City Council — June 25, 2026

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Today is Thursday, June 25th.

2026 at 7:07 PM.

We are led in prayer this evening by Brian Doobie, lead pastor of Christian Fellowship Center.

Pastor, good evening.

Thank you for the invitation.

Let's pray.

Father, we come before you on behalf of the New Bedford City Council and all who serve this community.

Your word tells us that the government rested on the shoulders of your Son, the one called Emmanuel, God with us, and we know that you are here with us now.

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, we ask that the same spirit of wisdom and counsel that rested on him would rest on these leaders.

Lord, give each council member a discerning heart, wisdom for hard decisions, patience in disagreement, and courage to do what is right even when it isn't easy or popular.

Let them govern not for themselves but for the good of every person in this city, especially the vulnerable, the forgotten, and the struggling.

Grant New Bedford peace in its streets, integrity in its leadership, and unity where there is division.

Where there is brokenness in this city, bring healing.

Where there is injustice, bring correction.

Where there is need, bring provision through wise stewardship.

We thank you that no earthly government is too heavy for shoulders sustained by you.

And so we ask for godly wisdom for the council members and for each one of us here this evening, that you would give us a heart like Jesus to see and and love everyone the way he sees and loves them.

We pray that you continue to work in each of us so that you can work through each of us.

Strengthen this council, Father, and we pray for your favor for this city.

In Christ's name, amen.

We are led in the Pledge of Allegiance tonight by Ward 3 City Councilor Sean Oliver.

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

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilor.

Tonight in the City Council chambers, I am joined 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 K. Gomes.

Councilor at Large, James Roy.

Councilor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver.

Councilor at Large and First Vice President, Shane Burgo.

I'll ask the clerk— excuse me, this meeting is being livestreamed and recorded.

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

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

Mr. President, I have one from Councilor Carney.

Do Council President Pereira and honorable members of the council, I am writing to inform you that I expect to be late for the city council meeting on Thursday, June 25th, as I will be attending an important community meeting at that time.

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

Sincerely, Naomi R.A. Carney, councillor-at-large.

Motion to receive and place on file.

Motion to receive and place on file made by Councillor Roy, seconded by Councillor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

She would have saved us 2 minutes.

That's all right.

I will ask— moving on to mayor's papers, I'll ask the clerk to read item M1.

Mr. President, item M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $1,728,450 from wastewater free cash to special projects fund.

M1A is the order.

Colleagues, your pleasure, either adoption or referral.

Make a motion to receive and place on file and adopt the order as presented.

Motion to adopt the order as presented to me by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Choquette.

Anyone on the question?

Roll call was requested.

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Councillor Burgos?

No.

No.

Councillor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Choquette.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 9 to 1, Mr. President.

Item passes 9 to 1.

I, I— to finish my other half of the joke I started, we were joined before that vote by Councilor at Large Naomi Carney.

I will ask the clerk to read item M2.

Mr. President, M2 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $2,842,750 from water-free cash to water stabilization fund.

M2A is the order.

Motion to receive and place on file and adopt the order as presented.

Motion to adopt the order made by Councillor Lope, seconded by Councillor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item M3.

Mr. President, M3 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $334,000 from the stabilization fund to debt other financing uses.

And M3A is the order.

Motion to adopt made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

All All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M4.

Mr. President, M4 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $250,000 from city utilities purchase of services to debt other financing uses.

M4A is the order.

Colleagues, your pleasure, either to adopt or refer to finance.

Motion to adopt made by Councilor Abreu.

Roll call.

Uh, I need a second on that.

Nope, I'll second it and then a roll call.

So a motion to adopt made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

On the question.

Chair recognizes Councilor Lopes.

This $250,000 is half of the $500,000 that the council cut that in the newspaper, New Bedford Light, Standard Times, the radio that the mayor said was frivolous, that the council made a frivolous amount and that we didn't use the ability to think ahead to see what it was going to look like.

Well, we overbudgeted last year by $500,000, and that next item is the other $250,000.

