New Bedford Committee on Appointments and Briefings Meeting - April 21, 2026
New Bedford Committee on Appointments and Briefings Meeting - April 21, 2026
The Committee on Appointments and Briefings, chaired by Councillor Naomi Carney, met on April 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM. The meeting considered citizen input, a livery license renewal, and three mayoral appointments to city boards. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chris Lamontang (self-identified as “the angry rat guy”) addressed the committee and the public. He expressed concern about a “class cleanse” in the city, referencing the opioid crisis, housing crisis, and migrant crisis. He criticized a lack of leadership, but thanked Councillor Carney and Councillor Gomes for past personal outreach. He stated that his rights have been violated and urged the council to take action.
Discussion Items
- Livery License Renewal (Camille Taylor, CT Live Your Best Life Transportation): The committee reviewed a renewal application for a private livery license for six vehicles operating from 14 Beatle Street. Councillor Oliver raised concerns about neighborhood parking due to up to four vehicles parked on the street. Ms. Taylor stated that she has a yard that can accommodate all six vehicles, and that she parks them on the street only to free space for her tenants. She agreed to keep all vehicles off the street when not in use. The committee voted to refer the renewal to the full city council.
- Appointment of Renee Ledbetter to the Election Commission: Ms. Ledbetter was appointed to replace Donald Gardat Jr., term expiring April 2027. She expressed excitement about increasing voter engagement, especially among Black and Brown communities and low-income residents. She noted that many people feel disenfranchised and that education is key. Councillors Abreu and Oliver voiced support. The committee voted to refer the appointment to the full city council.
- Appointment of George Bulger to the Human Rights Commission: Mr. Bulger was appointed to replace Zoe Hanson de Bello, term expiring April 2028. He stated he loves the city and wants to serve, but is on a learning curve. No questions were raised. The committee voted to refer the appointment to the full city council.
- Appointment of Zachary Nider to the Human Rights Commission: Mr. Nider was appointed to replace Chad Freitas, term expiring April 2028. He emphasized the importance of ensuring equal rights and access in the city. No questions were raised. The committee voted to refer the appointment to the full city council.
- Items 7, 8, and 9: Councillor Lopes moved to take no further action on these items. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Livery License Renewal (Camille Taylor): Referred to the full city council for approval at the May 12, 2026 meeting. The committee urged Ms. Taylor to keep all vehicles off the public street.
- Appointment of Renee Ledbetter (Election Commission): Referred to the full city council for approval at the May 12, 2026 meeting, with a positive recommendation from the committee.
- Appointment of George Bulger (Human Rights Commission): Referred to the full city council for approval at the May 12, 2026 meeting.
- Appointment of Zachary Nider (Human Rights Commission): Referred to the full city council for approval at the May 12, 2026 meeting.
- Items 7, 8, and 9: No further action taken.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the committee on appointments and briefings. It is April 21st, 2026. My name is Naomi Carney, a council at Lodge and the chair of the committee. In the my colleagues in government, we have Councillor Ian Abram, Council at Lodge, Ward 2, Scott Pemberton, Ward 1, Leo Choquette, Ward 5, Joseph Lopes, Councillor At Lodge, Brian Gomes, Council Lodge, James Roy, and Counselor from Ward 3, Sean Oliver. Thank you all for coming. Note this meeting is being live streamed and recorded recorded. City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings. Do we have anything to read into the record? I have three letters to read into the record. This one is from Council Baptiste. I am writing this letter to inform you that I'll be unable to attend the committee on a pre on appointments and briefings meeting on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 7 30 p.m. due to a prior commitment. I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and those in attendance in the public aware of the reason for my absence. This one's from Councillor Burgle. I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend tonight's committee meeting due to a prior personal commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues in the public aware of the reason for my absence. I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend tonight's committee meeting due to a prior personal commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Second by council loops. All in favor say aye. Okay, now I'm sorry. Okay. Item number one is citizens input time, not to exceed the first thirty minutes of each meeting. Each recognized individual has the ability to speak for a total of three minutes. One A is Mr. Lamingtane, Chris Lamontang. Okay, you have three minutes. So I had uh had a speech. Some of you some of you may recognize me. A lot of you might know me or remember me as the uh the angry rat guy, right? Um but I'm here tonight. I came here to speak about some crisis that have occurred throughout the city um over a period of time. Um, one of them being the opioid crisis. I'm sure everybody has probably known somebody who suffered through that. We have a housing crisis, we have a migrant crisis, and that gets me to where I've observed I feel we are today. Which I like to call the class cleanse. And it looks like the removal of the working class individual. Um I mean, go on Zillow. Uh good luck finding a place that's affordable. It is what it is. Um it doesn't look good. And I come here because honestly, I look for leadership. And I haven't really found it. I haven't seen it. I called some of you out last time I was here. What happened? Nobody's ever reached out to me. You know what? One of the greatest things that's happened. I want to thank you, Miss Carney, for the times that you called me.
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