Committee on Appointments and Briefings Meeting – February 17, 2026

A meeting of the New Bedford City Council Committee on Appointments and Briefings was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council chamber. The meeting was chaired by Councilor Naomi Kanye. Present were Councilors at Large Abreu and Burgo, Ward 1 Choquette, Ward 2 Pemberton, Ward 3 Oliver, Ward 5 Lopes, Ward 6 and Council President Ferrara, and Councilors at Large Gomes, Roy, and Latch (joined late). The meeting was live‑streamed and recorded. The committee considered a public hearing for a special permit, multiple appointments, license applications, a cannabis host community agreement update, and two motions regarding tobacco regulations. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Annette Salnia (New Bedford resident since 2002) spoke about substandard housing conditions for immunocompromised individuals in city‑funded programs. She reported living with rodents, roaches, and mold, and called for stricter landlord vetting, higher inspection standards, and accountability for landlords charging high rents. She stated she will continue to advocate. Councilor Gomes assured her the council would address the issues and follow up with the appropriate department.
• Alan Gunetto (County Street, New Bedford) spoke about his pursuit of 418 South Front Street (the former YA Club) for a Latino club on weekends, a community center, and a weekend homeless feeding program through the Ben Rose Committee. He also plans a youth program for ages 7–14 in the West End. No questions from council.
• Christopher Lamontang (Hemlock Street, New Bedford) delivered a lengthy testimony alleging violation of his rights by the city, including social sanctioning, improper posting of his image at Third District Court, and lack of assistance from council members. He directed criticism at Councilor Gomes, who responded that he had taken Lamontang’s calls and directed him to the city solicitor. The exchange became contentious. Lamontang claimed the city “outlawed” him and asked council to protect his rights.
• Kevin Mellow (Hemlock Street, New Bedford) was not present; his item was noted as incomplete.

Public Hearing: Special Permit for LNS Transport (Item 2)

A continued public hearing on the application of Laguerre Pierre Mark, doing business as LNS Transport, for a special permit for motor vehicle sales and/or rentals and general repair at 724 Ashley Boulevard. The application was received November 5, 2025, advertised December 2 and 9, 2025, and continued from December 16, 2025. The applicant stated he had spent $40,000 on roof repairs and faced daily $300 tickets for operating without a license. He claimed he was told by the building department he could proceed and that he wants to be compliant. Building Commissioner Dan (Danny) reported multiple neighborhood complaints about leaking tow trucks and unregistered vehicles, and stated the building lacks an MDC (oil‑water separator) trap for repairs. The commissioner said the applicant had been sent a letter in October 2025 and had not complied. Council debated options: approving only sales/rentals and conditioning repairs on trap installation, or approving as is with a condition. Ultimately, Councilor Burgo moved to refer the entire application to the full City Council for approval without amendment, seconded by Councilor Abreu. The motion passed 8–2 (Councilors Carney and Lopes dissenting). The final vote will be at the February 26, 2026 City Council meeting. The applicant stated he would open the doors for inspection tomorrow.

Appointments

• Item 3 – Veterans Advisory Board: Appointment of Christopher Jose Escobar (replacing Christopher Holkamp, term expires December 2026) was tabled by motion (Abreu/Oliver).
• Item 4 – Constable Appointment: Jeffrey David Foisey of New Bedford was appointed as a constable. He stated he is a life‑long resident, former softball league volunteer, service technician, and constable in Fairhaven, and will work under Nies and Latimer and Vandal’s Constable Service. Motion to grant (Oliver/Abreu) passed unanimously. Forwarded to full council for final approval on February 26, 2026.
• Item 5 – Constable Appointment: Daniel Luis Reyes Ortiz of New Bedford was appointed as a constable. He stated he is a 24‑year married father, 18‑year employee of the city, and intends to serve part‑time or full‑time. Motion to grant (Gomes/Oliver) passed unanimously. Forwarded to full council for final approval on February 26, 2026.

License Applications

• Item 6 – Junk Dealer Waiver: Petition of Casey Swift and Justin Swift (Swift Sales) for waiver of residency to obtain a junk dealer license was tabled (Abreu/Pereira).
• Item 7 – Private Livery License: Application of Celestin Wilken (Chris Transportation) was tabled (Pereira/Abreu).
• Item 8 – Private Livery License: Application of Suzette Rosa Topina (TS Suzette Transportation) was approved and referred to full council. The applicant’s representative stated she will operate a school bus and medical transportation business with two vehicles and one employee. Vehicles will be parked on the driveway. Motion to refer (Gomes/Lopes) passed unanimously with a favorable recommendation.

Cannabis Host Community Agreement Update (Item 9)

The committee took from the table an item regarding a host community agreement (HCA) proposal from Shamar James, CEO of THC Connect LLC (House of Diesel), seeking a co‑located adult‑use marijuana retail and product manufacturing establishment at 301 Herman Melville Boulevard. Mr. James reported that a completed application and check were accepted by the city. The submission window closes May 15, 2026. He will hold a new outreach meeting. Attorney Jakes stated he is not aware of any remaining steps that would jeopardize the application, and that the mayor’s review committee will evaluate applicants after the deadline. Councilor Gomes requested that the item be tabled until after the May 15 deadline to avoid monthly updates. The motion to table (Gomes/Roy) passed unanimously.

Tobacco Regulations (Items 10 & 11)

Two motions were considered: (10) a request for the Board of Health and local business owners to discuss a new cigar minimum pricing regulation effective January 1, 2025; and (11) a request that the Board of Health rescind the regulation for 18 months and instead focus on education and enforcement. Health Department representative Stephanie Sloan reported compliance check results: in 2024, 111 checks resulted in 8% sales (five cigarette, three cigar/cigarillo, one vape); in 2025, 153 checks resulted in 11% sales (six cigarette, seven cigar/cigarillo, four nicotine pouches). She noted a new Drug‑Free Communities grant submission and youth prevention efforts. Councilor Lopes questioned Attorney Jakes about the legality of the Board of Health’s regulation, specifically sections on permanently retiring permits and location transfer restrictions, suggesting the city may be exposed to lawsuits. Jakes said he had not researched the issue and suggested submitting formal questions. A motion to table items 10 and 11 (Lopes/Choquette) passed 7–3 (Councilors Burgo, Abreu, and Roy dissenting). The committee will invite a solicitor’s office representative to the next meeting to address the legal questions.

Key Outcomes

• Special Permit (LNS Transport): Referred to full City Council for approval on February 26, 2026, with an 8–2 vote. The applicant will arrange immediate inspection for an MDC trap.
• Appointments: Two constable appointments (Foisey and Ortiz) granted and forwarded; Veterans Advisory Board appointment tabled.
• Livery License: Suzette Rosa Topina’s application approved with favorable recommendation; two other livery applications tabled.
• Cannabis HCA: Tabled until after May 15, 2026 application deadline.
• Tobacco Regulations: Tabled by 7–3 vote; legal questions to be addressed at a future meeting.