24:42
At the appropriate time, I'd like to make a motion to pass to a second reading.
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24:46
Thank you.
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24:46
Thank you, Councilor.
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24:48
Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.
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24:52
Thank you, Mr. President.
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24:52
I kind of felt compelled to stand right now.
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24:56
You know, you just heard a few minutes ago about the people's house.
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24:59
This is the people's house, and we work for the people.
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25:02
And if the people weren't notified, if people didn't know about it And they know about it now.
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25:07
They should be given the opportunity because we have the power to give them the opportunity.
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25:14
Please, no applause.
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25:15
Thank you.
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25:18
We must remember why we're here and who put us here.
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25:22
The people put us here.
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25:24
And when the people have a request, we should stand up for the people and we should grant them that request.
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25:31
Tonight they're asking the districts go back to committee so that we get some public input, some public input that probably wasn't heard before.
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25:38
This has nothing to do with our staff.
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25:40
Our staff does a fantastic job.
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25:41
The planning board does their job.
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25:43
Everybody did their job.
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25:46
But I'm kind of broken to hear, you know, for a small amount of people.
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25:50
Let me tell you, that area is not a small amount of people.
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25:53
That area is a lot of people, and a lot of people who have lived there for a long damn time.
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25:57
I've been here 36, 34 going on my 36 years, many of these faces that you see, they have been in that neighborhood, owned them properties, or got the properties from their parents or whatever as, as things move along on our journeys in life.
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26:12
So I, I don't really want to get into a hassle with my colleagues, but I really believe again that this is the people's house.
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26:20
And when the people request you to hold a meeting so that they have an opportunity because they did not know, or whatever the factor is, that's our job, and we're the brokers for them.
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26:32
And that's why I'll pass the— I'll vote in favor of this tonight, because they should have the opportunity.
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26:38
That's all they're asking.
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26:39
The People's House, it belongs to them, not us.
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26:44
Thank you, Councillor Gomes.
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26:46
Anyone else on there first?
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26:48
Chair Agnes, Councillor Carney.
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26:50
Yes, um, I was wondering if we could ask our legal counsel to step to the podium.
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26:56
I have a question for him about the public hearing.
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27:04
Okay, so, um, on this ordinance that we had as a public hearing, can we bring it back to committee just to hear from the people without readvertising and changing, you know, going back to a public hearing?
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27:21
Or can we move, put a related motion to move it to maybe appointments and briefings so we can address the concerns of the neighborhood, so we can hear what they have to say about a parking ordinance?
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27:34
I understand it was properly advertised and whatever.
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27:38
It was the holidays, um, a lot of people were busy around that time.
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27:42
So, um, you know, I'm just wondering how the procedure would go.
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27:47
You could do it either way.
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27:50
You could send it and have a readvertised public hearing to open the public hearing.
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27:54
You could then just send it there for more discussion and invite certain people that were not able to speak.
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28:00
My recommendation would be that you send it back and you do a public hearing that's advertised so all people can come, people who are here want to speak one way about it or if they want to speak for it or against it.
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28:12
But my recommendation would be that you— if you choose to do this and open it back up for more public input, that you send it to the Ordinance Committee.
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28:21
And when that meeting's called, it's an advertised public hearing to reopen the public hearing and do it again and take more testimony from everyone.
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28:29
That would be my recommendation.
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28:31
Okay, thank you.
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28:33
Just a point of clarification, a piece of this.
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28:36
Attorney Garatowski, can you speak to the timelines as well associated with this.
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28:40
I believe the planning board would have to rehear it as well because we would elapse, uh, from my recollection serving as chairman of the ordinance committee.
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28:47
So yeah, um, uh, Chapter 48, Section 5 requires so much time after you hold a public hearing that you need to vote on it.
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28:55
Um, and so you— I don't know what the date of that was, but if you— it says you have to vote it, I believe it's within 90 days of the public hearing.
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29:05
But if you're having a public hearing again, you're starting that clock again.
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29:10
So you can send it back to the committee, you can send it back to the ordinance committee to have a public hearing.
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29:16
It says you cannot— if you don't vote within 90 days of the public hearing, you can't vote on it without a subsequent public hearing.
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29:23
This would be the subsequent public hearing that would start the 90-day clock from running again.
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29:28
And just for clarification, the 45-day clock from the planning vote has already been satisfied.
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29:31
That doesn't have to be— That's correct.
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29:33
Okay, thank you.
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29:38
Anyone else on the question on their first?
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29:43
Councilor Chauquette, did you request a second?
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29:46
I am— I did not, but I am ready to do a roll call vote on this motion as counsel— counsel— as Attorney Gorotowski instructed us.
