Good evening, everyone.

It is Thursday, November 13th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

We are opening up tonight's city council session and being led in prayer by Jamie Wynne, the pastor of Grace Harbor Church.

Thank you so much.

Let's pray.

Lord God, you are gracious and merciful and kind and generous.

Lord, you are the creator of all things, and we look to you knowing that you hear the prayers of your people.

Uming that you look down sovereignly.

Um you look down as a God who is governing all things.

And so we look to you in trust and with confidence uh that you are leading and guiding your people as you see fit.

God, I do pray uh for these men and women.

I'm thankful for them.

I'm thankful that uh we have men and women who are willing to lead and care uh for our city.

Um I pray that you would uh give them wisdom and discernment and unity and and lead them and guide them with your spirit, God.

God, I pray for the flourishing of New Bedford.

I pray for its well-being.

I pray uh that that more and more we would see New Bedford as a as a place where um families flourish and thrive, where crime is is driven out, and injustice is served, where uh drug abuse and and violence are more and more we see them then put away.

And uh God, we need you for that, but we also thank you for the leadership of our city that helped serve in all these different ways.

Uh Lord, we we thank you now.

Uh we give you praise and glory.

We pray all this in Jesus' name, amen.

Amen.

Thank you.

Thank you, Pastor Wynne.

We're led tonight in the Pledge of Allegiance by Ward 3 Councillor Sean Oliver.

I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Amen.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

I want to note 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 also want to note that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the next regularly scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, November 25th.

The deadline to submit items for the agenda is 10 a.m.

on Thursday, November 20th, and the agenda will be released on Friday, November 21st.

I am joined uh in the chamber tonight by my colleagues in government, Councilor at Large, Ian Abreu, Council of Ward 2, Maria Giesta, Councillor of Ward 6, Ryan Pereira, Council of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councilor at Large and First Vice President Naomi Carney, Councilor at Large and Second Vice President Linda Morad, and I am Shane Burgo.

I will ask the clerk if you have anything to read into the record.

Mr.

President, we have two letters.

The first is from Councillor Lopes, dear Council President Burgo and honorable members of the council.

I am writing this letter to inform you that due to a business commitment, I am unable to attend the city council meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 7 p.m.

I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues, those in attendance, and the public aware of the reason for my absence.

Sincerely, Joseph P.

Lopes, Council Report 5.

The second is from Council Shouquette, dear Council President Burgo and honorable members of the council.

I am running to inform you that I'll be unable to attend the city council meeting on Thursday, November 13th, due to illness.

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence.

Sincerely, Leo Choquette, Councillor Ward 1.

Motion receive and place on file.

Motion receive and place on file the two communications made by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Uh tonight we have three hearings, all from Eversource.

We received communication uh uh just before the meeting began that there was an emergency with the representative from Eversource.

Um so we're without objection, I'm going to have the clerk read through the uh public hearings, and we're going to open those public hearings and just to see if anyone is here to speak on those items.

But then it will be my intention to ask from the floor uh someone to continue those public hearings to our next scheduled meeting.

So without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read those all three together.

Mr.

President, item one is a hearing from NSTAR Electric Company doing business as EverSource Energy for the location of two manholes and approximately 212 feet of conduit at 1418 Akush Avenue and Dean Street.

This work is necessary to provide service to 1418 of Cushna Avenue.

One A is the order.

The second is also a hearing from N-Star Electric doing business as Ever Source Energy for the location of approximately 10 feet of conduit and a handhole in Bolton Street.

This work is necessary to provide electric service to 41 Rockdale Avenue.

Two A is the order.

And item three is a hearing from NSTAR Electric Company doing business as Ever Source Energy for the location of approximately 15 feet of conduit and a handhole in purchase street.

This work is necessary to provide electric service to 1546 Purchase Street.

3A is the order.

Motion receive and place on file items one through 3A and open the public hearing.

Motion receive and place on file items hearings one through 3A and open the public hearing made by Council Oliver.

Second.

Seconded by Councilor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, the ayes have it.

Obviously, there's no one here from Ever Source to present on these items.

