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The New Bedford City Council held a brief special meeting on June 8, 2026, led by Council President Ryan J. Pereira. The meeting commenced with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. The City Clerk read communications from three councillors: Derek Baptiste, who anticipated a late arrival, and Leo Choquette and Joseph P. Lopes, who were absent due to a medical procedure and a work commitment, respectively. These communications were received and placed on file. The council's main agenda was the final passage of two ordinances. The first, an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Appendix A, Table of Principal Use Regulations, was passed to be ordained by a unanimous 8-0 vote. The second, an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Appendix B, Table of Dimensional Regulations for Residential Infill Development and Multiple Buildings Per Lot, was also passed to be ordained by an identical 8-0 vote. Both items had previously passed a second reading on May 12, 2026. The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 PM after concluding its business.
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Council
City Officials
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1:36Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
1:39It is 6:03 on Monday, June 8th, and I'm calling together this special city council meeting at 6:03 PM.
1:53We do not have a member of the clergy present, so I'll ask at this time for everyone just to take a brief moment of silence.
2:08All right, I'll ask Councilor-at-Large Shane Burgo to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2:13I 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.
2:27Amen.
2:33I am joined in the council chambers by my colleagues, Councilor-at-Large Ian Abreu, Councilor of Ward 2 Scott Pemberton, Councilor-at-Large Brian Gomes, Councilor-at-Large James Roy, Councilor-at-Large Naomi Carney, Councilor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver.
2:50Councilor at Large and First Vice President Shane Burgo.
2:54And I am Council President and Ward 6 Councilor Ryan Pereira.
2:58I'd like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.
3:01City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.
3:07I will ask the clerk if there are any items to be read into the record.
3:10Yes, Council President, we have 3 letters.
3:12The first one is, dear Council President Pereira and honorable members of the City Council, I am writing this letter to inform you of my possible late arrival to the special City Council meeting on Monday, June 8th, due to a prior commitment.
3:24I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues, those in attendance, and the public aware of the reasons for my delayed arrival.
3:31From Councilor Ward 4, Derek Baptiste.
3:34The next one is from, is from Councilor Leo Chiquette.
3:38I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the special City Council meeting on Monday, June 8th, to a previously scheduled medical procedure.
3:46Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reasons for my absence.
3:52And the last one is from Councilor Joseph Lopes.
3:55I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the special city council meeting on Monday, June 8th, due to a work-related commitment.
4:02Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reasons for my absence.
4:07Motion received and placed on file.
4:09Second.
4:09Motion to receive and place on file the communications made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
4:14Anyone on the question?
4:15All those in favor say aye.
4:17Aye.
4:17Opposed?
4:18The ayes have it.
4:18I will ask the clerk to read item number 1, please.
4:21Number 1, communication, Council President Pereira to City Clerk Farias requesting that a special city council meeting be called for Monday, June 8th, 2026 at 6 PM for action on 2 Chapter 9 ordinances.
4:33Motion to receive and place on file.
4:35A motion to receive and place on file has been made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
4:39Anyone on discussion?
4:41All those in favor say aye.
4:42Aye.
4:42Opposed, the ayes have it.
4:44I will ask the clerk to read item 2, please.
4:46Item 2, an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Appendix A, Table of Principal Use Regulations.
4:51It was passed to a second reading on May 12th, 2026.
4:56Motion to receive and place on file and pass to be ordained.
5:00Motion to pass to be ordained made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
5:05Anyone on the question?
5:07Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
5:09Councilor Ebro?
5:11Yes.
5:12Councilor— Councilor Bergo?
5:13Yes.
5:15Yes.
5:15Councilor Carney?
5:16Yes.
5:17Yes.
5:18Councilor Gomes?
5:20Yes.
5:20Councilor Oliver?
5:22Yes.
5:23Yes.
5:23Councilor Pemberton?
5:24Yes.
5:25Yes.
5:25Councilor Pereira?
5:26Yes.
5:27Yes.
5:27Councilor Roy?
5:29Yes.
5:29Yes.
5:308 to 0.
5:31Pass item passes 8 to 0.
5:33I'll ask the clerk to read item number 3, please.
5:35Item number 3, an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Appendix B, Table of Demential Regulations, Residential Infill Development and Multiple Buildings Per Lot.
5:45It was passed to a second reading on May 12th, 2026.
5:49Same course of action.
5:50Pass to be ordained.
5:51Motion to pass to be ordained made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
5:55Anyone on the question?
5:57I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
5:59Councilor Abram.
6:01Yes.
6:02Councilor Burgo.
6:04Yes.
6:05Councilor Carney.
6:05Yes.
6:06Yes.
6:07Councilor Gomes.
6:09Yes.
6:10Councilor Oliver.
6:11Yes.
6:12Councilor Pemberton.
6:14Yes.
6:14Councilor Pereira.
6:15Yes.
6:16Yes.
6:16Councilor Roy.
6:17Yes.
6:17Yes.
6:19Item passes 8 to 0.
6:21Seeing no further before the special Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Abrams, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
6:26Anyone on the question of adjournment?
6:29All those in favor say aye.
6:30Aye.
6:31Opposed?
6:31The ayes have it, and we are adjourned at 6:08 PM.
6:35Thank you, everybody.