No clips yet — make one.
The New Bedford City Council held a special meeting on March 5, 2026, presided over by Council President Ryan J. Pereira. The meeting was convened to address the agenda from the February 26th meeting, which was canceled due to a severe snowstorm. President Pereira began by thanking city employees from DPI, DFFM, and other departments for their diligent work in clearing the streets. The council efficiently moved through its agenda. Key financial matters included referring two state aid transfers to the School Department, totaling $1,385,085, to the Committee on Finance. A transfer of $368,000 from the general stabilization fund to cover snow removal services was unanimously approved with a 9-0 vote. The council also referred a new ordinance for voluntary electronic delivery of property tax bills to the Committee on Ordinance and gave final approval to a zoning ordinance amendment concerning solar and energy systems, which also passed 9-0. Several appointments and permits were approved, including the reappointment of Mark O'Neill and new appointments of Jeffrey David Foisy and Daniel Luis Reyes Ortiz as constables. The council also granted a special permit for L&S Transport Incorporated for motor vehicle sales and repair at 725 Ashley Boulevard and a private livery license for Tia Suzette Transportation. Finally, the council approved the demolition of the former Eversource office building on South Water Street after the preservation planner determined it was not historically significant. The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 PM.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Watch the video to verify.
Council
City Officials
Public / Other
Hey Pemberton, did any one of your colleagues— I told you, I don't have your phone number, you have to give it to me.
0:55Check, check.
0:57How's that?
1:00Yep.
1:01The Friendly Sons event Saturday.
1:05Check, check.
1:06College incentive to get in touch with you, so obviously you didn't since you're looking at me like— Every time I sent out the thing, I said somebody get in touch with you because I don't have your number.
1:15Good.
1:16It's on Saturday night.
1:21This Saturday night, like the day after tomorrow.
1:29Oh, cool.
1:31Nice.
1:31Oh, nice.
1:33Hey, nice.
1:34What do you got, Nelson?
1:36You got a letter?
1:37Yeah.
1:38Got a letter.
1:46Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
1:48It is Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 7 PM.
1:51And special City Council meeting of the New Bedford City Council.
1:55Opening of the session is by myself, City Council President Ryan Pereira.
1:59This time we don't have a member of the clergy, but I would like to offer up a moment of silence and, uh, a special recognition too for those service members who have fallen overseas.
2:09But if we could have a moment of silence, please.
2:19Thank you.
2:20Tonight we'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Ward 1 City Councilor Leo Shokat.
2:25I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
2:48I am joined tonight in the City Council chambers by my colleagues, Ward 2 City Councilor Scott Pemberton, Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette, Ward 5 Councilor Joseph Lopes, Councilor at Large Brian Gomes, Councilor at Large James Roy, Councilor at Large Naomi Carney, Councilor at Large and First Vice President Shane Burgo, and Councilor of Ward 4 Derek Baptiste.
3:11I would like to note that this meeting is being livestreamed and recorded.
3:14City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.
3:20I'll ask the clerk if there are any letters to be read into the record.
3:23Mr. President, I have one from Councilor Abreu.
3:26Dear Council President Pereira and honorable members of the council, I am writing to inform you that I'll be unable to attend the special City Council meeting on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.
3:36Due to a previously scheduled work-related commitment.
3:39Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence.
3:44Sincerely, Ian Abreu, Councillor at Large.
3:49Second.
3:50A motion to receive and place— a motion to receive and place on file the communication was made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Roy.
3:57Any discussions on receiving and placing on file?
4:00Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
4:03Opposed?
4:03The ayes have it.
4:04I would just, uh, also before I ask the clerk to read the rest of this, I would just like to thank my colleagues and the public for bearing with us, uh, with that monstrous snowstorm we had last week and, uh, calling the special city council meeting to get through the business that we had.
4:20And, uh, I also would think on behalf of all of my colleagues, I say thank you to the members of DPI, DFFM, and the city staff who work diligently to cleared the city streets and worked, uh, multiple, multiple days, uh, without sleep and seeing their families to get our streets open.
4:35So thank you.
4:37I'll ask the clerk to read item number 1.
4:39Mr. President, item 1 is communication from the council president to Dennis Farias, the city clerk, calling a special city council meeting for Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of hearing the items on the city council agenda, meeting agenda, meeting agenda previously scheduled for Thursday, February 26th Said meeting was canceled due to severe weather conditions.
5:02Second.
5:02A motion to receive and place on file was made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Carney.
5:07Any questions?
5:08All those in favor say aye.
5:10Aye.
5:10Opposed?
5:11The ayes have it.
5:12I will ask the clerk to read item number 1, please.
