OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Bedford City Council Meeting Summary: April 23, 2026

Default ViewThursday, April 23, 2026
BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts
SessionDefault View
DateThursday, April 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim
0:45

Testing 123, testing one, two, three.

0:48

Oh, we're live.

0:48

Thank you, Gus.

1:00

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Council meeting Thursday, April 23rd.

1:06

It is now 7.03, and we're ready to begin.

1:11

I am Neil McCarney, second vice president, and I will be presiding over the meeting this evening.

1:16

In prayer, we have Dr.

1:18

Sandra Whitley from the Beth AME Church.

1:23

Reverend Whitley.

1:26

Thank you for coming.

1:28

Good evening.

1:29

Good evening.

1:30

All right.

1:31

Well, let us pray.

1:32

Amen.

1:33

Eternal God, gracious and loving Creator, our Heavenly Father, we declare that we love you, and thank you that you have made the way of love known through your Son Jesus Christ.

1:44

We pray that you will continue to reveal this great love to us all tonight, as we've gathered one more time to attend to the business of this great city, New Bedford.

1:55

Lead us by your spirit to praise you.

1:57

So as we've gathered this evening to do the work of our community, aware that we are sustained by your unmerited favor.

2:04

And as we convene, we ask for an abundance of grace, a triple portion of your wisdom, patience, and love to fill this room.

2:32

So may your amazing grace, which meets us where we are, but refuses to leave us in selfishness, inspire our leaders, the mayor, the city staff, the city councillors, to act with integrity and compassion.

2:45

We ask for the humility to listen to different viewpoints and the courage to serve all citizens, particularly those most vulnerable among us for such a time as this.

2:56

Prepare the city to receive an outpouring of your holy spirit empowering each one of us, our families and the citizens, foreigners, individual, and their families of the city to receive your breath of your holy spirit.

3:14

More than fears and our wounds and even our accomplishments.

3:53

And so as we say it together, amen and amen.

3:57

Amen.

4:01

Thank you, Reverend Whit Whitley.

4:03

And tonight we'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Ward 3, Sean Oliver.

4:09

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

4:14

And to the Republic for which it stands.

4:38

Then meetings.

4:40

Just so the public will know the next regular scheduled city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, due to the holy day of obligation on May 14, 2026.

4:51

The deadline to submit agenda items is Thursday, May 7, 2006 at 10 a.m.

4:57

And the agenda will be published on Friday, May 8th.

5:01

Thank you.

5:02

Joining me in in the chambers and my colleagues in government.

5:07

Council at Lodge, Ian April, Council Ward 2, Scott Pemberton, Council Ward 1, Leo Shoket, Council at Large, Brian K.

5:16

Gomes, Council at Lodge, James Roy, Council Board 3, Sean Oliver, and Councilwood Ford, Derek Baptiste.

5:24

Thank you all for being here.

5:25

Do we have anything to read in the records?

5:27

Madam President, we have three letters.

5:29

The first is from Council Burgo, dear Council Vice President Carney and honorable members of the Council.

5:34

I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 23rd, due to a prior personal commitment.

5:41

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues in the public aware of the reason for my absence.

5:46

Excuse me, sincerely, Shane A.

5:48

Burgo, Counselor at Large.

5:50

Second is from Councillor Lopes, dear Second President, Second Vice President Carney and honorable members of the Council.

5:55

I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 23rd, due to a work commitment.

6:02

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence.

6:06

Sincerely Joseph P.

6:07

Lopes, Council of Board 5.

6:09

And the third letter amendment, Vice President is from Council Pereira, dear Second Vice President Carney and honorable members of the Council.

6:16

I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 23rd, due to a personal commitment.

6:23

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence sincerely.

6:28

Ryan J.

6:28

Pereira, Council Ward 6 and Council President.

6:30

Motion to receive and place on file.

6:32

Motion made by Councillor Roy to receive and place on file.

6:35

Second by Council Choquette.

6:37

All in favor say aye.

6:38

Aye.

6:43

Number one is before us.

6:44

Madam President, item one is a hearing from CSL Consulting LLC on behalf of Old Dartmouth Historical Society, the New Bedford William Museum for the location of conduits to be captured and buried below the pedestrian crossing being established in William Street.

6:59

This work is necessary to connect the 11 William Street site to the existing museum site at 18 Johnny Cake Hill and 1A is the order.

7:08

Motion received a place on file and open public hearing.

7:11

Second.

7:11

Motion made by Councillor Oliver.

7:13

Second by Council Gomes.

7:15

All in favor for open public hearing say aye.

7:17

Aye.

7:18

Opposed?

7:18

The ayes have it.

7:19

Public hearing is now open.

7:22

Do we have something?

7:26

Do we have somebody here from CSL Consulting, LLC?

7:30

Yes, right here.

7:31

Okay.

7:31

Would you like to approach the podium?

7:39

Okay, so you can explain about the project and then we'll open for the.

7:42

Oh, yeah, I need you excuse me.

7:43

I'm sorry, naming that just for the record.

7:45

Absolutely.

7:45

Amanda McMullen, uh, President and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny K.

7:50

Kill, uh 02740.

7:54

Brian Pioli, Senior Project Manager, CSL consultant.

7:59

Thank you.

8:01

You're on.

8:01

Tell you a little bit about it.

8:02

So this is for our expansion project on um uh Williams Street.

8:07

Essentially, the petition for location is so that we can put the conduits underneath this.

8:14

Thank you.

8:16

Uh essentially, so we can put the conduits to connect our systems, security systems, electric systems data between the two locations.

8:29

Uh that's correct.

8:30

So we essentially have uh the new building and adjacent or across the street from the existing museum.

8:35

These connect the two or allow us to connect the two um digital systems and electronic systems between the two buildings.

8:43

Thank you.

8:43

Do I have any questions?

8:45

Council Baptiste.

8:46

Thank you, Madam President.

8:47

Um how are you doing, guys?

8:49

Hi, man.

8:50

How's everything?

8:50

Thank you.

8:51

Good, good, thank you.

8:52

Um, you're already doing work over there, correct?

8:54

Yes.

8:55

Will it um will it hinder any of the work that you're doing now?

8:58

Will it take any longer?

