CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
7:00 PM

1.  HEARING, Network Building + Consulting on behalf of VERIZON New England, Inc. for location of one (1) 45-foot Midspan Pole and one (1) Cable in HATHAWAY ROAD, near 19 Hathaway Road.

1a.  AN ORDER,

M1.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a LOAN ORDER, appropriating $17,421,338.00 for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to City-owned buildings including, but not limited to, projects for the repair and renovation of public safety facilities, recreational facilities, general office space, replacement of capital equipment and vehicles, and roads and infrastructure improvements.

M1a.    LOAN ORDER,

M2.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a LOAN ORDER, appropriating $21,865,465 for accelerated repair projects at the Sgt. William Carney Memorial Academy, Hayden-McFadden Elementary School and Casimir Pulaski Elementary School.

M2a.    LOAN ORDER,

M3.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a LOAN ORDER, appropriating $7,911,603 for accelerated repair projects at the Elwyn G. Campbell Elementary School, Ellen R. Hathaway Elementary School and Carlos Pacheco Elementary School.

M3a.    LOAN ORDER,

M4.   COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a LOAN ORDER, appropriating $200,000 to pay the costs of a schematic design/feasibility study as required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority with respect to the proposed accelerated repairs to the Trinity Day Academy.

M4a.   LOAN ORDER,

M5.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a RESOLUTION, adopting the 2025 City of New Bedford Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

M5a.    RESOLUTION,

M6.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, that in accordance with Section 19-7(c) of the New Bedford Code of Ordinances, the Mayor is hereby authorized to advertise, negotiate the salary of and hire, between now and March 1, 2026, for the position of Executive Finance and Operation Manager in the Auditor’s Office.

M6a.   AN ORDER,

M7.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $1,076.00, from FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION to FIRE OTHER CHARGES AND EXPENSES.

M7a.    AN ORDER,

M8.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of DANIEL HIGGINS, New Bedford, MA to the ELECTION COMMISSION, replacing Lisa Dunaway, who has resigned; this term will expire April 2029.

M9.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of CHERYL ANN VIVEIROS, New Bedford, MA to the TRAFFIC COMMISSION, replacing Angela Johnston, whose term expired in December 2024; this term will expire in December 2027.

2.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, for the TRANSFER of $132,572.00 from POLICE PURCHASE OF SERVICES to MIS PURCHASE OF SERVICES.

2a.   AN ORDER, (Referred to the Committee on Finance – August 21, 2025.)

3.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, that pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5B, to establish a Stabilization Fund to be called Cable Television Public Education and Government Access Stabilization Fund.

3a.   AN ORDER, (Referred to the Committee on Finance – August 21, 2025.)

4.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, for the APPROPRIATION of $750,000.00 from ORDINARY REVENUE AND MUNICIPAL RECEIPTS to HEALTH INSURANCE PURCHASE OF SERVICES.

4a.   AN ORDER, (Referred to the Committee on Finance – July 17, 2025.)

5.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending that the City Council refer the following matter to the Committee on Audit: WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Burgo, Giesta, Gomes, Markey, Morad and Carney, requesting that within the next 30 days, the City Auditor, City Solicitor and Interim Chief Financial Officer provide a detailed accounting of all monies spent to date from the $250,000 appropriated by the City Council in August 2019 to retain the Boston based municipal law firm KP Law, PC to fund legal expenses in conjunction with the City’s opposition to the expansion of Parallel Products; and further that in addition to said detailed accounting the City Council Committee on Finance be provided with copies of all invoices from KP Law, PC, or any other companies, reflecting itemized explanations for services provided.

5a.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Burgo, Giesta, Gomes, Markey, Morad and Carney, requesting that within the next 30 days, the City Auditor, City Solicitor and Interim Chief Financial Officer provide a detailed accounting of all monies spent to date from the $250,000 appropriated by the City Council in August 2019 to retain the Boston based municipal law firm KP Law, PC to fund legal expenses in conjunction with the City’s opposition to the expansion of Parallel Products; and further that in addition to said detailed accounting the City Council Committee on Finance be provided with copies of all invoices from KP Law, PC, or any other companies, reflecting itemized explanations for services provided. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – August 18, 2022.)

6.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending that the City Council refer the following matter to the Committee on Audit: WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Morad and Markey, requesting that City Solicitor Mikaela McDermott, Environmental Stewardship Director Michele Paul and Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky appear before the Committee on Finance to brief the Committee on the status of outside counsel representing the City of New Bedford in the proposed Parallel Products development in the New Bedford Business Park; and further the Committee on Finance be briefed on the City's plan of action with regard to Final Environmental Impact Report that Parallel Products recently filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

6a.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Morad and Markey, requesting that City Solicitor Mikaela McDermott, Environmental Stewardship Director Michele Paul and Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky appear before the Committee on Finance to brief the Committee on the status of outside counsel representing the City of New Bedford in the proposed Parallel Products development in the New Bedford Business Park; and further the Committee on Finance be briefed on the City's plan of action with regard to Final Environmental Impact Report that Parallel Products recently filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – January 28, 2021.)

7.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, Councillor Morad, submitting the previously requested report from Josh Amaral, Director of Housing and Community Development, providing a listing of all projects funded within the Community Development Block Grant Funding Budgets for FY2021 through FY2025.

7a.   COMMUNICATION, Councillor Morad, submitting the previously requested report from Josh Amaral, Director of Housing and Community Development, providing a listing of all projects funded within the Community Development Block Grant Funding Budgets for FY2021 through FY2025. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – May 08, 2025.)