I'm only going to speak once.

I'm not going to speak twice.

But it was frivolous when the body cut half a million.

But it's not frivolous when the administration raises in excess of half a million dollars on the back of the taxpayers.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else?

Okay, adoption is before us.

I will ask the clerk to call the roll on adopting of this order.

Councillor Abreu?

No.

Councillor Burgos?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Carney?

Councillor Choquette?

No.

Councillor Gomes?

No.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Councilor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton?

No.

No.

Councilor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Carney, would you like to be recorded?

No.

No.

Passes 6 to 4.

Item passes 6 to 5.

It's 4.

Pardon?

6 to 4.

6 to 4, excuse me.

Lester Cook to read item M5.

Mr. President, M5 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $177,033 from police personal services in the amount of $45,000, inspectional services purchase of services in the amount of $9,200, Inspectional services supplies in the amount of $3,700, municipal insurance purchase of services in the amount of $42,000, and treasurer purchase of services in the amount of $77,133 to debt other finance uses.

M5A is the order.

Colleagues, your pleasure.

Motion to adopt or refer to committee?

Motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt made by Councillor Burgos, seconded by Councillor On the question, Councilor Burgos.

Yes, so our colleague from Ward 5 is correct in regards to FY27's budget.

I just want to be clear about that.

That's why the last vote I voted yes on.

He is completely accurate, which is why during cut night I voted to cut out that $500,000 because we shouldn't in this case if we had an excess amount.

But right now in this case, this vote, I heard some of my colleagues vote no on the last vote.

In this case, that is not the situation we should be voting no on.

This year for FY26 budget, the excess amount that we just transferred, if you remember during the last budget situation, it's not that situation that you're thinking of where we cut out the $500,000 from FY27's budget.

I appreciate my colleague from Ward 5 mentioning it because obviously the mayor is obviously confusing things for the general public.

But for us here, as I mentioned during cut night, we need to be the adults in the room and pay our bills.

So I just wanted to make sure my colleagues understand what our colleague from Ward 5 was saying.

He is right.

We cut out that $500,000 responsibly from city utilities because this year there was an excess, but we are using that excess now to fill in the blanks in other departments.

So that's why we need to be responsible here and vote yes.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else?

Anyone else?

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

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Councillor Bergo?

Yes.

Councillor Carney?

Yes.

Councillor Chauquet?

Yes.

Councillor Gomes?

Yes.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pemberton?

Yes.

Councillor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 10 to 0.

Item passes 10 to 0.

Moving on to new business, I'll ask the clerk to read item 1.

Mr. President, item 1 is an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Section 4100A, relative to municipal facility conversion.

This was passed for second reading on May 28th.

Motion to be ordained would be appropriate.

Made by Councilor Gomes.

Seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilor Abram.

Yes.

Councilor Burgos.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Carney.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Chauquette.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Ferreira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 10 to 0.

Item passes 10 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read item number 2.

Mr. President, item 2 is an ordinance amending Chapter 10, Section 10-86.1, voluntary electronic email delivery of real estate and personal property tax bills.

This was also passed with second reading on May 28th.

Move ordination.

Made by Councilor Gomes.

Second.

Seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abramowicz?

Yes.

Councillor Bourgeois?

Yes.

Councillor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Chauquet?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Gomes?

Yes.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Councillor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pemberton?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes Item passes 10 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read item number 3.

Mr. President, item 3 is an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7.2, Temporary Delay in Step Increases for FY 2027.

This was passed with second reading on May 28th.

Passed to be— moved, passed to be ordained, made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Councillor Burgow?

Yes.

Councillor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Chauquette?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pemberton?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 10 to 0.

Item passes 10 to 0.

I will ask the clerk to call, um, I would ask the clerk to read item number 4, please.

Mr. President, item 4 is an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7D, suspending the annual COLA for Unit C management positions for FY27.

This passed the second reading on May 28th.

Passed to be ordained.

Made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilor Abram.

Yes.

Councilor Burgos.

Yes.