However, due to the fact that these were advertised, is there anyone here from the general public that is here to speak on these items from EverSource regarding the item from 1418 A Cushion Avenue and Dean Street or on Bolton Street or on Purchase Street?

If you'd like to come forward to the podium and state your name and address for the record and which item you're here to speak on.

So just your name and address for the record for our clerks.

And pull the mic right up to you.

Yep.

There you go.

Um Kim Farrow from 1546 Purchase Street.

My husband Joe and I are here.

And um we agree with that plan.

That's all I need to say.

So you're here to speak in favor of it.

Yes.

Okay.

Is that okay?

Yep, that's perfect.

Anyone else that wishes to speak in favor of in favor?

Anyone who speaks uh wishes to speak in opposition.

Speak in opposition, to be recorded in opposition, be recorded in opposition.

All right.

At this time.

Oh.

If you could, that would be great.

Council Abrew.

Using your microphone, please.

Yes, I thought it was on Mr.

President.

Uh motion uh to continue the public hearings on items one, two, and three to the full New Bedford City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 25th at 7 p.m.

in the New Bedford City Council Chambers.

Second.

Perfect.

So the uh Chair recognized the motion by Councilor Aber to continue the public hearing again, which is on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

here at the New Bedford City Hall, City Council Chamber, and that was seconded by Council Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

So just for uh um Kim, um this will be appear on our next uh council agenda on the 25th because Eversource was not here to present it.

So the public hearing will be continued to Tuesday, November 25th at 7 p.m.

Uh you've been recorded as being in favor of it.

Uh you are obviously free to come again if you'd like, but we do have your uh recorded uh testimony here.

Yes.

All right, we are on to mayor's papers at this time, and I just want to take a moment to recognize that ward for counselor Derek Baptiste has joined us as well as counselor at large Brian Gomes.

With that, I'll ask the clerk to read M1 from Mayor's papers.

Mr.

President, M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting the appointment of Jason Thhody as New Bedford Police Chief.

Motion receive and place on file and refer to the committee on appointments and briefings.

Second.

Motion referred to the committee on appointments and briefings made by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognized Council Oliver on his first.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I'll be brief as so this is just going to committee, but uh you know, here we are months um after the delay that the city council um has to appoint this position as we've thought we've needed to do, has been our our position the whole time uh from the beginning.

Um however, uh it is disappointing that it took the threat of legal action for the administration to recognize this body's role in the appointment and um of the uh police chief.

And it was only because of the pushback from this body that the police chief is in front of us for appointment or consideration for appointment.

This to me is a win for the people of New Bedford.

It's a victory for transparency, accountability, and the respect of this council and their role in this matter.

And we will uphold those those principles as we uh vet the chief.

There's no doubt, like I said before, that he will pass uh this committee with uh flying colors and get a favorable recommendation from the body.

Um but it like I said, it's just very disappointing to me that it came to the the the mere fact that we had to take the administration or were seeking to take the administration to court to get that uh judgment where we know uh that the city charter um, unless exemption uh of a particular um position um for a department head uh recognized the council's role and the police chief as that department head.

So uh this is favorable um for the people of the city, favorable for this council, and I look forward to continuing the process and appointing our next police chief to the city of New Bedford.

Thank you for the time.

Anyone else on there first?

Chair recognizes Councillor Morat on her first.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I'm only going to speak tonight because I'm I'm not sure how the process will work, and I'm not sure if I'll be sitting in this seat when you finally confirm the new chief.

So uh on behalf of the City of New Bedford, and I think all of us in this chamber, I'd like to publicly apologize to the chief for the way this administration began his career here in the city.

Um here's a gentleman who's coming from out of town, looking forward to a new opportunity.

Um, going to be the commander and uh leader of a group of men and women that serve the residents of the city of New Bedford, and he's embroiled in something that he has no he has no say in.

He he didn't sign up for this, I guess is what I'm actually saying.

And it's just a shame because the man's been serving since August.

Um he's doing a great job, as my colleague just said.

I don't think there's any doubt that there's going to be a confirmation process of this man, and he's gonna be the confirmed chief of police in the city of New Bedford.

