OPENING SESSION: CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT RYAN J. PEREIRA
PRAYER LED BY: JAMIE WYNN, PASTOR, GRACE HARBOR CHURCH
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOTE: THIS MEETING IS BEING LIVE STREAMED AND RECORDED.
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1. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one Handhole and approximately 62’ of Conduit in ACUSHNET AVENUE, this work is necessary to provide service to 1780 Acushnet Avenue.
1a. AN ORDER,
2. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 244’ of Conduit, enlarge two Manholes, re-roof a Manhole in UNION STREET, this work is necessary to provide service to 193 Union Street.
2a. AN ORDER,
3. HEARING, CORNERSTONE ENERGY SERVICES on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in ASHLEY BOULEVARD, this work is necessary to improve system reliability.
3a. AN ORDER,
4. HEARING, CORNERSTONE ENERGY SERVICES on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in NASH ROAD, this work is necessary to improve system reliability.
4a. AN ORDER,
5. HEARING, CORNERSTONE ENERGY SERVICES on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in BELLEVILLE AVENUE, this work is necessary to improve system reliability.
5a. AN ORDER,
MAYOR'S PAPERS
M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, that the City accept M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 71F, to enable the School Department to establish a Non-Resident Tuition Revolving Fund.
M1a. AN ORDER,
M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, authorizing the payment of an outstanding invoice from a prior fiscal year totaling $4,182.01 to be charged to the account of TREASURER-COLLECTOR, Purchase of Services.
M2a. AN ORDER,
M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, authorizing the payment of an outstanding invoice from a prior fiscal year totaling $450.00 to be charged to the account of DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES AND FLEET, Purchase of Services.
M3a. AN ORDER,
M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 9, ZONING - establishing FORM-BASED CODE DISTRICTS.
M4a. AN ORDINANCE,
M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of GLEN CHANDLER, New Bedford, to the LIBRARY TRUSTEES, this term will expire April 2029.
M6. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of ANN R. O’LEARY, New Bedford, to the LIBRARY TRUSTEES, this term will expire April 2029.
M7. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of ROSEMARY SABER, New Bedford, to the LIBRARY TRUSTEES, this term will expire April 2029.
M8. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of BRIAN AYOTTE, New Bedford, to the COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE, this term will expire April 2029.
M9. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of DIANA HENRY, New Bedford, to the HISTORICAL COMMISSION, this term will expire February 2029.
M10. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of ADRIANNA BAPTISTA, New Bedford, as a CONSTABLE.
M10a. AN APPLICATION,
LOAN ORDER, appropriating $13,787,624.00 for the purpose of paying the costs of replacement of the roof and accessibility upgrades at the Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School located at 286 South Second Street. (Passed to a Second Reading – March 12, 2026.)
REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the COLA base increase from $14,000 to $16,000, effective July 1, 2026, as detailed in a Communication dated November 26, 2025, submitted by Eric Cohen, Executive Director of the New Bedford Retirement Board.
COMMUNICATION, Councillor Morad, submitting a letter from Eric Cohen, Executive Director for the New Bedford Contributory Retirement Board, regarding the FY27 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) base increase for retirees. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – December 11, 2025.)
REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of AN ORDER, for the Community Preservation Act FY26 Funding Recommendations for twenty (20) projects totaling $2,227,341.00.
AN ORDER,
9. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu, Lopes and Choquette, that the City of New Bedford, through its Tourism & Marketing Office and all relevant departments and organizations, actively engage in regional planning and promotional efforts associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as five group stage matches will be held at Gillette Stadium between June 13 and July 9, 2026; and further, that the City recognize the significant opportunity presented by anticipated overflow hotel demand and increased regional visitation by positioning New Bedford as a welcoming and accessible destination for out-of-town and international visitors attending these matches; and further, that the Tourism & Marketing Office work in coordination with State and regional tourism partners, local hotels, restaurants, and business organizations to develop and implement a targeted marketing strategy showcasing New Bedford’s accommodations, dining, arts, culture, and waterfront amenities; and further, that the City explore opportunities to support visitor access through transportation coordination, informational materials, and potential visitor packages; and further, that a representative of the Tourism & Marketing Office be requested to appear before the Committee on Economic Development to provide an update on planned initiatives and partnerships related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (To be Referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Ashley Payne, Director, Tourism and Marketing, a Representative of the Mayor’s Office, Southeastern Mass Convention Visitors’ Bureau Executive Director Chrisanne Tyrell and Michael O’Sullivan, President & CEO of the One SouthCoast Chamber.)
10. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Maria DePina, 28 Windsor Circle, Brockton, MA and Maria L. Pires, 60 Foster Street, Brockton, MA, d/b/a SISTER EXPRESS TRANSPORT, 109 Robeson Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
11. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Thierry Andrade Uwizeye, 38 Trinity Street, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a MEL TRANSPORTATION, 109 Robeson Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
12. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Suzete Rosa De Pina, d/b/a TIA SUZETE TRANSPORTATION, 38 Trinity Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
13. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Sean Ciminello, 22 Shannon Way, Dartmouth, MA, d/b/a YES WE VAN, LLC, 651 Orchard Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
14. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of David Bizarro, d/b/a BIZARRO TRANSPORTATION, 85 Osborne Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
15. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Anthony DaRosa, 56 Westwood Drive, N. Dartmouth, MA, d/b/a BLUEBIRD TRANSPORTATION, LLC, 458 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
16. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Flor Pineda, d/b/a FLOR TRANSPORTATION, 7 Upton Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
17. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Joao Filipe De Sa Ramos, d/b/a JSR TRANSPORTATION, LLC, 312 Davis Street, Apt. 1, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
18. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Albert Williams, d/b/a ELITE TRANSPORTATION, 1 Deerfield Lane, Fairhaven, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
TABLED AGENDA
03/12/2026 COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of KENDRA PARKER, as ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
03/12/2026 COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a request for a waiver for the education and experience requirements for the position of Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.
