New Bedford City Council Meeting - April 23, 2026

The New Bedford City Council convened on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:03 PM, with Vice President Neil McCarney presiding. The meeting opened with a prayer by Dr. Sandra Whitley and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Sean Oliver. The council addressed a range of items including budget transfers, a museum expansion utility connection, zoning reappointments, and proposed ordinances on plastic bags and short-term rentals. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Absentee Letters: Letters from Councilors Shane Burgo, Joseph Lopes, and Ryan Pereira were received and placed on file unanimously.
• Mayor's Transfers (M2-M5): Orders transferring $9,620 (airport), $7,998 (downtown enterprise), $44,837 (wastewater), and $137,293 (water) from free cash to salaries and wages to fund the AFSCME Local 851 contract were adopted 8-0.
• Reappointment (M6): The reappointment of Celeste Paliologus to the Zoning Board of Appeals (term expiring December 2030) was approved 8-0.
• Demolitions (Items 12-14): Demolition of structures at 532 Rivet Street, 105 Ashley Boulevard, and 3436 Corville Street were granted, as the Preservation Planner determined they are not historically significant.
• Livery License Renewals (Items 15-17): Renewals for Magic Wheels Transportation, Glenda Reyes Transportation LLC, and Project Independent Services Inc. were approved.
• Property Acquisitions (Item 20): A list of properties acquired by the city via deed in lieu (on Chaffee, Fairfield, Ruth, Congress, and Ashley Streets) was received and placed on file.
• DEP Waterways Notice (Item 21): A public notice regarding B.S. Realty LLC's application for steel anchor piles at 92 Kilburn Street was received and placed on file.

Discussion Items

• Whaling Museum Utility Connection (Item 1): Amanda McMullen (President/CEO) and Brian Pioli (CSL Consulting) presented a petition to install conduits under a pedestrian crossing on William Street to connect the museum’s new building at 11 William Street to the existing site at 18 Johnny Cake Hill. The work is part of the expansion project (opening spring 2027) and will not extend the construction timeline. The pedestrian plaza closure is planned for eight weeks, with sequencing pushed to late August/early September at neighbors' request. The public hearing was closed, and the order was adopted.
• Utility Hearings (Items 2-4): Hearings for EverSource Energy conduit on County Street and two other petitions were continued to May 12, 2026, as no representatives appeared.
• Mayor's Transfer (M1): An order transferring $422,720 across multiple departmental salary accounts to fund the AFSCME Local 851 contract was adopted 8-0.
• Loan Order (Item 5): An order appropriating $12,610,194 for critical repairs to city-owned buildings was tabled.
• Ordinance (Item 6): An ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 6, Section 2-105 on municipal tax payment agreements was passed to ordain on a roll call vote (8-0).
• School Department Transfer (Item 7): Transfers of $1,070,555 and $314,530 from state aid to the school department general expense were adopted 8-0.
• Plastic Bag Prohibition Repeal (Item 9): Councilor Baptiste introduced an ordinance to repeal the single-use plastic bag ban, arguing that surrounding communities still allow plastic bags, causing hardships for elderly and transit-dependent residents. Councilor Gomes supported the repeal, citing inconvenience and cost. The motion was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
• Airbnb Regulation (Item 10): Councilor Gomes submitted a motion to draft an ordinance requiring short-term rentals to be classified as commercial, subject to hotel tax, with requirements for primary residence, occupancy limits, registration, inspections, and safety standards. Councilor Abrew supported the motion, citing the need for same rules as hotels. The motion was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
• Airport Hangar Location (Item 11): Councilor Choquette, joined by Councilors Abrew and Roy, submitted a motion to suspend construction of a new hangar at the Regional Airport until the Conservation Agent and Airport Director explore all options, citing concerns about inadequate notice to abutters. Councilor Choquette noted a 30-day courtesy construction pause from the leaseholder. The motion was amended to refer to the Appointments and Briefings Committee (for full council participation) and was adopted.
• Junk/Metal Dealer Licenses (Items 18-19): Applications from Paul and Bryant (Fall River Pond Brokers) for waiver of residency to obtain licenses were referred to the Special Committee on Licensing and Permitting.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All votes taken were unanimous (8-0).
• Adopted Orders: M1-M5, M6, Items 6, 7, 12-17, and Item 1 (Whaling Museum conduits).
• Referrals to Committees: Items 9 (plastic bags) and 10 (Airbnb) to Committee on Ordinances; Item 11 (airport hangar) to Appointments and Briefings; Items 18-19 (junk dealer licenses) to Special Committee on Licensing and Permitting.
• Continued Hearings: Items 2-4 continued to May 12, 2026.
• Tabled Item: Item 5 (loan order) remains tabled.
• Next Meeting: The next regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 (moved from May 14 due to a holy day of obligation). The deadline for agenda items is May 7, 2026 at 10 AM.