9:00

Like will the process, you know, like by putting that in there, will it will it um extend the project?

9:06

Or will it just be part of the project that you uh that you are doing right now?

9:10

I believe it's part of the project, but I'm gonna defer to Brian.

9:12

I don't believe this petition extends the timeline for the construction at all.

9:16

All right, all right.

9:18

That's correct.

9:18

Yeah, it does not extend the timeline.

9:20

All right.

9:21

No, not that's all I have to ask because you're already doing the work up over there, and it's already cut in the street is already blocked off of over there.

9:27

My question was just to ask if you had any extended time to do it, and if it's just gonna be done part of the project and all part of the project still on track to open spring of 2027.

9:37

That's great.

9:38

I can't wait.

9:39

I can't wait.

9:40

Exciting.

9:40

Thank you.

9:40

All right, thank you.

9:41

That's all I have to ask.

9:42

Thank you, Council Baptist.

9:43

Anybody else have any questions?

9:45

Council Roy.

9:46

So the hi.

9:48

So the street is open to pedestrian traffic right now at the bottom of William, right?

9:53

William, right now does have sidewalk access at the moment that is closed off and fenced for the roadway for cars.

10:02

So how how long will uh will this will this work close the street off to pedestrian traffic?

10:09

And if so, for how long?

10:11

There's a couple I'll jump in quickly because there's also work on the plaza that is not related to this petition that will also close it off, and we're sequencing all of that so that there's not a long duration of any of the um pedestrian traffic being uh you know having any conflict with that.

10:29

How long do you the total closure of the plaza in that area is eight weeks?

10:34

Eight weeks, so the total closure of the for pedestrian access for the plaza in that area.

10:39

Keep in mind that that does include, as you mentioned, the work within the plaza to renew the the area in front of the museum.

10:46

So that's all kind of one large area of work.

10:49

Eight weeks starting to sequence on the plaza.

10:53

That work is not we actually had a great neighbors' meeting, and they all they asked some of that work to be pushed off to the fall as much as we could.

11:00

This is funded by public dollars that do have to be expended by a certain period in 2026, so we're threading the needle of pushing that into as far into late August, early September for that.

11:11

But there is a whole sequencing of all of the different areas that will be uh worked on in terms of the roadway and the plaza.

11:19

Okay, great.

11:20

Thank you.

11:21

You're welcome.

11:21

Thank you.

11:23

Thank you, Council Roy.

11:25

Any other questions?

11:27

Seeing none, does anybody in the audience like to speak in favor of this project?

11:32

Speak in favor.

11:34

Does anybody would like to speak in opposition?

11:37

Speak in our position.

11:39

Would anybody like to be recorded in favor?

11:42

Be recorded in favor.

11:44

Be recorded in opposition.

11:47

Recorded in opposition.

11:48

Seeing none, colleagues, your pleasure.

11:51

Motion to close the public hearing.

11:53

Motion to be made by Council Baptist to close the public hearing.

11:56

All in favor say aye.

11:58

Aye.

11:58

Opposed, the ayes have it.

12:00

I am also going to make a motion to grant the street closure as well.

12:04

Okay.

12:04

Adopt the order.

12:05

Second.

12:06

Yep.

12:06

Motion been made by Council Baptist to adopt the order.

12:09

Second by Council Roy.

12:10

All in favor of adopting the order say aye.

12:12

Aye.

12:13

Opposed, the ayes have it.

12:16

Thank you.

12:16

Thank you.

12:17

Thank you very much.

12:18

Good luck.

12:19

Thank you.

12:21

Madam President, item two is a hearing from N Star Electric Company doing business as ever source energy for the location of approximately 100 feet of conduit and one handhole in County Street.

12:32

This work is necessary to provide service to 840 County Street and 2A is the order.

12:37

Motion to open the public hearing.

12:39

Motion received in place on file and open the public hearing.

12:42

Made by Councillor Abrew.

12:44

Seconded by Councillor Oliver.

12:47

All in favor say aye.

12:48

Aye.

12:49

Opposed, the ayes have it.

12:51

Okay.

12:51

Do we have anybody here from Star?

12:56

I don't see any questions.

13:03

Nobody's here.

13:06

Motion table.

13:08

Motion to close the public hearing.

13:10

Or suspend the public hearing.

13:11

No, we're going to continue the public hearing.

13:14

Madam President, motion to continue the public hearing to the Tuesday, May 12th, New Bedford City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

13:22

in the new Bedford City Council Chambers.

13:24

Second.

13:25

Motion has been made to continue the public hearing to Tuesday, May 12th.

13:31

And since we have nobody here, can we take the same action on three and four?

13:36

That's fine.

13:36

Yes.

13:37

So I make a motion for items 2, 2A3, 3A4, 4A to continue all three hearings to the full new Bedford City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 12th at 7 p.m.

13:49

in the New Bedford City Council Chambers.

13:52

Motion made by Councillor.

13:55

Council Abrew, second by Councillor Pemberton.

13:58

Before we take a vote, is anybody in the audience here to speak on any of the petitions on County Street or Bellevue Avenue.

14:10

Seeing none?

14:11

Motion we made to continue the public hearing.

14:14

All in favor say aye.

14:15

Aye.

14:16

Aye.

14:16

Opposed?

14:17

The ayes have it.

14:20

So I'm one of the money.

14:22

Okay.

14:22

Number one is now before us, the mayor's papers.

14:25

Madam President, M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of 422,720.

14:33

So employee benefits, purchase of services to auditor, salaries and wages in the amount of $6,979.

14:40

Assessor's salaries and wages in the amount of $6,939.

14:45

Treasurer's salaries and wages in the amount of $5,703.

14:49

City clerk salaries and wages in the amount of $9,501.

14:53

Elections, salaries and wages in the amount of $2,493.

15:00

Licensing, salaries and wages in the amount of $1,238.

15:03

Facilities and fleet.

15:05

Salaries and wages in the amount of $100,423.

15:09

Police, salaries and wages in the amount of $78,379.

15:14

Fire salaries and wages in the amount of $3,118.

15:18

EMS salaries and wages in the amount of $606.

15:24

Inspectional services, salaries and wages in the amount of $26,938.

