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. PUBLIC HEARING, CONTINUED, on an APPLICATION, Kholoud Swenson, d/b/a Mikos Auto Group, Inc., for a SPECIAL PERMIT for Motor Vehicle Sales and/or Rentals, at 319 Belleville Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02746. (Application Received May 06, 2024.) (Duly advertised in The Standard-Times on Tuesday, June 04, 2024 and Tuesday, June 11, 2024.) (June 18, 2024 – Public Hearing continued until Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers; tabled)
INVITEES: Atty. David Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel; Danny Romanowicz, Commissioner, Department of Inspectional Services; Kholoud Swenson, Applicant; Abutters
2. PUBLIC HEARING on a COMMUNICATION/DEMOLITION, New Bedford Historical Commission, to City Council, re: BUILDING DEMOLITION REVIEW: – 989 PLEASANT STREET, (MAP 65/LOT 222) PARTIAL DEMOLITION, portion of a circa 1935, one story brick structure and a circa 1935 one-and one-half story brick connecting structure associated with the New Bedford Armory, advising that “the New Bedford Armory is a contributing resource to the North Bedford National Register District and in 2003 was found to be eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places; the New Bedford Armory is significant in its association with the development of the Massachusetts National Guard and the civic and military history of New Bedford, the New Bedford armory is an example of the medieval castle-influenced Gothic Revival-style armories constructed in Massachusetts in the early twentieth century; the New Bedford Armory is comprised of several adjoining structures which include the circa 1904 Head House and Drill Hall, along with the circa 1935 Garage, and Operations Maintenance Shop; the circa 1935 Garage structure and connecting structure are in poor condition due to their long-term vacancy and associated deferred maintenance; selective demolition of the Armory’s contemporary one-story brick Garage Structure and adjoining one-and one-half story brick connecting structure is proposed as part of the City’s pre-development planning to advantageously position the property for private sector redevelopment via a future Request for Proposals, “in light of these findings, the New Bedford Historical Commission has determined that the selective structures identified as portion of a circa 1935 one story brick structure and a circa 1935 one-and one-half story brick structure located at 989 Pleasant Street are Historically Significant but are not Preferably Preserved Structures”. (Referred – June 13, 2024.) (Matter ID #1012) (Advertised in The Standard-Times on Tuesday, July 09, 2024.)
INVITEES: Atty. David Gerwatowski, Legal Counsel; Anne Louro, Preservation Planner; Danny Romanowicz, Commissioner, Department of Inspectional Services; Abutters
3. PETITION, Kevin Sousa, Bridgewater, MA 02324 d/b/a Games to Gold, 105 Nauset Street, New Bedford, MA 02746, requesting that he be granted a Waiver of Residency in accordance with Section 15-38 of the City Code, to obtain a LICENSE TO DEAL IN JUNK, OLD METALS OR ANY OTHER SECONDHAND ARTICLES. (Referred – May 07, 2024.) (Matter ID #0655)
INVITEES: Kevin Sousa
4. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of KHALIL ARSANIOS, 1220 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 d/b/a NEW BEDFORD TRANSPORTATION LLC, 308 Mill Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford. (Term of License July 01, 2024 – June 30, 2025.) (Referred – June 13, 2024.) (Matter ID #1011)
INVITEES: Khalil Arsanios
5. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of GLENDA B. REYES, 68 Erin Court, New Bedford, MA 02745 d/b/a REYES TRANSPORTATION, 68 Erin Court, New Bedford, MA 02745, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford. (Term of License July 01, 2024 – June 30, 2025.) (Referred – June 27, 2024.) (Matter ID #1159)
INVITEES: Glenda B. Reyes
6. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of ASSISTANT DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF SCOTT CAROLA as HARBORMASTER, for a term of five years in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 109 of the Acts of 2014, Assistant Deputy Carola is a longtime senior member of the New Bedford Police Department with 24 years of service, and is a resident of the City. (Referred – June 13, 2024.) (Matter ID #0956)
INVITEES: Scott Carola, Assistant Deputy Police Chief
7. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of JUSTIN OHLSON, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the CEMETERY BOARD, Mr. Ohlson will be replacing Jonathan Carvalho, whose term expired in April 2024 and has requested not to be re-appointed; this term will expire in April 2027. (Referred – May 07, 2024.) (Matter ID #0641) (Remain in Committee – June 18, 2024.)
INVITEES: Justin Ohlson
8. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of REVEREND DR. SANDRA GATLIN WHITLEY, New Bedford, MA, 02744, to the COUNCIL ON AGING, Reverend Whitley will be replacing Zachary R. Boyer, who has resigned; this term will expire in December 2025. (Referred – June 27, 2024.) (Matter ID #1102)
INVITEES: Reverend Dr. Sandra Gatlin Whitley
9. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of JAMES R. GAGNON, a United States Air Force Vietnam Veteran, New Bedford, MA, 02740, to the VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD, Mr. Gagnon will be replacing Anthony Resendes, who has resigned; this term will expire in December 2026. (Referred – June 27, 2024.) (Matter ID #1103)
INVITEES: James R. Gagnon
10. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of WILLIAM COMEAU, a United States Army Veteran, New Bedford, MA, 02745, to the VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD, Mr. Comeau is replacing Elizabeth C. McNamara, who has resigned; this term will expire in December 2026. (Referred – June 27, 2024.) (#1104)
INVITEES: William Comeau
11. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu and Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings discuss the ongoing construction project on County Street; and further, that the Committee meet with local businesses to discuss the impact of the street disturbances. (Referred – May 07, 2024.) (Matter ID #0652)
INVITEES: Ashley Payne, Director of Tourism; Jamie Ponte, Director, Department of Public Infrastructure; Derek Santos, Executive Director, NB Economic Development Council; County Street Business Owners
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