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29:57
Okay, a roll call vote was requested on the question of sending this back to the Committee on Ordinances for an additional public input.
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30:06
The item before us is to refer the item back to committee.
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30:09
I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
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30:11
Councilor Abrams?
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30:13
No.
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30:13
Councilor Baptiste?
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30:14
Yes.
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30:15
Yes.
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30:15
Councilor Burgos?
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30:17
No.
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30:17
Councilor Carney?
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30:18
No.
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30:19
No.
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30:19
Councilor Chouquette?
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30:20
Yes.
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30:21
Yes.
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30:21
Councilor Gomes?
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30:22
Yes.
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30:23
Yes.
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30:23
Councillor Oliver?
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30:24
No.
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30:25
No.
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30:25
Councillor Pemberton?
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30:27
No.
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30:28
No.
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30:28
Councillor Pereira?
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30:29
No.
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30:30
No.
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30:30
Councillor Roy?
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30:31
No.
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30:32
No.
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30:32
Fails 3 to 7.
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30:34
The item fails 3 to 7.
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30:37
Motion to pass to a second reading.
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30:38
Motion to pass the item to a second reading made by Councillor Burgos, seconded by Councillor Oliver.
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30:44
Any discussion?
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30:46
Uh, Chair recognizes Councillor Burgos.
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30:49
Oh, the man that loves everybody.
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30:51
She lives across the street.
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30:52
So just to explain what's happening here, this is not final action.
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30:57
This— what's happening now is we're passing this to a second reading.
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31:01
This will appear on the next scheduled agenda.
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31:03
What I would recommend to those that are upset right now in this room that are heckling right now, send emails, call us.
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31:10
We are here.
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31:11
We're willing to listen.
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31:12
Please, please send to us.
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31:13
What I will say say is since the last— excuse me, excuse me, if everyone could just please keep while a debate is ongoing.
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31:19
Thank you.
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31:19
Since the last meeting, I have not heard from one person in this room that objects, uh, to this parking requirement.
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31:27
I have heard from people who are in favor of it.
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31:30
So if you do object to it, I will, I will meet— excuse me, please, please, everybody.
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31:37
Councilor Choquette, you will refrain yourself please.
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31:41
Councilor Burgo has the floor.
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31:43
Thank you.
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31:44
So what I want to say is this is not a final action tonight.
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31:48
This is passing to a second reading, and I'm willing to hear from you.
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31:52
I am your elected official, and that's my job, is to listen to you, to listen to those who object and those who approve.
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31:59
So that's why I want you to know that this is not final action tonight.
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32:02
You will still be heard.
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32:04
I will be voting to passing this to a second reading, it is not over.
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32:07
You still will have an opportunity to be heard.
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32:09
So please, if you'd like to, at the end of the meeting, I will be here to listen to it.
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32:14
If you want to send an email, if you want to make phone calls, please do so.
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32:17
So I just want to encourage you to make sure that you are heard and that even though there's not a public forum for it, we are still here to listen to you.
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32:25
I just want to make that known.
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32:27
Thank you.
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32:28
Thank you.
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32:29
Chair recognizes Councillor Carney.
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32:32
Yes, uh, thank you, Mr.
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32:33
Chair.
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32:34
Um, I did hear from a couple of people, um, in Ward 1 after the meeting that was— that we had after the public hearing.
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32:43
Um, I did let them know that, you know, that we'd had the public hearing.
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32:47
Um, it was duly advertised, like my colleagues have said, and there was quite a span of that.
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32:53
Unfortunately, um, they weren't relayed the message.
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32:57
They didn't see what was going on.
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33:00
But I have heard for it, and like my colleague said, it is going to a second reading.
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33:06
I do have a couple— I've talked to a couple of constituents.
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33:09
I believe I have one more I need to call back.
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33:11
Fortunately, it was just too much of a rush today because I got the call today before the meeting and not— only spoke to one person after the meeting that wasn't happy with the with the ordinance.
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33:25
I do— I know which property they're looking at, and I know what, um, what their concerns are, and I would like to listen to the concerns.
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33:34
I did take pictures of the property.
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33:37
I did look at the footprint.
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33:38
I know that they're going to knock it down and build a bigger footprint, but they do have to realize that this ordinance for the 1 and 2 bedrooms is the 1 parking.
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33:49
If anything goes over that, it reverts back to the old ordinance that we have that requires more parking.
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33:56
So we're looking at 1 or 2.
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33:58
And when the, when the developer comes to the footprint, um, and we hear these concerns, we can talk to the planning board, we can talk to the building department, and we could say, hey, listen, you know, we want to make sure there's that, that those parking restrictions are there, and it's the 1, um, and 2 bedrooms.