Councilor Carney.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Choquette.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Item passes 10 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read item number 5, please.

Mr. President, item 5 is an ordinance amending Chapter 19 relative to paid family leave.

This was passed for a second reading on May 28th.

Motion to receive and place on file and pass to be ordained.

Second.

Ordained.

Made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Burgo.

Anyone on the question?

Oh, Councilor Burgo.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm proud that tonight we are finally at the point where we can take this important step for the employees of the city of New Bedford.

This conversation did not begin yesterday.

It did not begin this year.

And in fact, it began nearly 3 years ago when a city employee reached out to myself, to you, Mr. President, and I believe my colleague from whatever street he lives on in August.

Of 2023.

Oh, Rickerson, I think you said.

Yeah.

Back in August of 2023, to share their experience and the challenges they faced after expecting their first child.

Like many employees before them, they were forced to piece together vacation time, sick time, and other accrued leave simply to spend time with their newborn child and support their family during one of the most important moments of their lives.

That conversation stuck with me because it highlighted a gap in our policies that simply did not reflect the realities of today's workforce.

Since then, we have studied the issue, discussed it in length, and worked through the details.

Tonight, after nearly 3 years of effort, we are finally prepared to make New Bedford a better place to work and raise a family.

There has been concern raised about cost.

And I understand those concerns, especially given the financial discussions we have had in recent weeks.

But let's be clear about what this ordinance does and does not do.

This ordinance does not create a new department.

It does not require us to hire additional employees.

It does not create significant new burdens on taxpayers.

In most cases, when an employee takes parental leave, the work will continue the same same way it does today when an employee is out for an extended period of time.

Coworkers will assist, departments will adjust, and operations will continue.

The employee will receive their regular pay while they are— while they care for their child and their family.

The real question before us is whether we believe employees should have to sacrifice their earned vacation time or sick time in order to bond with a newborn child, support a spouse recovering from childbirth or welcome a new child into their home.

I do not believe that they should.

For too long, employees have been forced to choose between being present for their families and preserving the leave time they have worked years to earn.

That choice hurts morale and our recruitment and retention efforts.

We often talk about the importance of attracting and retaining talented employees.

We talk about being competitive with neighboring communities, and about making New Bedford an employer of choice.

Well, those goals require action.

The reality is that many surrounding cities and towns already provide some form of paid parental leave, and the private sector increasingly recognizes that supporting families during major life events is not simply a benefit, it's an investment in stable and committed workforce.

Tonight we have an opportunity to send a message to current and future employees that New Bedford values families, work-life balance, and understands that employees should not have to choose between their careers and caring for their loved ones.

Most importantly, this ordinance recognizes something simple: when joyful milestones happen in our lives, we should have the ability to be present for them.

The birth or adoption of a child is one of those moments.

I want to thank everyone who helped move this effort forward over the last 3 years, and I respectfully ask my colleagues for their support tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else?

All right, we'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Councillor Burgos?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Chauquet?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Gomes?

Yes.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Councillor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 10-0.

Item passes 10-0.

Item number 6 is before us, Mr. President.

Item 6 is an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7, Article 1, relative to personnel.

This was passed with second reading on May 28th.

Move to be ordained.

Move to be ordained made by Councilor Lobergo.

Seconded by Councillor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Councillor Burgos?

Yes.

Councillor Carney?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Chilcott?

Yes.

Councillor Gomes?

Yes.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Councillor Oliver?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pemberton?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

10 to 0.

Item passes 10 to 0.

Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read items 7 and 8 together.

Mr. President, item 7 is a report from the Special Committee on Permits and Licensing recommending the City Council approval of the application for a new private livery license on behalf of Maria DePina at 20— of 28 Windsor Circle in Brockton, and Maria L. Pires of 60 Foster Street in Brockton, doing business as Sister Express Transport.

Which will be located at 109 Robeson Street in New Bedford.

7A is a communication, and 8 is also a special, uh, a report from the Special Committee on Permits and Licensing.