15:29

Traffic, salaries and wages in the amount of $8,429.

15:33

Public infrastructure, salaries and wages in the amount of $66,913, health salaries and wages in the amount of $20,958.

15:43

Veterans salaries and wages in the amount of $5,720.

15:48

Library salaries and wages in the amount of $28,161.

15:54

Parks and recreation salaries and wages in the amount of $1,809.

15:58

And zoo salaries and wages in the amount of $48,396.

16:03

This order funds the contract between the C of New Bedford and the local 851 APSMA union employees.

16:08

M1A is the order.

16:12

Colleagues.

16:14

Motion adopt the order.

16:16

Motion made to adopt the order made by Councilor Abreu.

16:19

Second by Council Baptiste.

16:21

Anybody on the question?

16:25

Seeing none.

16:26

Roll call vote, please.

16:27

Roll call vote.

16:28

Councilor Abreu.

16:29

Yes.

16:30

Yes.

16:30

Council Baptiste.

16:31

Yes.

16:32

Yes.

16:32

Council Carney.

16:33

Yes.

16:34

Yes.

16:34

Council Shokett.

16:35

Yes.

16:36

Yes.

16:36

Councilor Gomes.

16:37

Yes.

16:38

Yes.

16:38

Council Oliver.

16:40

Yes.

16:41

Yes.

16:41

Council Pemberton.

16:42

Yes.

16:43

Yes.

16:43

Council Roy.

16:44

Yes.

16:45

Yes.

16:45

Passes 8 to 0.

16:47

Motion passes 8 to 0.

16:51

Madam President, without objection, could we take item M2 through M5 up altogether?

16:56

Without objection.

16:58

We'll be taking items M2, M3, M4, and F5.

17:04

And we'll we'll read them.

17:06

Yep.

17:06

And then we'll take a vote on all of them.

17:08

Madam President.

17:09

M2 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $9,620 from airport stabilization to airport salaries and wages.

17:19

M3 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $7,998 from the downtown enterprise fund free cash to downtown salaries and wages.

17:29

M4 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $44,837 from Wastewater Enterprise Fund free cash to wastewater salaries and wages.

17:40

And M five, Madam President, is a communication from the Mayor of the Council submitting an order for the transfer of $137,293 from water enterprise fund free cash to water salaries and wages.

17:52

All of these orders are to fund the contract between the City of New Bedford and the local 851 APSME union employees.

18:00

Motion will adopt items M2 through M5 and waiver rule 38.

18:04

Second.

18:05

Motion been made by Council Abrew to adopt orders M2 through M5.

18:11

Second by Council Pemberton.

18:13

Roll call vote.

18:16

Councilor Abreu.

18:17

Yes.

18:17

Yes.

18:18

Council Baptiste.

18:19

Yes.

18:19

Yes.

18:20

Council Carney.

18:21

Yes.

18:21

Yes.

18:21

Council Shokett.

18:23

Yes.

18:23

Yes.

18:24

Council Gomes.

18:25

Yes.

18:26

Council Oliver.

18:27

Yes.

18:28

Yes.

18:28

Council Pemberton.

18:29

Yes.

18:30

Yes.

18:30

Council Roy.

18:31

Yes.

18:31

Yes.

18:32

Passes 8 to 0.

18:33

Motion passes 8.0.

18:37

Madam President.

18:38

Item M6 is a communication from the Mayor to the Council submitting the reappointment of Celeste Paliologus of New Bedford, Massachusetts to the zoning board of appeals.

18:45

This term will expire in December of 2030.

18:48

Motion to be received and placed on file and grant the reappointment.

18:51

Second.

18:51

Motion made to receive and place on file and grant the reappointment by Council Baptiste.

18:56

Second by Council Oliver.

18:58

I don't see Celeste here.

19:00

All in favor say aye.

19:01

Aye.

19:03

Opposed?

19:04

No, no.

19:06

Oh, okay.

19:06

Roll call vote.

19:08

Counselor.

19:09

Yes.

19:10

Yes.

19:10

Council Baptist.

19:12

Yes.

19:12

Yes.

19:12

Council Carney.

19:13

Yes.

19:14

Yes.

19:14

Council Shoket.

19:15

Yes.

19:16

Yes.

19:16

Council Gomes.

19:17

Yes.

19:18

Yes.

19:18

Council Oliver.

19:19

Yes.

19:20

Yes.

19:20

Council Pemberton.

19:21

Yes.

19:22

Yes.

19:22

Council Roy.

19:23

Yes.

19:24

Yes.

19:24

Passes eight to zero.

19:25

Madam President.

19:25

Motion passes eight to four.

19:27

It's less than here, so we can move on to item number five.

19:32

Madam President.

19:33

Item five is a loan order appropriating twelve million six hundred and ten thousand one hundred and ninety-four dollars for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to city owned buildings.

19:42

This was passed to a second meeting on March 26th of 2026.

19:46

Motion at table.

19:48

Motion made to table, made by Council April, seconded by Council Oliver.

19:53

All in favor, say aye.

19:55

Opposed, the ayes have it.

19:57

Number six is before us.

20:00

Madam President, item six is an ordinance meaning chapter two, Article 6, Section 2-105 of municipal tax payment agreements.

20:05

This was passed to a second reading on March 26th.

20:12

Counselors.

20:13

Motion to pass to be ordained.

20:16

Motion passed to be ordained by Council Abrew, second by Councillor Oliver.

20:20

All in favor say aye.

20:21

Roll call.

20:23

Oh, we need to roll call on this witch.

20:24

Okay.

20:24

Roll call vote.

20:25

Council Abrew.

20:26

Yep.

20:27

Yes.

20:27

Council Baptiste.

20:28

Yes.

20:28

Yes.

20:29

Council Carney.

20:30

Yes.

20:30

Yes.

20:31

Council Shilkeck.

20:32

Yes.

20:33

Yes.

20:33

Council Gomes.

20:34

Yes.

20:35

Council Oliver.

20:36

Yes.

20:36

Yes.

20:37

Council Pemberton.

20:38

Yes.

20:38

Yes.

20:38

Council Roy.

20:40

Yes.

20:40

Yes.

20:40

Passes eight to zero.