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34:19
So I know that these days everybody has 1 and 2 cars.
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34:22
So if there's 2 people living there, most likely there will be 2 cars.
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34:27
Um, the, the area is quite vast, you know, it is a populated area.
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34:32
It's on Ashley Boulevard, there's businesses all over the place, and I've looked at their parking area.
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34:37
So, um, I'm willing to, you know, they can call me and listen Um, as long as I know and I don't have another meeting on that same night, I understand there will be more meetings with this developer, and I'm hoping Councilor Choukat reaches out to all of us so we can get there and listen to the concerns.
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34:55
But we are looking at citywide, and we are looking at reducing the taxes in the city, and it's really— everybody is paying so much.
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35:03
And what— yeah, please refrain yourselves, folks.
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35:07
This is— please.
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35:09
Yeah, Ward 1 pays an exorbitant amount of taxes, as Ward 6 and Ward 5.
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35:17
I get that.
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35:18
But what we're trying to do is minimize these things and trying to get this city so everybody's taxes will come down.
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35:27
And without these developments going on, it's making it very difficult.
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35:31
So we are here for your concerns.
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35:33
Please reach out and call me.
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35:35
It is going to a second reading, and we will be there to discuss with the developers to make sure that this does not hinder that neighborhood.
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35:43
Thank you.
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35:44
Thank you, Councillor Carney.
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35:46
Chair recognizes Councillor Choukat.
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35:51
So respectfully, uh, I, I just kind of shocked, um, I really thought that with the folks here tonight, that many of us would remember that we're supposed to be legislators in a democracy.
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36:11
The people are here right now.
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36:14
All we're asking, or all we did ask, because the point is now moot apparently, was to allow this to go back for an additional public hearing.
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36:24
So that people could speak.
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36:26
This is the United States of America.
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36:29
We pledge allegiance to that flag.
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36:31
We pay taxes to the Massachusetts flag.
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36:34
We pay taxes to the Commonwealth flag.
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36:37
I, I don't know why you're laughing, Councilor Burgow.
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36:40
This is, this is not a laughing matter.
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36:43
Mr. President, tell him to direct his comments to you, please.
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36:46
Councilor Choquette, please direct all comments to the chair.
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36:48
Thank you.
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36:51
Again, I apologize to the people of Ward 1 and any other ward in here who have been let down tonight.
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37:00
Representative government is supposed to allow the people to speak.
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37:04
There is no wrong time to let folks speak in a public hearing, ever, in a democracy.
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37:14
Area.
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37:15
If you represent, or you really represent.
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37:17
It doesn't belong there.
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37:19
So that's number one.
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37:20
Number two is these people should be heard, and I don't give a darn.
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37:24
That's how I work.
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37:26
And I'm not grandstanding, because we'll hear that song later.
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37:29
You'll hear that song, I grandstand around here.
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37:31
I grandstand for the people of this city, and that's what they recognize, and that's why I figure I'm still here.
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37:37
You know?
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37:38
That's why I'm still here.
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37:40
They don't have to love me.
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37:42
I don't have to do everything they want.
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37:44
But when they know they got representation, they'll put it back.
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37:47
That's why I never supported the petition that's out there from the mayor's office for term limits and whatever.
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37:55
They're the term limits.
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37:56
They'll make the decision.
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37:59
I know my voice is raised because I'm a little shocked tonight.
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38:02
I'm a little shocked with this body that you couldn't respond to the people.
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38:07
Oh, it's a little amount of people.
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38:09
Who are you talking to, man?
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38:11
These are people just like the people of the South End, people of the West End, the people of this whole darn city, and they deserve the same respect and the same representation.
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38:19
And I'm going to give them the representation.
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38:21
You can pass it to a second reading.
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38:23
I could do something, but I'm not going to do it.
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38:25
You'll see if you pass it to a second, because there's already a coup in here tonight taking care of business, and I'm noticing that in the past couple of nights.
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38:32
Maybe the past 24 hours.
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38:34
So we'll play that game.
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38:35
It's going to be quite the year.
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38:39
Thank you, Councillor Gomes.
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38:40
Anyone else on their first?
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38:44
Okay.
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38:44
On their second, Councillor Choquette.
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38:46
At this time, I'd like to make a motion to table this, and we will take a roll call vote.
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38:53
Motion to table has been made.
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38:54
Is there a second?
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38:55
Second.
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38:57
Motion to table.
In
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39:17
Thank you.
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39:20
Motion to table has been made by Councillor Chaukat, seconded by Councillor Gomes.
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39:25
I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
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39:28
Councilor Abram.
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39:30
No.
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Out
39:30
Councilor Baptiste.
