CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
7:00 PM

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER - ROOM 214
133 WILLIAM ST

OPENING SESSION

PRAYER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

HEARINGS

1. HEARING, ORDERED, that the following petroleum license hereby be REVOKED: 38 Bethel Street, originally granted to Jonathan Handy Co. Inc. on December 23, 1980 – Inflammable gases storage: Acetylene-15,000 cu. ft., Oxygen Gas-1,720 gals. above ground, Argon-2,000 gals., Nitrogen-2,000 gals., Hydrogen Gas-10,000 cu. ft., Motor Oil & Lubricants-15,000 gals., and Lubricants-3,000 lbs.

1a. COMMUNICATION, Albert J. Santos, on behalf of New Bedford Inc., requesting that the petroleum storage at 38 Bethel Street be REVOKED, said facility has not stored, used or kept flammable gases at this location since purchased from Jonathan Handy Co. Inc. in August 30, 2020; the New Bedford Fire Prevention Bureau performed an inspection of said property and found no current storage of Inflammable gases as listed on a permit issued to Jonathan Handy Inc. on December 23, 1980.

38 Bethel Street - PETROL Strg Revocation.pdf

2. HEARING, ORDERED, that the following petroleum license hereby be REVOKED: 456 Mt. Pleasant Street, originally granted to People’s Realty Corp. on November 25, 1970 – three (3) underground 6,000 gallon tanks. (NOTE: Tanks were removed and transported in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.)

2a. COMMUNICATION, Nabil Roufail, on behalf of PSNB Realty, LLC., owner of the property at 456 Mt. Pleasant Street., requesting that the petroleum storage at 456 Mt. Pleasant Street be REVOKED, said facility has not stored, used or kept fuel, motor or transmission oil at this location since the removal of the storage tanks in July of 1992; said facility removed and transported the tanks in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.

456 Mt. Pleasant Street - PETROL Strg Revocation.pdf

3. HEARING, ORDERED, that the following petroleum license hereby be REVOKED: 460 South Front Street, originally granted to Santo Christo Club on November 23, 1937 – one (1) underground 3,000 gallon storage tank. (NOTE: upon exposure of the inground tank and its placement below the foundation of the southeast wing of the building, it was found that removal of the tank would undermine the existing foundation and collapse would be imminent; therefore it was determined that the tank be filled and closed in place in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.)

3a. COMMUNICATION, Regina Gomes-Lopes, on behalf of her late husband Cecil M. Lopes Sr., of the, now closed, United Social Club, requesting that the petroleum storage at 460 South Front Street be REVOKED, said facility no longer stores, uses or keeps fuel oil; however, upon exposure of the inground tank and its placement below the foundation of the southeast wing of the building, it was found that removal of the tank would undermine the existing foundation and collapse would be imminent; therefore it was determined that the tank be filled and closed in place in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.

460 South Front Street - PETROL Strg Revocation.pdf

4. HEARING, ORDERED, that the following petroleum license hereby be REVOKED: 1253 Cove Road, originally granted to Merit Oil of MA, Inc. on March 26, 1991 – three (3) underground 10,000 gallon tanks, one (1) underground 10,000 gallon tanks and one (1) 550 gallon tank.  (NOTE: Tanks were removed in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.)

4a. COMMUNICATION, Glenn D’Antuono, Environmental Compliance Specialist of Northeast, 105 Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison, NJ, on behalf of 7-Eleven #2497, requesting that the petroleum storage at 1253 Cove Road be REVOKED, said facility was previously closed and all storage tanks were removed October 5, 2018; said facility removed the tanks in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.

1253 Cove Road - PETROL Strg Revocation.pdf

5. HEARING, ORDERED, that the following petroleum license hereby be REVOKED: 1499 Acushnet Avenue, originally granted to Bohler Engineering, PC on December 20, 2001– one (1) underground 15,000 gallon tank and one (1) underground 10,000 gallon tank. (NOTE: Tanks were removed in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.)