20:43

Motion passes eight to zero.

20:47

Madam President.

20:48

Item seven is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending to the City Council adoption of the orders for the transfer of $1 million seventy thousand five hundred and fifty-five dollars from state aid and for the transfer of 314,530 from State Aid 950 to the school department general expense.

21:05

7A and B are the orders.

21:08

Pleasures, colleagues.

21:11

Motion to adopt.

21:13

Motion made to adopt by Councilor April.

21:15

Second by Councillor Choquette.

21:17

Roll call vote.

21:18

Council Abrew.

21:19

Yep.

21:19

Yes.

21:20

Council Baptiste.

21:21

Yes.

21:21

Yes.

21:21

Council Carney.

21:22

Yes.

21:23

Yes.

21:23

Council Shulkett.

21:24

Yes.

21:25

Yes.

21:25

Council Gomes.

21:28

Yes.

21:28

Council Oliver.

21:30

Yes.

21:30

Yes.

21:31

Council Pemberton.

21:32

Yes.

21:33

Yes.

21:33

Council Roy.

21:34

Yes.

21:35

Yes.

21:35

Passes eight to zero.

21:37

Motion passes eight zero.

21:40

Number eight is before us for no further reaction.

21:43

Madam President, item eight is going to read it.

21:46

Um motion wave the reading.

21:48

Motion made for no further reaction by Council April to waive the reading.

21:52

Seconded by Council Oliver.

21:55

All in favor say aye.

21:56

Aye.

21:57

Opposed.

21:58

The ayes have it.

21:59

Madam President, item nine is an ordinance from Council Baptiste submitting an ordinance amending chapter 17, Section 17-9.1 relative to the repeal of a single use plastic bag prohibition.

22:12

Motion to be received and placed on file.

22:15

Motion be received and placed on file and referred to the committee on ordinance.

22:19

Second.

22:20

Second by Council Oliver.

22:22

Anybody on the question?

22:23

On the question.

22:24

Council Council Baptist.

22:25

Thank you, Madam President.

22:26

I know, you know, I I don't I don't mind catching a little flack over a couple of things.

22:31

And I and I know the last time that you know we we got rid of the plastic bag ordinance.

22:36

Um we wanted to be in the forefront of Southeastern Massachusetts and and how that we can shape um our environment.

22:46

But unfortunately, while we was in the forefront, everybody else around us didn't change their ordinances.

22:52

So we're surrounded by you know um towns in and cities that do allow these plastic bags, and I'm not doing it um to kill the environment.

23:01

My main thing is um with with as many elderly um apartments I have in my ward, um, housing developments, people that take um public transportation, you know.

23:13

I know everybody in here um when they go shopping, I don't know how many of you have bags that are broken and food that fall down your stairs, or you know, just imagine if you have a family and you don't have a car and you have to walk across the street at stop and shop to get to blue meadows and you and your groceries are falling around, right?

23:32

So, you know, I'm you know, as much as I care about everything else, I do care about um the constituents that I have in my ward, and this is one of the big arguments that they have, right?

23:43

And we sit up in here talking about dog pooping the parks all the time, right?

23:47

And we didn't have that problem until we started getting rid of plastic bags and shopping centers as well, right?

23:52

And and I think that just uh kicking this to ordinance, and then we can find different ways to still work with the environment, right?

24:01

So whether it's having these shopping centers having um the good reusable bag, uh the good plastic bags that are recyclable or having recycled stations for their plastic bags at the at the at this spot.

24:13

So um the thing that that didn't change was small stores in variety stores, so you can go to a liquor store and get a plastic bag.

24:19

You can go to a corner store and get a plastic bag, and it's just stopping some of these places, these bigger establishments from doing it.

24:26

And um, I think everybody would love to have 10 bags at once and bring them all in the house and get you know, but you know, we've been having some different problem, some difficult problems, and I I think that we have to look out.

24:38

Um I understand we have to look out for the environment, but I have to look out for my constituents, and that's what they're asking for.

24:44

So hopefully we can have a good discussion in um ordinance and we can pass this through.

24:49

So thank you.

24:50

I yield.

24:51

Thank you, Council Baptiste.

24:53

Anybody else on the question?

24:54

Council Gomes.

24:56

Thank you very much, Madam President.

24:58

I stand to support this motion.

25:00

As you know, not too long ago, I came before the City Council looking to take this back for many of those reasons that have been stated this evening.

25:08

Not that we are not into the environment.

25:11

We are into the environment, and we want to make protect it as much as we can with reasonable um actions.

25:18

Um I'm a supporter of bringing the bags back simply for the reasons that have been stated tonight.

25:24

And these bags, while they can be a problem within the city, a lot of people reuse these bags.

25:30

There's a second use to these bags, like the counselor said, with the dog do.

25:35

Waste paper baskets within the house, the bathroom, in the office, whatever.

25:41

These paper bag plastic bags are being reused.

25:44

It's a very big inconvenience to many of our elderly, has it been stated here tonight.

25:48

And I've stated it here before, and I've seen it many times.

25:52

Um I go to the grocery store, so I I get an opportunity to see the paper bags.

25:56

I've had the paper bag rip on me.

25:58

I've seen uh uh people in the parking lot just lose everything all over the ground or whatever, because some of the stores they're making a paper bag that's strong, and some of them are just giving you what they have to give you, because it's an added cost to that business which has been proposed.

26:13

So again, while we send this to ordinance, we'll we'll we'll stand in the front line of telling people look, buy the reusable bags, that helps the environment, but give the businesses the opportunity to stay in line with what is happening.

26:24

And we stated that in this city council back then that we had to do this as a whole, and if it wasn't a hole, it was going to be pieces all over the place.

26:33

And the council has pointed that out tonight.

26:35

They would give plastic bags in the package store.

26:37

I can get a plastic bag in Dartmouth, but I can get it when Fairhaven can't get it in New Bedford.

26:42

Doesn't make sense.

26:43

Let's do the right thing.

26:44

And at the same time, again, protecting the environment the best that we can.

26:48

Thank you for the opportunity.

26:49

Thank you, Councillor Combs.

26:51

Anybody else on there first?

26:54

Seeing none, the motion is to refer to ordinance.