In
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39:32
Yes.
In
Out
39:32
Councilor Burgow.
In
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39:33
No.
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Out
39:34
No.
In
Out
39:34
Councilor Carney.
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39:35
Yes.
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Out
39:36
Councilor Choquette.
In
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39:37
Yes.
In
Out
39:38
Yes.
In
Out
39:38
Councilor Gomes.
In
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39:39
Yes.
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39:40
Yes.
In
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39:40
Councilor Oliver.
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39:41
No.
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39:42
No.
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39:42
Councilor Pemberton.
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39:44
No.
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39:45
No.
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39:45
Councilor Pereira.
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39:46
No.
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39:47
No.
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39:47
Councilor Roy.
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39:48
No.
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39:49
No.
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39:49
Fails 4 to 6.
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39:50
The item fails 4 to 6.
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39:52
The item before us is to pass the ordinance to a second reading.
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39:58
All those in favor say aye.
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39:59
Aye.
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40:00
Opposed?
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40:01
The ayes have it.
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40:04
Mr. Chairman?
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40:05
Yes.
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40:06
Motion to waive the reading for items 8 through 11A and, uh, take no further action.
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40:12
Motion has been made to take items 8 through 11A, waive the readings, take no further action, by Councilor Burgos.
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40:20
Seconded by Councilor Oliver.
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40:21
Any discussion on the item?
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40:23
All those in favor say aye.
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40:25
Aye.
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40:25
Opposed?
In
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40:27
The ayes have it.
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40:28
I will ask the clerk to read item number 12, please.
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40:32
Mr. President, item 12 is a written motion from Council President Pereira and Councilor Abreu requesting that the Traffic Commission install no parking from 10 PM to 8 AM signage on Coral Street spanning the entirety of the street from Brock Avenue to West Rodney French Boulevard corners due to the volume of late evening and early morning parking in the neighborhood, which oftentimes disrupts the quality of life for the residents.
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40:54
Motion to follow recommendation.
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40:56
Second.
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40:56
Motion to refer the item to the Traffic Commission by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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41:01
Councilor Abreu on the question.
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41:03
Thanks a bunch, Mr. President.
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41:04
I'll be quick.
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41:05
I've received the calls, um, the closest city councilor to that neighborhood.
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41:10
I live literally— you could flick a pea off my front porch and you would hit Coral Street and the SCYAA field.
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41:17
And I know you get the calls, and I'm sure others in this room who are at large have gotten the calls as well.
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41:22
It's a problem in this neighborhood for sure, in particular during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, whether it's SCYAA baseball, whether it's Whalers youth football, and even folks throughout the night, especially in the warmer to milder months of the season.
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41:38
We're talking fireworks, we're talking late-night partying, drinking, and just a lot of actions of ill repute.
In
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41:44
So this isn't the panacea to solve all that ails this neighborhood right now, Mr. President.
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41:50
I know you and I have talked with others in the neighborhood.
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41:53
We've spoken with not only neighborhood stakeholders but folks who run the South End Uh, Youth Athletic Association, folks who run the South End neighborhood meetings.
In
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42:05
And there's more to come perhaps on this, but, uh, this is a step in the right direction to at least give some teeth, um, to— in the way of whether it's an ordinance or in this case a traffic commission order, uh, to erect some signage to try to, um, enact some type of, uh, semblance of a quality of life for this neighborhood.
In
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42:22
So with that being said, Mr. President, I'll yield at this time, but the motion pretty much does speak for itself.
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42:27
And I'm sure you and I and others in this room will be sure to let the neighborhood know when this goes to the Traffic Commission for the hearing so that they can come and speak in support of this.
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42:36
Thank you.
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42:37
Thank you, Councilor Abreu.
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42:39
Anyone else on the question?
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42:41
Okay.
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42:42
All those in favor say aye.
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42:44
Aye.
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42:44
Opposed?
In
Out
42:45
The ayes have it.
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42:46
I will ask the clerk to read item 13.
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42:48
Mr. President, item 13 is written motion from Councilors Pemberton and Abreu requesting that Mr. Paul Brooks Jr., Director of Real Estate and Development for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, appear before the Committee on City Property to discuss the feasibility of leasing the diocese's 25,000-square-foot parking lot on the corner of Ashley Boulevard and Earl Street to the City of New Bedford for municipal parking purposes.
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43:12
Motion to follow the recommendation, refer the item to the Committee on City Property.
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43:17
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, the Mitchell administration, and the purchasing department, made by Councilor Abril, seconded by Councilor Pemberton.
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43:28
On the question, chair recognizes Councilor Pemberton.
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43:32
Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to, uh, speak at this, uh, motion.
