OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Bedford City Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

Default View — Tuesday, November 25, 2025
BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts
SessionDefault View
DateTuesday, November 25, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 37:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:50

Good evening, everyone.

0:52

It is Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, and it is 7 p.m.

0:59

And we will be led in prayer tonight by Pastor Morgan Proudfoot from Grace Harbor Church.

1:07

If the pastor is here.

1:10

No, the pastor's not here.

1:11

So instead, we're going to pivot to the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:15

Oh, actually, let's do a quick moment of silence, actually.

1:17

Let's do that, everyone.

1:19

Quiet reflection.

1:26

Thank you.

1:27

Now leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance is Councilor Ward 2.

1:31

Uh Maria Giesta.

1:35

To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:41

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:48

Thank you, Mr.

1:48

President.

1:49

Thank you.

1:51

Note this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

1:54

City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings.

2:00

I'm joined tonight in the chamber by my colleagues in government.

2:17

Counselor at large and second vice president, Linda Morad, Councillor at Large and First Vice President Naomi Carney, and the Ward 3 Councilor, Sean Oliver.

2:27

I'll ask the clerk if there's anything to be read into the record.

2:29

Mr.

2:30

President, there is a letter from Councillor Choquette.

2:32

Dear Council President Burgo and Council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend the City Council's meeting on Tuesday, the 25th, due to a previous business commitment.

2:43

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

2:48

Sincerely, Leo Shaket, Councilor Ward 1.

2:51

Motion received and place on file.

2:53

Motion to receive and place on file made by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Pereira.

2:58

Anyone on the question?

2:59

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

3:02

Any opposed, the ayes have it.

3:05

I'll ask the clerk to read item one under citation.

3:28

And with sincerest thanks for his lifelong efforts to enhance the lives of so many young people in our community.

3:35

Motion to adopt the citation, wave rule 23A and receive and place on file.

3:40

Motion to adopt the citation, wave rule 23A, um and receive place on file made by Councillor Morad, seconded by Councillor Baptiste.

3:51

Anyone on the question?

3:53

Uh seeing none asked the clerk to call the roll.

3:56

Counselor Abreu.

3:58

Yes, Council Baptiste.

3:59

Yes.

3:59

Yes, come to Burgo.

4:01

Yes.

4:01

Yes, Councilor Carney.

4:02

Yes.

4:03

Yes, Council Giesta.

4:04

Yes.

4:05

Yes, Councilor Gomes.

4:06

Yes.

4:07

Yes, Councilor Lopes.

4:08

Yes.

4:09

Yes, Councilor Morad.

4:10

Yes.

4:11

Yes, Councillor Oliver.

4:12

Yes.

4:12

Yes.

4:13

Council Pereira.

4:14

Yes.

4:14

Yes.

4:14

Passes 10 to 0.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████26%
Public Infrastructure███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Airport Operations██████6%
Education████4%
Summary of Proceedings

