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City Council — May 12, 2026
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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
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Today is Tuesday, May 12th, at 7 PM in the New Bedford City Council chambers.
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1:07
Tonight, colleagues, we do not have a member of the clergy with us, so I will ask for a moment of silence.
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1:22
Thank you.
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1:23
Tonight we will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilor-at-Large Shane Burgow.
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1:31
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 Thank you, Mr. President.
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1:47
Thank you, Councilor.
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1:51
I am joined in the chamber this evening by my colleagues, Councilor-at-Large Ian Abreu, Councilor of Ward 2 Scott Pemberton, Councilor of Ward 1 Leo Choquette, Councilor of Ward 5 Joseph Lopes, Councilor-at-Large Brian Gomes, Councilor-at-Large Naomi Carney, Councilor of Ward 3 Sean Oliver, Counselor at Large Shane Burgill.
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2:14
I am the City Council President and Ward 6 Councilor Ryan Pereira.
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2:19
I would like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.
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2:22
City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City Council— in the City of New Bedford's homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.
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2:31
At this time, I would like to— I will ask the clerk to read if there are any letters to be read into the record.
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2:36
Mr. President, there are none.
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2:37
Okay, seeing that, I will ask the clerk to begin with our hearing section number 1.
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2:42
Mr. President, item 1 is a hearing from Enstar Electric Company doing business as Eversource Energy for the location of approximately 100 feet of conduit and one handhold on County Street.
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2:53
This work is necessary to provide service to 840 County Street.
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2:57
Motion to receive and place on file and open the public hearing.
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3:00
A motion to receive and place on file and open the public hearing made by Councilor Burgow.
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Seconded by Councilor Oliver.
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3:05
Any discussion?
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3:06
All those in favor say aye.
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3:08
Opposed?
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3:09
The ayes have it.
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3:10
Hi, Jessica.
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3:11
How are you?
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3:12
Good evening.
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3:13
Uh, good evening, Mr. President, members of the City Council.
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3:15
Jessica Elder representing Eversource.
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3:18
Uh, thank you for having me this evening again.
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3:21
Uh, the petition before you, which is work order number 2450— nope, 24549-431 We are requesting permission to install approximately 100 feet of new 1/4-inch conduit from an existing handhole.
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3:39
We're going along the sidewalk on the County Street in New Bedford.
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3:45
The work is being performed within the public right-of-way to provide electric service infrastructure improvements for the customer at 840 County Street.
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3:55
I don't expect the work to take any more than 1 to 2 days.
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3:58
Definitely we anticipate, you know, localized traffic impacts only during the constructive time.
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4:05
We will request a detail.
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4:07
I'm sure it will be necessary.
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4:09
And that's pretty much it.
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4:11
Great.
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4:12
Thank you.
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4:12
Colleagues, any questions?
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4:18
Okay.
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4:19
Seeing no questions from my colleagues.
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4:22
This is a public hearing, so members of the public can speak in favor.
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Any member wish to speak in favor?
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4:27
If any member wishes to be recorded in favor?
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4:31
If any member of the public wishes to be recorded in favor?
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4:35
If any member of the public would like to speak in opposition?
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4:39
Speak in opposition?
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4:40
If any member of the public would like to be recorded in opposition?
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4:45
Recorded in opposition?
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4:48
Seeing no comment from the public, a motion to close the public hearing made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Lopes.
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4:56
Anyone on the question?
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4:57
All those in favor say aye.
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4:59
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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5:00
Colleagues, your pleasure.
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5:03
Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Oliver.
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5:08
Anyone on the question?
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5:09
All those in favor say aye.
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5:11
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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5:12
Without objection, I will ask the clerk to read items, uh, items 2 and 3.
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5:17
As they are the same property.
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5:19
Mr. President, item 2 is a hearing from Enstar Electric Company, doing business as EverSource Energy, for the location of approximately 15 feet of conduit in Belleville Avenue.
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5:27
Excuse me.
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5:29
This work is needed to provide upgraded service to Belleville Avenue.
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5:32
2A is the order.
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5:33
And item 3 is also on Belleville Avenue, and this work is needed to provide upgraded service to Belleville Avenue.
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5:39
This is for a pole.
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5:41
3A is the order.
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5:43
Motion to receive and place on file and open the public hearing.
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5:46
Motion to receive and place on file, open the public hearing, is made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Pemberton.
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Anyone on the question?
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5:52
All those in favor say aye.
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5:54
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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5:56
Jessica, if you could give us an overview.
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5:57
Absolutely.
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5:58
Uh, so this petition, work order number 23564047, uh, we're requesting to, uh, install approximately 15 feet of new 2 to 5-inch conduit from a proposed pole, which is 4 over 6.5, to an existing manhole.
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6:16
This is the 195 project.
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6:20
This is— the area we're working out of is down the Belleville Ave over by Cedar Grove near the overpass.
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6:29
We definitely will be requesting a detail.
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6:35
And in addition to the installation of the 45-foot pole, we are also installing an anchor and a guy wire.
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6:46
Underground electric facilities as part of the Route 185 project, as I had mentioned earlier.
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6:52
Again, work should be maybe 2 to 4 days with the pole and the conduit.
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And like I said, we will require— we will request the detail.
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7:03
Fantastic.
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7:04
Colleagues, any questions?
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7:05
Chair recognizes Councilor Gomez.
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7:07
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
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7:09
Um, that's in the area between the factory and the 195 drop-off, correct?
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7:15
Overpass over— yes.
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7:17
Okay.
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7:17
There's a lot of work going on down there.
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7:19
Yeah, I've seen it.
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7:21
Um, I know you said about the detail, um, with the traffic and everything the way it is, you may need more than one officer depending on how much you're blocking off, because right now you're using that straight through down to Cedar Grove or past the overpass or whatever.
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7:39
Is— there's a lot of work there.
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7:41
Just need a little bit of safety with those factories and everything that goes on in that factory south of that.
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7:47
There's a lot of traffic.
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7:48
Just would appreciate that.
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7:50
No problem.
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Thank you.
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7:51
Thank you, Mr. President.
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7:52
Thank you, Councilor.
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7:54
Chair recognizes Councilor Oliver.
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7:55
Thank you, Mr. President.
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7:57
Thank you for being here and explaining the scope of the project.
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8:02
You guys are coordinating with ongoing project that's already going in.
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8:05
I'm sorry, you guys are coordinating with the ongoing project that's there already, correct?
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8:11
Oh yes, because there might be police details already in place.
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8:14
Yeah, but the— do you expect any— because we've had a couple of instances where uh, business has been interrupted, especially to some of those businesses.
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8:24
Do you expect— I don't expect that, not with just the minimal work that we're doing.
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8:28
All right, thank you.
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8:29
That's all.
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8:29
Thank you, Mr.— Thank you, Councilor Oliver.
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8:31
Uh, before any further questions, I would like— the chair would like to recognize we have been joined by Ward 4 City Councilor Derek Baptiste and Councilor-at-Large James Roy.