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43:39
Uh, first I would like to thank my colleagues to the right of me for, uh, for helping me and support me of this motion, uh, learning how to write a motion for the first time.
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43:48
I, I appreciate it.
In
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43:50
Uh, you know, all through my campaign, uh, it's one of the things I've heard is about is, uh, parking and housing.
In
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43:59
Uh, so I, you know, I realize it's a problem across the city.
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44:04
Uh, so I'm proposing this motion, um, You know, so we can eliminate some of the problem.
In
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44:12
This was also going hand in hand on that next motion that I have.
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44:21
So, you know, I just make this motion so we can see what the diocese has planned, what they want.
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44:29
I just want to, you know, see if we can take it over.
In
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44:34
You know, it's just It's been empty for years now.
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44:39
So, you know, I just— I'm asking for everybody's support on this.
In
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44:43
I also realize that we don't have any assigned committees yet, but I'm also— but I'm asking whoever the chairman or the chairwoman may be if they can put this on the agenda ASAP, please.
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44:54
And with that, Mr. President, I yield.
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44:56
Thank you.
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Out
44:57
Thank you, Councilor Pemberton.
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45:16
Thank you, Councilor Pemberton, for your first floor speech.
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45:19
The chair will recognize Councilor Gomes.
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45:24
Oh, thank you, Mr. President.
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45:27
Um, I stand to, um, object to this, this evening, because maybe my colleagues are not aware of what has transpired here.
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45:37
As you know, some of you that have been here, I'm the one that put the motion forth several years, 2 years ago, to meet with the diocese on the churches across the city, on what, what we should do with them, many of them being vacant, whether we should turn them into housing, what we do.
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45:52
We did that.
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45:53
We did that.
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Out
45:54
Myself, Councilor Morad, Um, Councilor, um, um, Giesta and myself.
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46:00
The last meeting was actually attended by myself, Councilor Bergo, and, um, Councilor Giesta, where the proposal was given to us for this.
In
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46:09
So I don't mean to throw, you know, bad apples into the basket here, gentlemen, but you can't do this because there's a proposal that has been made, and I'm surprised some of you don't have it in your hand.
In
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46:19
That becomes, um, Giesta originally had it or whatever, but there's a proposal to take down the church to put housing there.
In
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46:27
They're going to use the parking lot across the street.
In
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46:30
It's all interconnected.
In
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46:32
Um, it's, it's a fantastic looking project.
In
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46:34
I tried to find it before I came here tonight, but I couldn't find it.
In
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46:38
I might have put it somewhere else, but, um, I, I don't— again, don't mean to throw bad apples on, uh, what you're requesting, but, um, why would I want this parking lot for public parking.
In
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46:50
Why would I want this public— we just finished talking about getting tax money.
In
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46:54
We're going to get taxes from the proposal.
In
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46:56
And the proposal is a beautiful proposal from the diocese, and we continue to meet with them.
In
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47:01
So we'll meet with Mr. Brooke or whatever from the diocese.
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47:06
That's fine.
In
Out
47:07
But I didn't mean to throw the apples on you.
In
Out
47:09
You've got to pay attention to what's going on around here, because I don't know why no one knows about this project.
In
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47:15
And it's in the forefront.
In
Out
47:18
Thank you, Councilor Gomes.
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47:19
Chair recognizes Councilor Abril.
In
Out
47:20
Thank you, Mr. President.
In
Out
47:21
I'm not sure, uh, things have changed, but that property's been on the real estate market for over 600 days, listed at $1.1 million.
In
Out
47:29
There's no movement on there.
In
Out
47:30
In fact, there's a number for a realtor to call.
In
Out
47:32
You can go online right now and check.
In
Out
47:33
It's for sale by the diocese for $1.1 million, including the parking lot and the church.
In
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47:40
So if a development's happening, I don't know why it's— that's not the case.
In
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47:44
And I've had conversations with folks in the diocese.
In
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47:47
As what I was told from folks within the diocese, as of right now, there is no buyer for that property.
In
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47:54
Now, speaking with the ward councillor, my rationale, my thought— and I won't speak for him— but my understanding is that by creating more municipal parking, this could alleviate the heartburn that could cause over the Phillips Avenue development.
In
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48:08
That was the issue with Phillips Avenue a few years ago.
In
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48:11
It was parking.
In
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48:12
It was too dense.
In
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48:13
Where were folks going to park?
In
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48:14
Well, it's one block north.
In
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48:16
This could alleviate that problem.
In
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48:18
That was the rationale behind this.
In
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48:19
Again, the property's been on the market for over 600 days.
In
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48:23
The diocese is asking for over $1 million.
