OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

December 16, 2025: Committee on Appointments and Briefings Summary

Default View — Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts
SessionDefault View
DateTuesday, December 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:10:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:48

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the committee on appointments and briefings.

0:53

It is December 16th, 2025, and it is 701.

1:00

Note this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

1:03

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

1:10

Joined in the chamber are my colleagues in government.

1:25

And Councillor Lodge and Council President, Shane Burgo.

1:29

And myself, Naomi Carney, Council Lodge, and the Chairman of the Appointments and Briefings.

1:33

Thank you all for coming.

1:34

Do we have anything to read in the record?

1:36

I have uh two letters and a uh communication to uh notify you of.

1:41

This first letter is from Councillor Giester.

1:43

I'm writing to inform you that I will unable to attend the Committee on Appointment Briefings meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7 p.m.

1:51

due to a prior commitment.

1:52

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

1:57

Second letter is from Councillor Morat.

1:59

I'm writing this letter to inform you that I will be unable to attend the Committee on Appointments briefings meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 7 p.m.

2:08

due to a prior commitment.

2:08

And I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of my absence.

2:16

Motion made by Councillor Gomez second by Council Burgo.

2:20

All in favor say aye.

2:21

Oppose the ayes have it.

2:23

Madam Chair, just a point of information.

2:24

Counselor Oliver just texted me to let you know and the public know he's about ten minutes late, he's running behind.

2:30

Okay, just for the record.

2:31

Thank you.

2:31

And I also received a communication from Councillor Lopes that he had an family emergency and will not be in attendance tonight.

2:38

Yes, and I just want to make note that um councillor Lect, James Roy is also with us this evening.

2:44

Thank you for coming.

2:46

Item number one is citizens' input time not to exceed the first thirty minutes of the meeting.

2:59

City transparency, it was referred to on November 18th, 2025.

3:03

Mr.

3:04

Lamontang.

3:19

I'm here to establish record.

3:22

For over two years, a nine-unit residential property in this city existed with a documented outdoor rat infestation in a high traffic area.

3:30

The primary source, a dumpster with a hole in the bottom of it, actively attracting rodents.

3:36

It was known, it was visible, and it was preventable.

3:39

Residents called the Department of Health only after police intervention did the Department of Health inspect the property.

3:46

At that point, the conditions were classified as rat activity.

3:54

No distinction was properly applied.

4:17

After exposure, not prevention.

4:20

That is not diligence, that is reaction.

4:23

What concerns me most is not rats, it's process.

4:26

When enforcement language shields landlords, when follow-up disappears, and when accountability only arrives after public pressure, the system no longer serves residents.

4:37

It only serves to protect itself.

5:01

Because when systems fail quietly, accountability disappears, and the public pays the price.

5:09

Thank you.

5:09

I'll continue with Mr.

5:10

Mellow's portion.

5:12

Honesty is the backbone of credibility.

5:15

Under 105 CMR 410-550, a department of health inspection is required to determine two things.

5:22

Whether a property is free from rodents and whether conditions exist that permit rodent harborage or feeding.

5:29

In this case, rodent borough holes were observed on the south side of the property, which legally establishes rodent presence.

5:37

Once boroughs are observed, 410-550 requires evaluation of all related indicators, including droppings, tunneling, feeding activity, nesting, and environmental food sources, especially dumpsters.

5:51

That required evaluation did not occur.

5:55

Instead, the inspection record relies on an off-property photograph which omits on-property conditions, including a dumpster and food source known to attract rodents, and therefore fails to document the actual conditions present on the inspected premises.

6:11

Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 11, Section 122, the Board of Health has an affirmative non-discretionary duty to identify and abate new nuisances injurious to public health.

6:25

An inspection that omits known on-property rodent conditions cannot lawfully support a nuisance determination or enforcement action.

6:34

Following these inspection failures, I Kevin met directly with the Director of Health, where he detailed at length procedural deviation and property circumvention and presented video and photographic evidence documenting on-property conditions.

6:50

Immediately after that meeting, a non-public meeting occurred between Director Stephanie Sloan, the city solicitor Eric Jakes, and Catherine Schuko, defense attorney, from what we understand.

7:00

Concerning this same matter, neither meeting, mine, well his, nor the subsequent internal meeting appears in the public record.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural████████████12%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Workforce Development███3%
Public Health██2%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

December 16, 2025: Committee on Appointments and Briefings

The Committee on Appointments and Briefings convened on December 16, 2025, to receive public testimony regarding city transparency and rat infestations, continue a public hearing for a motor vehicle special permit, and evaluate candidates for the position of New Bedford Police Chief and the Board of Park Commissioners. Council members engaged in extensive questioning of Chief nominee Jason Thurdy regarding his management strategies, staffing morale, and communication protocols before the committee voted to refer all appointments to the full City Council.