But the embarrassment that maybe he feels or the uncomfortableness he may have felt over the last few months, not only with us, but maybe with the residents of the city because of this ongoing battle for no reason, for absolutely no reason.

Um, you know, your your comments and the filings that we filed in court said it basically simply there are two branches of government, we each have a role.

And um when one steps on the other one over and over and over and over, you know, finally the other one stands up and says no more.

I'm I'm sorry it happened with this gentleman, but I don't think it's the last time the council will stand up and push back on this administration.

So if I'm not here when he's confirmed, congratulations, chief, and welcome.

Um but if I'm here then then I'll applaud like everybody else.

Thank you for the time.

Anyone else on there first?

Anyone on their second?

Seeing none, the question at hand is on referral to the committee on appointments and briefings.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Submitting a loan order, appropriating $5,703,804 to pay costs of an accelerated repair project at the Wheeling City Junior and Senior High School M2A is the loan order.

Motion to receive and place on file, refer to the committee on finance.

Second.

Motion to receive and place on file and refer to the committee on finance made by Councillor Morad.

Seconded by Councillor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read M3.

Mr.

President, M3 is a communication from the mayor of the City Council, submitting an order appropriating 153,000 from ordinary revenue and municipal receipts to health department purchase of services.

M3A is the order.

Motion to adopt the order.

Second.

Motion to adopt made by Councilor Perrera, seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

On the question.

Chair recognized Councillor Moret on her first.

Mr.

President, colleagues.

Looks like we're giving the Board of Health $250,000 to fight the appeal of South Coast Renewables against the City of New Bedford for the treatment plant and waste processing terminals that's proposed for the New Bedford Business Park.

Why do I say that?

Well, a few weeks ago, this council requested that the administration appropriate 100,000 for the fight against this appeal that we now know is going to happen.

There was a process was forward forward followed the way it should be per Mass General Law.

Request was sent to the administration, and the administration basically ignored the council's request.

And so the council took the next logical step in the process and appropriated the hundred thousand dollars.

And that was done, signed, sealed, and delivered.

Council has the authority per mass general law to do that.

The CFO of the city is aware, and he has that money appropriated.

Here shows up a letter.

November 4th.

Says at the request of the Board of Health.

I don't know, you didn't read our request three weeks ago when we asked you to do this.

But at the request of the Board of Health, I'm submitting for the Council's approval the attached order appropriating $150,000 for legal fees for the Board of Health's defense in South Coast Renewables Parallel Products appeal of the Board's denial of the request for the site assignment of a new waste facility, including any potential appellate level defense.

One more paragraph.

The amount is based on the preliminary estimate developed by the Board of Health and consulting with its outside legal counsel.

The board intends to use these funds to pay for these services of this attorney who has a special expertise in this matter and will represent the Board of Health throughout the assignment process and has it has represented the board throughout the assignment process.

Isn't that what we said?

Now instead of sending us a letter when we sent the original request up saying, hey, I'm with you.

I know they need money, and I'm gonna I'm just waiting to figure out what they think the cost is going to be.

And I understand there's a deadline here.

I know you got to do it before we set the tax rate.

I'll make sure the appropriations before you before that time.

No, nothing.

Sent it back unsigned.

No communication with you, no communication with the attorney.

I I don't know if there was any communication with the maker of the motion, but nothing.

And then this shows up.

Almost like I'm I've ignored what you've done, and I've decided that this is what we're going to do.

Well, we're not, Mr.

Mayor, because now what happens if if we do this tonight, then this 150 plus the 100,000 that's already been appropriated, there'll be 250,000 to fight this appeal.

Now I know none of us probably think that's a bad thing.

But the bottom line here is once again, like I said a few minutes ago, if you work together, what what is what is my colleague say?

Success comes to those that work together.

I hear that all the time from behind me.

If you just told us that you were waiting for the right to get the number, we'd say, okay, good, we're all on the same page.

But that's not what you did.

And now, when the CFO presents the information for us for tax classification, there better be $250,000 waiting for this defense.