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I would also like to mention that School Committee member Rick Porter is in attendance.
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8:44
Thank you.
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8:46
Any other questions, colleagues?
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8:50
Okay, seeing none, these are public hearings, so if any member of the public would like to speak in favor, speak in favor.
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8:59
Would anyone like to be recorded in favor?
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9:02
Be recorded in favor.
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9:04
Would anyone like to speak in opposition?
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9:07
Speak in opposition.
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9:10
Be recorded in opposition.
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9:11
Recorded in opposition.
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9:14
Seeing no further comment from the public, your pleasure to close the public hearing, colleagues.
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9:20
Made by Councillor Burgo.
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9:21
Second.
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9:22
Seconded by Councillor Roy.
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9:23
Anyone on discussion?
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9:24
All those in favor say aye.
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9:25
Aye.
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9:26
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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9:27
Your pleasure.
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9:30
Motion to adopt the orders made by Councillor Pemberton.
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9:33
Seconded by Councillor Roy.
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9:34
Anyone on the question?
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9:36
All those in favor say aye.
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9:37
Aye.
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9:37
Oppose the ICE waiver.
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9:41
Moving on to mayor's papers.
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9:43
Colleagues, pursuant to Mass.
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9:45
General Law Chapter 32, Section 103, this law does not permit mayoral vetoes on the COLA base.
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Therefore, the chair will rule this out of order, and I'll ask the clerk to read Item M2.
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Mr. President, M2 is communication from the mayor to council.
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10:04
Submitting an update to the veto of the council's approval of the increased base pension benefits for all city retirees.
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10:10
Motion to receive and place on file.
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10:11
Motion to receive and place on file.
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10:13
Seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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10:14
Seconded by Councilor Roy.
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10:15
On the question, the chair recognizes Councilor Burgo.
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10:19
Thank you, Mr. President.
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10:22
This so-called veto is a figment of the mayor's own creation, not because he's confused or inexperienced, experience, and certainly not because he's a fool.
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10:33
I'll be the first to admit, the mayor is a smart man.
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10:37
He understands government and the law, which is why this is so troubling.
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10:43
Because this is not ignorance.
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10:45
This is a deliberate attempt to assert authority where none exists.
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10:50
The mayor has no power or authority here beyond what the law actually grants him.
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10:56
No matter how badly this administration wishes otherwise.
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11:01
For nearly 14 years, this administration has operated with unprecedented stability, historic federal funding opportunities, and uninterrupted control over the executive branch of city government.
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For 14 years, no administration in our city's history has enjoyed this level of sustained power and advantage.
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And yet, instead of respecting the boundaries of government after all this time, we continue to see these attempts to push and redefine executive authority whenever this council refuses to fall in line.
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11:41
That is not how government works.
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11:45
The legislative branch is not subordinate to the executive branch.
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11:50
This council was not elected to be an audience.
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11:54
We were elected to legislate and to provide oversight.
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11:58
And when this administration attempts to unlawfully sidestep that process, this council has both the right and the obligation to say no.
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12:10
Our retirees should not be used as scapegoats for this administration's mismanagement.
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12:16
These are individuals who spent decades serving our city, plowing our streets, keeping our neighborhoods safe, feeding our children, maintaining our infrastructure, and dedicating their lives to public service.
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So let me be very clear: no amount of pressure or political posturing changes the law, and no letter from the coroner's office changes the fact that this council will continue defending the authority entrusted to it by the people of New Bedford.
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Because checks and balances only work when people are willing to uphold them.
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12:51
And I'm proud that tonight, once again, this council is doing exactly that.
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12:56
Thank you.
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12:58
Thank you, Councilor.
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12:59
Anyone else on the question?
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13:02
Okay.
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13:03
All those in favor say aye.
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13:05
Aye.
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13:05
Opposed?
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13:06
The ayes have it.
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13:07
I will ask the clerk to read item M3.
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13:09
Mr. President, M3 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting a request for proposals for the disposition and development of the former Police Station Number 2 located at 170 Cove Street, the Bedford Armory located at 989 Pleasant Street, the former Phillips Avenue School located at 249 Phillips Avenue, the former Horatio A. Kempton School located at 135 Shawmut Avenue, and the former William H. Taylor School located at 620 Brock Avenue.
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13:35
M3A through 3E are the RFPs.
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13:39
Motion to refer to the— motion to refer to the Committee on City Property made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Carney.
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13:50
Anyone on the question?
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13:52
All those in favor say aye.
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13:53
Aye.
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13:53
Opposed?
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13:54
The ayes have it.
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13:55
I'll ask the clerk to read M4.
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13:57
Mr. President, M4 is communication from the mayor to the City Council submitting ordinance amending Chapter 16 of Municipal Utilities and Services, Section 16-94, Rate Charge— Rate Charges, to provide the City Council and the administration greater flexibility in setting the wastewater rates.
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14:11
And M4A is the ordinance.
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14:14
Motion to refer to ordinance.
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14:15
Second.
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14:16
Motion to refer to the Committee on Ordinance made by Councilor Carney.
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14:20
On the question.
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14:20
Second by Councilor Roy.
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14:22
On the question, Councilor Lopes.
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14:25
I understand it's ordinance.
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14:26
But if you look at the other items that are dealing with the financial matters associated with water, we could hold all of these hearings together in Finance and adopt everything at one time if the committee is willing to do a meeting in Finance.
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14:41
Absolutely.
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14:42
I'll turn it to Finance.
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14:44
So a referral to Finance, right, for M5 and M6?
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14:49
We'll take them together.
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14:49
Uh, well, we're on M4, but we'll read— yeah, I mean, do M5 and 6.
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14:53
We'll read M5 and 6 together.
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14:55
We've read M4, so that's been made.
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14:57
Councilor, will you second that?
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14:58
That's correct.
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14:59
Yeah, uh, second to referral to Finance.
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15:01
Anyone else on the question?
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15:03
All those in favor say aye.
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15:05
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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15:06
Without objection, I'll take items 5 and 6 together.
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15:11
Mr. President, M5 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for proposed wastewater rates for FY27 and FY28.
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15:18
28 and proposed wastewater annual base charges for fiscal year 2027 to take effect on July 1st, 2026.
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15:25
M5A is the order, and M6 is the communication from the mayor to the council submitting a loan order appropriating $20,400,000 for the purpose of financing the cost of projects outlined in the city's long-term CSO control and integrated capital improvement plan.
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15:40
M6A is the motion.
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15:44
M6 and M6A and refer to the Committee on Finance.
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15:47
Second.
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15:48
Motion to refer 5 through 6A to the Committee on Finance made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Licarni.
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15:55
All those in favor say aye.
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15:56
Aye.
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15:56
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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15:58
I will ask the clerk to read item M7.
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16:00
Mr. President, M7 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $2,099,535 from general stabilization To snow removal, purchase of services in the amount of $1,933,404.
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16:15
Public infrastructure, purchase of services in the amount of $101,316.