In
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48:26
No one's buying it.
In
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48:27
No one's biting.
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48:28
Unless I'm— unless we have information otherwise, but it's listed right now online, and I'm told by the diocese that they're still looking for a buyer for that property.
In
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48:38
Thank you.
In
Out
48:39
Thank you, Councilor Abreu.
In
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48:41
Chair recognizes Councilor Burgo on his first.
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48:44
Thank you.
In
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48:46
Uh, yeah, to echo some of the sentiments from my colleague from Clara Street— yeah, that's right, Clara.
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48:51
Thank you.
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48:52
Um, he's, he's right.
In
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48:54
Um, I think some of the confusion that might be here is because of the fact that, uh, this project is a multi-layered, multi-year project.
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49:04
A lot of it hasn't been submitted yet.
In
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49:06
That's why I think a lot of it hasn't really been out there.
In
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49:09
It was a preliminary meeting.
In
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49:12
I know I was invited at the time because I was council president.
In
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49:15
Councilor Diesta because it was her ward, and she had extended it to some of the at-large councilors.
In
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49:21
So it's still in very early phases.
In
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49:25
But that's also why at this time, as much as I congratulate our new colleague in his first floor speech, I too think it would be somewhat of a waste of time to send it to city property for a piece of property that we know is under development and based on the plans that we have looked at would be much better suited for housing at this time rather than parking.
In
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49:51
So I just wanted to rise to support my colleague from Clara Street, to add some validity to what he was speaking to and the meeting that myself, Councilor Giesta, and our colleague from Clara Street all attended.
In
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50:04
And with that, I'll just sit.
In
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50:07
Thank you.
In
Out
50:08
Thank you, Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
50:10
Anyone else on their first?
In
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50:13
Councilor Gomes on his second.
In
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50:15
Thank you, Mr. President.
In
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50:16
I'm going to tell you how important this meeting was.
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50:18
We didn't only meet with the diocese, we met with their financial people, we met with their land people, we met with all kinds of people.
In
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50:25
There was a whole table down the street here when we met with them.
In
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50:28
So I don't know who the good councilor from the South End is talking to, but I know that Mr. Brooks has been dealing with us since this came to fruition and I put this forth.
In
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50:39
He has been the contact man, and I have not heard anything anything from him or whatever.
In
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50:44
And if this is to alleviate what's happening at the Phillips Avenue School, why did we ever let what happened at the Phillips Avenue School— do we want to recap that?
In
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50:52
Do we want to recap the petitions that were passed into the city council that had 75 false names of residents that didn't even live here?
In
Out
51:00
And we drove crews right out of here that night when that developed— that property could be developed right now.
In
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51:05
Phillips Avenue could be developed and no— went Since when did we take public parking, or did we buy a parking lot so that we could put the public in it?
In
Out
51:14
Since when?
In
Out
51:15
They took over the Phillips Avenue School, and that's what happened, and they wanted to keep it.
In
Out
51:20
One guy that lived right across the street with a big apartment complex, the same guy that took me to court, if for some of you that were here, didn't win, another one of them times, take them to court, you didn't win, know what we're doing, I know what I'm doing.
In
Out
51:34
We stopped that project up there.
In
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51:37
We stopped the project.
In
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51:38
It was for him to use it for parking, for them to use it for parking.
In
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51:41
Look what it looks like.
In
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51:44
Look what it looks like.
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51:45
I'm not here to get in arguments.
In
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51:46
I'm here to take care of the people's business.
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51:48
I'm here to deal with my colleagues when they want to put something forth that is in the best interest of the city.
In
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51:53
This is not in the best interest of the city.
In
Out
51:55
And again, I'm going to repeat, I see Councilor from the South End sitting here like, he's talking you know what.
In
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52:03
I'm not talking.
In
Out
52:04
We sat there with him.
In
Out
52:05
I just had my colleague stand up and tell you.
In
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52:08
I see his head shake as I tell you about the finance people.
In
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52:10
They had everybody there.
In
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52:11
They've got a plan.
In
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52:13
And I'm going to get the plan and I'm going to get it to our clerk's office so that we can get copies to everyone of what was proposed for that area.
In
Out
52:20
And I thank my colleagues for listening to me.
In
Out
52:22
And I didn't think this was the kind of night we're going to have, but I believe that there's gonna be more nights like this.
In
Out
52:27
Because when you don't come here as an individual, you come here as a team, this is what happens.
In
Out
52:32
And I know about the team because, see, I've been here a while.
In
Out
52:35
You see, I've been ambushed here.
In
Out
52:39
And you know, I let you guys go.
In
Out
52:40
I let some of you go.
In
Out
52:41
You know, I never said anything to you?
