OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary - January 22, 2026

Default View — Thursday, January 22, 2026
BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts
SessionDefault View
DateThursday, January 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 29:04

Transcript — Verbatim
0:39

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:41

It is Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 at 7 o'clock PM.

0:47

Um opening of the session of the city council will be by myself, City Council President Ryan Pereira.

0:52

At this time, I will ask Pastor Morgan Proudfoot of the Grace Harbor Church to lead us in prayer.

0:58

Pastor Thank you for the great uh privilege of praying tonight.

1:05

It's my joy and honor.

1:06

I really am glad to be here.

1:07

Also just want to let you know our church prays for you guys regularly.

1:12

Thank you for the way you selfishly serve our city.

1:16

Let's let's pray.

1:19

Our God, we uh pray to you tonight and we confess that we need your help.

1:25

Uh in the days that we live, it seems often as if every leadership decision is uh scrutinized without compassion and magnified under microscopes.

1:36

And we often uh admit that we we don't always get every decision right.

1:41

And so this evening, God, we pray for wisdom.

1:46

Would you infuse these men and these women, these leaders of our city with a wisdom that is not common, but that is divine?

1:58

Would you would you lead them to make decisions that lead to the flourishing of our city?

2:04

Every man, woman, and child from its residents to its immigrants, God, would you cause the city to flourish, we pray.

2:13

Would you remind us of what your word says in Jeremiah 29 7?

2:18

That when the well-being of the city is intact, it'll be a place where the all of its peoples thrive and flourish.

2:27

And so this evening, God, we pray that you would cause our city to flourish.

2:32

And I pray that we would do that through leadership that leads to its well-being, that makes hard decisions for its good.

2:42

God, would you give us wisdom?

2:44

We pray this evening.

2:46

In Jesus' name, Amen.

2:48

Amen.

2:51

We will be led by the in the Pledge of Allegiance by Ward II City Councillor Scott Pemberton.

2:57

Aye.

2:58

Congratulations.

3:12

Thank you, Mr.

3:13

President.

3:13

Thank you, Councillor.

3:19

I would like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

3:23

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

3:28

Then click meetings.

3:37

Councillor of Ward 1, Leo Schocat, Councillor of Ward 5, Joseph Lopes, Councillor at Large, Brian Gomes, Councillor at Large, James Roy, Councillor at Large, Naomi Carney, Councillor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councillor at Large, Shane Burga.

3:53

I'll ask the clerk if there are any communications to read into the record.

3:56

There are none, Mr.

3:57

President.

3:57

Okay, we'll move to the hearings portion.

3:59

I'll ask the clerk to read item number one.

4:01

Mr.

4:01

President, item one is a petition from Verizon of New England Incorporated for the location of conduit at the intersection of County Street and Allen Street.

4:09

This work is necessary to provide electric service to a node attached to a light pole for wireless service.

4:15

Note police details will be engaged while the work is being completed.

4:18

And one A is the order.

4:21

Okay.

4:32

Any discussion?

4:33

All those in favor?

4:35

Opposed, the ayes have it.

4:37

Um from Verizon, if you would state your name, please for the record.

4:41

Uh James De Toronto, representing Verizon New England.

4:44

Okay.

4:44

And if you would give us a brief overview of the project.

4:47

Sure.

4:47

Uh so Verizon is petitioning to intercept an existing conduit heading north on County Street and place approximately six feet of four-inch conduit to uh meet an extinet handhole.

5:02

And this is to provide service to a wireless node at the light pole on the northwest corner of County Street in Allen Street.

5:12

Are there any questions?

5:14

The Chair would recognize Councilor Lopes.

5:16

Thank you, Mr.

5:17

Chair.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Public Health███████████████15%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Zoning And Land Use███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary - January 22, 2026

The City Council of New Bedford convened on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM, presided over by Council President Ryan Pereira. The session began with a prayer led by Pastor Morgan Proudfoot of Grace Harbor Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council reviewed utility petitions, addressed public health and zoning concerns, considered committee structure changes, reviewed demolition requests, and granted new private livery licenses before adjourning at 7:29 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 1-3 (Utility Petitions): Unanimous approval was granted for Verizon New England to install conduit at the intersection of County Street and Allen Street (Item 1) and for Eversource Energy to install a handhole and conduit in Walnut Street (Items 2 & 3). Councilor Scott Pemberton confirmed police details would be arranged for all works, with Eversource confirming that while Walnut Street is one-way, a police detail is requested for the section crossing Pleasant Street.
  • Item 7 (Committee Ordinance): Passed to a second reading for a proposed ordinance relative to City Council Committees, based on a motion by Councillor Burgo.
  • Item 9 (Demolition Review): The Council unanimously granted the demolition permit for a circa-1938 wood-framed barn garage on Hathaway Road (Map 121, Lot 202). The Preservation Planner had determined the structure held no notable historic significance.
  • Item 11 (Livery License): Unanimously granted a new private livery license for Christopher Okafor (KIC Transportation). Councilor Gomes inquired if the applicant was aware of the lapse; the Clerk confirmed the applicant stated he had taken a year off.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Councilor Abreu: Expressed strong support for regulating nitrous oxide sales, noting a recent loss of life linked to misuse. He emphasized that the measure is a proactive response to growing public safety concerns and aims to reduce emergency healthcare burdens while maintaining exemptions for legitimate medical and culinary uses.
  • Councilor Choquett: Echoed support for the nitrous oxide regulations, citing the tragic death of 16-year-old Ventura Collage on New Year's Eve. She expressed concern that minors can purchase industrial-sized cans of nitrous oxide for recreational abuse, noting that legitimate chefs do not purchase from gas stations and that the product poses severe health risks to youth.
  • Councilor Oliver: Stated his support for holding a public forum for residents of Illinois, Ohio, Jerry, Maryland, and Appleton Streets regarding the proposed zoning ordinance change. He clarified that while a separate neighborhood meeting was being held, this additional forum was requested to ensure these residents had a chance to voice concerns without derailing the citywide ordinance timeline.
  • Councilor Schocat: Expressed support for the forum proposed by Councilor Oliver, emphasizing the need to allow neighbors who felt excluded from the process to speak. He supported the motion to refer the item to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, stating, "This is the people's house."