The $100,000 we appropriated and this $150 now.

Now I talked to legal counsel and I said, hey, what do you say we cut this and make it only so that there's $150, the $100 we did and the $50 that we um that the mayor is requesting here, together they make $150.

Legal counsel said, oh, don't do that.

Then it'll be all over you saying you, well, the hundred thousand you did wasn't right, and now they only got 50 and you're hurt.

So, okay.

So we'll do it your way, Mr.

Mayor.

Now they got 250.

Hopefully, you don't have to spend it.

I'm still trying to figure out what you did with the original 250 that we appropriated to fight the um to fight the parallel products.

You better not have sent that, spent that to sign a memorandum of understanding with this trash company to ruin the North End.

But we'll see, because that's going to audit where we'll use the powers and audit to get the records that we need to see where that money went.

But if there's any money left from that, then there will be 250,000 plus to fight this disaster in the North End.

So I couldn't, I couldn't not stand and laugh about this.

But once again, if you work together and you communicate, instead of just thinking that it's all you, because it's not all you.

I love this line.

It's not King Mitchell.

It's not.

And maybe we should have some protests outside of City Hall.

We have them on the corners against Trump.

Maybe we should have one outside in front of City Hall against King Mitchell.

Thank you.

Anyone else on there first?

Chair recognizes Councillor Gomes on his first.

Thank you very much, Mr.

President.

The only reason I'm standing up is because uh the good colleague from the North End success is comes to those who work together.

That's right.

I'll say it over and I'll say it over and I'll say it over.

Some people don't understand that English.

Some people feel that they are who they are, and they're the almighty.

And this reminds me of the action here of what the my colleague was trying to say.

It's almost like action that's taken on the city council is forget about it for a little while.

Forget about it, or push it aside, and then all of a sudden here it is.

This administration has done everything from take credit for streets being turned into two ways and curves cut back.

Action of this city council.

Action of this city council.

And other things.

And I'm going to tell you right now, gonna give you you got 250,000.

We want to know what happened to the original money that was as it was set here tonight that was there to fight against this, but it ended up signing an agreement with them.

What are you gonna do with this money?

Is it going to be another agreement?

This this lawyer is supposed to know everything about the challenge that is before us, before the Board of Health.

Is that what's going to go happen?

I have to stand up and just say something.

Just a little sick and tired of it.

A little sick and tired of it.

But he gets away with it because you know why?

It's only heard in this room.

Or it's only heard with the people who hear it at home.

Remember, you got a media outlet out there that is not reporting the news.

They're reporting what they want, if they want, when they want.

And that's why I've stood here and to take a word out of Donald Trump's mouth.

Fake news.

Anyone else on there first?

Anyone on their second?

Seeing none, the motion at hand is on adoption.

All those in favor say aye.

Oh, roll call has been requested.

Oh.

Council Abrew.

Yep.

Yes.

Council Baptiste.

Yes.

Yes, Council Burgo.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Carney.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Giesta.

No.

No.

Council Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Morad.

Plus 100 makes 250.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 8 to 1, Mr.

President.

Passes 8 to 1.

I'll ask the clerk to read M4.

Mr.

President M4's communication from the mayor to the council.

Submitting an ordinance amending chapter 10, Section 10-47, Departmental Revolving Funds to establish the street obstruction and disturbances revolving fund under the control of the Department of Public Infrastructure.

M4A is the ordinance.

Refer to the committee on ordinance.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Any of that was a resounding aye, huh?

Very enthusiastic.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read M5.

Mr.

President M5's communication from Mayor Mitchell to the council.

Submitting an order of temporary easement agreement between the airport commission, airport mini storage, and Eversource.

This easement will expire on July 31st of 2034.

M5A is the order, and M5B is the temporary easement agreement.

Motion adopt the order.

Second.

Motion to adopt me by Councillor Gomes, seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognize Councillor Carney on her first.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this temporary easement.

They have been looking at this easement for a couple of years now, and it's at no cost to the city.

It's to allow EverSource and Star Electric to put all the uh connections to in the transformer up so we can get those solar panels online.