26:58

All in favor say aye.

27:01

Opposed?

27:02

The ayes have it.

27:03

Madam President, item 10 is a written motion from Councillor Gomes requesting that the committee on ordinances meet to discuss drafting ordinance that would address Airbnb rental properties in the city.

27:13

And further that these properties would come under the hotel guest tax and be classified as commercial properties.

27:19

Furthermore, key aspects of the proposed ordinance should be primary residence requirement, operators must live at the address for at least nine months of the year, occupycy limits, maximum of eight guests or two guests per bedroom, whichever is fewer, registration and inspections, annual registration with the city's inspectional services department is required, safety requirements, strict standards for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, and restrictions.

27:46

Renting of separate bedrooms to multiple parties is prohibited.

27:49

Only one party of renters is allowed at a time.

27:52

Referred our ordinance.

27:54

Motion motion made by Council Combs.

27:58

Seconded by Councillor Baptiste to refer to ordinance on the question.

28:03

I'll be very brief, Madam President.

28:04

We have discussed this issue.

28:06

This issue was was brought to my attention by a constituent, a businessman, and had some concerns.

28:11

And as I listened to him speak about this, I said he's got something here.

28:15

And only to find out, like uh Far River is um imposing an ordinance that uh deals with all of this.

28:22

And this has somewhat um become somewhat of a not not so much of a problem because we had some problems early on with a couple of places where there was an abundance of people.

28:32

You remember the one down in the South End that we visited one night.

28:36

Um it's become a business.

28:39

And when you run a business and you affect the quality of life within those neighborhoods with those in those business districts or whatever, um I I do have a problem with it.

28:48

And I I seen through the light on this one, and there's a revenue generator here.

28:53

You want to run an A and B, you have to come under some strict re regulations, and you also have to pay the price for it.

29:00

That's why this is here.

29:01

We send it to ordinance to see if we can work it out and put the best thing forward that would be in the best interests of the City of New Bedford.

29:07

I don't want to run the A and Bs out, but you're gonna stand to be um counted as uh a business and some ordinances that protect the neighborhood and the City of New Bedford.

29:17

Thank you.

29:18

Thank you, Councillor Gones.

29:20

Uh Council Abrew.

29:23

Thank you, uh Madam President.

29:24

I support this motion because I feel and we saw something analogous like this happening with Uber and Lyft with taxis.

29:32

They were undercutting them, and I'm a firm believer in the same game, same rules.

29:37

An Airbnb is lodging.

29:39

It is a hotel or a motel and should be treated as such.

29:42

It is a business, it is a revenue generator for said business, or just for your own personal uh bank accounts and coffers.

29:50

I think there should be accountability from us here with the city.

29:54

And those who know me knows uh know that I'm as anti-bureaucracy as far as business goes as it can get.

30:00

I mean, I I hate red tape, I hate bureaucratic measures.

30:02

But again, health, wellness, safety, and accountability have to be factored in once in a great while when appropriate, and this certainly is a conversation worth having.

30:14

Again, same game, same rules.

30:17

Mr.

30:18

LaFrance has to pay the hotel occupancy tax right down the street.

30:21

We have other hotels in this community.

30:23

They are subject to inspections at the state level at the local level to make sure that obviously everything is safe, that the Board of Health has gone through these uh facilities.

30:34

We're not having that happen here.

30:35

So I support this.

30:36

Let's see where it goes.

30:38

At the very least, I think it's worth a conversation.

30:40

I will yield at this time.

30:41

Thank you.

30:42

Thank you, Councillor Abraham.

30:44

Anybody else on there first?

30:48

Seeing none, we have a motion to refer this to ordinance.

30:51

All in favor say aye.

30:53

Aye.

30:54

Opposed, the ayes have it.

30:57

Number 11 is before us.

30:59

Madam President, item 11 is written motion from Councillor Choquette, Abrew, and Roy, requesting that Airport Director Scott Service in conjunction with the City's conservation agent, explore all options for the location of a new hangar at the New Bedford Regional Airport and at the Special Committee on Airport, invite the airport director and the conservation agent to a meeting to discuss such options.

31:18

And further, that any plans to move forward with the construction of a hangar be suspended until such time as the committee has opportunity to consider any and all options that best serve the combined interests of the airport and the surrounding neighborhoods.

31:30

Motion to receive and place on file and refer to the airport committee.

31:34

Motion be made to receive and place on file and refer to the airport committee.

31:38

Second.

31:38

Made by Council Shouquett, second by Council Roy on the question.

31:41

On the question, thank you, Madam President.

31:43

Councillor Shocke.

31:44

Quickly, I just want to rise and speak on behalf of many of my constituents here who have joined us from behind the airport.

31:52

The issue at hand, and I'll keep it brief because we're going to discuss this obviously in detail on the May 18th airport meeting.

31:59

But many of my constituents uh they were not correctly included on it, abutters list from the planning department.

32:07

And there was a Zoom meeting, and many of them did not know about it.

32:12

And the issue here is that there may be additional data and input from our conservation agent who is going to come to the meeting.

32:21

And so on the 18th, and I put this this motion together because I wanted to give everyone who wanted to speak a chance on the 18th, much like when we had uh the kind constituents of mine from the New York China buffet that time come in.

32:35

Um but you know, it may seem like trivial to some of us, but it's not a trivial issue to these people.

32:42

It's a quality of life issue.

32:44

And I want to make sure that even though they were left off the abutters list, that they're not left behind, and that we listen to their concerns, and hopefully, you know, the uh our conservation agent uh will have some input that can help with figuring out this issue.

33:04

And I was able to get Mr.

33:06

Leon Chabot, who is the holder of the lease over there, uh, to not do any construction for the next thirty days, out of courtesy until the you know the neighbors here were were heard.

33:18

So I would like my colleagues to support me in this motion to send this to my airport committee.

33:24

And I yield.

33:25

Thank you.

33:26

Thank you, Councillor Choquet.

33:28

Anybody else on the question?

33:32

Seeing none, the motion.

33:34

Madam President, just a point of information through you to the maker of the motion.

33:36

I was just thinking because you know, and it's his motion, but the airport committee is a committee of five, which is fine.

33:42

But like for example, I'm not on it.