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Papers (M1): Received a communication from Mayor Mitchell proposing a loan order of $12,610,194 for critical repairs to city-owned buildings, public safety facilities, recreational facilities, and infrastructure. The motion to refer this item to the Committee on Finance was approved.
  • Items 4 & 5 (Nitrous Oxide Restrictions): Discussed written motions from Councillor Gomes and a group including Councilors Abreu and Choquett, both requesting the Committee on Ordinances draft an ordinance prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide canisters to individuals under 21. Councilor Abreu detailed four key points supporting the measure: addressing growing public safety concerns, reducing emergency health burdens, providing clear law enforcement standards, and balancing safety with legitimate use through exemptions. Both motions were referred jointly to the Committee on Ordinances, the Mitchell administration, the Health Department, Police Chief, and City Solicitor.
  • Item 6 (Zoning Forum): Discussed a motion by Councillor Oliver to schedule a forum for residents of specific streets concerned about a zoning amendment (referenced by some as the "China Buffet ordinance," though Councillor Oliver clarified it is a citywide ordinance). The motion aimed to provide a venue for residents to voice concerns before the February 12th meeting. The Chair acknowledged Councillor Schocat's separate upcoming neighborhood meeting but affirmed the Council's need to facilitate the requested forum.
  • Item 8 (St. Killian's Church): Discussed a motion by Councillor Gomes to meet with the Archdiocese of Boston's Planning Office regarding the project timeline and design plan for the former St. Killian's Church property on Ashley Boulevard. The item was referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
  • Item 10 (Livery License): Discussed an application for a private livery license for TSU Transportation (Suzette Rosa DePena). The motion to receive the application and refer it to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings was approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted: An order for Verizon New England to install conduit on County Street and Allen Street.
  • Adopted: Orders for Eversource Energy to install handholes and conduit on Walnut Street.
  • Referred: The Mayor's $12,610,194 loan order to the Committee on Finance.
  • Referred: Two motions regarding a ban on nitrous oxide sales to those under 21 to the Committee on Ordinances and relevant city departments.
  • Referred: A motion to host a resident forum regarding zoning amendments to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
  • Referred: A request to meet with the Archdiocese of Boston regarding the St. Killian's Church property to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
  • Granted: A demolition review for a structure on Hathaway Road.
  • Granted: A new private livery license for Christopher Okafor.
  • Referred: An application for a new private livery license for TSU Transportation to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
  • Referred: A proposed ordinance regarding City Council Committees to a second reading.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 at 7 o'clock PM. Um opening of the session of the city council will be by myself, City Council President Ryan Pereira. At this time, I will ask Pastor Morgan Proudfoot of the Grace Harbor Church to lead us in prayer. Pastor Thank you for the great uh privilege of praying tonight. It's my joy and honor. I really am glad to be here. Also just want to let you know our church prays for you guys regularly. Thank you for the way you selfishly serve our city. Let's let's pray. Our God, we uh pray to you tonight and we confess that we need your help. Uh in the days that we live, it seems often as if every leadership decision is uh scrutinized without compassion and magnified under microscopes. And we often uh admit that we we don't always get every decision right. And so this evening, God, we pray for wisdom. Would you infuse these men and these women, these leaders of our city with a wisdom that is not common, but that is divine? Would you would you lead them to make decisions that lead to the flourishing of our city? Every man, woman, and child from its residents to its immigrants, God, would you cause the city to flourish, we pray. Would you remind us of what your word says in Jeremiah 29 7? That when the well-being of the city is intact, it'll be a place where the all of its peoples thrive and flourish. And so this evening, God, we pray that you would cause our city to flourish. And I pray that we would do that through leadership that leads to its well-being, that makes hard decisions for its good. God, would you give us wisdom? We pray this evening. In Jesus' name, Amen. Amen. We will be led by the in the Pledge of Allegiance by Ward II City Councillor Scott Pemberton. Aye. Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councillor. I would like to note that 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 click meetings. Councillor of Ward 1, Leo Schocat, Councillor of Ward 5, Joseph Lopes, Councillor at Large, Brian Gomes, Councillor at Large, James Roy, Councillor at Large, Naomi Carney, Councillor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councillor at Large, Shane Burga. I'll ask the clerk if there are any communications to read into the record. There are none, Mr. President. Okay, we'll move to the hearings portion. I'll ask the clerk to read item number one. Mr. President, item one is a petition from Verizon of New England Incorporated for the location of conduit at the intersection of County Street and Allen Street. This work is necessary to provide electric service to a node attached to a light pole for wireless service. Note police details will be engaged while the work is being completed. And one A is the order. Okay. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed, the ayes have it. Um from Verizon, if you would state your name, please for the record.

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