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16:21
And facilities and fleet management, purchase of services in the amount of $64,815.
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16:27
M7A is the order.
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16:28
Motion to receive and place on file and refer to Committee on Finance.
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16:31
Second.
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16:32
Motion to refer to the Committee on Finance made by Councilor Lopes.
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16:35
Seconded by Councilor Carney.
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16:36
Anyone on the question?
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16:38
All those in favor say aye.
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16:39
Aye.
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16:40
Opposed?
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16:40
The ayes have it.
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16:41
I will ask the clerk to read item M8 and 9 together, please.
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16:47
Mr. President, M8 is communication from the mayor to the city council submitting an order authorizing the payment of 4 outstanding invoices from the prior fiscal year totaling $1,701.44 to be charged to the general fund, Department of Facilities and Fleet Management Supplies.
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17:03
M8A is the order.
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17:04
And M9 is communication from Mayor Mitchell to the council submitting an order authorizing the payment of 2 outstanding invoices from a prior fiscal year totaling $475 to be charged to the general fund of Department of Facilities and Fleet Management Purchase of Services.
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17:18
M9A is the order.
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17:23
Second motion to adopt the orders on M8A M8 and M9, made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Roy.
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17:30
Anyone on the question of adoption?
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17:32
All those in favor say aye.
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17:33
Aye.
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17:34
Opposed?
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17:34
The ayes have it.
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17:35
I will ask the clerk to read item M10.
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17:37
Mr. President, M10 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order amending the order adopted by the city council on March 26th, 2026, and signed by the mayor on April 3rd of that year, which is in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E½, The revolving fund under the control of the Community Services Department known as the Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund, whose amount limited at $530,000, is now hereby authorized at $567,000 for FY26.
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18:05
Motion to receive in place of— adopt the order as presented.
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18:09
Motion to adopt the order as presented made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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18:14
Anyone on the question?
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18:16
All those in favor say aye.
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18:17
Aye.
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18:18
Opposed?
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18:18
The Ayes have it.
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18:19
I will ask the clerk to read item M11.
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18:21
Mr. President, M11 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting a request to authorize the city to advertise and employ within the next 6 months an associate city solicitor at M15 step 2.
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18:32
Second.
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18:37
Motion to refer to finance made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Roy.
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18:41
All those in favor say aye.
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18:42
Aye.
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18:43
Opposed?
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18:43
The ayes have it.
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18:46
I'll ask the clerk to read item M12, please.
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18:48
Mr. President, M12 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order authorizing to execute a lease extension and amendment between the New Bedford Airport Commission and Bridgewater State University.
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18:58
M12A is the order.
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19:01
Second.
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19:02
Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Lopes.
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19:06
Anyone on the question?
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19:08
All those in favor say aye.
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19:10
Opposed?
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19:11
The ayes have it.
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19:12
I'll ask the clerk to read item number 4, please.
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19:14
Mr. President, item 4 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending the council approval of the application for renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Camille Taylor, doing business as CT Live Your Best Life Transportation Incorporated at 14 Beale Street, Apartment 1 in New Bedford.
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19:30
4A is the original communication.
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19:32
Motion received and placed on file.
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19:34
And, uh, grant the license, the renewal.
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19:37
Second.
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19:39
Motion to receive the report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, place it on file, and adopt the— grant the renewal as presented, made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Roy.
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19:51
Anyone on the question?
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19:53
All those in favor say aye.
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19:54
Aye.
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19:55
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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19:56
I will ask the clerk to read item 5.
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19:58
Mr. President, item 5 is a report from Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending to the council approval of the appointment of Renee Ledbetter of New Bedford to the Election Commission, replacing Donald Gaudette Jr., who has resigned.
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20:10
This term will expire on April 27th, and 5A is the communication.
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20:14
Motion received and placed on file waiving Rule 40 and granting the appointment.
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20:17
Second.
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20:18
Motion to waive Rule 40 and grant the appointment made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
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20:25
Anyone on the question?
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20:27
I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
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20:29
Councilor Abreu?
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20:31
Yes.
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20:31
Councilor Baptiste?
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20:32
Yes.
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20:33
Yes.
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20:33
Councilor Burgow?
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20:34
Yes.
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20:34
Yes.
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20:35
Councilor Carney?
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20:35
Yes.
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20:36
Yes.
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20:37
Councilor Choquette?
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20:38
Yes.
In
Out
20:39
Yes.
In
Out
20:39
Councilor Gomes?
In
Out
20:40
Yes.
In
Out
20:40
Yes.
In
Out
20:41
Councilor Lopes?
In
Out
20:42
Yes.
In
Out
20:42
Yes.
In
Out
20:43
Councilor Oliver?
In
Out
20:44
Yes.
In
Out
20:44
Yes.
In
Out
20:44
Councilor Pemberton?
In
Out
20:45
Yes.
In
Out
20:46
Yes.
In
Out
20:47
Councilor Pereira?
In
Out
20:48
Yes.
In
Out
20:48
Yes.
In
Out
20:49
Councilor Roy?
In
Out
20:50
Yes.
In
Out
20:51
Yes.
In
Out
20:51
Passes 11-0.
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Out
20:52
The item passes 11 to 0.
In
Out
20:54
Renee is here, if you don't mind swearing her in, clerk.
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20:57
Renee, if you don't mind stepping to the podium, please.
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21:14
I, Renee Ledbetter, do solemnly swear That I will faithfully and impartially perform my duties as a member of the Election Commission in accordance with the laws and the Constitution of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the charter and ordinances of the City of New Bedford, so help me God.
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Out
22:39
Colleagues, without objection— I should have caught this earlier, I apologize— can we take 6 through 7 together?
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22:45
Okay, thank you.
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Out
22:45
I'll ask the clerk to read items 6 through 7.
In
Out
22:48
Mr. President, item 6 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending the City Council approval of the appointment of George Bolger of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Zoe Hanson DiBello, whose term has expired.
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23:01
This term will expire in April of 2028.
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Out
23:03
6A is the communication.
In
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23:04
And item 7 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending that the council approve the appointment of Zachary Nieder of New Bedford, Mass., to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Chad Freitas, whose term has also expired, and this term will also expire in April of 2028.
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23:19
And 7A is original communication.
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Out
23:20
Motion to receive and place on file items 6, 6A, 7, 7A, and grant the appointment as presented and waive Rule 40.
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23:27
Second.
In
Out
23:28
Motion to— I'm sorry, motion to receive and place on file the reports from the committee, grant the appointments, and waive Rule 40, made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Arroyo.
In
Out
23:38
Anyone on the— oh, sorry, anyone on the question?
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Out
23:41
Roll call vote, please.
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Out
23:43
Councilor Abreu?
In
Out
23:45
Yes.
In
Out
23:45
Councilor Baptiste?
In
Out
23:46
Yes.
In
Out
23:47
Yes.
In
Out
23:47
Councilor Burgos?
In
Out
23:48
Yes.