8.   REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting that Joshua Amaral, Director of Housing and Community Development, provide the Committee on Finance a complete listing of all projects funded within the Community Development Block Grant Funding Budgets for FY2021, FY2022, FY2023, FY2024 and FY2025; said listing is intended to provide the reader with a comparative overview to determine the changes in projects funded and/or the amounts granted over the five (5) year period.

8a.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting that Joshua Amaral, Director of Housing and Community Development, provide the Committee on Finance a complete listing of all projects funded within the Community Development Block Grant Funding Budgets for FY2021, FY2022, FY2023, FY2024 and FY2025; said listing is intended to provide the reader with a comparative overview to determine the changes in projects funded and/or the amounts granted over the five (5) year period. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – April 10, 2025.)

9.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that Mayor Mitchell and Police Chief Thody consider immediately filling vacant positions within the New Bedford Police Department, including the Deputy Chief position, the North End Captain position and several sergeant positions; these leadership positions are needed for the successful operation of the New Bedford Police Department. (To be Referred to the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, Mayor Mitchell and Police Chief Thody.)

10.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lopes, requesting, on behalf of the family of Elaine Lima, that the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications consider a suitable memorial in honor of Mrs. Lima’s continued support of the City of New Bedford and the Downtown Business Community. (To be Referred to the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications.)

11.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Choquette, requesting, that pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 33, that the City Council (after having made request of the Mayor on September 25, 2025, and said requested funds having not been appropriated by the Mayor after seven days of said request) make appropriation of $100,000 for the special purpose of providing funds to the Board of Health to acquire independent legal representation for the anticipated appeal of its decision to reject the Southcoast Renewables/Parallel Products project due to the City Solicitor's office having a potential conflict resulting from the Mayor's agreement with the company to not contest the company's proposed project and location.

12.   COMMUNICATION, Councillor Lopes, submitting petitions signed by City residents regarding the number of sober homes, group homes and rooming houses being established in residential areas of the City. 

13.   COMMUNICATION, Manuel DeBrito, Board of Election Commissioners, to City Council, submitting the Municipal Election Warrant for TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025, this warrant has been signed by the majority of the City Council and will be posted on the 7^th day prior to the Election date as mandated by M.G.L. c43, §44A, a copy of this warrant will be posted at each polling location. (To be Received and Placed on File.)

14.   COMMUNICATION, Dennis W. Farias, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting a copy of a certificate and a written instrument from MassDOT, informing that on September 24, 2025, the MassDOT-Highway Division altered the location of a section(s) of Interstate Route 195 in New Bedford.

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.)

10/09/2025   COMMUNICATION, Councillors Morad and Oliver, submitting a copy of letter from Mayor Mitchell to the Board of Election Commissioners, regarding the appointment Daniel Higgins as the temporary Republican member to fill the Board’s vacancy.

C1.   CITATION, Councillor Morad, honoring the NEW BEDFORD MUSIC ACADEMY, INC., in recognition of the Ashley Boulevard Ribbon Cutting Celebration – where with instruction and encouragement, the talents of music students shine and dreams of performance come true.

Adopted, and presented at a later date.

C2.   WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of Pariseault Builders, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: a portion of PURCHASE STREET, from William Street to Mechanics Lane, ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025, FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M., for the purpose of demobilization of roofing materials. (PLEASE NOTE: Police detail will be provided; rain date of Friday, October 17th.)

GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANE A. BURGO ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2025, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025.

Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.

C3.   COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, notifying that the Office of the City Clerk has received Meeting Minutes from the Board of Assessors for a meeting held on September 25, 2025.

Received and Placed on File.

C4.       24-26 Wing Street

C5.       1418-1440 Acushnet Avenue

C6.       301 Arnold Street

C7.       540 Acushnet Avenue to the intersection with Pearl Street

C8.       278 Union Street

C9.       278 Union Street

C10.     50 Foley Drive

C11.     796 Mt. Pleasant Street

C12.     819 Tarkiln Hill Road

C13.     551 Church Street

C14.     57 State Street

C15.     301 Arnold Street

C16.     540 Acushnet Avenue to the intersection with Pearl Street

C17.     278 Union Street

C18.     278 Union Street

C19.     50 Foley Drive

C20.     796 Mt. Pleasant Street

C21.     819 Tarkiln Hill Road

C22.     551 Church Street

C23.     57 State Street

C24.     370 Teresa Street

C25.     48 Babbitt Street

C26.     195 Whitman Street

C27.     543 Maxfield Street

C28.     278 Union Street

C29.     125 Fair Street

C30.     117 Locust Street

C31.     118 Locust Street

C32.     57 Sylvia Street

C33.     122-124 Norman Street

C34.     430-432 Sawyer Street

C35.     935 Rockdale Avenue

C36.     945 Tradewind Street

C37.     164 Maxfield Street

C38.     141 Hemlock Street

C39.     132 Rotch Street

C40.     75 Mosher Street

C41.   PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of two Manholes and approximately 212’ of Conduit at 1418 Acushnet Avenue and Deane Street, this work is necessary to provide service to 1418 Acushnet Avenue

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025.

C42.   PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 10’ of Conduit and a Handhole in Bolton Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 41 Rockdale Avenue.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025.

C43.   PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 15’ of Conduit and a Handhole in Purchase Street, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 1546 Purchase Street.

RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025.