Consent Calendar

  • Received and placed on file: Letter of absence from Councillor Giester.
  • Received and placed on file: Letter of absence from Councillor Morat.
  • Received and placed on file: Information regarding Councillor Oliver's late arrival.
  • Received and placed on file: Communication from Councillor Lopes regarding a family emergency.
  • Received and placed on file: Note regarding attendance of Clerk James Roy.
  • Motion to receive and place on file the communication regarding the appointment of Jason Thurdy as Police Chief.
  • Motion to receive and place on file the communication regarding the appointment of George M. Vivaris to the Board of Park Commissioners.
  • Motion to refer Item Six (petitioners absent) to no further action.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Lamontang (City Transparency Advocate):
    • Stated that Department of Health enforcement regarding a documented rat infestation at a nine-unit property was reactive rather than preventative.
    • Expressed the position that the inspection process failed to evaluate rodent borough holes and food sources as required by law (105 CMR 410-550).
    • Positioned the Department of Health's actions as a systemic failure of transparency and a misuse of administrative process to shield error rather than correct it.
    • Noted that the Director of Health detailed procedural deviations but that this meeting was non-public and absent from the record.
  • Mr. Arthur Amarall (Neighbor to 724 Ashley Boulevard):
    • Expressed strenuous opposition to the special permit application for a motor vehicle sales/rental business at 724 Ashley Boulevard.
    • Described the current property condition as neglected, with boarded windows, broken pavement, and a history of debris damaging the speaker's adjacent property.
    • Stated a position of doubt regarding the applicant's intention to improve the property, suggesting the applicant is not a developer.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing: Special Permit for LS Transport (724 Ashley Boulevard)

  • Context: The hearing was opened to allow public testimony before the applicant's representative was absent.
  • Debate: The Committee discussed the inability to continue the hearing for two months without a specific date.
  • Outcome: The Committee continued the public hearing to February 17th at 7:00 PM to allow the applicant to attend and speak.

Appointment: Jason Thurdy, New Bedford Police Chief

Chief's Background and Experience:

  • Thurdy discussed his tenure in Hartford, noting a 31% reduction in Part One recorded crimes and his experience managing 199 organized protests with only two arrests and no property damage.
  • Stated that his success in Hartford was attributed to community trust, transparency, and early dialogue rather than a show of force.

Staffing, Budget, and Operations:

  • Recruitment & Retention: Expressed that New Bedford has rebounded better than Hartford regarding staffing, attributing this to a community that supports the police and a local workforce.
  • Budget: Acknowledged operating with a smaller budget and force than Hartford but noted it reflects lower crime rates and call volumes. Stated he looks forward to reviewing budget priorities in the upcoming cycle.
  • Technology: Expressed strong support for drones as a first responder tool and real-time crime center, contrasting them with previous poor choices, while acknowledging the high cost and need for state/federal funding.
  • Quality of Life Enforcement: Stated a position of favoring behavior change over revenue generation. Agreed with enforcing minor rules (e.g., beach curfews, sidewalk parking) but emphasized the need for a results-driven plan and sufficient staffing levels to enforce them effectively at 9:00 PM.

Interpersonal Relations and Administration:

  • Union Relations: Described the relationship with the union (President Lorenzo, Vice President Tony) as excellent, noting implementation of joint committees on uniforms and time off.
  • Mayor/Administration: Discussed the working relationship with Mayor Mitchell, stating it is supportive and that he intends to remain a liaison to the Council, though he may delegate to deputies for specific topics.
  • ICE Policy: Explained the department's hands-off approach regarding ICE; the department does not enforce immigration law but has developed a directive to de-escalate situations and ensure safety for both community members and federal agents if they interact.

Council Member Questions & Positions:

  • Council Pereira: Asked about the Chief's experience with red light cameras, crime statistics, and Hartford's staffing parallels. The Chief explained the complexity of camera implementation and the

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the committee on appointments and briefings. It is December 16th, 2025, and it is 701. 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. Joined in the chamber are my colleagues in government. And Councillor Lodge and Council President, Shane Burgo. And myself, Naomi Carney, Council Lodge, and the Chairman of the Appointments and Briefings. Thank you all for coming. Do we have anything to read in the record? I have uh two letters and a uh communication to uh notify you of. This first letter is from Councillor Giester. I'm writing to inform you that I will unable to attend the Committee on Appointment Briefings meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7 p.m. due to a prior commitment. I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Second letter is from Councillor Morat. I'm writing this letter to inform you that I will be unable to attend the Committee on Appointments briefings meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 7 p.m. due to a prior commitment. And I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of my absence. Motion made by Councillor Gomez second by Council Burgo. All in favor say aye. Oppose the ayes have it. Madam Chair, just a point of information. Counselor Oliver just texted me to let you know and the public know he's about ten minutes late, he's running behind. Okay, just for the record. Thank you. And I also received a communication from Councillor Lopes that he had an family emergency and will not be in attendance tonight. Yes, and I just want to make note that um councillor Lect, James Roy is also with us this evening. Thank you for coming. Item number one is citizens' input time not to exceed the first thirty minutes of the meeting. City transparency, it was referred to on November 18th, 2025. Mr. Lamontang. I'm here to establish record. For over two years, a nine-unit residential property in this city existed with a documented outdoor rat infestation in a high traffic area. The primary source, a dumpster with a hole in the bottom of it, actively attracting rodents. It was known, it was visible, and it was preventable. Residents called the Department of Health only after police intervention did the Department of Health inspect the property. At that point, the conditions were classified as rat activity. No distinction was properly applied. After exposure, not prevention. That is not diligence, that is reaction. What concerns me most is not rats, it's process. When enforcement language shields landlords, when follow-up disappears, and when accountability only arrives after public pressure, the system no longer serves residents. It only serves to protect itself. Because when systems fail quietly, accountability disappears, and the public pays the price. Thank you. I'll continue with Mr. Mellow's portion. Honesty is the backbone of credibility. Under 105 CMR 410-550, a department of health inspection is required to determine two things.

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