Recommend the City Council approve the amended application for a new private livery license on behalf of Fabio J. Teixeira da Graça, doing business as Graça Solutions Transportation, located at 175 Hemlock Street, Bedford.

8A is a communication.

Motion to accept the report of the committee and grant the licenses for 7 through 8A, made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item number 9.

Mr. President, item 9 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending the full council approval of the ordinance as amended, amending Chapter 16 of Municipal Utility Facilities and Services, Section 16-94, rate changes— rate charges, I'm sorry— to provide the city— provide— to provide the council and the administration greater flexibility in setting the wastewater rates.

9A is the ordinance as amended.

Motion to pass to a second reading.

Motion to pass to a second reading made by Councilor Burgos.

It's already amended.

Is that a second, Councilor?

Second it.

Thank you.

Anyone else on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item number 10.

Mr. President, item 10 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending the full City Council adoption of the order for the proposed wastewater rates for FY27 and FY28 and proposed wastewater annual base charges for FY27 to effect on July 1st, 2026.

10A is the order.

Colleagues, your pleasure.

Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item number 11.

Mr. President, item 11 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending to the full council Adoption of the 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.

11A is the loan order.

Motion to receive and place on file the recommendation of the Committee on Finance and adopt the order as presented.

Uh, has— it has to be passed to a second reading.

Sorry, Council President.

Thank you.

Uh, so motion to pass to a second reading made by Councilor Lopes.

Second by Councilor Pemberton.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read on number 12.

Mr. President, item 12 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending to the full City Council that the Board of Assessors change the current eligibility criteria from age 70 to age 65 for city tax exemptions.

Motion to adopt.

Motion to follow the recommendation and, and, uh, and adopt the, uh, change from age 70 to 60— from age 70 to 65.

Second.

Motion to adopt the, uh, communication made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Burgo.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read items 13 through 16A.

Mr. President, item 13 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending the full council adoption of the order of the transfer of $2,099,535 from general stabilization to snow removal.

Purchase of services in the amount of $1,933,404; public infrastructure purchase of services in the amount of $101,316; and facilities and fleet management purchase of services in the amount of $64,815.

13A is the order.

Item 14 is a report from the Finance Committee recommending the full council adoption of the order for the transfer of $43,000 from Public Infrastructure Personal Services to Mayor Personal Services.

14A is the order.

Item 15 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending to the full council adoption of the order for transfer of $750,000 from Inspectional Services Personal Services in the amount of $110,000, Facilities and Fleet Personal Services in the amount of $236,000, Recreation and Parks Personal Services in the amount of $80,000, Elections Personal Services in the amount of $88,000, health personal services in the amount of $120,000, solicitor personal services in the amount of $28,000, zoo personal services in the amount of $43,000, and police personal services in the amount of $45,000 to City Utilities Purchase of Services.

15A is the order.

Item 16 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending the full City Council adoption of the order for the transfer of $85,000 from stabilization fund to facilities and fleet purchase of services, and 16A is the order.

Make a motion to receive and place on file items 13 through 16A and follow recommendation Committee on Finance and adopt the orders as presented.

Motion to adopt the orders as presented for 13 through 16A made by Councilor Lopes.

Second.

Seconded by Councilor Burgo.

On the question, the chair recognizes Councilor Burgo.

Yes, thank you.

So there's a number of items in here that I guess I'll speak on.

Um, first and foremost is obviously this item, uh, item 15.

Well, I'll go with item 14 first, um, the $43,000, uh, transfer to fund the deficit in the mayor's office, which again, if you were here during the finance meeting, you heard the mayor's chief of staff, the legitimate one, spoke about the vacancies increase which I had mentioned.

Obviously, the mayor's staff at the time was fully staffed.

We didn't make any cuts in terms of staffing to that department.

So it was, in this case, appropriate for them to put a transfer to fund that $43,000 deficit in their department.

We have made it clear in multiple, multiple venues, both public and in private meetings with with the mayor's office, and again right now through this speech.

