New Bedford City Council Meeting - September 25, 2025

This meeting of the New Bedford City Council, held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber, addressed a range of routine and substantive items. The council approved two Eversource conduit installations, reappointed members to the Planning Board, approved seven new livery licenses, adopted the CPA annual budget, and passed a measure to authorize disposal of abandoned funds. A notable discussion centered on a motion requesting $100,000 for independent legal counsel for the Board of Health regarding a potential appeal of the South Coast Renewables project. The meeting concluded at 7:37 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Street closings for Pariseault Builders (Oct 2), New Bedford High School Band Competition (Oct 5), and Fall Fest 2025 (Oct 18) were approved.
• Street obstruction and disturbance permits for numerous locations (C4-C28) were granted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing portions for the Eversource conduit petitions or at any other point.

Discussion Items

• Eversource Hearings (Items 1 & 2): Two hearings were held for conduit installation on Wood Street (10 feet) and Orchard Street (40 feet). Councilor Giesta requested a police detail for Wood Street due to traffic. For Orchard Street, councilors discussed potential road closures near the DeVall School and suggested scheduling during school vacation if possible. Both orders were adopted with conditions.
• Mayor's Papers:
  • M1 (Airport lease with Sandpiper Air, Inc.) and M2 (donation of real estate from Wayland Development Corp.) were referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • M3 (Shayne Trimbell reappointment to Planning Board) and M4 (Peter Cruz reappointment to Planning Board) were approved by 11-0 votes.
  • M5 (Connor Worden appointment to Conservation Commission) and M7 (Maria Adamides constable appointment) were referred to the Committee on Appointments & Briefings.
  • M6 (Michael J. McCluskey constable reappointment) was approved directly.
• New Business:
  • Items 3-5: Three memorial dedications were approved (Antone T. Fortes plaque, Rochelli Lynn Paris bench, and Whaling City Youth Baseball League founders) and referred to the Park Board.
  • Item 6: A memorial plaque for Leontina Dacosta at Lincoln Elementary was approved, with referral to DPI and the School Department to determine property ownership.
  • Item 7: Heather Haggerty was appointed to the New Bedford Port Authority by an 11-0 vote and was sworn in.
  • Items 8-14: Seven new private livery licenses were granted (Glenda Reyes Transportation, Rafaela's Transportation, Magic Wheels Transportation, Miss Dee's Transportation, Transportation Cabrera Aguilar, Venancio Transportation, and MEL Transportation), all expiring June 30, 2026.
  • Item 15: The Health Department Compliance Programs Revolving Fund of $60,000 for FY26 was adopted.
  • Item 16: The Community Preservation Act (CPA) annual budget for FY26 was approved.
  • Item 17: Adoption of MGL Chapter 200A, Section 9A (abandoned funds) passed 10-1, with Councilor Lopes voting no.
  • Items 18-22: Six items were taken as no further action, including a citizen input referral, three transfer orders, and a related motion on school spending.
  • Item 23: Councillor Choquette moved to request $100,000 from the Mayor for the Board of Health to hire independent legal counsel for a potential appeal of the South Coast Renewables project. Councillor Morad noted that $250,000 had been previously appropriated for similar purposes and requested a detailed accounting. The motion to refer to the administration passed 11-0.
  • Item 24: The Assistant Attorney General's decision on an Open Meeting Law complaint was received and placed on file.
  • Item 25: A communication regarding the Port Authority's vote to sell 276 MacArthur Drive was referred to the Committee on City Property.
  • Item 26: The preliminary election warrant for October 7, 2025, was received and placed on file.
  • Item 27: The Board of Health decision and statement of findings for South Coast Renewables LLC was received and placed on file.
• Tabled Items: Two ordinances from September 11, 2025 (solar energy systems and accessory dwelling units) were removed from the table and referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Eversource conduit orders (with conditions), reappointments of Trimbell and Cruz to Planning Board, appointment of Haggerty to Port Authority, seven livery licenses, Health Department revolving fund, CPA annual budget, and MGL Chapter 200A Section 9A adoption (10-1).
• Referred: Airport lease, real estate donation, conservation commission appointment, constable appointment (Adamides), memorial dedications, Port Authority property sale, and the $100,000 request for Board of Health legal counsel.
• No Further Action Taken: Six items related to housing, tourism, facilities, resilience, and school spending.
• Consent Calendar: All street closings, obstructions, and disturbances were approved.
• Next Steps: The administration will consider the $100,000 request; the Finance Committee will review the detailed accounting of previously appropriated funds on October 16, 2025.