New Bedford City Council Meeting - October 9, 2025

The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. Vice President Naomi Carney presided in the absence of Council President Shane Burgo, who was absent due to a family bereavement. The meeting opened with a prayer led by Pastor Leona Fisher of In the Name of Jesus Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The council addressed multiple ordinances, livery licenses, and a contentious discussion over emergency appointments to the Board of Election Commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.

Consent Calendar

• A citation honoring Steve Marshalek, Attorney General Chief of the Southeastern Massachusetts Division, for 24 years of service (adopted, to be presented later).
• Street closures approved: Purchase Street and Manny Costa Way for the Go Green Campaign Harvest Family Fun Day and Neighborhood Cleanup on October 18, 2025 (rain date October 19); Rockdale Avenue, Union Street, Pleasant Street, William Street, and County Street for the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremonies on November 11, 2025; Belleville Avenue for Dee’s Hot Dogs 40th Anniversary Block Party on October 17, 2025.
• Constable bond of $5,000 for Michael J. McCluskey with Western Surety Company approved.
• Meeting minutes from various boards (Assessors, Health, Library Board, Park Board, Planning Board, Public Health Excellence Collaborative, New Bedford Redevelopment Authority, New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District, Zoning Board of Appeals) received and placed on file.
• Street obstructions, disturbances, dumpsters, and a petition for a pole location on Hathaway Road (hearing ordered for October 23, 2025) were approved as part of the consent agenda.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Papers (M1-M3, M1a-M3a): Three ordinances were submitted by Mayor Mitchell: amending Chapter 9 Zoning Parking Requirements (Appendix C), amending Chapter 9 Zoning Dimensional Regulations (Appendix B), and amending Chapter 22 Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Works (curb cutting). All were referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board without objection.
• New Business Item 1: A report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending that legal counsel draft an ordinance amending Chapter 9 Zoning Appendix A (Principal Use Regulations) to revise categories including Motor Vehicle Light Service Station, Wireless Communications Facilities, Batch Asphalt and Concrete Plants, Biomass Recycling Facility, Contractor’s Yard, Freight Terminal, Heavy Materials Sales and Distribution, Material Salvage and Recycling Facility, and Recycling Collection Facility. The motion to refer to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board passed.
• New Business Item 2: A report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending no further action on Councillor Gomes’ motion to review the mobile food truck ordinance (Section 15-72) regarding locations, generators, and noise. The council voted to take no further action.
• New Business Item 3: A written motion from Councillors Lopes and Pereira requesting placement of two benches on the Cove Walk (one east, one west). Referred to the Mitchell Administration and the Planning Department.
• New Business Items 4-6: Applications for new private livery licenses from Jailene M. Guzman Carrero d/b/a DJ Transportation, Dulfeu Amado d/b/a Grace Transportation, and Joao M. Pires d/b/a Blue Line Transportation, all expiring June 30, 2026. Referred to the Appointments and Briefings Committee.
• New Business Item 7: Communication from Councillors Morad and Oliver submitting an email from Lisa Dunaway stating she will not seek reappointment to the Board of Election Commissioners. Received and placed on file.
• New Business Items 8 and 9 (Election Commission Appointments): These items sparked extended debate. Item 8 was a communication regarding Mayor Mitchell’s appointment of Patricia Lareau as a temporary Republican member of the Board of Election Commissioners. Item 9 was a similar communication for Daniel Higgins. Councillors Oliver and Morad criticized the administration for failing to act on the vacancy since February 2025, noting that Lisa Dunaway’s term expired in April and no replacement was sought until the 11th hour, just days before the preliminary election. Councillor Morad argued the mayor lacked legal authority to make an emergency appointment under Massachusetts law and accused the administration of bypassing the council’s approval role. The first candidate (Patricia Lareau) withdrew. After discussion, the council voted to reconsider Item 8 and take no further action (since the candidate withdrew). For Item 9, the council voted to reconsider and table the item until a formal appointment process is followed.
• New Business Item 10: A communication from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Waterways Regulation Program regarding a waterway license application from the New Bedford Port Authority for a change in use of filled tidelands and a marine bulkhead at 352 Herman Melville Boulevard. Received and placed on file.

Key Outcomes

• All three ordinances (M1-M3) were referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board.
• The food truck ordinance review was dismissed with no further action (unanimous).
• Three new livery licenses were referred to the Appointments and Briefings Committee.
• Item 8 (Patricia Lareau appointment) ended with no further action after the candidate withdrew.
• Item 9 (Daniel Higgins appointment) was tabled until a formal appointment is submitted.
• The consent calendar, including street closures, citation, bond, and minutes, was approved unanimously.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.