5:13Mr. President, M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting an ordinance amending Chapter 10 by inserting a new Section 10-86.1 Voluntary electronic email delivery of real estate and personal property tax bills after Section 10-86.
5:29M1A is the ordinance.
5:32Second.
5:33A motion was made to refer to the Committee on Ordinance by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Carney.
5:37Any discussion on referral?
5:38Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
5:40Aye.
5:41Opposed?
5:41The ayes have it.
5:42I'll ask the clerk to read item M2.
5:44Mr. President, M2 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $1,070,555 from state aid And an order for the transfer of $314,530 from State Aid 950 to the School Department General Expense.
6:00M2A is the order and M2B is also the order.
6:05Second.
6:07Motion to refer to the Committee on Finance made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Carney.
6:11Any discussion?
6:12All those in favor on referral say aye.
6:14Aye.
6:15Opposed?
6:15The ayes have it.
6:16I will ask the clerk to read item M3.
6:18Mr. President, M3 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $368,000 from the general Fund stabilization to snow removal purchase of services.
6:28M3A is the order.
6:31Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
6:36Any discussion on adoption?
6:39I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
6:41Councilor Baptiste?
6:43Yes.
6:43Councilor Burgo?
6:45Yes.
6:45Councilor Carney?
6:46Yes.
6:46Yes.
6:47Councilor Choquette?
6:48Yes.
6:48Yes.
6:49Councilor Gomes?
6:50Yes.
6:50Yes.
6:51Councilor Lopes?
6:51Yes.
6:52Yes.
6:53Councilor Pemberton?
6:54Yes.
6:55Yes.
6:55Councilor Pereira?
6:56Yes.
6:57Yes.
6:57Councilor Roy?
6:58Yes.
6:58Yes.
6:59Passes 9 to 0.
7:00Item passes 9 to 0.
7:03I'll ask the clerk to read item M4.
7:06Mr. President, M4 is communication from Mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the reappointment of Mark O'Neill, St. Rose of New Bedford, Massachusetts, as a constable.
7:15M4A is his application.
7:17Motion received and placed on file.
7:19Waive Rule 38 and waive Rule 40.
7:20And adopt the application as presented.
7:23Motion to waive Rules 38 and 40 and approve the application made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Burgo.
7:30Anyone on the question?
7:32Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
7:34Councillor Baptiste?
7:36Yes.
7:36Councillor Burgo?
7:37Yes.
7:38Councillor Carney?
7:39Yes.
7:39Yes.
7:40Councillor Choquette?
7:40Yes.
7:41Yes.
7:42Councillor Gomes?
7:42Yes.
7:43Yes.
7:43Councillor Lopes?
7:44Yes.
7:45Yes.
7:45Councillor Pemberton?
7:46Yes.
7:47Yes.
7:47Councilor Pereira.
7:48Yes.
7:49Yes.
7:49Councilor Roy.
7:50Yes.
7:51Yes.
7:51Passes 9 to 0, Mr. President.
7:53Item passes 9 to 0.
7:55Moving on to new business, I'll ask the clerk to read item number 2.
7:59Mr. President, item 2 is an ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Comprehensive Zoning, Section 4200D, Solar and Energy Systems.
8:07This was passed with second reading on January 8th, 2026.
8:15Move to ordain made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Virgo.
8:19Anyone on the discussion?
8:22All right, I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
8:24Councilor Baptiste?
8:26Yes.
8:26Councilor Virgo?
8:27Yes.
8:28Councilor Carney?
8:29Yes.
8:29Yes.
8:30Councilor Chaucaire?
8:31Yes.
8:31Yes.
8:32Councilor Gomes?
8:33Yes.
8:34Councilor Lopes?
8:34Yes.
8:35Yes.
8:36Councilor Pemberton?
8:37Yes.
8:38Yes.
8:38Councilor Pereira?
8:39Yes.
8:39Yes.
8:40Councilor Roy.
8:41Yes.
8:41Yes.
8:42Passes 9 to 0.
8:43Item passes 9 to 0.
8:45I'll ask the clerk to read item number 3, please.
8:48Mr. President, item 3 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending to the council approval of an application from Laguerre Pierre Marc, doing business as L&S Transport Incorporated, for a special permit for motor vehicle sales and/or rentals and general repair located at 725 Ashley Boulevard in New Bedford.
9:0602745, 3A is the application.
9:10Mr. President, we received communication from the director.
9:16If we could receive and place on file this communication.
9:18I don't know if the clerk received this.
9:19We're just going to verify the clerk has a copy, but I know I have one on my desk.
9:23So then my motion would be to receive and place on file the report from the committee and the communication from— How did you get this communication?
9:30It was just on our desk.
9:31Oh, I don't have it.
