New Bedford City Council Meeting - June 12, 2025
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New Bedford City Council Meeting - June 12, 2025
The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included a public hearing, multiple items from the Mayor, reports from committees, new business, and a consent agenda. Key outcomes included the approval of a Verizon conduit installation with a police detail condition, the failure of a health insurance arbitration order (0-7), the tabling of two major loan orders, and the referral of a motion opposing Eversource's smart meter rollout.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the hearing or other items. The hearing on the Verizon conduit was opened and closed with no one speaking in favor or opposition.
Discussion Items
- Hearing - Verizon Conduit (Item 1): The Council held a public hearing for Network Building and Consulting, on behalf of Verizon, to install approximately 66 feet of conduit at the intersection of Union Street and Second Street. The petitioner stated the design was a revision. Councillors asked about road disruption, saw cuts, police details, and repair standards. The hearing was closed and the order was granted with the condition that a police detail be provided.
- Mayor's Papers M2 - Health Insurance Arbitration: A motion to adopt an order that would allow the city to request a neutral arbitrator during health insurance negotiations with municipal unions was defeated by a roll call vote of 0-7. All seven council members present voted no.
- Mayor's Papers M5-M17 - Budget Transfers: A series of 13 budget transfers totaling various amounts from Veterans Services and other departments were approved unanimously. These included transfers to Community Services, Labor Relations, Solicitor, Inspectional Services, City Clerk, EMS, Fire, Elections, Assessors, and Purchasing.
- Loan Orders (Items 2 & 3): Two loan orders were tabled: a $38.1 million order for water distribution and treatment system improvements (including lead service abatement) and a $32.2 million order for CSO control and integrated capital improvement plan projects.
- Livery Licenses (Items 4 & 5): A new private livery license and a renewal for Pathway Partners Transportation & Plus were approved.
- Appointments (Items 6 & 7): The Council approved the appointments of Angela Clarke to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities and James McKeag as an alternate member of the Planning Board.
- Rezoning (Item 8): An ordinance to rezone SS Bates Street from Industrial A to Residential C was passed to a second reading.
- Clasky Common TOD Overlay (Item 9): An ordinance establishing the Clasky Common Transit Oriented Development Overlay District (CC-TOD) and related amendments was passed to a second reading. Councillor Carney requested to be recorded in opposition.
- Public Hearings on Definitions (Item 10): The Council ordered the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board to hold public hearings regarding definitions, Section 1200, and Appendix A of the City Code.
- Motion on Eversource Smart Meters (Item 15): Councillor Abreu introduced a motion opposing Eversource’s smart meter rollout, citing concerns about monthly fees, opt-out penalties, unlicensed installers, and cybersecurity risks. The motion calls for the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to suspend the program pending comprehensive public review. The motion was referred to the state delegation, the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the DPU Chairman.
Key Outcomes
- Verizon Conduit Granted: Approved with condition of a police detail. (Voice vote, unanimous)
- Health Insurance Arbitration Order (M2): Failed 0-7. (Roll call: all no)
- Budget Transfers (M5-M17): Adopted. (Voice vote, unanimous)
- Reappointments (M18, M19): Tabled.
- Constable Appointment (M20): Referred to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
- Loan Orders (Items 2, 3): Tabled.
- Livery Licenses (Items 4, 5): Approved.
- Appointments (Items 6, 7): Approved.
- Rezoning (Item 8): Passed to second reading.
- Clasky Common TOD (Item 9): Passed to second reading (Councillor Carney opposed).
- Public Hearings (Item 10): Ordered.
- No Further Action (Items 11-14): Approved.
- Eversource Smart Meter Motion (Item 15): Referred to state officials.
- I-195 to Route 18 Project Update (Item 16): Referred to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
- Waiver of Residency (Item 17): Referred to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
- Memorial Dedications (Items 18, 19): Referred to Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications. (Roll call 7-0)
- CPA Budget (Item 20): Referred to Committee on Finance.
- Letter of Support (Item 21): Received and placed on file.
- Consent Agenda: Adopted. (Roll call 7-0)
- Adjournment: 7:35 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. It is Thursday, June twelfth, twenty twenty-five at seven oh three PM. And we will begin tonight's session with a prayer by Reverend Christopher Peschel from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. Our helpers in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. God, we come before you with gratitude. We thank you for being a God of love who is with us now in this very room. You never leave us or forsake us. Lord, we thank you for making each of us in this room, every person we meet, every citizen of this city in every city in your own image with dignity and infinite worth. We thank you for the calling that you've given each one of us to be good stewards of your creation, to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to trust you more more than our fears, more than our wounds, more than our accomplishments. May we be good neighbors, recognizing your image in every person here. In your holy name. Thank you. I want to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded. City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Befort's homepage under quick links, then meetings. I'll ask the clerk if there are any letters to be read into the record. Mr. President, we have three. The first is from Councillor Gomes. Dear Council President Burgo and Council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, June 12th, 2025, due to a previously scheduled commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues in the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely, Brian K. Gomes, Councilor at Large. Second is from Councillor Morrad, Dear Council President Burgo, and honorable members of the Council. I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the city council meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2025, as I will be attending the new bed for high school graduation ceremony at that time. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely, the M. Morad, Councillor at Large. And the third is from Councillor Lopes. Dear Council President Burgo and members of the Council, I am writing this letter to inform you that due to a work-related commitment, I will be unable to attend the city council meeting on Thursday, June 12th, 2025 at 7 p.m. I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues, those in attendance, and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely, Joseph P. Lopes, Counselor of Ward 5. Motion to receive and place all three communications on file. Motion received and place on file made by Counselor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Pereira. Anyone on the question? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. I'm joined in the chamber tonight by my colleagues in government, Counselor at Large Ann Abrew, uh Ward 2, Counselor Maria Giesta, Ward 1 Counselor Leo Choquette, Ward 6, Counselor Ryan Pereira, Ward 3, Counselor Sean Oliver, and uh Counselor at Large and First Vice President Naomi Carney. I'll ask the clerk to uh start with hearings. Number one. Mr. President, item one is a hearing from network building and consulting on behalf of Verizon of New England Incorporated for the location of approximately 66 feet of conduit at the intersection of Union Street and 2nd Street. One A is the order. Motion open the public hearing. Motion to open the public hearing made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Oliver. Anyone on the question? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.
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