33:45

Um many others aren't on it, and I know we can all go and speak, but uh would he be open to a friendly amendment to maybe sending this, Madam Chair, to your committee appointments and briefings where all 11 of us, including all five at large, who represent that area like myself, like you and others could attend.

34:02

So just a suggestion or uh uh you know I I I I beseech the counselor to consider what I am saying.

34:09

If he wants to keep it in the airport committee, that's fine.

34:11

But I'm sure, not speaking for you, Madam Chair, you would have an expeditious hearing on this.

34:16

Absolutely.

34:17

Well, I'll yield the floor, Madam Chair, through you to the Ward One Counselor, I'll see what his thoughts are.

34:23

Yes, ma'am.

34:24

Madam Chair, I am in agreement with uh my esteemed colleague from Rickardson Street.

34:28

Uh I would be more than happy to send this instead of the airport committee to the appointments of briefings meeting.

34:34

So therefore, all eleven counselors could be you know in attendance and hear the concerns of the of my constituents.

34:42

Thank you.

34:42

Absolutely.

34:45

So the motion is to now send it to appointments and briefings and not the airport committee.

34:51

All in favor of sending the motion to A and B, say aye.

34:55

Aye.

34:55

Opposed, the ayes have it.

34:57

Thank you.

34:58

Thank you.

35:05

You want to take up 1214.

35:07

Madam President, without objection, could we take items 12, 13, and 14 all together as they're all demolitions?

35:13

Second.

35:13

Absolutely.

35:14

Clerk, would you read the items and we'll take them all together?

35:17

Yes, ma'am.

35:18

Madam President, item 12 is communication of demolition and from Ann Laurel, the preservation plan to the City Council.

35:24

Regarding a building demo review at 532 Rivet Street, map 28, lot 188.

35:29

This is a circa 1910 concrete block garage structure.

35:33

She's advising that the structure is not located in a national register historic district.

35:38

The structures of no notable historic significance, either recorded or found, with the existing condition of the structure.

35:44

In the light of those findings, the preservation planner has determined that the concrete building garage building structure located at 532 Rivet Street is neither historically significant nor is it preferably preserved.

35:56

Item 13 is the same, Madam President, for a communication of a demolition review for a uh uh building at 105 Ashley Boulevard, map 92 lot 48.

36:07

This is a circa 1901 partial demolition of a one-story concrete block and brick storefront.

36:14

And item 14 is the building demolition review of at a building at 3436 Corville Street, map 112 lot 196.

36:23

This is a circa 1924 wood frame shed structure.

36:27

And again, advising the structure is not located in historic district, and none of these are preferably preserved by the historical planner.

36:34

Thank you.

36:35

So we have we have a motion.

36:42

Okay, motion be made to grant the demolition by Councillor Abreu.

36:46

Second by Councilor Oliver, and these items uh 12 through 14.

36:51

All in favor say aye.

36:53

Aye aye.

36:53

Opposed, the ayes have it.

36:55

Madam President, I have motion to take up items 15 through 17 altogether.

37:00

Second.

37:01

Without objection.

37:03

Madam President, item 15 is communication from the clerk to the council.

37:07

Submitting an application for the renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Ali Bukari and Sumara Bakari at three revolutionary way, apartment 110 in Hopkinton Mass.

37:17

They do business as Magic Wheels Transportation, which is located at 44 Liberty Street in the city.

37:22

This term of the license will expire from it runs from July 1st of this year to June 30th of next year.

37:28

Item 16 is for the renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Glenda Reyes, doing business as Glenda Reyes Transportation, LLC at 68 Aaron Court, New Bedford.

37:38

And item 17 is a renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Brittany Batello at 369 Calvin Street in Fore River, doing business as Project Independent Services Incorporated, located at 250 Elm Street.

37:51

And again, all these licenses run from July 1st of 26th to June 30th of 2027.

37:56

Thank you, Mr.

37:56

Clark.

37:57

You're welcome.

37:59

Motion approved.

38:03

Well, the the renewal.

38:04

Motion reserve and motion has been made to grant the livery license, the renewals made by Councillor Pemberton.

38:12

Second by Councilor Abreu.

38:15

All in favor granting the livery license aye.

38:18

Aye.

38:19

Aye.

38:19

Opposed?

38:20

The ayes have it.

38:21

Madam President, motion to take items 18 and 19 together with a referral to the special committee on licensing and permitting.

38:27

Second.

38:29

The motion has been made by Councillor Abram to refer 18 and 19 to the special committee on licensing and special permitting.

38:37

Shall we read that?

38:38

I'll agree.

38:39

Okay.

38:40

Madam President, I'm item 18 is communication from the City Clerk to the Council submitting a petition from Paul and Bryant of Round Rock, Texas, doing business as Fall River Pond Brokers, located at 1351 on Akushina Avenue New Bedford.

38:53

He's requesting a waiver of residency in accordance with Section 15-38 of the city code.

38:59

This is to obtain a license to deal in junk, old metals, or any other secondhand articles.

39:03

And item 19 is uh from the same individual at the same home address uh for fall river pondbrokers as well.

39:10

This one is located at 268 Union Street in the city, madam president.

39:15

Thank you.

39:16

Thank you, Mr.

39:16

Clerk.

39:17

Um the motion has been made.

39:20

All in favor say aye.

39:22

Anybody on the question first?

39:24

Yep.

39:25

On the clerk.

39:26

All in favor say aye.

39:27

Aye.

39:27

Aye.

39:28

Opposed.

39:29

The ayes have it.

39:31

Madam President, item 20 is a communication from the assistant assistant city solicitor Mason Matthew.

39:38

The City Council is submitting a list of properties that have been acquired by the city as a deed in lieu.

39:43

The following properties are located on Chaffee Street, Plot 130A, Lots 30, Lot 40, Lot 135, Lot 35, Lot 106, and Lot 125.

39:54

On Fairfield Street, Plot 130A, Lot 96, Lot 106, and Lot 116.

40:02

On Ruth Street, 16, Lots 130, 131, and 137.

40:07

On Congress Street, Plot 125A, Lot 191, and on Ashley Street, Plot 16, Lot 118.

40:15

Motion to receive and place on file.