5a. COMMUNICATION, Glenn D’ Antuono, Environmental Compliance Specialist Northeast, 105 Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison, NJ, on behalf of 7-Eleven #33287, requesting that the petroleum storage at 1499 Acushnet Avenue be REVOKED, said facility permanently closed in 2018 and simultaneously had the storage tanks removed; said facility removed the tanks in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the State Marshall.

1499 Acushnet Avenue - PETROL Strg Revocation.pdf

6. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 50’ of 2-4” PVC Conduits in HERVEY TICHON BOULEVARD, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 198 Herman Melville Boulevard.

6a. AN ORDER,

7. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 14’ of 2-4” PVC Conduits in PURCHASE STREET, this work is necessary to provide electric service to the New Bedford Pedestrian Bridge over Route 18.

7a. AN ORDER,

8. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 13’ of 2-4” PVC Conduits in POTOMSKA STREET at MACARTHUR DRIVE, this work is necessary to provide electric service to the Commerce Terminal.

8a. AN ORDER,

9. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 45’ of 8-5” PVC Conduits in BOLTON STREET, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 302 Bolton Street.

9a. AN ORDER,

MAYOR'S PAPERS

M1.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a VETO of the Ordinance, amending Chapter 2, Article III – Relative to Clerk of Committees. (Veto Received and Ordered Spread on the Record – September 14, 2023.)

M1a.    AN ORDINANCE, (Passed to be Ordained – August 17, 2023.) (Veto Received and Ordered Spread on the Record – September 14, 2023.)

09.14.2023_VETO_-_CLK_OF_COMMITTEES_ORDINANCE.pdf

M2.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting two Orders that would collectively authorize the transfer to the City of the Horatio A. Kempton Elementary School at 135 Shawmut Avenue and the former William H. Taylor Elementary School located at 620 Brock Avenue, under the control of the City Council’s City Property Committee, for purpose of transfer or disposition.

M2a.    AN ORDER,

M2b.    AN ORDER,

COMMUNICATION-ORDERS FOR TRANSFER OF THE HORATIO A. KEMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & WILLIAM H. TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.pdf

M3.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a SEWER ABATEMENT for Afonso E. Miguel, 151 Carroll Street, New Bedford, MA in the amount of $4,335.54.

COMMUNICATION-SEWER ABATEMENT-AFONSO MIGUEL.pdf

M4.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a SEWER ABATEMENT for GDPires Realty Trust, 951 Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA in the amount of $717.27.

COMMUNICATION-SEWER ABATEMENT-GDPIRES REALTY TRUST.pdf

M5.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a SEWER ABATEMENT for Donna M. Foisy, 251 Irvington Street, New Bedford, MA in the amount of $102.81.

COMMUNICATION-SEWER ABATEMENT-DONNA FOISY.pdf

M6.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of IAN DALEY, Taunton, MA 02780, as a CONSTABLE.

M6a.    AN APPLICATION,

COMMUNICATION-CONSTABLE RE-APPOINTMENT- IAN DALEY.pdf

M7.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of RICKY NUNEZ, New Bedford, MA 02744, as a CONSTABLE.

M7a.    AN APPLICATION,

COMMUNICATION-CONSTABLE RE-APPOINTMENT-RICKY NUNEZ.pdf

NEW BUSINESS

10. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, Relative to Chapter 16, Article V, Sewer Charges.

10a. AN ORDINANCE, (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – April 28, 2022; To be Passed to a Second Reading, as amended.)

09.28.2023 - REPORT - AN ORDINANCE - SEWER CHARGES.pdf

11. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 3, Article I, In General - Relative to the Governing Airport Commission Membership.

11a. AN ORDINANCE, (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – May 25, 2023; To be Passed to a Second Reading.)

09.28.2023 REPORT - AN ORDINANCE - AIRPORT COMMISSION.pdf
ORDINANCE-Governing Airport Commission Membership.pdf

12. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the HOME RULE PETITION authorizing the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors of the City of New Bedford to be a non-resident.

12a. HOME RULE PETITION, (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – July 20, 2023.)

09.28.2023 REPORT - HOME RULE PETITION - ADMIN ASST. BD OF ASSESSORS.pdf
HOME RULE PETITION Authorizing a Non-resident Admin. Asst..pdf

13. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 19, Article II, relating to the residency of the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.