In
Out
52:42
Because silence is better than arguing with you.
In
Out
52:46
You think you won?
In
Out
52:47
Ride it.
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Out
52:48
Ride it.
In
Out
52:49
Gives me the character of who I'm dealing with.
In
Out
52:52
On the City Council.
In
Out
52:54
Thank you very much.
In
Out
52:56
Thank you, Councilor Gomes.
In
Out
52:57
Anyone else on their first or a second?
In
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53:00
All right, on the question, uh, the item before us is referring to the Committee on City Property.
In
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53:05
All those in favor say aye.
In
Out
53:07
Opposed?
In
Out
53:08
The ayes have it.
In
Out
53:10
I'll ask the clerk to read item 14.
In
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53:12
Mr. President, item 14 is a written motion from Councilors Pemberton and Oliver requesting that the Committee on City Property meet begin the process of disposition for the Phillips Avenue Elementary School located at 249 Phillips Avenue.
In
Out
53:26
To receive and place on file, refer to the Committee on City Property and the Mitchell Administration.
In
Out
53:32
Motion to refer the items to the Committee on City Property and the Mitchell Administration made by Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
53:37
Is there a second?
In
Out
53:39
Seconded by Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
53:41
Anyone on the question?
In
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53:42
Chair recognizes Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
53:47
Again, I want to thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me this time.
In
Out
53:50
Uh, and I also want to thank my, uh, colleague in front of me to the left here, uh, for helping me support, uh, and write this motion up.
In
Out
53:58
Um, this kind of— the first motion, the reason why I made that first motion is because with this motion here, I noticed that everybody, you know, was pocketing that Phillips Avenue School.
In
Out
54:10
You know, I'd like to put it back up for RFP.
In
Out
54:14
And the idea behind the St. Killian's parking lot was just a shift, was just a shift.
In
Out
54:23
I figured if the cars were parking at Phillips Avenue and they also needed another place to park, then the St. Killian's parking lot would have been just the answer because it's only 2 blocks away from the Phillips School.
In
Out
54:35
So that's the only reason why I I would suggest in that parking lot as well.
In
Out
54:40
But going back to, uh, to the motion number 14 is, uh, I just would hope, uh, that, uh, my colleagues here, uh, would go ahead and put this on the, uh, agenda on the city property.
In
Out
54:51
And again, I know we don't have that committee yet, but whoever the chairman or the chairwoman may be, if they could put this on the agenda, uh, ASAP.
In
Out
55:00
And, uh, you know, this should have been built a long time ago.
In
Out
55:03
Uh, we shouldn't be having this conversation about the Phillips Avenue School now.
In
Out
55:07
Uh, like I said, it's, it's a shame that it didn't get developed like it should have.
In
Out
55:13
I wish it had.
In
Out
55:14
Uh, but here we have another opportunity.
In
Out
55:16
Uh, so with that, again, Mr. President, thank you.
In
Out
55:19
I yield.
In
Out
55:19
Thank you, Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
55:21
Chair recognizes Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
55:24
Thank you, Mr. President.
In
Out
55:26
Um, I— although this is a pretty straightforward motion Um, it is something that we need to address.
In
Out
55:32
I think today there's been a lot of talk about housing and parking, and this is another one of those motions.
In
Out
55:40
Uh, yeah, there was some action that was taken by this body a while back where it kind of extinguished the development of this property.
In
Out
55:50
And we talk about putting taxes— things back on the tax rolls and, and getting housing We don't know what this— what, what is in store for this, um, property, but we do know that we need to relinquish it, um, or we're going to be stuck with either demolishing it, taking care of it, or, or, or whatnot.
In
Out
56:09
So let's not hinder any building or any development of this anymore.
In
Out
56:14
Let's not drive any other developers out of here, um, and address the concerns of the as they arise, as we typically do.
In
Out
56:24
My colleague from the far south end spoke about the gentleman that was a big proponent of preserving the use of that parking lot for the local neighborhood.
In
Out
56:41
And if you drive by that neighborhood, all you see is the same cars in the same spot and It's almost more of a storage lot than it is a parking lot.
In
Out
56:51
So it's time that this body take action, and I hope that this is going to be the beginning of putting that back on the tax roll and having a nice building to look at in that stretch of the boulevard.
In
Out
57:00
Thank you.
In
Out
57:01
Thank you, Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
57:02
Anyone else on the question?
In
Out
57:03
Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.
In
Out
57:07
Mr. President, I'll support the motion.
In
Out
57:09
Anything that gets a property such as that— but as I'm going to read remind everyone again that property is like it is because this council drove the developer out of there for the simple factor of holding the property for what it looks like today.
