★ ★ ★PUBLICRECORDMAY 11 2026

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Record of Proceedings

New Bedford Special Committee on Special Permits - May 11, 2026 Meeting

Default View — Monday, May 11, 2026

BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts

SessionDefault View

DateMonday, May 11, 2026

StatusFILED

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0:54

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:56

It is 6 30 p.m.

0:57

on Monday, May 11th, 2026, here in the New Bedford City Council Chamber.

1:03

I'd like to call to order this meeting on the special committee on special permits and licensing.

1:09

No.

1:10

This meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

1:14

City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings.

1:22

I am joined in the council chamber this evening by my colleagues in government and members of this committee.

1:27

We have Ward Two Councillor Scott Pemberton, Ward One Council Leo Choquett, and Ward 5 Councillor Joseph Lopes.

1:35

I am counselor at large, Ian Abrew and the chairman of this committee.

1:39

I'll ask the clerk at this time.

1:40

Mr.

1:41

Clerk, are there any letters to be read into the record?

1:43

I do I have one letter to read into the records from Councillor Um Carney.

1:47

I am ready to inform you that I expect to be late for tonight's committee meeting due to a prior commitment.

1:51

Please read this letter into the record.

1:55

Motion receive and place this item on file, made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Shoket.

1:59

Anyone on the question?

2:00

All those in favor say aye.

2:02

Opposed, the ayes have.

2:03

I'll ask the clerk to read item one.

2:05

Item number one is a communication city clerk, clerk of the city council, submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of Anna Liz Valentine Burgos.

2:15

Uh 627 Allen Street, New Bedford Mass, doing business as Giranas Transportation.

2:20

Incorporated 21 Wells Street, New Bedford Mass.

2:24

The term of the license is July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027.

2:29

The uh was referred here on March 26th, 2026.

2:32

And item number one is now before you.

2:35

Made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Choquett on the motion to receive in place on file.

2:40

Anyone on the question?

2:41

All those in favor say aye.

2:43

Opposed, the ayes have it.

2:44

I believe Miss Burgos, you are here.

2:46

Yes, good evening.

2:47

So before we open it up to the floor for uh colleagues from uh questions from our colleagues, can you tell us a little bit about what you're looking to do?

2:56

I'm sorry, what?

2:58

Tell us a little bit about what you're looking to do here on your application.

3:00

Um we do transportation for the school age.

3:03

Pick up the microphone, please.

3:05

We do transportation for school age children's and daycare services.

3:10

Okay.

3:12

I'll open the floor for the colleagues at this time, Councillor Lopes.

3:18

We have three vans.

3:20

Three vans, and where do you park those vans?

3:22

Um we have two of the vans parked on four fifty-six Mill Street, and we have one van park on six twenty-seven Allen Street.

3:30

That's the van that I drive in the morning time.

3:32

So that's the one that you drive.

3:33

So it's basically your own van.

3:36

Okay.

3:37

So you have three drivers now.

3:38

Do you do anything other than school school runs?

3:42

Do you do airport runs?

3:43

Do you do dialysis runs through GATTRA or anything like that?

3:46

I'm sorry, what?

3:47

Do you do um airport runs?

3:49

Do you do any runs for GATTRA?

3:51

No?

3:52

No, just cool.

3:54

Stay care.

3:54

Okay.

3:55

Thank you, ma'am.

3:56

Yep.

3:56

Thank you, Mr.

3:56

Chairman.

3:57

Thank you, Councillor Lopes.

3:58

Anyone else on there first for this petitioner?

4:02

Feel allowed from the chair, uh, colleagues.

4:05

Um Ms.

4:06

Burgos, uh, how many uh jobs will you be creating uh with this company of yours?

4:10

Is it just yourself or will you be employing a few people?

4:12

I'm just curious about that.

4:14

Yeah, I'm hiring right now um two people.

4:17

You're hiring two people?

4:18

Yeah.

4:19

So um we have an interview supposed to be this past week because we was trying to hire a uh person, but they need to come here and do all the um you know driver things.

4:31

Well, if you're struggling, of course, to um look for qualified employees, perhaps you should also leverage the partnership with our great New Bedford Career Center through Mass Hire.

4:40

That might be something for you to consider as well, right here on Elm Street, okay?

4:43

All right, counselor.

4:44

Thank you, ma'am.

4:45

Counselor's anyone else for this petitioner.

4:48

Okay, what is your pleasure on this item?

4:52

Stephen Bridge of the community referred to the full city council positive recommendations.

5:00

Motion made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Pemberton for a positive recommendation to be full uh referred out to the full city council.

5:04

Anyone on the question?

5:06

All those in favor say aye.

5:08

Aye.

5:08

Opposed, the ayes have it.

5:10

Okay, so um Ms.

5:11

Burgos, you have been given a positive recommendation, which is a thumbs up from this committee.

5:16

It'll now go before the full New Bedford City Council, the meeting on May 28th, okay, at 7 p.m.

5:23

right here in the chambers for the final vote of passage, okay?