In
Out
23:49
Yes.
In
Out
23:49
Councilor Carney?
In
Out
23:50
Yes.
In
Out
23:51
Yes.
In
Out
23:51
Councilor Chokek?
In
Out
23:52
Yes.
In
Out
23:53
Yes.
In
Out
23:53
Councilor Gomes.
In
Out
23:54
Yes.
In
Out
23:54
Yes.
In
Out
23:55
Councilor Lopes.
In
Out
23:56
Yes.
In
Out
23:56
Yes.
In
Out
23:57
Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
23:57
Yes.
In
Out
23:58
Yes.
In
Out
23:59
Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
23:59
Yes.
In
Out
24:00
Yes.
In
Out
24:00
Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
24:01
Yes.
In
Out
24:02
Yes.
In
Out
24:02
Councilor Roy.
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Out
24:03
Yes.
In
Out
24:04
Yes.
In
Out
24:05
Item passes 11 to 0.
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24:08
Our— is either George or— George is here.
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24:12
George is here.
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24:13
Perfect.
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24:13
George, right to the podium, please.
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24:35
I, Judge Bulger, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially— I will faithfully and impartially I do solemnly and impartially perform my duties as a member of the Human Rights Commission in accordance with the laws, the Constitution of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the charter and ordinances of the City of Massachusetts.
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25:11
So help me God.
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Out
25:37
Um, before we move on to item 8, I would also like to recognize that we have been joined by School Committee member Vaughn Marie Muniz.
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25:44
Thank you very much.
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25:45
Thank you.
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Out
25:46
I will, I will ask the clerk to read item number 8, please.
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Out
25:51
Oh, is Zachary— oh, I'm sorry, Zachary.
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25:55
No, no, sorry.
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25:58
Thank you, Councilor.
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25:59
Uh, I will ask the clerk to read item number 8, please.
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26:02
Mr. President, item 8 is a report from the Special Committee on the Airport recommending the council adoption of an order for lease extension and amendment on behalf of the Bedford Airport Commission and Sandpiper Air Incorporated of Building 2.
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26:14
8A is the order.
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Out
26:15
Motion to receive and place on file the communication from the Airport Commission and from the Airport Committee and adopt the order as presented.
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26:23
Second.
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Out
26:23
Motion to receive and place on file the report from the committee and the order made by Councilor, uh, Lopes, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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Out
26:32
Anyone on the question?
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Out
26:33
All those in favor say aye.
In
Out
26:35
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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Out
26:43
Without objection, the chair will entertain a motion from Councilor Abreu to take items 9 through 12A together, waiving the reading, taking no further action.
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26:51
That was made by Councilor Abreu.
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26:52
Seconded by Councilor Burgos.
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Out
26:54
All those in favor say aye.
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Out
26:55
Aye.
In
Out
26:56
Opposed, the ayes have it.
In
Out
26:57
I will ask the clerk to read item 13, please.
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27:01
Mr. President, item 13 is a written motion from Councilor Burgos requesting that the Committee on Economic Development be discharged from further consideration of the following matters: the report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending the council approval of the ordinance amending Chapter 9 of Comprehensive Zoning relative to dimensional requirements, Appendix B, Table of Dimensional Regulations, Residential Infill Development, and Multiple Buildings Per Lot.
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27:25
An ordinance amending Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning, relative to dimensional requirements, Appendix B, Table of Dimensional Regulations, Residential Infill Development, and Multiple Buildings Per Lot.
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Out
27:37
And 13A is the original report and 13B is the ordinance.
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Out
27:41
Motion to discharge from committee.
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Out
27:43
Motion to discharge from meeting made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
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Out
27:48
Is there discussion on discharge?
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27:50
Yeah.
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Out
27:51
Is there discussion, questions on discharge?
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Out
27:54
Anyone like to discuss discharging the committee?
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27:57
Okay, I will— would you like to be recognized?
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28:04
We have to, we have to discharge the committee first.
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28:06
I was just asking if there was a question.
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28:08
I will ask the clerk to call the roll on discharge.
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Out
28:11
Councilor Abreu?
In
Out
28:12
Yes.
In
Out
28:13
Councilor Baptiste?
In
Out
28:13
Yes.
In
Out
28:14
Yes.
In
Out
28:14
Councilor Virgo?
In
Out
28:15
Yes.
In
Out
28:16
Yes.
In
Out
28:16
Councilor Carney?
In
Out
28:17
Yes.
In
Out
28:18
Yes.
In
Out
28:18
Councilor Choquette?
In
Out
28:19
Yes.
In
Out
28:20
Yes.
In
Out
28:20
Councilor Gomes?
In
Out
28:22
Yes.
In
Out
28:22
Yes.
In
Out
28:22
Councilor Lopes?
In
Out
28:23
Yes.
In
Out
28:24
Yes.
In
Out
28:24
Councilor Oliver?
In
Out
28:25
Yes.
In
Out
28:26
Yes.
In
Out
28:26
Councilor Pemberton?
In
Out
28:27
Yes.
In
Out
28:28
Yes.
In
Out
28:28
Councilor Pereira?
In
Out
28:29
Yes.
In
Out
28:30
Yes.
In
Out
28:30
Councilor Roy?
In
Out
28:31
Yes.
In
Out
28:31
Yes.
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Out
28:32
Passes 11 to 0.
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Out
28:33
Discharge passes 11 to 0.
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Out
28:34
Motion to pass to a second reading.
In
Out
28:36
Motion to pass to a second reading was made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Lopes.
In
Out
28:41
Anyone on the question?
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Out
28:43
On the question?
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Out
28:43
Second on the question.
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Out
28:46
Okay, a motion to— what is the amendment, Councilor?
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28:50
I'm gonna get up.
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28:53
What's the— before you just— what is the motion?
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Out
28:56
What are you amending?
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Out
28:57
I'm, I'm amending one of the definitions.
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29:00
Okay, which is So I would like to move to amend the ordinance in the table under Section 1, in the requirement row entitled Building Height Maximum Stories, and under the column entitled Mixed Use Business, we shall strike the number 5 and insert in place thereof the currently used, currently used language 2.5 for uses allowed in Res A and B, 4 for 3 or more families, and 7 for other allowed uses.
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29:41
Thank you.
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Out
29:42
That amendment was made and duly seconded.
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Out
29:44
Anyone on the question?
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Out
29:46
Uh, that was seconded by Councillor Royce.
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Out
29:47
Excuse me, uh, Councillor Choquette.
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29:49
So on, on the question, uh, had a couple of Things I wanted to state.
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29:58
And it's actually fortuitous that many of my friends from Ward 1 are here tonight, even though this is not an issue that pertains to them.
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30:05
But it speaks to what I want to convey, the importance of community and neighborhoods.
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30:17
Everybody has a neighborhood they live in.
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30:20
A lot of times they don't want to see them changed.
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30:23
And I feel that there's 2 ways you can look at zoning regs.