We have made a cut to one of the chief of staff positions, which I have mapped out and explained is not legitimate because it's really a chief operating officer position, which does not exist in our code of ordinance.

That along with an administrative manager position, which we know will become vacant in the new fiscal year.

So that is 2 positions positions that this council that has oversight said should not be a position that's there.

With that, I again want to publicly explain, we're approving these transfers today because we're being the responsible adults in the room to fund these deficits.

But next year, I want to make sure that this is the— we all know this is the body that will be reviewing any transfers that come down, and we will be paying attention if he decides that he is going to deficit spend, which we heard heard from that chief of staff.

We all heard him say he's going to ignore it.

So I just want to make, again, another public outcry that this council will not allow that to happen.

Also, again, the reason why we had to transfer from City Utilities again is because the mayor, with all of his chiefs of staff that he places everywhere and all the staffing and money he has up at the top, made this erroneous error where he tried to transfer $750,000 into city utilities.

It was not needed.

And then had to transfer it out of city utilities because there was a surplus.

So even though, again, as our colleague from Ward 5 mentioned, he's going to call us all— this is a gimmick, which is nonsense.

There was a surplus in city utilities and he's a moron.

So in this case, we're fixing the mistakes of this administration as we always do, even though we have our own full-time jobs as well as this job, we have to continuously fix the mistakes of this administration while he continues to call us names in the media.

So I just again want to call out the fact that even with all of the 6-figure salaries at the top that do this for their full-time job, they continue to make these mistakes that we have to fix.

But we, moving forward, will not allow this to happen.

So again, although I will be voting yes to approve these transfers this year, make no mistake, it will not happen next year.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor.

Anyone else?

All right, seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on items 13 through 16A.

Councilor Abram.

Yes.

Councilor Brigo.

Yes.

Councillor Carney.

Councillor Chauquet.

Yes.

Councillor Gomes.

Yes.

Councillor Lopes.

Yes.

Councillor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Roy.

Item passes 8 to 0.

Colleagues, without objection, can we take items 17 through 18A, which the reading and take no further action?

Made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item number 19.

Mr. President, item 19 is a written motion from Councilor Gomes requesting that the Committee on Ordinances establish an ordinance regulating the use of electric bikes, scooters, and minibikes.

Said ordinance would establish laws for the use of said electric devices on our city streets, sidewalks, parks, and parkways, as these devices have become a safety problem throughout the city.

Refer to ordinance made by Councillor Gomes, seconded by Councillor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognizes Councillor Gomes.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'll be very brief.

Um, I don't know if my colleagues have noticed the numbers of these motorized bikes that are out there.

Now, I want to make it clear I'm not looking to ban them.

What I'm looking to do is such as they've done in other communities.

I checked into East Providence, Rhode Island, where they had instituted an ordinance governing over these things because it seems like they're all over the place on the sidewalk.

And the thing that bugs me really is these things are very small.

You can put a kid 6, 7 years old riding on these things.

But there's got to be some rules and regs.

There always was rules and regs with when you had a bike a long time ago.

I actually said this at a community meeting last night, and some of, uh, I'll show my age.

When you took your bike down to Spring Street and you registered it and got your green plate and you put it on the bike, or you either put it on your wheels and they gave you a paper on some safety things that you had to do.

I'm just looking for that, and I'm looking to keep these things off the sidewalk.

Remember, these things is not like a regular bike, you can't even hear these things coming.

And they're heavier, bigger tires.

To be on the sidewalk, someone coming out of a store or somewhere like that, someone's going to get hurt.

I'm just looking to regulate it and make it safe to use in the city of New Bedford without hindering or hurting anyone walking in pedestrian walkways.

Thank you very much.

I hope I get the support.

Thank you, Councilor.

Anyone else on the question?

All right, all those in favor of referral to committee say aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item 20.

Mr. President, item 20 is communication from the city clerk submitting an application for the renewal of your private livery license on behalf of Jacqueline D. Guzman Carrero, doing business as Portillo's Transportation at 191B North Street in New Bedford, Mass.