40:17

Motion received and place on file made by Councillor Abrew.

40:20

Seconded by Councilor Roy.

40:22

All in favor say aye.

40:24

Aye.

40:24

Opposed?

40:25

The ayes have it.

40:27

Madam President, item 21 is a communication from the Department.

40:31

The Department of Environmental Protection Waterways Regulation Program providing public notice of the waterways application by B.S.

40:38

Realty LLC, care of Andrew Bisschen's to drive 16 30-inch steel anchor piles, securing two floating steel barges with a vehicle access ramp to shore at 92 Kilburn Street.

40:52

Motion is replaced for the file, made it by Councilor Roy.

40:56

Second by Council Pemberton.

41:02

All in favor say aye.

41:04

Aye.

41:04

Opposed, the ayes have it.

41:09

Motion to take up and adopt consent.

41:11

Okay.

41:12

We have two items on the table list.

41:14

We're going to remain on the table.

41:16

Seems so.

41:18

Motion to take up and adopt consent.

41:20

Motion made by taking up to take up and adopt consent made by Councillor Oliver.

41:25

Do I have a second by anybody?

41:28

Okay.

41:29

Second by Council Baptiste.

41:31

All in favor say aye.

41:33

Aye.

41:34

Opposed?

41:35

The ayes have it.

41:36

Motion to adjourn.

41:37

Motion made to adjourn.

41:39

Second.

41:41

Second.

41:41

Would you like to you second it or you're making the motion?

41:44

Oh I would say it.

41:46

Motion by Council Pemberton.

41:47

Second by Council Oliver.

41:49

All in favor say aye.

41:50

Aye.

41:51

Opposed, we are adjourned at 743.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Public Infrastructure█████████████████17%
Historic Preservation███████████████15%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Tourism And Marketing██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Airport Development█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

New Bedford City Council Meeting - April 23, 2026

The New Bedford City Council convened on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:03 PM, presided over by Second Vice President Neil McCarney. Council members Sean Oliver, Scott Pemberton, Leo Shokett, Brian Gomes, James Roy, Derek Baptiste, and Ian April attended, while Councilors Shane Burgo, Joseph Lopes, and Ryan Pereira were absent. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by administrative procedures and several public hearings and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Received and placed on file letters of absence from Councilors Burgo, Lopes, and Pereira regarding personal and work commitments.
  • Adopted Order M1: Transferred $422,720 from employee benefits and services to specific departmental salaries to fund the contract with Local 851 APSMA union employees. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Adopted Orders M2 through M5: Transferred funds from various enterprise funds and stabilization accounts to salaries and wages for airport, downtown, wastewater, and water departments to fund Local 851 APSMA union contracts. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Granted the reappointment of Celeste Paliologus to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring in December 2030. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Passed to be ordained the ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 6, Section 2-10 regarding municipal tax payment agreements. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Adopted orders M7A and M7B: Transferred $1,070,555 and $314,530 from state aid accounts to the school department general expense fund. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Granted demolition reviews for three structures: 532 Rivet Street (circa 1910 garage), 105 Ashley Boulevard (1901 storefront), and 3436 Corville Street (1924 shed). Preservation Planner found none historic.
  • Renewed private livery licenses for Magic Wheels Transportation, Glenda Reyes Transportation LLC, and Project Independent Services Incorporated for the period July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
  • Received and placed on file a list of properties acquired by the city as deeds in lieu of foreclosure.
  • Received and placed on file a waterways application notice for B.S. Realty LLC regarding anchor piles and barges at 92 Kilburn Street.
  • Adopted the full consent calendar items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Amanda McMullen (President/CEO, New Bedford Whaling Museum): Explained the necessity of burial conduits on Williams Street to connect the 11 William Street and 18 Johnny Cake Hill sites digitally. She stated the work is part of the current project and will not extend the spring 2027 opening timeline. She noted the total pedestrian closure of the plaza area will last eight weeks, with sequencing to minimize impact and some work deferred to fall due to funding deadlines.
  • Brian Pioli (Senior Project Manager, CSL Consulting): Confirmed the conduit petition would not extend the construction timeline and the project remains on track. He noted the eight-week closure includes plaza renewal work funded by public dollars expiring in 2026.
  • Councilor Derek Baptiste: Advocated for repealing the single-use plastic bag prohibition, citing that surrounding towns allow them. He expressed full support for constituents who rely on plastic bags due to broken paper bags, inability to use delivery services, and the inconvenience of carrying heavy loads for elderly residents and those without cars. He argued the ordinance was premature without regional coordination.
  • Councilor Brian Gomes: Expressed full support for repealing the plastic bag ban for the reasons stated by Councilor Baptiste, including the reuse value of bags for dog waste and trash, the cost burden on businesses, and the inconsistency with neighboring cities like Dartmouth and Fairhaven which allow them.
  • Councilor Sean Oliver: Supported the motion to regulate Airbnb properties. He agreed that short-term rentals should be treated as businesses under the same game, same rules framework as hotels, subject to inspections, safety standards, and the hotel guest tax to protect neighborhood quality of life and generate revenue.
  • Councilor Scott Pemberton: Supported the regulation of Airbnb properties, emphasizing that while he is generally anti-bureaucracy, accountability regarding health, safety, and revenue generation is necessary. He noted that existing hotels are subject to state and local inspections which Airbnb units currently are not.
  • Councilor Leo Shokett: Requested that all neighbors near the new airport hangar, including those omitted from the abutters list, be heard. He supported the motion to expand the discussion to the Appointments and Briefings meeting to ensure all 11 councilors and the community can participate equitably before any construction begins.
  • Councilor Brian Gomes (Airbnb): Cited a constituent's concerns regarding the commercialization of neighborhoods and the need to classify Airbnb as a business, enforce a primary residence requirement (9 months/year), limit occupancy to 8 guests or 2 per bedroom, and require strict safety inspections.