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30:29
Some people look at them and say, okay, this is red tape, this is an obstacle, these are things that need to be removed so we can get development done.
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30:39
That's one way of looking at it.
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30:41
The other way of looking at it is these are protections in place to keep the neighborhood the way we like it, the way it was meant to be.
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30:51
And of all the people I could quote here, my former colleague, Councilor Morad, would probably repeat the same thing.
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31:01
Anytime we ever asked anybody to— or we approved anybody to be on the Zoning Board of Appeals, myself included when I came before this body 5 years ago, She made me swear that I would look out for the character of the neighborhood in my decisions on the Board of Appeals.
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Out
31:19
Now, make no mistake, the city does need development.
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31:23
However, what cost to the other people that already live there?
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31:30
Somebody has to speak for people like my constituents, your constituents.
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31:37
We don't work for the developers.
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31:40
I sure as hell don't work for the mayor.
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31:43
We work for the people, like these people here.
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31:47
And even though their issue that we'll get to later this evening is not this same issue, I'm pretty sure that they would feel better knowing that all the councillors here don't want to see neighbourhoods zoned out.
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32:01
They don't want to see neighborhoods redeveloped, to see neighborhoods go through gentrification, okay?
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32:11
So I'm asking you guys, my colleagues tonight, to consider allowing this change, this one change out of this whole panoply of zoning changes.
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32:24
If people need to build something something larger than 4 stories, they can go to the planning board to get special permit, variance, whatever.
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32:36
That's the way it's been.
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32:37
That's the way it should be.
In
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32:39
Changing that to 5 makes it easier for somebody to just develop a 5-story structure in any of the wards here, mine included.
In
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32:48
Hell, they could stick a 5-story apartment building in your neighborhood behind the airport.
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32:53
And it would go right through.
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32:54
The planning board wouldn't be able to have— or wouldn't have to have a special permit granted.
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32:59
So these changes, we have to keep an eye on what's going on.
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33:03
Because again, at the end of the day, we work for these people, not for developers, not for the mayor, not for the different boards.
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Out
33:13
Thank you.
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Out
33:15
Thank you, Councillor.
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Out
33:15
Anyone else?
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Out
33:17
Just a point of information.
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33:18
Yeah, could you please repeat the, the motion, the, the amendment?
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33:24
Sure, I'd be glad to.
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33:26
Move to amend the ordinance in the table under Section 1 in the requirement row entitled Building Height Maximum Stories, and under the column entitled Mixed Use Business, strike the number 5.
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33:41
Okay.
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33:43
And in certain place thereof the currently used language: 2.5 for uses allowed in Residential A and Residential B, 4 for 3 or more families, okay, and 7 for other allowed uses.
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33:59
So in conclusion, Madam Councilor, we would not be making any changes to the currently accepted zoning, as is the way it should be.
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Out
34:08
Thank you.
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Out
34:09
Thank you.
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Out
34:10
Thank you.
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34:11
Without any further questions, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on the amendment.
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Out
34:17
Councilor Abreu?
In
Out
34:18
No.
In
Out
34:18
Councilor Baptiste?
In
Out
34:20
Yes.
In
Out
34:20
Councilor Brego?
In
Out
34:22
No.
In
Out
34:22
Councilor Carney?
In
Out
34:23
Yes.
In
Out
34:24
Yes.
In
Out
34:24
Councilor Choquette?
In
Out
34:25
Yes.
In
Out
34:26
Yes.
In
Out
34:27
Councilor Gomes?
In
Out
34:27
Yes.
In
Out
34:28
Yes.
In
Out
34:29
Councilor Lopes?
In
Out
34:30
Yes.
In
Out
34:30
Councilor Oliver?
In
Out
34:32
No.
In
Out
34:33
No.
In
Out
34:33
Councilor Pemberton?
In
Out
34:35
No.
In
Out
34:36
No.
In
Out
34:36
Councilor Ferreira?
In
Out
34:37
No.
In
Out
34:38
No.
In
Out
34:38
Councilor Roy?
In
Out
34:39
No.
In
Out
34:40
No.
In
Out
34:40
Fails 5 to 6, Mr. President.
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Out
34:42
Item fails 5 to 6.
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Out
34:43
The motion before us is to pass to a second reading.
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Out
34:45
It's been made and duly seconded.
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Out
34:47
All those in favor say aye.
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Out
34:49
Opposed?
In
Out
34:49
The ayes have it.
In
Out
34:50
I will ask the clerk to read item 14.
In
Out
34:54
Mr. President, item 14 is a written motion from Councilor Choquette and Council President Ferreira requesting that the Committee on Economic Development meet with EDC Director Derek Santos, Housing and Community Development Director Josh Amaral, City Planner Jennifer Carloni, and City Solicitor Jakes to discuss how the new zoning ordinances will increase economic development in New Bedford and provide the committee with estimates of new growth related to said ordinances.
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Out
35:22
Motion to place on file and Refer to the Committee on Economic Development.
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Out
35:29
Thank you, Councilor Burgo.
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Out
35:30
Refer to the Committee on Economic Development, made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Roy.
In
Out
35:35
Anyone on the question?
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Out
35:36
All those in favor say aye.
In
Out
35:37
Opposed?
In
Out
35:38
The ayes have it.
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Out
35:39
I will ask the clerk to read item 15.
In
Out
35:41
Mr. President, item— Mr. President, item 15 is a written motion from Councilor Choquette requesting that the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs meet with Attorney Eric Jakes, city solicitor, along with the owner of A1 Asphalt located at 18 1961 Shawmut Avenue in New Bedford, and the owner of Pico Stone, located at 104 River Road in New Bedford, to discuss the status of the trucking and shipping agreement related to the transportation of materials through the Shawmut Avenue neighborhood behind the New Bedford Airport.
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Out
36:07
Refer to the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs.
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Out
36:09
Second.
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Out
36:10
Motion to refer— motion to refer to the import— the Committee on Environmental Affairs, made by Councilor Virgo, seconded by Councilor Roy.
In
Out
36:17
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
36:18
Other questions?
In
Out
36:19
Chair recognizes Councilor Chokat.
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Out
36:20
Thank you, I'm back.
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Out
36:22
Um, a little emotional over that last vote, but that's okay, I'll carry on here.
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Out
36:29
So on this issue, what I'd like to do is have, as it states, I'll give you all the background on this issue.
In
Out
36:38
Um, Pico or Pico Stone, Pico Stone has been trucking materials in into the A1, former A1 Asphalt location on Shawmut Ave behind New Bedford Airport.
In
Out
36:51
There was a lease or an agreement or some kind of plan that had been in place for quite a while and it had come to an end.
In
Out
37:02
However, the shipping through the neighborhood still continues.
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37:06
So I've made inquiries all around and I find that when I can't get an answer.
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37:12
The best thing to do is just get all the parties into one room and close the doors, and then we'll all talk.
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37:18
So my purpose in this is assuaging this issue and finding out what that agreement was, what's the status of the agreement, and what's the future of this issue, because several of the folks in attendance here have been monitoring.