13a. AN ORDINANCE, (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – July 20, 2023; To be Passed to a Second Reading.)

 

09.28.2023 - REPORT - AN ORDINANCE - ADMIN ASST BD OF ASSESSORS.pdf
ORDINANCE-Residency Admin. Asst. Board of Assessors.pdf

14. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPLICATION, Russell Leite, d/b/a Pinnacle Auto Sales LLC, for a SPECIAL PERMIT for Motor Vehicle Sales and/or Rentals, at 1421 Cove Road, New Bedford, MA 02740.

14a. AN APPLICATION,

REPORT_A&B_APPROVAL_SPECIAL_PERMIT_PINNACLE_AUTO_SALES.pdf
MOTOR VEHICLE SPECIAL PERMIT - Pinnacle Auto Sales LLC.pdf

15. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPLICATION for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of CHRISTIAN A. CORNEJO CABRERA, 8 Calumet Street, New Bedford, MA 02744 d/b/a CABRERA TRANSPORTATION, 8 Calumet Street, New Bedford, MA 02744.

15a. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of CHRISTIAN A. CORNEJO CABRERA, 8 Calumet Street, New Bedford, MA 02744 d/b/a CABRERA TRANSPORTATION, 8 Calumet Street, New Bedford, MA 02744, 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, 2023 – June 30, 2024.) (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – July 20, 2023.)

REPORT_A&B_APPROVAL_LIVERY_CABRERA_TRANSPORTATION.pdf
NEW LIVERY - CABRERA TRANSPORTATION.pdf

16. REPORT, Committee on Appointments & Briefings, recommending that the City Council refer to the Committee on Ordinances the RELATED MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Chairperson of the Committee on Ordinances invite our local State Representatives, our State Senator, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes, Building Commissioner Danny Romanowicz, and a representative of Mayor Mitchell’s Office to the next or upcoming meeting to discuss ways that Section 3 of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, specifically the portion of said law that states – “Imposition of health and safety laws or land-use requirements on congregate living arrangements among non-related persons with disabilities that are not imposed on families and groups of similar size or other unrelated persons shall constitute discrimination.” impacts the number of homes and buildings being converted into rooming houses/sober houses in the City of New Bedford; and further, discuss if such language in said statute or other existing statutes can be altered or amended to allow the City of New Bedford to have more control over the regulation of land and building use for such purposes.

16a. RELATED MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Chairperson of the Committee on Ordinances invite our local State Representatives, our State Senator, City Solicitor Eric Jaikes, Building Commissioner Danny Romanowicz, and a representative of Mayor Mitchell’s Office to the next or upcoming meeting to discuss ways that Section 3 of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, specifically the portion of said law that states – “Imposition of health and safety laws or land-use requirements on congregate living arrangements among non-related persons with disabilities that are not imposed on families and groups of similar size or other unrelated persons shall constitute discrimination.” impacts the number of homes and buildings being converted into rooming houses/sober houses in the City of New Bedford; and further, discuss if such language in said statute or other existing statutes can be altered or amended to allow the City of New Bedford to have more control over the regulation of land and building use for such purposes.

REPORT_A&B_REFERRAL_COMMITTEE_ON_ORDINANCES.pdf

17. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances look to create, by Ordinance, a Beach Advisory Board to oversee different aspects of beach maintenance, programming and other beach related items.

17a. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances look to create, by Ordinance, a Beach Advisory Board to oversee different aspects of beach maintenance, programming and other beach related items (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances - February 23, 2023.)

09.28.2023 - REPORT -BEACH ADVISORY BOARD - NFA.pdf
NFA-BEACH ADVISORY ORDINANCE.pdf

18. COMMUNICATION/DEMOLITION, Anne Louro, Preservation Planner, to City Council, re: BUILDING DEMOLITION REVIEW: – 599 COTTAGE STREET, (MAP 71, LOT 370) a circa 1940, concrete block commercial accessory structure, advising that “the structure is not located in a National Register Historic District; the 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” “in light of these findings, the Preservation Planner has determined that the commercial accessory structure at 599 Cottage Street is neither a Historically Significant nor a Preferably Preserved Building.”  