Discussion Items

  • Old Dartmouth Historical Society/New Bedford Whaling Museum (Item 1): Discussed the location of conduits on Williams Street. Councilor Baptiste confirmed the work is on schedule for a Spring 2027 opening. Councilor Roy inquired about pedestrian closures; staff confirmed an eight-week closure for the plaza area, sequenced to mitigate impact.
  • N Star Electric/Even Source Energy (Item 2): Public hearing continued to May 12th due to the absence of the project sponsor.
  • Items 3, 4, 4A: Public hearings continued to May 12th by unanimous motion as no representatives were present.
  • Mayor's Transfer Orders (M1-M5): Discussed the necessity of the transfers to fulfill union contract obligations for Local 851 APSMA across multiple departments (Police, Fire, EMS, etc.).
  • Airport Hangar (Item 11): Initial motion sent the item to the Airport Committee. Following a suggestion from Councilor Gomes to ensure full council participation for community abutters, Councilor Shokett agreed to an amendment to refer the item to the Appointments and Briefings meeting instead. This ensures all councilors are present to address the concerns of constituents left off the original abutters list.
  • Plastic Bag Ordinance Repeal (Item 9): Councilor Baptiste moved to refer the repeal to the Committee on Ordinance. Councilor Gomes and Councilor Pemberton offered strong support, highlighting the hardships faced by elderly and low-income residents and the lack of regional uniformity.
  • Airbnb Regulation (Item 10): Councilor Gomes moved to refer the drafting of an ordinance regulating Airbnb properties to the Committee on Ordinance. The proposed regulations include commercial classification, hotel guest tax compliance, primary residence requirements, occupancy limits, and mandatory safety inspections. Councilors Oliver and Pemberton supported the motion.
  • Loan Order for Building Repairs (Item 5): Motion to table the loan order of $12,610,194 for critical building repairs. This item was previously passed to a second reading on March 26, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Public Hearing Closed & Order Adopted: Public hearing closed for the Old Dartmouth Historical Society/New Bedford Whaling Museum project; Order adopted granting the street closure and conduit location. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Hearings Continued: Public hearings for N Star Electric (County Street) and items 3 and 4 (Bellevue Avenue) continued to the May 12, 2026 meeting at 7:00 PM. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Financial Transfers Approved: Orders M1 through M5 adopted unanimously (8-0) to fund union contracts via inter-departmental transfers.
  • Reappointment Granted: Celeste Paliologus reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals (8-0).
  • Loan Ordered Tabled: The loan order for building repairs (Item 5) was tabled. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Tax Ordinance Passed: Ordinance amending municipal tax payment agreements passed to be ordained (8-0).
  • School Aid Transfer Adopted: Transfers from state aid to the school department adopted (8-0).
  • Plastic Bag Repeal Referred: The ordinance to repeal the single-use plastic bag ban was received, placed on file, and referred to the Committee on Ordinance. (Vote: Unanimous support in favor of referral)
  • Airbnb Regulation Referred: Motion to draft an Airbnb ordinance referring the matter to the Committee on Ordinance was approved. (Vote: Unanimous support in favor of referral)
  • Airport Hangar Study Referred: Motion to study new hangar options referred to the Appointments and Briefings meeting (amended from Airport Committee) to facilitate broader community input. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Demolitions Granted: Demolition reviews for 532 Rivet Street, 105 Ashley Boulevard, and 3436 Corville Street granted. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Livery Licenses Renewed: Three private livery licenses renewed. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Junk Dealer Waiver Referred: Two petitions for a junk dealer license waiver from one applicant referred to the Special Committee on Licensing and Permitting. (Vote: 8-0)
  • Meeting Adjourned: Council adjourned at 7:43 PM. Next meeting scheduled for May 12, 2026.

Special Committee on Airport

  • Councilor Shokett successfully amended the motion to include all councilors in the upcoming review of the airport hangar site to address constituents who were not on the original abutters list. The committee will invite the Airport Director and City's Conservation Agent to discuss options.

Meeting Transcript

Testing 123, testing one, two, three. Oh, we're live. Thank you, Gus. Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Council meeting Thursday, April 23rd. It is now 7.03, and we're ready to begin. I am Neil McCarney, second vice president, and I will be presiding over the meeting this evening. In prayer, we have Dr. Sandra Whitley from the Beth AME Church. Reverend Whitley. Thank you for coming. Good evening. Good evening. All right. Well, let us pray. Amen. Eternal God, gracious and loving Creator, our Heavenly Father, we declare that we love you, and thank you that you have made the way of love known through your Son Jesus Christ. We pray that you will continue to reveal this great love to us all tonight, as we've gathered one more time to attend to the business of this great city, New Bedford. Lead us by your spirit to praise you. So as we've gathered this evening to do the work of our community, aware that we are sustained by your unmerited favor. And as we convene, we ask for an abundance of grace, a triple portion of your wisdom, patience, and love to fill this room. So may your amazing grace, which meets us where we are, but refuses to leave us in selfishness, inspire our leaders, the mayor, the city staff, the city councillors, to act with integrity and compassion. We ask for the humility to listen to different viewpoints and the courage to serve all citizens, particularly those most vulnerable among us for such a time as this. Prepare the city to receive an outpouring of your holy spirit empowering each one of us, our families and the citizens, foreigners, individual, and their families of the city to receive your breath of your holy spirit. More than fears and our wounds and even our accomplishments. And so as we say it together, amen and amen. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Whit Whitley. And tonight we'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Ward 3, Sean Oliver. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Then meetings. Just so the public will know the next regular scheduled city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, due to the holy day of obligation on May 14, 2026. The deadline to submit agenda items is Thursday, May 7, 2006 at 10 a.m. And the agenda will be published on Friday, May 8th. Thank you. Joining me in in the chambers and my colleagues in government. Council at Lodge, Ian April, Council Ward 2, Scott Pemberton, Council Ward 1, Leo Shoket, Council at Large, Brian K. Gomes, Council at Lodge, James Roy, Council Board 3, Sean Oliver, and Councilwood Ford, Derek Baptiste. Thank you all for being here. Do we have anything to read in the records? Madam President, we have three letters. The first is from Council Burgo, dear Council Vice President Carney and honorable members of the Council. I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 23rd, 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. Excuse me, sincerely, Shane A. Burgo, Counselor at Large. Second is from Councillor Lopes, dear Second President, Second Vice President Carney and honorable members of the Council. I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 23rd, due to a work commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my absence. Sincerely Joseph P.

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