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. CITIZEN’S INPUT TIME – Not to exceed the first thirty (30) minutes of the meeting.
1a. James Dupont, 118 Elm Street – E, Raynham, MA, 02767, speaking on the “Impacts on Local Taxpayers”. (Referred – March04, 2026.)
INVITEES: James DuPont
2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of CRISTOBAL JOSE ESCOBAR, New Bedford, MA to the VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD, replacing Christopher Holkamp who has resigned; this term will expire December 2026. (Matter ID #1925) (Referred – December 11, 2025.) (February 17, 2026 – tabled)
INVITEES: Cristobal Jose Escobar, Appointee
3. PETITION, Ksea Swift and Justin Swift, East Freetown, MA d/b/a SWIFT SALES, 127 West Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA, requesting 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. (Matter ID #1797) (Referred – November 13, 2025.) (December 16, 2025 – Remain in Committee) (February 17, 2026 – tabled)
INVITEES: Justin Swift, Co-applicant; Ksea Swift, Co-applicant
4. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Celestin Wilkend, 1 Warwick Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a CRIS TRANSPORTATION, 1 Warwick Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.) (Matter ID #0033) (Referred – January 08, 2026.) (February 17, 2026 – tabled)
INVITEES: Celestin Wilkend, Applicant
5. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Oliver, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with MBTA South Coast Rail officials for the purpose of discussing the safety of the Purchase Street Train corridor; the installation of safety fencing from Minuteman Car Wash, south and the support wall south on Purchase Street, from Penniman Street to the train station; and further, requesting that the Purchase Street support wall have the same façade as the train station. (Matter ID #0116) (Referred – January 25, 2024.) (June 17, 2025 – tabled)
INVITEES: Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator, MassDOT
6. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with Derek Santos, Executive Director for the New Bedford Economic Development Council, along with Board Members of the New Bedford Business Park, for the purpose of having a discussion on implementing language in the Business Park’s governing rules to protect against any future trash and recycling businesses that handle hazardous waste materials from being located in the Business Park; putting this safeguard in place would protect the Business Park from any hazardous waste, trash and other detrimental materials. (Matter ID #1936) (Referred – December 11, 2025.)
INVITEES: Board Member, Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation; Derek Santos, Executive Director NB Economic Development Council
7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with the Archdiocese of Boston’s Planning Office for Urban Affairs to discuss the project timeline and proposed design plan for the former St. Killian’s Church property on Ashley Boulevard. (Matter ID #0113) (Referred – January 22, 2026.)
7a. PROJECT TIMELINE AND DESIGN PLAN, former St. Killian's Church (Matter ID #0114) (Referred – January 22, 2026.)
INVITEES: William H. Grogan, President, Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Archdiocese of Boston; Shaina Korman-Houston, Director of Real Estate, Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Archdiocese of Boston; Wani Pandey, Project Manager, Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Archdiocese of Boston
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.