C1. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Pemberton, requesting, on behalf of BC Crane Corp, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: a portion of BULLARD STREET, one lane closure, from Ashley Boulevard to Acushnet Avenue AND a portion of ACUSHNET AVENUE, one lane closure, from Nye Street to Bullard Street, ON SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026, FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M., for the purpose of placing cranes related to a roofing project at St. Anthony’s Church, located at 1359 Acushnet Avenue. (PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS: Police detail will be provided on Acushnet Avenue and Ashley Boulevard; the Traffic Commission will place “No Parking” signs on Bullard Street, on the church side of the street; Bullard Street residents will be notified of the closure, all houses opposite the church side of the street.)
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT RYAN J. PEREIRA ON TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 09, 2026.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C2. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of NB Roots and Branches, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: PURCHASE STREET, from William Street to Union Street, ON SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026, FROM 7:00 A.M. TO SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2026, AT 11:00 A.M., for the purpose of the NB ROOTS AND BRANCHES FESTIVAL, a single day of music and arts.
Permission Granted.
C3. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: BEDFORD STREET, from Pleasant Street to South Sixth Street AND WING STREET, from Pleasant Street to South Sixth Street, (Serenity Gardens at 41 Bedford Street) on SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., for the purpose of the Go Green Campaign “Every Day is Earth Day” Spring Fair.
Permission Granted.
C4. PETITION/INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, HORATIO’S INC./H and M DARTMOUTH REALTY, INC., for Permission to Erect and Maintain a 9’ x 11’ Illuminated free standing sign at 64 John Vertente Boulevard, New Bedford, MA.
Received and Action of the City Clerk Ratified.
C5. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to the City Council, notifying that the Office of the City Clerk has received Meeting Minutes from the Licensing Board for a meeting held on December 16, 2025; the Park Board for a meeting held on February 18, 2026; the Planning Board for a meeting held on February 11, 2026; the Public Health Excellence Collaborative for meetings held on March 05, 2026 and March 18, 2026; and the Zoning Board of Appeals for meetings held on August 21, 2025 and January 15, 2026.
Received and Placed on File.
C6. 1359 Acushnet Avenue
C7. 245 Aquidneck Street
C8. 193 - 197 Union Street
C9. 1157 Acushnet Avenue
C10. 620 Church Street
C11. Ashley Boulevard, from Sawyer Street to Deane Street
C12. 37 - 41 Rockdale Avenue
C13. Mt. Pleasant St. x Nash Road Improvement Project
C14. County Street x Willis Street
C15. 117 - 119 Branscomb Street
C16. 84 Irvington Street
C17. 245 Aquidneck Street
C18. 193-197 Union Street
C19. 1157 Acushnet Avenue
C20. 620 Church Street
C21. Ashley Boulevard, from Sawyer Street to Deane Street
C22. 37 – 41 Rockdale Avenue
C23. Mt. Pleasant Street x Nash Road Improvement Project
C24. County Street x Willis Street
C25. 117 - 119 Branscomb Street
C26. 84 Irvington Street
C27. 154 Matthew Street
C28. Wing Street, from South Sixth Street to County Street
C29. 319 - 321 Hawthorn Street
C30. 83 Ruth Street
C31. 157 Maxfield Street
C32. 72 Tinkham Street
C33. 19 Chatham Street
C34. 458 Ashley Boulevard
C35. 245 - 247 Irvington Street
C36. 55 Maitland Street
C37. Intersection of North Front Street and Kilburn Street
C38. 506 Bolton Street
C39. 24 North Front Street
C40. 871 Belleville Avenue
C41. Ryan Street, from Brigham Street to Brownell Street (including intersections & 25 ft. in all directions)
C42 1359 Acushnet Avenue at Bullard Street
C43. 109 Hillman Street
C44. 375 South Second Street
C45. PETITION, CSL Consulting LLC on behalf of Old Dartmouth Historical Society – New Bedford Whaling Museum for location of conduits to be captured/buried below the pedestrian crossing being established in WILLIAM STREET, this work is necessary to connect the 11 William Street site to the existing museum site at 18 Johnny Cake Hill.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026.
C46. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 100’ of Conduit and one Handhole in COUNTY STREET, this work is necessary to provide service to 840 County Street.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026.
C47. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 15’ of Conduit in BELLEVILLE AVENUE, this work is needed to provide upgrade service to Belleville Avenue.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026.
C48. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one FO Pole with Anchor in BELLEVILLE AVENUE, this work is needed to provide upgrade service to Belleville Avenue.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if any accommodations are needed, please contact the City Council Office at 508-979-1455. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.