Special New Bedford City Council Meeting March 5, 2026
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Special New Bedford City Council Meeting March 5, 2026
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., the New Bedford City Council convened for a special meeting to address business deferred due to a severe snowstorm. Presided over by Council President Ryan Pereira, the session focused on administrative approvals, budget transfers, tax ordinance referrals, and multiple permit and appointment approvals, concluding with no public comment and a unanimous adjournment.
Consent Calendar
- Budget Transfers:
- Adopted Order M2 to transfer $1,070,555 from State Aid and $314,530 from State Aid 950 to the School Department General Expense.
- Adopted Order M3 to transfer $368,000 from the General Fund Stabilization account to snow removal and purchase of services (Vote: 9-0).
- Personnel Appointments:
- Approved reappointment of Mark O'Neill as a constable (Vote: 9-0).
- Approved appointments of Jeffrey David Foise and Daniel Lewis Reyes Ortiz as constables.
- Other Approvals:
- Granted special permit for Laguerre Pierre Mark (LNS Transport Inc.) for motor vehicle sales/rentals and repairs at 725 Ashley Boulevard.
- Granted private livery license for Suzette Rose (TSU Zet Transportation) at 38 Trinity Street, expiring June 30, 2026.
- Approved demolition review for the former Eversource Office Building on Southwater Street (Map 47, Lot 199).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments or testimony were recorded during the session.
Discussion Items
- Tax Bill Delivery Ordinance (M1):
- Councilor Lopes and Carney made a motion to refer the ordinance regarding voluntary electronic delivery of tax bills (Chapter 10, Section 10-86.1) to the Committee on Ordinance; the referral passed unanimously.
- Solar Energy Zoning (Item 2):
- Final reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 9, Section 4200 D regarding Solar Energy Systems passed unanimously.
- LNS Transport Permit Clarification:
- Councilor Burgo noted that while the Committee on Appointments had raised concerns regarding the applicant's MDC trap status, a clarification letter from Commissioner Romano Witzman confirmed the applicant possessed the proper trap, resolving the concern.
- Demolition Review (Item 12):
- Preservation Planner Ann Laurel presented findings that the 1911 Southwater Street building is not historically significant, is not listed on the National Register, and has no notable historic value, recommending approval of demolition.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous Votes (9-0):
- Adoption of Orders M1 (referral), M2, M3.
- Approval of Mark O'Neill's constable appointment.
- Final passage of the Solar Energy Systems ordinance amendment.
- Approval of LNS Transport special permit.
- Approval of Suzette Rose's private livery license.
- Approval of constable appointments for Jeffrey David Foise and Daniel Lewis Reyes Ortiz.
- Approval of demolition for the former Eversource Office Building.
- Procedural Actions:
- Items 7 through 11A were waived with no further action.
- The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
- Referrals:
- Ordinance M1 regarding tax bill delivery was referred to the Committee on Ordinance.
Meeting Transcript
Hey Pemberton, can anyone of your colleagues? I showed you call. I don't have your phone number. You have to give it to me. You have to send it to me. Check. Check. How's that? The friendly science event. Saturday. So obviously you didn't, since you look at all my calls. Every time I sent up the thing, I said somebody get in touch with you because I don't have your number. Good. I think I can work. It's on Saturday night. This Saturday night. Oh, cool. Oh, nice. Get a letter. You're on. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 7 p.m. And special city council meeting of the New Bedford City Council. Opening of the session is by myself, City Council President Ryan Pereira. This time we don't have a member of the clergy, but I would like to offer up a moment of silence and uh special recognition too for those service members who have fallen overseas. Uh but if we can have a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Tonight we'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Ward 1 City Councilor Leo Chocette. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God invisible liberty and justice for all. A motion to receive in place on file. The communication was made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Roy. Any discussions on receiving and placing on file? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed the eyes have it. I would just uh also before I ask the clerk to read the rest of this. I would just like to thank my colleagues and the public for bearing with us uh with that monstrous snowstorm we had last week and uh calling the special city council meeting to get through the business that we had, and uh I'd also would think on behalf of all of my colleagues, I say thank you to the members of DPI, DFFM, and the city staff who worked diligently to clear the city streets and worked uh multiple multiple days uh without sleep and seeing their families to get our streets open. So thank you. I'll ask the clerk to read item number one. Mr. President Item one is a communication from the council president to Dennis Farris, the city clerk calling a special city council meeting for Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 7 p.m. for the purpose of hearing the items on the city council agenda meeting agenda, meeting agenda previously scheduled for Thursday, February 26th, said meeting was cancelled due to severe weather conditions. A motion to receive and place on file was made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Carney. Any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye oppose the I Sabit. I will ask the clerk to read item number one, please. Mr. President, M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council.
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