So it's plain and simple agre agreement here, lease um temporary lease, excuse me, temporary easement.

So um I'm just urging my colleagues to move this forward so we can get those solar panels online and Mr.

Bulgaras have been waiting for a long time for this.

Thank you.

Anyone else on there first?

Anyone on oh anyone else on there second?

We just said okay, great.

So the motion at hand is on adoption.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

The ayes have it.

Motion to wave rule 40.

Motion to waive rule 40, made by council Morad.

Seconded by Councilor Carney.

Anyone on the question of waiving rule 40?

Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on waiving rule 40.

Council Abreu.

Yes.

Yes, Council Baptiste.

Yes, Council Burgo.

Yes.

Yes, Council Carney?

Yes.

Yes, Council Giasta?

Yes.

Yes.

Council Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Morrad.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 9 to 0.

Passes 9 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read M6.

Mr.

President, M6 is a communication from Mayor Mitchell to the Council.

Submitting the appointment of George M.

Viveris of New Bedford to the board of park to the Board of Park Commissioners, replacing Lee Blake, who has resigned.

And this term will expire in May of 2026.

Motion to receive and placement file and refer to the committee on appointments and briefings.

Second.

Motion to refer to the committee on appointments and briefings made by Council Oliver, seconded by Council Morad.

Anyone on the question.

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read the reconsideration.

RC1.

Mr.

President, RC1 is reconsideration.

Council Burgo.

Having voted with the prevailing side on the question of adoption of an order submitted by Mayor Mitchell for the appropriation of $750,000 from ordinary revenue and municipal receipts to health insurance purchase of services at the regular city council meeting held on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.

Hereby files a motion to reconsider said vote.

And RC1A sorry is the original order submitted by the mayor.

So first we would need a motion to reconsider.

Motion to reconsider.

Made by Councillor Pereira.

And a second by Council uh Councilor Gomes, did you second?

Okay.

Seconded by Councilor Gomes.

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

On reconsideration, Councilor Abreu?

No.

No.

Council Baptiste.

No.

No, Council Burgo.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Carney?

No.

No.

Council Giesta.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Gomes.

No.

No.

Council Morad.

No.

No, Councilor Oliver.

No.

No.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Fails three to six.

Mr.

President.

Fails three to six.

All right.

We're on to new business.

Item four.

Mr.

President, item four is a report from the committee on appointments and briefings.

Recommending to the City Council approval of the appointment of Maria Adamides of New Bedford, Massachusetts as a constable for A is her application.

Motion to approve made by Councilor Avery, seconded by Councilor Baptist.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item five.

Mr.

President, item five is a petition from Consia Swift and Justin Swift of East Freetown, Massachusetts, doing business as a Swift Sales at 127 West Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford.

Requesting a waiver of residency in accordance with section 15-38 of the city code to obtain a license to deal in junk, old metals, or any other secondhand articles.

Motion briefings.

Motion referred to the committee on appointments and briefings made by Council Pereira, seconded by Council Morad.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item six.

Mr.

President, item six is a communication from Council Morad.

Submitting a letter from Joseph Gomes expressing his concerns regarding property taxes and senior adjustments, highlighting the difficulties seniors face in making ends meet and remaining in their homes.

Motion received and place on file refer to the committee on finance.

Second.

Motion received and place on file and referred to the committee on finance made by Council Morrad, seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item seven.

Mr.

President, item seven is a communication from Daniel Higgins to the Council.

Submitting a letter, a letter of resignation dated October 28th, 2025 for the New Bedford Water Board.

Effective immediately.

Motion to receive the place on file.

Second.

Motion received and place on follow made by Council Oliver.

Seconded by Councilor Morad.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Motion is adopted.

Motion to take up and adopt consent made by Councilor Avery.

Second seconded by Councilor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Motion to adjourn made by Council Oliver.

Seconded by Councillor Baptiste.

Thank you guys so much for helping me out tonight.

I want to stand.

Such a great help.

All right.

Anyone on the question of adjournment?

I assume not.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

We are adjourned at 7 31 p.m.

Great work, everyone.

Derek, I need a couple seconds.