OPENING SESSION BY CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANE A. BURGO
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOTE: 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.
1. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in PINE STREET, from MACARTHUR DRIVE to end of public street to improve system reliability.
1a. AN ORDER,
2. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in MACARTHUR DRIVE, from WALNUT STREET to PINE STREET to improve system reliability.
2a. AN ORDER,
3. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in WALNUT STREET, from SOUTH SECOND STREET to MACARTHUR DRIVE to improve system reliability.
3a. AN ORDER,
4. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in SECOND STREET, from SCHOOL STREET to WALNUT STREET to improve system reliability.
4a. AN ORDER,
5. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in SCHOOL STREET, from COUNTY STREET to SOUTH SECOND STREET to improve system reliability.
5a. AN ORDER,
6. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in COUNTY STREET, from LINDEN STREET to SCHOOL STREET to improve system reliability.
6a. AN ORDER,
7. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in LINDEN STREET, from STATE STREET to COUNTY STREET to improve system reliability.
7a. AN ORDER,
8. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in STATE STREET, from WELD STREET to LINDEN STREET to improve system reliability.
8a. AN ORDER,
9. HEARING, Cornerstone Energy Services on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install underground electric transmission lines and associated appurtenances in WELD STREET, from JFK MEMORIAL BOULEVARD to STATE STREET to improve system reliability.
9a. AN ORDER,
MAYOR'S PAPERS
M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of Deputy Fire Chief BRIAN MEDEIROS, to FIRE CHIEF.
M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of DANIEL COONS to the position of DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF.
M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPROPRIATION of $3,290,458.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
M3a. AN ORDER,
M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPROPRIATION of $803,586.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
M4a. AN ORDER,
M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPROPRIATION of $750,000.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to HEALTH INSURANCE, PURCHASE OF SERVICES.
M5a. AN ORDER
M6. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPROPRIATION of $495,000.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to ZEITERION THEATRE, PURCHASE OF SERVICES.
M6a. AN ORDER
M7. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPROPRIATION of $175,000.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to WASTE COLLECTION & DISPOSAL, PURCHASE OF SERVICES.
M7a. AN ORDER
M8. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPROPRIATION of $63,662.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to MIS, PURCHASE OF SERVICES.
M8a. AN ORDER,
M9. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of PETER BOSWELL, New Bedford, MA to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS for a term to expire May 2030.
10. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications meet with Rosemary Gill, President & CEO of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, to discuss a portrait tribute of Armand Marchand, founder of the New Bedford Festival Theatre and former New Bedford High School Drama Club teacher; this portrait would hang in the entrance lobby of the Zeiterion Theater as a tribute to a man who gave it all to the art of the theater through his productions and to his legacy in the City of New Bedford. (To be Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications.)
11. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu, Lopes, Choquette and Carney, requesting, that the portion of Purchase Street in front of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, from School Street to Spring Street, be renamed from “Yellow Brick Road” to the “Armand R. Marchand Way,” honoring his over 50 years of contributions to the arts and overall creative economy of New Bedford and our region as a whole. (To be Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications and the Administration.)
12. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Carney, Abreu, requesting, that City Solicitor Eric Jaikes appear before the Committee on City Property to explain the delay with the Purchase and Sale Agreement which was awarded to Gwozdz Development, Inc., and South Coast Investments, Inc., for Fire Station #3, located at 834 Kempton Street and Fire Station #11, located at 754 Brock Avenue. (To be Referred to the Committee on City Property.)
13. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Internal Affairs meet with the City Solicitor, Treasurer-Collector, Chief Financial Officer and Personnel Director, along with the City Council’s Legal Representative, for the purpose of discussing longevity payments, and how this type of payment was implemented; and further, requesting that the Treasurer-Collector provide the Committee on Internal Affairs with records for the last 50 years of longevity payments for elected officials; and further, that WBSM talk show host Chris McCarthy be invited to said meeting to discuss his allegations and alleged proof of corruption within the City Council on this issue. (To be Referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs.)
14. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods meet with the CEO or designated representative for E.L. Harvey Trash & Recyclables, along with representatives from the New Bedford Health Department and the Department of Public Infrastructure, for the purpose of discussing what was being done prior to the fire to address the rat barrels at said location; and further, to discuss what preventative actions have been implemented to ensure that this type of incident never happens again. (To be Referred to the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods.)
15. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, once again, that Mary Rapoza, Director of Parks, Recreation & Beaches, install 4’ x 8’ plywood signage at East Beach, West Beach, Hazelwood Park, and Fort Taber; this signage would welcome visitors to these areas and also provide instruction on the laws, rules and regulations of the parks and beaches in the City of New Bedford, including the noise ordinance, no public drinking, parking, and the hours that these spaces are open to the public. (To be Referred to the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods.)
16. COMMUNICATION, Anne Louro, Preservation Planner, to City Council, re: BUILDING DEMOLITION REVIEW: 110 EIGHTH STREET, (MAP 52/LOT 256), a Circa 1947 Wood and Concrete Block Garage, advising that “the structure is located in the County Street National Register Historic District; the garage structure is of no notable historic significance either recorded or found with the existing condition of the structure; the structure is in poor condition due to deferred maintenance and beyond reasonable rehabilitation “in light of these findings, the Preservation Planner has determined that the wood and concrete block garage at 110 Eighth Street is neither a Historically Significant nor a Preferably Preserved Building.”
17. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Glenda B. Reyes, 68 Erin Court, New Bedford, MA d/b/a GLENDA REYES TRANSPORTATION, LLC, 68 Erin Court, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.)
18. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Rafaela Arita Guerra, 122 Frank Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a RAFAELA’S TRANSPORTATION, 122 Frank Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.)
19. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Khalil B. Arsanios, 1220 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION, LLC, 1220 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.)
03/13/2025 COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE on behalf of Ana L. Valentin Burgos, 627 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a GERANA’S TRANSPORTATION, INC., 211 Weld Street, New Bedford, MA. (Term of License July 01, 2025 - June 30, 2026.)
C1. RESOLUTION, Council President Burgo, acknowledging the Month of July as Cabo Verdean Heritage Month in the City of New Bedford.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date.
C2. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lopes, requesting, that the following street(s) BE CLOSED: ANTHONY STREET, from Bedford Street to Grove Street, from 6:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. on SATURDAY, JULY 05, 2025, for the purpose of a NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY.
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANE A. BURGO ON MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C3. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting, on behalf of the New Bedford Housing Authority, that the following street(s) BE CLOSED: ACUSHNET AVENUE, from Union Street to William Street AND BARKER”S LANE, from Acushnet Avenue to North Second Street, on TUESDAY, JULY 08, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., for the purpose of a Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for ONE CUSTOM HOUSE SQUARE (117 Union Street).
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANE A. BURGO ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C4. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of Colantonio, Inc., that the following street(s) be CLOSED: a portion of SPRING STREET, from Purchase Street to the entrance of the DeMello Building parking lot, FROM TUESDAY, JULY 01, 2025 TO THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025, for the purpose of the Zeiterion Theatre construction and renovations. (PLEASE NOTE: This is an extension of the current Street Closing, which is set to expire on Monday, June 30, 2025.)
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANE A. BURGO ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C5. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of Celia’s Boutique, that the following street(s) BE CLOSED: WILLIAM STREET, from Pleasant Street to Purchase Street, on THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., for the purpose of a Band Playing Event on AHA! Night.
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANE A. BURGO ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2025, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C6. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: ASH STREET, between Middle Street and Elm Street; on SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025, FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M., the purpose of YOUTH CELEBRATION DAY.
Permission Granted.
C7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Giesta and Abreu 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 03, 2025, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., for the purpose of THE FEAST OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT ANNUAL PARADE.
Permission Granted.
C8. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Giesta and Abreu, 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 31, 2025, 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.
C9. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Giesta and Abreu, 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 03, 2025, 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.
C10. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Giesta and Abreu, 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 30, 2025, 8:00 A.M. THROUGH MONDAY, AUGUST 04, 2025, Until 5:00 P.M., for the Purpose of: THE 109th ANNUAL FEAST OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
Permission Granted.
C11. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: BETHEL STREET, from William Street to Union Street; on THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025, FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M., the purpose of SCALLOPALOOZA.
Permission Granted.
C12. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of AHA! New Bedford, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: WILLIAM STREET, from Second Street to Bethel Street, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025, FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M, for the purpose of SUMMER IN THE SEAPORT Activities.
Permission Granted.
C13. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of the New Bedford Department of Health, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: WILLIAM STREET, from North Sixth Street to Acushnet Avenue AND PLEASANT STREET, from Market Street to William Street, ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025, FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M, AND ACUSHNET AVENUE, from William Street to Union Street, FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M., for the purpose of ONE BIG FAMILY: DRIVEN BY HOPE.