9:32Director— Commissioner Romanowicz, Director of Inspectional Services, and then, uh, grant the, uh, special permit application.
9:42Okay, so a motion has been made to receive and place on file the communication and grant the special permits by Councilor Burgo.
9:51It was seconded by Councilor Roy.
9:53Do you want that?
9:55Okay, that's fine.
9:56All right, any discussion?
9:58Seeing none, I'll— yep, on the question, Councilor Berg.
10:02Well, just for the general public that might be saying, what paper is he talking about?
10:05Because I guess the clerk didn't receive one.
10:07Uh, as we talked about in committee, for those, uh, the concern was that the applicant did not have the proper MDC trap.
10:15The letter from, uh, Mr. Romanowicz states that he does have the proper trap, so there is no concern.
10:22It can move forward.
10:23And that's all.
10:24So we can now approve this.
10:26It will now move forward to the licensing board for them to duplicate the exact same thing we already did, which was a waste of time.
10:32And so now it will be approved here and go to licensing for them to do the further work that they can do, and him to— the, the business owner to pay even more money to the city.
10:41Thank you.
10:42Thank you, Councilor Burgos.
10:43Anyone else on the question?
10:46Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
10:49Opposed?
10:50The ayes have it.
10:51I'll ask the clerk to read item number 4, please.
10:53Mr. President, item 4 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending to the City Council approval of the application for a new private livery license on behalf of Suzette Rose at the Pina of New Bedford, Mass., doing business as Tia Suzette Transportation at 38 Trinity Street in Massachusetts.
11:09And this license will expire on June 30th of this year.
11:114A is her application.
11:14Motion received and placed on file and approve the application.
11:18Motion to grant the livery license made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
11:23Anyone else on the question?
11:26Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
11:28Opposed?
11:29The ayes have it.
11:30I'll ask the clerk to read item 5.
11:31Mr. President, item 5 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending to the council approval of the appointment of Jeffrey David Foisy of New Bedford, Massachusetts as a constable.
11:405A is his application.
11:42Without objection, take 6 at the at the same time.
11:44Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read item 6 as well.
11:47Mr. President, item 6 is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending the City Council approval of the appointment of Daniel Luis Reyes Ortiz of New Bedford, Massachusetts, also as a constable.
11:576A is his application.
11:58Make a motion to receive items 5, 5A, 6, 6A, follow recommendation of the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, and grants the appointment of constables.
12:05Second.
12:06Motion received and placed on file.
12:07The reports from the committee and grant the appointments as constables, made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Gomes.
12:14Any discussion?
12:15All those in favor say aye.
12:17Aye.
12:18Opposed?
12:19The ayes have it.
12:20Mr. President?
12:20Yes.
12:21Motion to waive the reading and take no further action on items 7 through 11A.
12:26Motion's been made to waive the reading and take no further action on items 7 through 11A.
12:32Is there a second?
12:33Second.
12:34Second.
12:34Seconded by everybody.
12:37All those in favor say aye.
12:38Aye.
12:39Opposed, the ayes have it.
12:41Item number 12 is before us.
12:42Yes, Mr. President.
12:43Item 12 is communication of demolition from Anne Laurel, the preservation planner, to the city council regarding a building demolition review for South Water Street, Map 47, Lot 199.
12:55This is the former Eversource office building, a circa 1911 brick masonry and aluminum-clad vacant building, advising that the structure was initially constructed as a private garage and reflects the evolutionary development of the city's waterfront.
13:08With buildings that illustrate a diverse range of uses.
13:12The structure is not located within a National Register Historic District.
13:15The structure has been modified and is of no notable historic significance, either recorded or found with the existing condition of the structure.
13:23In light of these findings, the preservation planner has determined that the brick masonry aluminum-clad vacant building located on South Water Street is neither historically significant nor is it preferably preserved.
13:35Motion received in place on filing, grant the demolition.
13:37Second.
13:39Motion to grant the demolition.
13:40Demolition made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
13:43Any discussion on granting the demolition?
13:46All those in favor say aye.
13:47Aye.
13:48Opposed?
13:49The ayes have it.
13:51Motion to take up and adopt consent.
13:53Second.
13:53Motion to take up and adopt consent made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Carney.
13:58Any discussion on taking up and adopting consent?
14:01Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
14:03Aye.
14:04Opposed?
14:05The ayes have it.
14:06Motion to adjourn made by Councillor Burgo.
14:11Second by— second by Councillor Pemberton.
14:14Any discussion on adjournment?
14:16All those in favor say aye.
14:17Aye.
14:18Opposed?
14:19The ayes have it.
14:19We are adjourned at 7:14 PM.
14:21Thank you, everybody.