New Bedford City Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

The City Council of New Bedford convened on November 25, 2025, to conduct regular business, including public hearings on utility infrastructure projects, appointments to city commissions, and the adoption of loan orders for school repairs. Councilor Leo Shaket was absent. The meeting featured unanimous approvals for several infrastructure petitions, while one land donation item was referred back to the Finance Committee for further clarification regarding Community Preservation Act funds. The council concluded with a Thanksgiving message and the adoption of a motion to support a legal filing regarding the South Coast Renewables LLC appeal.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted a citation honoring Robert Chadwick and Bruce Olivera, updating the name of the Community Service Award at the Boys & Girls Club to include both names.
  • Adopted the appointment of Connor Warden to the Conservation Commission (passed 9-1).
  • Adopted the appointment of Cheryl Vivaris to the Traffic Commission (passed 9-1).
  • Approved new private livery licenses for Duray Arsanios (New Bedford Transportation LLC), Jalen M. Guzman Carrero (DJ Transportation), Dufeo Amado (Grace Transportation), and Joao Empires (Blue Line Transportation).
  • Adopted the order authorizing the Mayor to hire an Executive Finance and Operations Manager in the Auditor's Office (passed 8-2).
  • Adopted the lease agreement between the New Bedford Airport Commission and San Piper Air Incorporated (passed 8-1).
  • Passed to a second reading loan orders totaling over $29 million for accelerated repairs at four elementary schools and $200,000 for a feasibility study.
  • Waived second and third readings for items 19 and 20A, taking no further action.
  • Adopted a written motion to address a letter to the Bedford Board of Health and Attorney Adam J. Brodsky in support of relocating the South Coast Renewables LLC appeal to Bristol County Superior Court.
  • Reconsidered and adopted a motion to remove item 313 (March 13, 2025) regarding the renewal of a private livery license for Anna L. Valentin Burgos (Giranis Transportation Inc.) from the table.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jessica Elder (representing Eversource) provided project descriptions for utility work at 1418 Cushnav Avenue and 41 Rockdale Avenue. No speakers appeared in favor or against regarding these utility projects during the public hearing portions of the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Item 2 & 2A (Eversource - Cushnav Avenue/Dean Street): Councillor Giesta asked for clarification on the location of two proposed manholes. Jessica Elder confirmed one manhole would be at the corner of Cushnah and Dean, and the other at 90 Dean Street, with work extending approximately 212 feet. Elder stated the project would take no more than a week and traffic controls would be utilized.
  • Item 3 & 3A (Eversource - Bolton Street/Rockdale): Councillor Pereira clarified whether work would impact Rockdale Avenue. Jessica Elder confirmed all work would remain on the Bolton Street side and the project would take one to two days.
  • Item 4 & 4A (Eversource - Purchase Street): Councillor Baptiste raised concerns about traffic disruption near the fire station and businesses. Jessica Elder confirmed work occurs between 7 AM and 3 PM on average days and that neighbors and businesses will be notified.
  • Item 5 & 5A (Verizon - County Street): Councilor James Derry (Verizon) presented a request for conduit installation to serve a wireless node. A discrepancy arose regarding the street name (Allen Street vs. North/North-Hillman). Unable to confirm the specific location matching the agenda (County Street between North and Hillman), Councilor Oliver moved to continue the hearing to December 11, 2025, to gather correct information.
  • Item 14 (Wayland Development Corporation Donation): Councilor Morad moved to refer the item back to the Finance Committee. She stated that while some questions regarding the land acquisition and prior Community Preservation Act funding were answered, further clarification was needed from the assistant city solicitor and the developer before final adoption to ensure all party concerns were resolved.

Key Outcomes

  • Public Hearings Closed: Items 2, 3, and 4 (Eversource utility work) were closed with no opposition, and the corresponding orders were adopted unanimously.
  • Continued: Item 5 (Verizon) was continued to December 11, 2025, due to location clarification needed.
  • Appointments: Connor Warden and Cheryl Vivaris were sworn in to their respective commissions.
  • Referrals: Item 14 (Real Estate Donation) was referred back to the Finance Committee to resolve outstanding questions regarding Community Preservation Act funds.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM following a Thanksgiving message from Councilor Gomes.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. It is Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, and it is 7 p.m. And we will be led in prayer tonight by Pastor Morgan Proudfoot from Grace Harbor Church. If the pastor is here. No, the pastor's not here. So instead, we're going to pivot to the Pledge of Allegiance. Oh, actually, let's do a quick moment of silence, actually. Let's do that, everyone. Quiet reflection. Thank you. Now leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance is Councilor Ward 2. Uh Maria Giesta. 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. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. 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'm joined tonight in the chamber by my colleagues in government. Counselor at large and second vice president, Linda Morad, Councillor at Large and First Vice President Naomi Carney, and the Ward 3 Councilor, Sean Oliver. I'll ask the clerk if there's anything to be read into the record. Mr. President, there is a letter from Councillor Choquette. Dear Council President Burgo and Council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend the City Council's meeting on Tuesday, the 25th, due to a previous business commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues, those in attendance, and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely, Leo Shaket, Councilor Ward 1. Motion received and place on file. Motion to receive and place on file made by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Pereira. Anyone on the question? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Any opposed, the ayes have it. I'll ask the clerk to read item one under citation. And with sincerest thanks for his lifelong efforts to enhance the lives of so many young people in our community. Motion to adopt the citation, wave rule 23A and receive and place on file. Motion to adopt the citation, wave rule 23A, um and receive place on file made by Councillor Morad, seconded by Councillor Baptiste. Anyone on the question? Uh seeing none asked the clerk to call the roll. Counselor Abreu. Yes, Council Baptiste. Yes. Yes, come to Burgo. Yes. Yes, Councilor Carney. Yes. Yes, Council Giesta. Yes. Yes, Councilor Gomes. Yes. Yes, Councilor Lopes.

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