Permission Granted.
C14. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of Colantonio, Inc., that the following street(s) be CLOSED: a portion of SPRING STREET, from Purchase Street to the entrance of the DeMello Building parking lot, FROM FRIDAY, AUGUST 01, 2025 TO WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025, for the purpose of the Zeiterion Theatre construction and renovations. (PLEASE NOTE: This would be an extension of the Provisionally Granted Street Closing, set to expire on Thursday, July 31, 2025.)
Permission Granted.
C15. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lopes, requesting, on behalf of Mr. Allen Decker, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: ARNOLD PLACE, from Arnold Street to Orchard Street, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 09, 2025, FROM 2:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M., for the purpose of a Block Party. PLEASE NOTE: RAIN DATE OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2025.
Permission Granted.
C16. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lopes, requesting, on behalf of Ms. Melissa Letendre, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: MAPLE STREET, from Chancery Street to Hawthorn Terrace, ON SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025, FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M., for the purpose of a Block Party.
Permission Granted.
C17. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Giesta, requesting, on behalf of the SENHOR DA PEDRA CLUB AND FEAST COMMITTEE, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: TINKHAM STREET, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street); WEBSTER COURT, from Madeira Avenue to Funchal Place (Hope Street); on FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 11:45 P.M.; SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 11:45 P.M. AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025, FROM 10:30 A.M. TO 11:00 P.M., for the ANNUAL SENHOR DA PEDRA FEAST, PROCESSION and STREET DECORATING for the PROCESSION; further requesting, that the street be CLOSED as follows; SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. – EUGENIA STREET, between North Front Street and Madeira Avenue; SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025, from 7:30 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. (in order to decorate the streets for the Procession) – NORTH FRONT STREET, between Earle Street and Hathaway Street; EUGENIA STREET, between North Front Street and Funchal Place (Hope Street); SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025, FROM 7:30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. (also for decorating the streets for the Procession and the Procession held in conjunction with the FEAST) – NORTH FRONT STREET, between Earle Street and Tinkham Street; FUNCHAL PLACE (HOPE STREET), between Whitman Street and Eugenia Street (with parking on both sides.)
Permission Granted.
C18. 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 Board of Assessors for a meeting held on June 12, 2025; the Board of Health for meetings held on March 27, 2025 and April 29, 2025; the GNB Regional Refuse Management District for a meeting held on May 20, 2025; the Library Board of Trustees for a meeting held on April 29, 2025; the Licensing Board for meetings held on January 08, 2025 and March 11, 2025; and the Public Health Excellence Collaborative for meetings held on June 25, 2025 and July 09, 2025.
Received and Placed on File.
C19. 7 Plymouth Street
C20. Spooner Street, between Dartmouth Street and Lombard Street
C21. John Street, Between Westbrook Street and Allen Street
C22. Westbrook Street, between Rockdale Avenue and John Street
C23. End of Bartlett Street
C24. SS Sheffield Street
C25. 228 Bolton Street
C26. SS Hapwell Street
C27. 11 William Street
C28. 283 Cedar Street
C29. 1480 Sassaquin Avenue
C30. Summer Street @ Reynold Street intersection
C31. 120 County Street
C32. 90 Walden Street
C33. 7 Plymouth Street
C34. Spooner Street, between Dartmouth Street and Lombard Street
C35. John Street, Between Westbrook Street and Allen Street
C36. Westbrook Street, between Rockdale Avenue and John Street
C37. End of Bartlett Street
C38. SS Sheffield Street
C39. 228 Bolton Street
C40. SS Hapwell Street
C41. 11 William Street
C42. 283 Cedar Street
C43. 1480 Sassaquin Avenue
C44. Summer Street @ Reynold Street intersection
C45. 120 County Street
C46. 90 Walden Street
C47. 175 William Street
C48. 45 Princeton Street
C49. 359 Orchard Street
C50. 98 Nash Road
C51. 1039 -1041 Belleville Avenue
C52. 8 Felton Street
C53. 79 – 81 Highland Street
C54. 424 Wood Street
C55. 291 – 293 Nash Road
C56. 122 Mott Street
C57. 109 Robeson Street
C58. 1054 Montrose Street
C59. 89 North Water Street
C60. 191 – 193 Dawson Street
C61. 45 Summit Street
C62. Church Street, working from 582 Church St. to Nash Rd (including intersections)
C63. 608 Pleasant Street
C64. 171 Penniman Street
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.