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37:36
The situation for me and letting me know that, you know, even though this agreement supposedly doesn't exist anymore, it's in violation.
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Out
37:46
We still get trucks plowing through the neighborhood, and it's a very thickly settled, uh, you know, neighborhood.
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Out
37:52
So once again, common theme, neighborhoods, right?
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37:55
Another neighborhood issue.
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Out
37:58
So thank you, and I'd like to follow Councilor Burgos recommendation.
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Out
38:05
Okay, thank you, Councilor.
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Out
38:06
Chair recognizes Councilor Abreu.
In
Out
38:07
It's very quick, Mr. President.
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Out
38:08
Through you to the sponsor of the motion, our next Environmental Affairs Committee meeting— I just checked, which I'm the chairman of this year— scheduled for June 9th.
In
Out
38:17
And through you to the councilor, I will have this on that next agenda, okay, so we can get this expeditiously heard.
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Out
38:23
Thank you.
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Out
38:23
I'll yield the floor at this time.
In
Out
38:25
Thank you, Councilor Abreu.
In
Out
38:26
Anyone else on the question?
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Out
38:29
All those in favor say aye.
In
Out
38:31
Opposed, the ayes have it.
In
Out
38:33
I'll ask the clerk to read item 16.
In
Out
38:35
Mr. President, item 16 is a written motion from Council President Pereira requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with South Coast Neighborhoods United to discuss the deployment of SCNU air sensors across New Bedford and to further discuss current environmental and health issues in the South End.
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Out
38:51
Refer to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
In
Out
38:53
Second.
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Out
38:54
Motion to refer to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
In
Out
38:59
On the question from the chair, I apologize to my colleagues and the colleagues from the South End.
In
Out
39:06
I— this was a motion I had to get in last minute.
In
Out
39:09
I did not have a chance to reach out and discuss it, but if anyone would like to co-sponsor and put their name on it, I will gladly accept you on that.
In
Out
39:17
So if anyone would like to— I see Councilor Abram.
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Out
39:19
I see Councilor Gomes and Councilor Carney.
In
Out
39:22
If anyone else, that's okay.
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Out
39:23
Thank you.
In
Out
39:24
Um, the motion been made to refer to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
In
Out
39:28
It's been made and duly seconded.
In
Out
39:29
Anyone else on the question?
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Out
39:31
All those in favor say aye.
In
Out
39:32
Aye.
In
Out
39:32
Opposed?
In
Out
39:33
The ayes have it.
In
Out
39:34
I will ask the clerk to read item 17.
In
Out
39:36
Mr. President, item 17 is a written motion from Councilor Choquette requesting the planning department and the planning board cease conducting Zoom meetings for site plan review proceedings and hold all such public meetings in person where all members of the public have the opportunity to attend.
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Out
39:49
And further, the failure to properly notify abutters shall automatically invalidate any meeting for which the required abutter notifications were not properly provided.
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Out
39:58
Motion to place on file and refer to the Committee on Ordinance.
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Out
40:01
Second.
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Out
40:03
Motion to refer to the Committee on Ordinance made by Councilor Choukat, seconded by Councilor Carney.
In
Out
40:07
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
40:09
On the question, Chair recognizes Councilor Chaukat.
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Out
40:13
Oh, and sent to the planning board.
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Out
40:20
Okay, so let's, let's redo that.
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Out
40:23
So motion to place on file and refer to the planning board and the Committee on Ordinances.
In
Out
40:31
And motion has been made to refer the item to the planning department Department, Planning Board, and the Committee on Ordinances, made by Councilor Choukat, seconded by Councilor Gomes.
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Out
40:42
Anyone on the question?
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Out
40:43
Chair recognizes Councilor Choukat.
In
Out
40:46
Good evening.
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Out
40:47
Um, this is the issue that many of the folks are here about tonight.
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Out
40:50
What we have here, uh, was, was a problem.
In
Out
40:54
Now, the problem is not the issue with the Hayner.
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Out
40:59
Here's the problem.
In
Out
41:02
When the Hayner was going to be developed, the abutter lists were used to contact the people that lived close by so that they could attend the planning board meeting.
In
Out
41:13
Which, by the way, these planning board meetings have now been on Zoom for I don't know how long, since the pandemic.
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Out
41:23
So I've noticed a common theme, not just in my ward but in other wards, that when developments are looking to be done in people's neighborhoods, you know, they want to know what's going on.
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41:35
They want to be able to attend in public.
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41:42
A friend of mine who works for the mayor actually said to me that Zoom is the most logical way to do this and the most fair, but I, I don't agree because there are some people that don't have computers.
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41:55
And so these meetings need to be held in public as part of the site review process.
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42:03
Everything okay?
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42:08
So, again, getting back to the importance about this.
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42:11
The abutters lists that were used were incorrect.
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42:14
So many of these people did not even know that there was going to be a planning board meeting.
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42:20
I don't want to be known as the councilor that every time there's a— somebody wants to build something, I come before the council and complain about it.
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42:28
However, in this instance, these folks were not properly notified.
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42:33
That is a violation of procedure, and this issue needs to go in front of planning and to the ordinance board, or the board of the Committee on Ordinances, so that we can put pen to paper and make sure that when the city fails to properly follow procedure, i.e., alert the general public that a development is happening of some kind, if it's not done correctly, then that's it.
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43:02
It's, it's, if you have to do it again until you get it done right.
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43:05
And if you screw it up a second time, too bad, so sad, you got to do it a third time.
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43:11
Okay, it's this— we're not talking rocket science.
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43:14
We're talking addresses off a spreadsheet with little stickers that go on envelopes.
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43:20
So let's clean our act up.
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43:23
Let's get this done correctly.
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43:25
And if not, there'll be a rule in place and we'll have to do it again until the people have their ability to know what's going on.
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43:34
Thank you.
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43:35
So I just had a point of information.
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43:36
Information regarding sending it to Committee on Ordinance that I'm hoping our legislative counsel can clarify, just because the way the motion's written, the things that— and I support our colleague in this matter because I've addressed this with our attorney before, but I think when it comes to Zoom meetings and the planning board, a lot of this is by state statute, not by city ordinance or charter.
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44:00
So I'm not sure why we would send it to city ordinance, there's nothing we can draft as a city ordinance to address this matter.
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44:06
So I just want to make sure we're not wasting our time sending it to city ordinance if we can't address the matter in city ordinance.
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44:12
So the— there was no way that you could have virtual meetings until the state allowed boards and city boards to have them.
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44:24
So they allow you to have them.
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44:26
They don't require that you have them.
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44:28
Site plan review is in the purview of the planning board by virtue of ordinance.
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44:35
And so because they have site plan review powers that are granted to them by the city council, city council could in fact change the ordinance requiring that site plan review matters be held in person.
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44:50
And so that could be discussed in ordinance committee and ordinance developed if the council so wished to do that.
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44:59
Okay, so that's it.