The term of the license is from July 1st of 26th to June 30th, 27th.

Motion to grant the renewal made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Burgo.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 21.

Mr. President, item 21 is a communication from the Board of Assessors to the council submitting a motion.

At its open meeting on June 11th, 2026, voted to submit the following motion to the city council with the of New Bedford adopt the annual Consumer Price Index for FY27 as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue of a 2.7% increase for Clause 17, and the amount of the exemption to be $417.21.

To accept under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E, to increase the amount of assets to $85,074.90 to qualifying individuals.

And under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41, 41, and 41, raising the base limit of income for single taxpayers to $27,648.31 and married taxpayers to $31,905.67, and to raise the assets limits to $59,552.68 for single taxpayers and $63,806.17 for married taxpayers.

Additionally, to adopt the annual Consumer Price Index for FY27 as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue of a 2.7% increase in the amount of the exemptions for Clause 22 to $845.43, Clause 22A to $1,585.17, Clause 22B to $2,641.96, Clause 22C to $3,170.53.

Cents, and Clause 22E to $2,113.57.

21A, B, C, and D are the orders.

Colleagues, your pleasure.

Refer to committee or adopt the orders before us.

Motion to receive and place on file the communication from the Board of Assessors and adopt items 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D.

Motion to adopt the orders for 21A through D made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

The orders have been adopted.

I will ask the clerk to read item number 22, please.

Mr. President, item 22 is communication from Councilor Burgo submitting signed petitions from residents opposing the closure of Fire Station Number 9 in New Bedford.

Motion to receive and place on file.

Motion to receive and place on file the petitions made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Gomes on the question.

The chair recognizes Councilor Burgos.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'll just keep it brief.

Um, the motion speaks for itself.

We, we received these signed petitions, and it's unfortunate, obviously, that our residents, their only representative government is this body.

I, I'm proud to stand alongside all 11 of my colleagues here and knowing that we're responsive to the people of New Bedford.

Unfortunately, the coroner office doesn't care or listen, so we wanted to give them this platform to know that we are listening, we are here, and we, and we do care.

Hopefully through this communication, as, as you're aware, Mr. President, all communication that comes to the council and is received and placed on file does make its way through to the mayor's office.

He doesn't have to read it.

I know he doesn't like to read very often, and he doesn't watch a lot of our meetings, but his office will have to receive it, and it can be gone— go unsigned.

But I want the people of New Bedford, especially those in Ward 1 that will be affected by the closure of Fire Station 9, to know that they are seen and heard, and we will continue fighting for them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor.

Anyone else?

All right, all those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

We have some tabled items.

Motion to take up and adopt consent.

Motion to take up and adopt consent made by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Motion to adjourn made by Councillor Abreu, seconded by Councillor Pemberton.

On the question?

On the Question of adjournment.

The chair will recognize Councilor Virgo.

Thank you.

I just wanted to take this moment, obviously, as we close out June and we begin for the second year, second annual Cabo Verdean Heritage Month, which I'm very proud alongside this body that we champion that effort.

This is our second annual celebration.

We have such a rich history here in the city of New Bedford.

Our very own colleague, Councilor Gomes being the first ever Cape Verdean American to serve as council president.

And starting tomorrow, Sunday, we'll start off Cape Verdean Recognition Week at my church, Our Lady of Assumption, the first Cape Verdean church, a Roman Catholic church in America.

And then the flag raising that will happen on our City Hall steps on Monday, culminating in the Cape Verdean recognition parade, which which this year is on Sunday, on July 5th, which most people know is Cape Verdean Independence Day, and it will start at 12 PM instead of 11 AM.

So I just want to take this opportunity to let all of you know that change and the general public that we know watch cable access on a different channel now.

So thank you for the opportunity, and again, happy 2nd annual Cabo Verdean Heritage Month.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor.

Anyone on the question of adjournment?

Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.

No?

Okay.

All those in favor of adjournment say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

We are adjourned at 7:44 PM.