New Bedford City Council Meeting – June 26, 2025

The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 7:05 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting was led by Vice President Carney (in the absence of President Burgo) and included prayer led by Reverend Dr. Sandra Whitley and the Pledge of Allegiance. Seven council members were present initially; Councilor Baptiste arrived later, bringing the total to eight. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. Key actions included approval of Eversource utility installations, adoption of several revolving funds (with one dissenting vote), rescission of over $118 million in unissued debt, restoration of $150,000 for the Acushnet River Rowing Center dock project, and approval of residency waivers for secondhand dealers.

Consent Calendar

• All items on the consent calendar (C1–C54) were adopted by a single motion. These included citations (e.g., Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance, new police officers, Father Michael Racine), street closures for special events (Cape Verdean Recognition Day, Kultura Fest, Hip Hop Festival, etc.), approvals of street obstructions and disturbances for various locations, and minutes from several boards and commissions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public hearings. The only testimony came from Jessica Elder, representing Eversource, who described the scope of the utility work.

Discussion Items

• Eversource Conduit Installations (Items 1–3): Three public hearings were held for underground conduit installation: 20 feet on Shawmut Avenue (service to 1166 Shawmut Ave.), 125 feet of conduit and one manhole on Spring Street (service to 278 Union St.), and 101 feet of conduit on Eighth Street (service to 278 Union St.). Jessica Elder stated that work would begin 7–10 days after approval and that disturbed areas would be restored. Councilor Gomes requested additional police details for traffic control on Spring and Eighth Streets. The hearings were closed and the orders adopted unanimously.
• Airport Lease Agreement (Item 4): Approved the lease between the New Bedford Airport Commission and the Trustees of the 5 Hangar Trust. Adopted without debate.
• Rescission of Unissued Debt (Item 5): Approved an order rescinding $118,876,793 in authorized but unissued debt. Roll call vote: 7–0 (Councilor Pereira absent).
• Acushnet River Rowing Center Dock Project (Item 6): Approved restoration of $150,000 in Community Preservation Act funds, bringing the total project funding to $2,000,000. Roll call: 7–0.
• Special Permit – Motor Vehicle Light Service (Item 7): Approved a special permit for Eric Medeiros d/b/a Hathaway Road Holdings, LLC, at 366 Hathaway Road. Voice vote, unanimous.
• Residency Waivers (Items 8 & 9): Initially tabled because only seven councilors were present (requiring eight votes). After Councilor Baptiste arrived, the items were removed from the table. Item 8 (Dionne R. Reyes d/b/a Saver’s Thrift Dept. Store, 1014 King’s Highway) granted a waiver of residency for a secondhand articles license. Roll call: 8–0. Item 9 (Jerome Alferes d/b/a Temptations Guitars and Comics, 2331B Acushnet Ave.) granted a similar waiver. Roll call: 8–0.
• Street Closings and Obstructions (Items 10–12): Approved a street closing of William Street (Bethel to North Water) and obstructions of North Water Street and Bethel Street from June 30, 2025, to December 31, 2026, for building demolition and sidewalk/street reconstruction. The south sidewalk on William Street will remain open. Voice vote, unanimous.
• Revolving Funds for FY2026 (Items 13–20): The council approved the following revolving funds for Fiscal Year 2026, with item 17 separated: (13) Adult Social Day Program – $330,000; (14) Demolition of Buildings and Structures – $133,000; (15) Vacant Building – $188,545; (16) Tangible Supply Disposition – $170,000; (17) Quest Center – $208,514; (18) Supportive Recreation FY25 amendment – $105,000; (19) Supportive Recreation FY26 – $120,000; (20) Fort Taber – $230,000. Items 13–16, 18–20 were approved by a single roll call vote: 7–0. Item 17 (Quest Center) was voted separately: 6–1, with Councilor Morad voting no.
• Tax Increment Exemption – Couto Residences (Item 21): Approved a resolution for a Tax Increment Exemption Housing Development Incentive Program agreement for Couto Residences at 4586 Acushnet Avenue. Roll call: 7–0.
• No Further Action on Motions (Items 22–29): The council accepted committee recommendations to take no further action on several older motions: (22) briefing by Primary Care for All Americans; (23) Hillman Street complex access issues; (24) HUD senior housing rules; (25) meeting with housing authority and Peabody Property; (26) HUD email response on Melville Towers; (27) creation of council social media pages; (28) new permitting system discussion; (29) I-195 to Route 18 interchange update. All waived and adopted unanimously.
• Body Art Ordinance Review (Item 30): A motion by Councilor Lopes to have the Committee on Ordinances review and revise the Body Art ordinance (Sections 4000 and 4200) was referred to the Ordinances Committee and Planning Board. Voice vote, unanimous.
• Guardrails at Hathaway Road and Rockdale Avenue (Item 31): Councilors Oliver and Gomes moved to request DPI to install guardrails at 1396 and 1379 Rockdale Avenue due to repeated motor vehicle accidents. After brief discussion, the motion was referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure and the Administration. Voice vote, unanimous.
• Residency Waiver Referral (Item 32): A petition from Justin Williamson d/b/a Side Quest Complete LLC for a secondhand articles license was referred to the Committee on Appointments & Briefings. Voice vote, unanimous.
• Board of Assessors CPI Adjustments (Item 33): Approved three orders implementing a 2.9% increase in property tax exemptions and income/asset limits for qualifying seniors and disabled persons for FY2026. Specific amounts: Clause 17 exemption to $406.24, assets for Clause 17E to $82,838.27; Clause 41/41B/41C income limits: single $26,921.43, married $31,066.86; asset limits: single $57,987.03, married $62,128.70. Roll call: 8–0.
• Memorial Bench (Item 34): A communication from Parks, Recreation and Beaches to place a memorial bench at Ash and Morgan Streets in honor of Rochelli Lynn Paris (“Coco”) was referred to the Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications. Voice vote, unanimous.
• DEP Waterways Application (Item 35): A notice that the city’s waterways application for dredging and stormwater drain construction at 0 Washburn Street was determined to be water dependent was received and placed on file. Voice vote, unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• Passed: All three Eversource conduit orders (Items 1–3).
• Passed: Airport lease agreement (Item 4).
• Passed (7–0): Rescission of $118,876,793 in unissued debt (Item 5).
• Passed (7–0): Restoration of $150,000 for Acushnet River Rowing Center dock (Item 6).
• Passed: Special permit for motor vehicle light service (Item 7).
• Passed (8–0): Residency waivers for Saver’s Thrift Dept. Store (Item 8) and Temptations Guitars and Comics (Item 9).
• Passed: Street closings/obstructions for William, North Water, and Bethel Streets (Items 10–12).
• Passed (7–0): Six revolving funds (Items 13–16, 18–20).
• Passed (6–1): Quest Center Revolving Fund (Item 17), with Councilor Morad dissenting.
• Passed (7–0): Tax Increment Exemption for Couto Residences (Item 21).
• Adopted: No further action on items 22–29.
• Referred: Body art ordinance review (Item 30) to Ordinances Committee and Planning Board.
• Referred: Guardrail request (Item 31) to DPI and Administration.
• Referred: Residency waiver for Side Quest Complete LLC (Item 32) to Appointments & Briefings.
• Passed (8–0): CPI adjustments for property tax exemptions (Item 33).
• Referral: Memorial bench application (Item 34) to Special Committee on Memorials & Dedications.
• Received and Placed on File: DEP waterways notice (Item 35).
• Tabled: The private livery license renewal for Gerana’s Transportation remained on the table.