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45:00
Okay, just wonderful.
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45:01
Thank you.
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45:02
Thank you, Councilor.
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45:03
Chair recognizes Councilor Abreu.
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45:05
Uh, Mr. President, my question was actually just asked by the colleague before me, just wondering what our rules of engagement were here on this.
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45:13
That's exactly what I was going to ask.
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45:14
So, uh, Councilor Burgo asked, we got the answer, so I'm all set.
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45:18
Thank you, sir.
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45:18
Thank you, Councilor Abreu.
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45:19
Chair recognizes Councilor Carney.
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45:22
Yes, thank you.
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45:23
Thank you, Mr.
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45:23
Chair.
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45:24
I just arise to support this.
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45:26
There's— I guess everybody in this room knows how I feel about Zoom.
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45:29
I voted no.
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45:30
I voted no against every Zoom that's come for this council since after the pandemic when we, we couldn't meet in person.
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45:37
So, um, I think meeting in person is much better.
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45:40
I know that a lot of people weren't happy when I was the president when I had everybody in here and didn't do Zoom meetings.
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45:44
We're here all night long for budgets, but that's it.
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45:48
Um, it's about time we get back to in-person because the neighbors, like, like my colleague said, a lot of them don't have computers.
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45:56
A lot of— if you have a windy day, if it's a rainstorm out there, you get breaking frequencies.
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46:01
Now, I'm not opposed if they want to have plug-in for people that can't make it out of their house, but just like the Board of Health, they're in person.
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46:10
You're it in person.
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46:12
It's recorded in person, and you can— anybody can be in the room, but they have an ability to be on the computer.
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46:19
But I'm done with Zoom.
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46:21
Let's get back in person.
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46:22
That's who we are, so let's do that.
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46:24
Thank you.
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46:26
Thank you, Councilor.
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46:27
Anyone else on the question?
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46:29
Okay, seeing none, all those in favor of referral say aye.
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46:33
Opposed?
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46:34
The ayes have it.
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46:34
I will ask the clerk to read item 18.
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46:37
Mr. President, item 18 is a written motion from Councilor Choquette requesting that Jennifer Carloni, Director of Planning, and Attorney Eric Jake, City Solicitor, appear before the Committee on Ordinances to discuss procedural violations regarding the notification of abutters related to the hangar project at the New Bedford Regional Airport.
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46:53
Motion received and placed on file and referred to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
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46:59
Second.
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47:03
Rather than, rather than ordinance.
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47:08
Okay, the chair would just say that if the other one, the one before this was going to ordinance, did you want to just maybe keep them together, or— Okay, yeah, up to you.
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47:15
I don't— I, I— That's fine, let's combine them.
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47:18
Okay, I just think it's— they're very related, so.
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47:20
Okay, thank you, Councilor.
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47:21
The— so motion to refer to the Committee on Ordinance?
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47:24
Yes.
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47:25
Okay, thank you.
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47:25
Second by Councilor Roy, anyone on the question?
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47:31
Yes, I wanted to add to this that we're not beating a dead drum here, but I just want to know how what happened happened.
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47:41
You know, I feel like there's been a couple times where the abutters haven't received the proper notification.
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47:48
So maybe, you know, Director Carloni and Attorney Attorney Jakes— sorry, Solicitor Jakes, Solicitor and Attorney Jakes— can shine some light on it.
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48:00
Maybe working together we can find a way to streamline the process so this doesn't happen again.
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48:04
Because look, at the end of the day, when these things happen, I'm the guy that gets the phone calls.
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48:10
And my constituents will tell you I always answer their calls, you know, and I try to get back to them quick.
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48:16
But if we can figure out what's going on and nip it in the bud.
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48:19
Let's do it.
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48:20
Thank you.
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48:21
Thank you, Councillor.
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48:22
Anyone else on the question?
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48:24
All those in favor say aye.
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48:26
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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48:28
Colleagues, I will ask the clerk to take items 19 and 20 together, and I'll explain— once the clerk reads it, I'll explain what's going on here.
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48:37
Mr. President, item 19 is communication from the clerk to the council submitting the application for a new private livery license on behalf of Fabio J. Texera de Graça, doing business as Graça Solutions Transportation, located at 175 Hemlock Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
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48:52
And item 20, Mr. President, is a renewal for the same license.
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48:56
So colleagues, uh, basically it is a new license before us, but because it expires in such a short period of time, in, in 45 days or so, we already have the renewal at the same time.
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49:07
So if, if adopted, well, we'll probably refer it to committee, but when adopted, uh, that would, uh, be together.
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49:13
So motion would be— motion to refer to the Special Permit Committee, made by Councilor Abram.
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49:19
Second by Councilor Roy.
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49:21
Anyone on the question?
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49:22
All those in favor say aye.
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49:23
Opposed?
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49:24
The ayes have it.
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49:24
I will ask the clerk to take items 21 through 23 together without objection.
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49:30
Mr. President, item 21 is communication from the clerk to the council submitting an application for renewal of private livery license on behalf of Denise Afonsica, doing business as Miss D's Transportation at 240 County Street in New Bedford.
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49:43
22 is for the renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Renee DePina of Fort Tisbury Street, doing business as United Care Transport Incorporated, located at 189 Wood Street.
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49:54
And item 23 is a new— renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Chris Lamontagne, doing business as Cardinal Logistics Incorporated, located at 236 Hemlock Street, Apartment 2S in New Bedford.
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50:05
The terms of these licenses are all July 1st of this year to June 30th of '27.
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50:12
Colleagues, your pleasure.
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50:14
Motion to adopt items 21, 22, and 23, made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Lopes.
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50:22
Anyone on the question?
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50:23
All those in favor say aye.
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50:24
Opposed?
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50:25
The ayes have it.
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50:26
I'll ask to read item 24.
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50:28
Mr. President, item 24 is communication from Keegan Whirlin LLP, attorneys at law, submitting a copy of the final decision of the Energy Facilities Siting Board issued on April 22nd, 2026, regarding petitions by NSTAR Electric Company doing business as Eversource Energy and New England Power Company doing this business as National Grid.
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50:49
Motion received and placed on file.
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50:50
Motion received and placed on file, but made by Councilor Bergo.
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50:53
Second by Councilor Lopes.
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50:54
Anyone on the question?
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50:55
All those in favor say aye.
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50:57
Opposed?
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50:57
The ayes have it.
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50:59
Colleagues, we have some tabled items.
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51:01
Motion to remove from the table item from April 23rd, 2026, the loan order.
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51:07
Motion to remove from the table item 4/23/26, the loan order, made by Councilor Bergo, seconded by Councilor Roy.
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51:16
All those in favor of removing from the question?
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51:18
Oh.
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51:18
Sorry, anyone all in favor of removing from the table?
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51:21
Aye.
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51:22
Opposed?
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51:22
The ayes have it.
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51:23
I will ask the clerk to read the item before us.
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51:26
Mr. President, the item is a loan order appropriating $12,610,194 for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to city-owned buildings.