In
Out
57:23
And in the interim, it has decayed.
In
Out
57:25
As you know, we have put blocks in there because on one side you can't go because the building is, is crumbling or whatever.
In
Out
57:31
I don't know if we'll get the same reaction on sending this out in an RFP to have it developed as before, but There's always a good chance of that happening, and I'll support that.
In
Out
57:42
But I wish that some of the same people supported the project when it was before us before, instead of killing it because of— who knows?
In
Out
57:52
Who knows?
In
Out
57:53
I'm still mind-boggled about that that night.
In
Out
57:56
After showing you proof, showing you proof that the petitions that were before us were rotten, no good, they didn't belong here, it was just a big farce.
In
Out
58:04
That's all it was, to try to keep that property and see what it looks like today.
In
Out
58:08
And again, we are not in the business of shifting parking spaces.
In
Out
58:13
You should have never been parked in there anyway.
In
Out
58:15
It was a school.
In
Out
58:16
And that's what happens around this city.
In
Out
58:18
They just— some people just take advantage of things and start— starts with 1, 2, 3.
In
Out
58:23
Next thing you know, we've got 24 or 30 cars in there.
In
Out
58:25
And now they own it.
In
Out
58:27
No, they don't.
In
Out
58:28
No, they don't.
In
Out
58:30
Them cars did not belong there.
In
Out
58:31
I'm not shifting any cars to any parking lot.
In
Out
58:33
I'm not buying a parking lot to shift any cars.
In
Out
58:37
You live in a neighborhood, you've got to adjust yourself.
In
Out
58:39
And we know what the parking situation is.
In
Out
58:41
We know how hard the parking situation is.
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58:45
But I'm not about to start spending the taxpayers' money so that I shift some parking that shouldn't have been there in the first place if we had developed the project.
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58:52
And again, some people that voted against that project.
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58:56
As the ambush went on.
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58:58
I know, roll your eyes, Mr. President.
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59:00
I'm sorry to have to do it, but I'm not letting anybody get away with anything here.
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59:04
No more.
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59:05
No more.
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59:05
And especially when it has to do— Thank you, Councilor Gomes.
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59:10
Anyone else?
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59:13
Seeing none, all those in favor of referral to committee say aye.
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59:17
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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59:18
Item 15 is before us.
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59:20
Mr. President, Item 15 is a petition sponsored by Councilor Oliver for an indemnity agreement with MLM Realty Trust Partners at 297 Ashley Boulevard in New Bedford for the permission to encroach onto city property with an 80-foot by 3-foot awning.
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59:36
Motion to receive and place on file the communication.
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59:39
And, uh, do we have to send this to property?
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59:41
No, just receive and place on file.
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59:43
Adopt the order.
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59:44
Yeah, adopt the order.
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59:44
Okay, motion to adopt the order made by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Abreu.
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59:49
Anyone on the question?
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59:51
All those in favor say aye.
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59:53
Aye.
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59:53
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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59:54
I'll ask the clerk to read item 16.
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59:57
Mr. President, item 16 is communication from the city clerk to the council submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of Celestine Wilkins of 1 Warwick Street in New Bedford, doing business as Chris Transportation at 1 Warwick Street in New Bedford.
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1:00:12
This license will, will run from now till June 30th, 2026.
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1:00:24
Motion to refer the item to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by— was that Councilor Baptiste?
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1:00:32
Seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
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1:00:34
Anyone on the question?
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1:00:35
All those in favor say aye.
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1:00:36
Aye.
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1:00:37
Opposed?
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1:00:37
The ayes have it.
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1:00:38
We'll ask the clerk to read item 17.
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1:00:40
Mr. President, item 17 is communication from Council President Pereira submitting a copy of a letter sent to Sean Seed of City Engineer regarding his inability to attend the meeting at the sewage treatment plant regarding the CSO capital improvement plan on Tuesday, December 9th, 2025.
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1:00:56
Motion to receive and place on file.
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1:00:57
Motion to receive and place on file the communication by Councilor Burgo.
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1:01:02
Is there a second?
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1:01:03
Second.
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1:01:03
Seconded by Councilor Oliver.
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1:01:06
All those in favor say aye.
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1:01:07
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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1:01:09
Motion to take up and adopt— motion to take up and adopt consent made by Councilor Baptiste, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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1:01:16
Anyone on the question?
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1:01:18
All those in favor say aye.
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1:01:20
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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1:01:22
Seeing no further business before us, the chair receives a motion to adjourn from Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
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1:01:29
Any discussion on adjournment?
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1:01:31
All those in favor say aye.
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1:01:33
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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1:01:35
We are adjourned to 8:02.
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1:01:36
Thank you.
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