New Bedford City Council Meeting - November 13, 2025

The New Bedford City Council convened on November 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. to address routine council business, public hearings regarding EverSource utility infrastructure, and several matters from the Mayor's papers. The meeting included public testimony from resident Kim Farrow in support of utility work, followed by significant deliberations regarding the appointment of the new Police Chief and the appropriation of funds to fight a legal appeal by South Coast Renewables. Two councilors, Joseph Lopes and Leo Shouquette, were absent due to a business commitment and illness, respectively.

Consent Calendar

• Item 4: Motion to approve the appointment of Maria Adamides as a constable for the City of New Bedford (Approved unanimously).
• Motion to adopt the consent calendar items as a whole (Approved unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kim Farrow (Resident of 1546 Purchase Street): Expressed full support for the plan to install conduit and a handhole on Purchase Street to provide electric service to her residence. She stated she is "here to speak in favor of it."

Discussion Items

• Eversource Public Hearings: All three items regarding Eversource manholes and conduit locations (1418 Akush Avenue/Dean Street, Bolton Street, and Purchase Street) were opened for public hearing. As no Eversource representatives attended, the hearings were continued to the November 25th meeting.
• Appointment of Police Chief (M1): The council received the mayor's nomination of Jason Thody for Police Chief. Councilor Sean Oliver expressed that while the appointment process has been delayed for months, the council's insistence on its charter role was a "victory for transparency, accountability, and the respect of this council." He argued that legal action was necessary to force the administration to recognize the council's role, noting it was disappointing that the administration only responded after the threat of litigation. Councilor Linda Morad apologized to Chief Thody on behalf of the chamber for the "embarrassment" and "uncomfortableness" he faced, stating "he didn't sign up for" the ongoing power struggle. She reaffirmed that the council would "stand up and push back" on the administration to protect their constitutional role.
• Health Department Appropriation for South Coast Renewables Appeal (M3): A motion to appropriate $153,000 (combined with a previously appropriated $100,000 by the council) to fund the Board of Health's legal defense against South Coast Renewables' appeal was debated. Councilor Linda Morad strongly opposed the Mayor's approach, criticizing the administration for ignoring a prior council request to appropriate $100,000 and for failing to communicate. She argued that the city should not have appropriated an additional $150,000 resulting in a total of $250,000, and questioned whether the original $250,000 appropriated for a different legal matter had been improperly used to sign a memorandum of understanding with the trash company. She stated, "You better not have sent that, spent that to sign a memorandum of understanding... to ruin the North End." She expressed frustration with the administration's lack of collaboration, stating, "if you work together, what is my colleague say? Success comes to those that work together." Councilor Brian Gomes echoed these sentiments, stating he was "sick and tired" of the administration ignoring council actions and taking sole credit while bypassing the legislative body.
• Street Obstruction Fund Ordinance (M4): The council discussed and agreed to amend Chapter 10 to establish a street obstruction and disturbances revolving fund under the Department of Public Infrastructure.
• Temporary Easement Agreement (M5): Councilor Naomi Carney urged the council to vote in favor of a temporary easement agreement between the airport commission, airport mini storage, and Eversource/Ameren. She stated the easement allows for transformer connections so solar panels can go online, emphasizing it is at "no cost to the city."
• Reconsideration of Health Insurance Appropriation (RC1): Council member Burgo moved to reconsider a October 23rd vote appropriating $750,000 for health insurance. The motion to reconsider was discussed and voted on, resulting in a failure to pass.

Key Outcomes

• Continued Hearings: Public hearings for Items 1, 2, and 3 (EverSource) were continued to November 25, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
• Police Chief Nomination: The appointment of Jason Thody was received, placed on file, and referred to the committee on appointments and briefings (Vote: 9-0).
• Loan Order: A loan order appropriating $5,703,804 for accelerated repairs at Wheeling City Junior and Senior High School was received and referred to the committee on finance (Vote: 9-0).
• Legal Defense Appropriation: An order appropriating $153,000 for the Board of Health's legal defense against South Coast Renewables was adopted. When combined with the previously appropriated $100,000 by the council, the total funding available for the appeal is $250,000. (Vote: 8-1, with Councilor Giesta voting no).
• Ordinance Adoption: The ordinance establishing the street obstruction and disturbances revolving fund was adopted (Vote: 9-0).
• Easement Adoption: The temporary easement agreement for the airport was adopted. (Vote: 9-0; Rule 40 was waived by a vote of 9-0).
• Park Commissioner Appointment: The appointment of George M. Viveris to the Board of Park Commissioners was received and referred to the committee on appointments and briefings (Vote: 9-0).
• Reconsideration Vote: The motion to reconsider the October 23rd health insurance appropriation vote failed (Vote: 3-6).
• Appointments & Petitions:
  • Maria Adamides appointed as constable (Approved unanimously).
  • Petition by Swift Sales for a waiver of residency license requirement was referred to the committee on appointments and briefings.
  • Letter from Joseph Gomes regarding property taxes was received and referred to the committee on finance.
  • Resignation of Daniel Higgins from the Water Board was received and placed on file.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.