OPENING SESSION: CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT RYAN J. PEREIRA
PRAYER LED BY: BRIAN DUBE, LEAD PASTOR, CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CENTER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
THIS MEETING IS BEING LIVE STREAMED AND RECORDED. CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS CAN BE VIEWED ON THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD’S HOMEPAGE UNDER QUICK LINKS, THEN MEETINGS.
M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER for the TRANSFER of $1,728,454.00 from WASTEWATER FREE CASH to SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND.
M1a. AN ORDER,
M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER for the TRANSFER of $2,842,753.00 from WATER FREE CASH to WATER STABILIZATION FUND.
M2a. AN ORDER,
M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER for the TRANSFER of $334,000.00 from STABILIZATION FUND to DEBT OTHER FINANCING USES.
M3a. AN ORDER,
M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER for the TRANSFER of $250,000.00 from CITY UTILITIES PURCHASE OF SERVICES to DEBT OTHER FINANCING USES.
M4a. AN ORDER,
M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER for the TRANSFER of $177,033.00 from POLICE, PERSONAL SERVICES in the amount of $45,000.00; INSPECTIONAL SERVICES, PURCHASE OF SERVICES in the amount of $9,200.00; INSPECTIONAL SERVICES, SUPPLIES in the amount of $3,700.00; MUNICIPAL INSURANCE, PURCHASE OF SERVICES in the amount of $42,000.00 and TREASURER, PURCHASE OF SERVICES in the amount of $77,133.00 to DEBT OTHER FINANCING USES.
M5a. AN ORDER,
1. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 9, Section 4100A, Relative To Municipal Facility Conversion. (Passed to a Second Reading – May 28, 2026.)
2. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 10, Section 10-86.1 – Voluntary Electronic (Email) Delivery of Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills. (Passed to a Second Reading – May 28, 2026.)
3. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7.2 Temporary Delay in Step Increases for Fiscal Year 2027. (Passed to a Second Reading – May 28, 2026.)
4. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7(d) Suspending an annual COLA for Unit C Management positions for Fiscal Year 2027. (Passed to a Second Reading – May 28, 2026.)
5. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 19 – Relative to Paid Family Leave (Passed to a Second Reading – May 28, 2026.)
6. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7, Article I – Relative to Personnel. (Passed to a Second Reading – May 28, 2026.)
7. REPORT, Special Committee on Permits and Licensing, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the 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.
7a. 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.) (Referred to the Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing - April 09, 2026.)
8. REPORT, Special Committee on Permits and Licensing, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the Amended APPLICATION for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Fabio J. Teixeira DaGraca, d/b/a GRACA’S SOLUTIONS TRANSPORTATION, 175 Hemlock Street, New Bedford, MA.
8a. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE on behalf of Fabio J. Teixeira DaGraca, d/b/a GRACA’S SOLUTIONS TRANSPORTATION, 175 Hemlock Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to Expire - June 30, 2026.) (Referred to the Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing – May 12, 2026)
9. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council APPROVAL of the ORDINANCE, as Amended, amending Chapter 16, Municipal Utilities and Services, Section 16-94 – Rate Charges, to provide the Council and the Administration greater flexibility in setting the wastewater rates.
9a. AN ORDINANCE, As Amended, amending Chapter 16, Municipal Utilities and Services, Section 16-94 – Rate Charges, to provide the Council and the Administration greater flexibility in setting the wastewater rates. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 12, 2026.)
10. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, for proposed wastewater rates for Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028 and proposed Wastewater Annual Base Charges for Fiscal Year 2027, to take effect on July 1, 2026.
10a. AN ORDER, for proposed wastewater rates for Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028 and proposed Wastewater Annual Base Charges for Fiscal Year 2027, to take effect on July 1, 2026. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 12, 2026.)
11. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council ADOPTION of the LOAN ORDER, appropriating $20,400,000.00 for the purpose of financing the cost of projects outlined in the City’s Long Term CSO Control and Integrated Capital Improvement Plan.
11a. LOAN ORDER, appropriating $20,400,000.00 for the purpose of financing the cost of projects outlined in the City’s Long Term CSO Control and Integrated Capital Improvement Plan. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 12, 2026.)
12. REPORT, 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.
13. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $2,099,535.00 from GENERAL STABILIZATION, to SNOW REMOVAL, Purchase of Services in the amount of $1,933,404.00; PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, Purchase of Services in the amount of $101,316.00 and FACILITIES AND FLEET MANAGEMENT, Purchase of Services in the amount of $64,815.00.