DEMOLITION - 599 COTTAGE STREET.pdf

19. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of VALERY MORPEAU, 152 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 d/b/a J AND V, 152 Allen 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. (License will expire June 30, 2024.)

NEW LIVERY LICENSE J AND V.pdf

CONSENT

C1. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following streets be CLOSED: RUSSELL STREET, from Purchase Street to Acushnet Avenue AND MANNY COSTA WAY, from Acushnet Avenue to South Second Street, on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M., for the purpose of the GO GREEN CAMPAIGN “HARVEST FAMILY FUN DAY AND NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP”. PLEASE NOTE: RAIN DATE OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023.

Permission Granted.

C2. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, on behalf of the three waterfront businesses located on Hervey Tichon Avenue, that there be no parking allowed on the north and south side of the street, this request comes as a result of the business having problems getting deliveries from tractor trailers and tanker trucks.  (To be Referred to the Traffic Commission.)

Referred to the Traffic Commission.

C3. COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad, submitting a copy of a letter sent to Senior Sunset Supper and Social Friends, regarding her greetings to the group and thoughtful wishes to continue Thursday evening socials soon.

Received and Placed on File.

09.28.2023 COMMUNICATION - Letter from Council Pres. Morad.pdf

C4. 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 Health for a meeting held on July 20, 2023.

Received and Placed on File.

MEETING MINUTES.pdf

STREET OBSTRUCTIONS

C5.      120 County Street

C6.      47 North Second Street

C7.      Brownell Avenue at Harding Street

C8.      37 North Second Street

C9.      1277 Purchase Street

C10.    1500 Padanaram Avenue

STREET DISTURBANCES

C11.     Brownell Avenue at Harding Street

C12.    37 North Second Street

C13.    1277 Purchase Street

C14.    1500 Padanaram Avenue

C15.    174 Staron Street

C16.    25 Warren Street

C17.    Lot 37 – Victoria Street, Wildwood Road – Ashley Boulevard

C18.    1477 Sassaquin Avenue

C19.    38 Shore Street

C20.    118-120 County Street

C21.    145 Harvard Street

C22.    37 Kenney Street

C23.    528 Lantern Lane

C24.    152 Maryland Street

C25.    513 North Front Street

C26.    55 Rotch Street

C27.    52 Cottage Street

DUMPSTERS

C28.    32 Sidney Street

C29.    287 Rivet Street

C30.    268 Reed Street

C31.    69 Sagamore Street

C32.    53-55 Merrimac Street

C33.    76 Atlantic Street

C34.    102 Durfee Street

C35.    810-812 County Street

C36.    555 Belleville Avenue

C37.    749 Purchase Street

C38.    570 Maxfield Street

C39.    43 Shawnee Court

C40.    142 Fair Street

C41.    65 Forest Street

C42.    46 Frederick Street

C43.    935 Rockdale Avenue

C44.    322 Sawyer Street

PETITION FOR LOCATION

C45. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 165’ of Conduit and Cable and one (1) Manhole in SAWYER STREET, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 19 Jean Street.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.

C46. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 65’ of  2-4” Conduit in BROWNELL AVENUE, this work is necessary to provide electric service to Buttonwood Zoo at 425 Hawthorn Street.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.

C47. PETITION, Comcast for location of approximately 255’ of 3” PVC Conduit and one (1) Handhole in JOHNNY CAKE HILL, this work is starting at 15 Johnny Cake Hill and ending at 1 Johnny Cake Hill.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.

C48. PETITION, Verizon New England, Inc. for location of approximately 460’ of underground conduit line on UNION STREET, this work is necessary to bring service to an antenna on a  light pole at the corner of Union Street and Atlantic Street.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.

C49. PETITION, Verizon New England, Inc. for location of approximately 40’ of underground conduit line on ROCKDALE AVENUE, this work is necessary to bring service to an antenna on a  light pole at the corner of Rockdale Avenue, opposite Arnold Street.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.