New Bedford City Council Regular Meeting - March 26, 2026

The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7:01 PM in the City Council Chamber, with President Ryan Pereira presiding. The meeting opened with a prayer led by Pastor Leona Fisher and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councillor at Large James Roy. Eight councillors were present; Councillors Carney (late), Burgo, and Oliver were absent. The meeting was live-streamed and recorded. The council conducted a public hearing, considered several mayor's papers, and acted on new business items, including several referrals and adoptions. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was moved and adopted unanimously, covering routine approvals and actions not separately debated.

Discussion Items

• Hearing – Eversource Conduit Installation (Item 1): Jessica Elder of Eversource presented a petition to install approximately 58 feet of conduit encased in concrete on South Street to provide electric service to 65 Potomska Street for an electric bus charging station. Work is expected to take one to two days with a police detail and minimal traffic impact. Councillor Gomes inquired about the location relative to the terminal and the need for a detail due to traffic rerouting. Councillor Baptiste emphasized proper signage. No public testimony was offered. The public hearing was closed, and the order was adopted unanimously.
• Mayor's Papers:
  • M1: Transfer of $91,000 from airport free cash to airport purchase of services – adopted.
  • M2: Transfer of $50,000 from EMS capital outlay to EMS supplies – adopted.
  • M3: Amendment to increase the Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund limit from $330,000 to $530,000 for FY26 – adopted.
  • M4: Amendment to increase the EMS Training Academy Revolving Fund limit from $11,01 (as stated in transcript) to $22,401 for FY26 – adopted.
  • M5–M7: Authorizing payment of prior year invoices: $162.77 (airport), $39.99 (labor relations), $39.99 (health department) – adopted.
  • M8: Lease extension and amendment for New Bedford Airport Commission and Sandpiper Air Inc. – referred to the special committee on the airport.
  • M9–M10: Appointments of George Bulger and Zachary Needer to the Human Rights Commission – referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• New Business:
  • Item 2 (Zoning Amendment – Dimensional Requirements): Report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Appendix B (table of dimensional regulations for residential infill development with multiple buildings per lot). Councillor Schocket noted community questions and requested further discussion. The item was referred to the Committee on Economic Development on a roll call vote of 7–1 (Councillor Pereira voted no).
  • Item 3 (Zoning Amendment – Table of Principal Uses): Report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Appendix A. Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
  • Item 4 (Delinquent Tax Payment Agreements): Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 6, Section 2-105 to conform with Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024. Passed to a second reading.
  • Item 5 (Loan Order for City Building Repairs): Loan order appropriating $12,610,194 for repairs to city-owned buildings, including public safety facilities, recreational facilities, office space, capital equipment, vehicles, and roads. Passed to a second reading.
  • Item 6 (Fund Balance Management Policy): Updated changes to the city's fund balance policy. Adopted.
  • Item 7 (Transfer to Cable Access Stabilization Fund): Transfer of $5,037,282 from free cash to the cable access stabilization fund. Adopted on a roll call vote of 8–0.
  • Items 8–13 (Various Free Cash Transfers): Transfers from free cash to public infrastructure ($60,386), waste collection ($175,000), tourism ($84,700), recreation and parks ($70,000), MIS ($63,662), and auditor ($17,610) – all adopted on a roll call vote of 8–0.
  • Item 14 (Special Permit – K&D Auto Rentals): Application for a special permit for motor vehicle sales/rentals at 297 Belleville Avenue. Granted.
  • Items 15–22: Reports from committees recommending no further action. Waived and taken as such.
  • Item 23 (Motion re: Non-Functional Cameras): Councillor Pemberton requested Police Chief Jason Thody and DPI Commissioner Jamie Pont appear before the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to explain why cameras at Ashley Boulevard and Tallman Street were not operational on the night of March 8, 2026, when approximately 10 shots were reported, and to provide information on the duration of non-functionality, repairs, and actions taken. Referred to the Committee on Public Safety.
  • Item 24 (Motion re: Property on Conduit Street): Councillor Pemberton requested the Health Department and Inspectional Services appear before the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to address accumulation of old vehicles and debris at the bottom of Shaw Street, posing a safety hazard. Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods.
  • Item 25 (Motion re: Ballot Placement Lottery): Councillors Burgo and Roy requested a home rule petition to authorize a randomized lottery system for ballot placement of candidates. Councillor Roy explained the referral is for research and discussion. Councillor Gomes expressed initial skepticism but supported referral. Referred to the Committee on Ordinances on a roll call vote of 8–0.
  • Items 26–29 (Licenses): Item 26 (new private liberty license for Anna Liz Valentin Burgos at 627 Allen Street) referred to the special committee on licensing and permits. Items 27–29 (renewals) granted with waived readings.
  • Item 30 (Letter to Attorney General): Notification of an amended zoning ordinance. Placed on file.

Key Outcomes

• Eversource hearing order adopted (unanimous).
• Mayor's papers M1–M7 adopted unanimously.
• M8 referred to airport committee.
• M9–M10 referred to appointments committee.
• Item 2 referred to Economic Development Committee (7–1).
• Items 3, 23, 24, 25 referred to respective committees.
• Items 4, 5 passed to second reading (unanimous).
• Items 6, 14 adopted/granted (unanimous).
• Items 7, 8–13 adopted on roll call votes of 8–0.
• Items 15–22 taken as no further action.
• Consent agenda adopted.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.