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51:37
Motion to adopt made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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51:41
On the question, the chair recognizes Councilor Carney.
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51:45
Yes, thank you, Mr.
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51:47
Chair.
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51:48
So I, I rise because I will not be supporting this loan order tonight.
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51:54
I know we have a lot of critical projects within the city of New Bedford, and there's a lot of need, but we still have to remember this $12 million— well, actually it's $12+ million— is still a loan, and still on the taxpayers' back that needs to pay back.
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52:12
We're looking at people recovering from the burden of what happened this winter and last winter with these extremely high energy costs.
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52:23
And who knows what's going to happen in November?
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52:25
It could continue to rise if the current administration stays there.
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52:31
This is crazy.
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52:33
Our debt service right now, line item debt service, line item on the budget is $12 million.
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52:42
That's there.
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52:43
That's there as— we can't cut the $12 million line item because it's a debt service.
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52:48
We've got to pay our bills.
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52:51
So now we're talking about another $12 million added to that debt service.
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52:56
We're talking about other things.
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52:58
We're talking about a budget that is coming up that, if you listen to the mayor, He wants to close down a fire station.
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53:04
He wants to do this.
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53:05
We're talking about a lot of money on the taxpayers.
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53:09
Their taxes are going to be going up this year.
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53:13
And guess what?
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53:14
So is the energy cost.
In
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53:15
So in December, when people are getting out of Christmas, and in January, what's going to happen in February and in March?
In
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53:24
Those massive bills are coming in for your energy along with your more tax bills.
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53:29
Where are people going to get the money?
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53:31
I don't know of anybody that's getting more increase in their pays.
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53:34
So right now I'm asking my colleagues, let's take a pause.
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53:38
We've got to stop the bleed for a little bit.
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53:41
I understand these are critical.
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53:42
Everything's critical in the city.
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53:45
The cars are critical, the roofs are critical.
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53:47
I get that.
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53:48
But you know something?
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53:49
I had to wait 7 years till I raised money to do my roof.
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53:54
And did, did it ruin some of the walls?
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53:56
Yeah, a little bit.
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53:58
But it still was 7 years till I was able to raise the money to do this.
In
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54:05
So just because it's there doesn't mean it needs to be fixed right away.
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54:09
It's $12 million we're talking about.
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54:13
$12 million added onto that, then you're looking at another $20 million.
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54:20
For our wastewater to finish all the critical things that are in the ground.
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54:25
So it's a lot of money that we're looking at coming up with us that we're going to slap on the taxpayers.
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54:30
All I'm asking is we really need to take a pause.
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54:34
Take a pause.
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54:36
Let's relook at things.
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54:38
Let's see what the economic development is going to do in the city of New Bedford.
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54:43
Let's see if we're going to get these RFPs we're moving very slowly in the city of New Bedford by getting things on the tax rolls and by getting businesses in here.
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54:53
We're not get— we're not doing that.
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54:55
We're just not doing that.
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54:56
And until we do, then we need to stop spending the money.
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55:00
And please ask the mayor, please stop spending it.
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55:03
It was $16 million.
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55:04
He brought it down to $12 million.
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55:06
Well, even $12 million is not a big enough cut.
In
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55:09
So I urge my colleagues to take a pause on this and let's look at next year to see what we can do.
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55:15
And let's give the taxpayers a break.
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55:18
Thank you, Mr.
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55:18
Chair.
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55:19
Thank you.
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55:20
Thank you, Councillor.
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55:21
Anyone else on the question?
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55:24
Okay, seeing none, the motion before us is to adopt.
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55:26
I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
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55:29
Councillor Abreu?
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55:30
Yes.
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55:31
Councillor Baptiste?
In
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55:33
Yes.
In
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55:33
Councillor Burgault?
In
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55:35
Yes.
In
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55:35
Councillor Carney?
In
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55:36
No.
In
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55:37
No.
In
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55:37
Councilor Choquette?
In
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55:40
No.
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55:41
No.
In
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55:41
Councilor Gomes?
In
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55:42
Yes.
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55:43
Yes.
In
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55:43
Councilor Lopez?
In
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55:45
No.
In
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55:46
No.
In
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55:47
Councilor Oliver?
In
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55:48
Yes.
In
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55:49
Yes.
In
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55:49
Councilor Pemberton?
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55:50
Yes.
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55:52
Yes.
In
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55:52
Councilor Pereira?
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55:53
Yes.
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55:54
Yes.
In
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55:54
Councilor Roy?
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55:55
Yes.
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55:56
Yes.
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55:56
Passes 8 to 3, Mr. President.
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55:58
Item passes 8 to 3.
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56:01
Motion to take up and adopt consent made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
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56:05
Anyone on the question?
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56:07
All those in favor say aye.
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56:08
Aye.
In
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56:09
Opposed?
In
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56:09
The ayes have it.
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56:12
There was a— a motion to take— to waive Rule 42 is required at this time.
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56:23
Motion to waive Rule 42 made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Roy.
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56:27
Roll Roll call vote to waive Rule 42.
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56:31
Councillor Abreu?
In
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56:32
Yes.
In
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56:32
Councillor Baptiste?
In
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56:34
Yes.
In
Out
56:34
Councillor Burgos?
In
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56:35
Yes.
In
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56:35
Yes.
In
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56:36
Councillor Carney?
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56:37
Yes.
In
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56:37
Yes.
In
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56:38
Councillor Chouquette?
In
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56:40
Yes.
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56:41
Yes.
In
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56:41
Councillor Gomes?
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56:42
Yes.
In
Out
56:42
Yes.
In
Out
56:42
Councillor Lowe?
In
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56:43
Yes.
In
Out
56:44
Yes.
In
Out
56:44
Councillor Oliver?
In
Out
56:45
Yes.
In
Out
56:46
Yes.
In
Out
56:46
Councillor Pemberton?
In
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56:48
Yes.
In
Out
56:48
Yes.
In
Out
56:48
Councillor Pereira?
In
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56:49
Yes.
In
Out
56:50
Yes.
In
Out
56:50
Councillor Roy?
In
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56:51
Yes.
In
Out
56:52
Yes.
In
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56:52
Item passes 11 to I will ask the clerk to read L1, please.
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56:57
Mr. President, L1 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending the council approval of the ordinance as amended, Chapter 9, Appendix A, Table of Principal Uses Regulations.
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57:06
And L1A is the ordinance.
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Out
57:09
Motion to pass to a second reading.
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57:10
Motion to pass to a second reading made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor, uh, Lopes.
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57:15
All those in favor say aye.
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Out
57:17
Opposed?
In
Out
57:18
The ayes have it.
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Out
57:19
Seeing no further business before us, motion to adjourn made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Roy.
In
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57:26
All those in favor say aye.
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Out
57:28
Opposed, the ayes have it.
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57:29
We are adjourned at 7:57 PM.
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57:31
Thank you, everybody.
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Out
57:35
Thank you.
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