Appointment of District Fire Chief and Referral of Zeiterion Finance Motion - July 22, 2025
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Special City Council Meeting - July 22, 2025
The New Bedford City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:37 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting had two primary purposes: the appointment of Thomas Carreiro as District Fire Chief and a written motion concerning the financial and operating expenses of the Zeiterion Theatre. Council President Shane A. Burgo presided, with eight councilors present (Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver, Pereira). Two councilors were absent: Joseph P. Lopes (Ward 5) and Linda Morad (At-Large), whose letters of absence were read and filed.
Appointment of Thomas Carreiro as District Fire Chief
- Councilors received and placed on file a communication from Mayor Mitchell submitting the appointment of Thomas Carreiro as District Fire Chief. A motion to waive Rules 38 and 40 and grant the appointment was made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Gomes.
- The roll call vote passed unanimously, 8-0. Thomas Carreiro was then sworn in, taking the oath of office. He thanked the council and expressed his gratitude and pride in serving the city.
Motion Regarding Zeiterion Theatre Finances
- Councilors Pereira, Carney, and President Burgo sponsored a written motion requesting that representatives of the Zeiterion Theatre appear before the Committee on Finance to report on the theatre's financial and operating expenses.
- The motion was referred to the Committee on Finance by a voice vote, with Councilor Pereira making the motion and Councilor Carney seconding. All present voted in favor.
Key Outcomes
- Appointment confirmed: Thomas Carreiro was appointed District Fire Chief by an 8-0 vote and sworn in.
- Zeiterion motion referred: The request for a financial report from Zeiterion Theatre representatives was sent to the Committee on Finance for further review.
- Meeting adjourned: The meeting concluded at 6:44 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Yes, right here. Any time, any time is right now then, Gus. Here we go. Good evening, everyone. It is six thirty-seven p.m. It is Tuesday, July twenty-second, twenty twenty-five, and it is a special city council meeting, and we will begin this session in the Pledge of Allegiance, led by our Ward One Councillor Leo Choquet. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. 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 Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings. I'm joined in the chamber tonight by uh with my colleagues in government, Councillor at large, Ian Abrew, Ward One Councilor Leo Choquette, Councillor at Large, Brian Gomes, Ward Six Councillor Ryan Pereira, Councillor at Large and First Vice President Naomi Carney, Ward 3, Councillor Sean Oliver, and Ward 4, Councillor Derek Baptiste. I will ask the clerk if there are any letters to be read into the record. Mr. President, we have three. The first is from Councillor Lopes, dear Council President Burgo and Council members. I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend a special city council meeting on Tuesday, July 22nd to require business commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues in the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely, Joseph P. Lopes, Council of Ward Five. Dear Council President Burgo and Council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend the special meeting on Tuesday, July 22nd to a previous personal commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely Linda and Moret, Council at large. Motion to receive a place on file the communications that were just read by uh Councillor Avery, seconded by Councillor Oliver. Anyone on the question seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, the eyes have it. I'll ask the clerk to read items one and two together. Mr. President Item One is communication, Council President Burgo to Dennis Farrier, City Clerk, Clerk of the Council, calling a special city council meeting for Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 at 6 30 p.m. for the purpose of the appointment of Thomas Carrero as district fire chief and a written motion regarding the financial and operating expenses of the Zeterian Theater. Item two is a communication from Mayor Mitchell to the Council submitting the appointment of Thomas Carrero as district fire chief. Motion to receive in place on file. Grant the appointment of the district fire chief and wave rule 40. Second. Second. Motion has been made by Councilor Pereira to waive uh Rule 38 and 40 and grant the appointment. Seconded by Councillor Gomes. Anyone on the question? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. Councilor Abreu. Yes. Yes. Council Baptiste. Yes. Yes. Council Burgo. Yes. Yes. Councilor Carney.
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