13a. AN ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $2,099,535.00 from GENERAL STABILIZATION, to SNOW REMOVAL, Purchase of Services in the amount of $1,933,404.00; PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, Purchase of Services in the amount of $101,316.00 and FACILITIES AND FLEET MANAGEMENT, Purchase of Services in the amount of $64,815.00. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 12, 2026.)
14. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $43,000.00 from PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PERSONAL SERVICES, to MAYOR PERSONAL SERVICES.
14a. AN ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $43,000.00 from PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PERSONAL SERVICES, to MAYOR PERSONAL SERVICES. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 28, 2026.)
15. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $750,000.00 from INSPECTIONAL SERVICES, Personal Services in the amount of $110,000.00; FACILITIES AND FLEET, Personal Services in the amount of $236,000.00; RECREATION AND PARKS, Personal Services in the amount of $80,000.00; ELECTIONS, Personal Services in the amount of $88,000.00; HEALTH, Personal Services in the amount of $120,000.00; SOLICITOR, Personal Services in the amount of $28,000.00; ZOO, Personal Services in the amount $43,000.00 and POLICE, Personal Services in the amount $45,000.00 to CITY UTILITIES, Purchase of Services.
15a. AN ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $750,000.00 from INSPECTIONAL SERVICES, Personal Services in the amount of $110,000.00; FACILITIES AND FLEET, Personal Services in the amount of $236,000.00; RECREATION AND PARKS, Personal Services in the amount of $80,000.00; ELECTIONS, Personal Services in the amount of $88,000.00; HEALTH, Personal Services in the amount of $120,000.00; SOLICITOR, Personal Services in the amount of $28,000.00; ZOO, Personal Services in the amount $43,000.00 and POLICE, Personal Services in the amount $45,000.00 to CITY UTILITIES, Purchase of Services (Referred to the Committee on Finance – June 11, 2026.)
16. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the full City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER for the TRANSFER of $85,000.00 from STABILIZATION FUND, to FACILITIES AND FLEET, Purchase of Services.
16a. AN ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $85,000.00 from STABILIZATION FUND, to FACILITIES AND FLEET, Purchase of Services. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – June 11, 2026.)
17. REPORT, Special Committee on Permits and Licensing, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE on behalf of Fabio J. Teixeira DaGraca, d/b/a GRACA’S SOLUTIONS TRANSPORTATION, 175 Hemlock Street, New Bedford, MA.
17a. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE on behalf of Fabio J. Teixeira DaGraca, d/b/a GRACA’S SOLUTIONS TRANSPORTATION, 175 Hemlock Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 - June 30, 2027.) (Referred to the Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing May 12, 2026)
18. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending that the full City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a request to authorize the City to advertise and employ within the next six months an Associate City Solicitor at M-15, Step 2.
18a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a request to authorize the City to advertise and employ within the next six months an Associate City Solicitor at M-15, Step 2. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 12, 2026.)
19. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor 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’s streets, sidewalks, parks and walkways, these devices have become a safety problem throughout the City. (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.)
20. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Jacqueline D. Guzman Carrero, d/b/a PORTILLOS TRANSPORTATION, 191 B North Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)
21. COMMUNICATION, Board of Assessors, to the City Council, submitting a MOTION, at its Open Meeting on June 11, 2026, voted to submit the following Motion that the City Council, with the Mayor of New Bedford, adopt the annual Consumer Price Index for Fiscal Year 2027 as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue of a 2.7% increase for Clause 17 in 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, 41B and 41C, 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 Fiscal Year 2027 as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue of a 2.7% increase the amount of the exemptions for Clause 22 to $845.43, Clause 22A to $1,585.17, Clause 22B to $2,641.96, Clause 2C to $3,170.53, and Clause 22E to $2,113.57.
21a. ORDER, That pursuant to M.G.L., Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E, the total value of assets, as set forth in M.G.L., Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17, 17C, 17C ½ and 17D is hereby increased by 2.7% for Fiscal Year 2027. Said increase is equal to the Consumer Price Index.
21b. ORDER, That the exemption granted to persons qualifying under M.G.L., Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17, 17C, 17C½ and 17D is hereby increased by 2.7% for Fiscal Year 2027. Said increase is equal to the Consumer Price Index.
21c. ORDER, That the exemption granted to persons qualifying under M.G.L., Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22E is here
21d ORDER, That the base limit of income and the total value of assets of persons qualifying under M.G.L., Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41, 41B and 41C is hereby increased by 2.7% for Fiscal Year 2027. Said increase is equal to the Consumer Price Index.
22. COMMUNICATION, Councillor Burgo submitted signed petitions from residents opposing the closure of Fire Station #9 in New Bedford.
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. CITATION, Councillor Gomes, honoring FILIPA MELENDEZ, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, in recognition of her 10 years of Dedicated and Committed Service to Massachusetts as an Investigator for the Fair Labor Division.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date.
C2. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu and Pemberton, requesting, on behalf of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: BROOKLAWN STREET, from Ashley Boulevard to Acushnet Avenue; ACUSHNET AVENUE, from Wood Street to Earle Street; EARLE STREET, from Acushnet Avenue to Madeira Avenue; MADEIRA AVENUE, from Earle Street to Tinkham Street, ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 02, 2026, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., for the purpose of THE FEAST OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT ANNUAL PARADE.
Permission Granted.
C3. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu and Pemberton, requesting, on behalf of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: EARLE STREET, from Acushnet Avenue to Madeira Avenue, ON: THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026, FROM: 5:00 P.M. TO 5:30 P.M., for the purpose of THE FEAST COMMITTEE TO MARCH FROM THE MADEIRA CLUB PARKING LOT TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH FOR BLESSING OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRIOR TO START OF FEAST.
Permission Granted.
C4. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu and Pemberton, requesting, on behalf of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: EARLE STREET, from Madeira Avenue to Belleville Avenue for a distance of 300 feet, ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 02, 2026, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., for the purpose of: PARKING OF LARGE TRAILER TRUCKS, WHICH WILL BE USED IN THE FEAST OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT PARADE, AND WHICH ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN ONTO MADEIRA AVENUE. NOTE: REQUESTING THAT THE DPI PROVIDE STREET CLOSURE BARRELS. (NOTE: CLOSURE TO BE “USED AS NEEDED”.)
Permission Granted.
C5. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu and Pemberton, requesting, on behalf of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: EARLE STREET, from North Front Street to Belleville Avenue; MADEIRA AVENUE, from Davis Street to Tinkham Street; HATHAWAY STREET, from North Front Street to Funchal Place (Hope Street); FUNCHAL PLACE (Hope Street), from Hathaway Street to Nash Road and TINKHAM STREET, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street), ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026, 8:00 A.M. THROUGH MONDAY, AUGUST 03, 2026, Until 5:00 P.M., for the Purpose of: THE 110th ANNUAL FEAST OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
Permission Granted.
C6. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of the New Bedford Port Society, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: JOHNNY CAKE HILL, from William Street to Union Street, (for an Event at 15 Johnny Cake Hill, the New Bedford Port Society - Seamen’s Bethel), ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 08, 2026, FROM 12:00 PM. TO 10:00 P.M., for the purpose of THE EVENT ON THE HILL.
Permission Granted.
C7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of the City of New Bedford Health Department, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: ASH STREET, from Middle Street to Elm Street, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026, AT 11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M., for the purpose of YOUTH CELEBRATION DAY at the Magnett Park - 370 Middle Street.
Permission Granted.
C8. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu and Pemberton, requesting, on behalf of Edwin Cartagena, BORI New Bedford, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: ACUSHNET AVENUE, from Deane Street to Coffin Avenue, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 08, 2026, AT 10:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., for the purpose of CELEBRACIÓN BORIKÉN.
Permission Granted.
C9. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Pemberton and Abreu, requesting, on behalf of the Senhor Da Pedra Club and Feast Committee, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: WEBSTER COURT, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street) and TINKHAM STREET, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street), ON SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. (MIDNIGHT), AND SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2026, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 11:00 P.M., for the purpose of THE ANNUAL SENHOR DA PEDRA HOLY GHOST FEAST.
Permission Granted.
C10. 193-197 Union Street
C11. 17 Longview Road
C12. County Street, between North Street and Maxfield Street
C13. 70 Forest Street
C14. 1069 Kempton Street
C15. 124 Bonney Street
C16. 145 Hillman Street
C17. 450 Union Street
C18. 17 Longview Road
C19. County Street, between North Street and Maxfield Street
C20. 70 Forest Street
C21. 1069 Kempton Street
C22. 124 Bonney Street
C23. 145 Hillman Street
C24. 450 Union Street
C25. 27 Harrison Street
C26. 569 Purchase Street
C27. 283 Prescott Street
C28. 20 Granfield Street
C29. 115-117 Perry Street
C30. 309 South Second Street
C31. 83 Glennon Street
C32. 478 Nash Road
C33. 41 Orchard Street
C34. 340 Austin Street
C35. 202 Robeson Street
C36. 17 Oak Street
DUMPSTERS
C37. 122-124 Norman Street
C38. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 40’ Conduit at HOWARD AVENUE, this work is necessary to provide service to 99 River Road.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026.
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