5:26

So if you want to come in to see the final vote, you can come in here May 28th at 7 p.m.

5:30

Okay?

5:31

All right, sounds good.

5:32

Thank you.

5:32

Other than that, you're all set.

5:33

Thank you, ma'am.

5:34

Okay.

5:35

All right, I'll ask the clerk to read item two.

5:37

Number two is a communication city clerk, clerk of the city council submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of Maria De Pina, 28 Windsor Circle, Brockton Mass, and Maria L.

5:48

Pyers, 60 Foster Street, Brockton Mass, DBA Sisters Express Transport 109 Robeson Street, New Bedford Mass.

5:57

The term of the license is July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027.

6:01

It was referred here on April 9th, 2026.

6:03

Number two is now before you.

6:11

Uh Miss Pyers in the chamber.

6:15

Honorable.

6:18

We'll table the communication made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Shoquet.

6:22

Anyone well can't speak on the question of tabling.

6:24

All those in favor say aye.

6:26

Opposed, the ayes have it.

6:27

Colleagues, if you'll indulge, I'll ask the clerk.

6:29

Were there any communications from this petitioner?

6:31

Yep, there were none.

6:32

Okay.

6:32

So we'll send her a letter and we'll figure out what happened here.

6:35

Colleagues, without objection.

6:37

Uh there are any objections to taking items three and four up together.

6:41

All right, thank you.

6:42

Seeing non-communication, city clerk, clerk of the city council submitting the petition of Paul and Bryant.

6:46

Round Rock, Texas, DBA, Fall River Palmbrokers.

6:50

1351 of Cushioned Avenue, New Bedford Mass, requesting a waiver of residency in accordance with section 15-38 of the city code to obtain a license to deal in junk, old metals, or any other second hand articles.

7:02

Was referred here on April 23rd, 2026.

7:06

Number four is a communication.

7:08

City clerk, clerk of the city council.

7:09

Submit a petition to Paul and Bryant, Round Rock, Texas, doing business as Fall River Pondbrokers.

7:15

268 Union Street.

7:16

New Bedford Mass requesting a waiver of residency in accordance with section 15-38 of the city code to obtain a license to deal in junk.

7:27

This was also referred on April 23rd, 2026.

7:30

Number three and four are now before you.

7:36

Made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Pemberton.

7:39

Anyone on the question of receiving items three and four and placing them on file.

7:43

All those in favor say aye.

7:45

Opposed, the ayes have it.

7:46

Alright, so we now have the petitioner here, Mr.

7:49

Bryant.

7:49

Mr.

7:50

Bryant, good evening.

7:51

Good evening.

7:51

Would you mind telling this committee a little bit about kind of what you're all about and what you're looking to do, and then I'll open the floor for questions.

7:58

I um I bought Fall River Palmbrokers October 28th, 2022.

8:03

Uh 11 locations, uh six in Mass, five in Rhode Island.

8:08

And we were doing the renewal uh this year, and I did live in Texas.

8:14

Um I've been a resident of Revere, just north of uh Boston uh for two years.

8:20

Now it was downtown Boston for two years before that.

8:23

So while I did go back and forth between Texas and Boston a lot, and kept a rental there after my divorce a few years ago.

8:32

Um I am a Boston area resident, and um and yeah, we're we're now 51 stores in nine states, so but I'm committed to being up here in in this area because that's where I launched the company.

8:46

Uh thank you, Mr.

8:48

Bryant.

8:49

Colleagues, questions for this petitioner?

8:53

Motion to refer to the full city council with all the recommendations items three and four.

8:59

Items.

9:00

Thank you, Councilor Lopes.

9:01

Motion made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Choquette.

9:04

Anyone on the question?

9:06

All in favor say aye.

9:08

Aye.

9:08

Opposed, the ayes have it.

9:10

Mr.

9:10

Bryant, you got off easy tonight.

9:12

Congratulations.

9:13

So I don't know if you heard um before with the prior uh previous petitioner, but this item will now be reported out and heard on the May 28th, full New Bedford City Council agenda for a final vote of passage.

9:26

If you'd like to come, you're welcome to.

9:27

If not, uh the clerk's office will notify you.

9:30

Okay?

9:30

Okay.

9:30

I appreciate it.

9:31

Thank you.

9:31

Have a good evening.

9:32

Y'all too.

9:32

Thanks.

9:33

Good night.

9:33

Good night.

9:34

So, colleagues, seeing that there's no other business before us at this time.

9:37

Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Lopes.

9:40

Seconded by Councilor Pemberton.

9:41

Anyone on the question of adjournment?

9:44

All those in favor say aye.

9:45

Aye.

9:46

Opposed, the ayes have it.

9:47

We are adjourned at 6 39 p.m.

9:49

Have a great evening, everyone.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Government Operations█████████████████████████████████████████████87%

Transportation Safety███████13%

Summary of Proceedings

New Bedford Special Committee on Special Permits - May 11, 2026 Meeting

The Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing met on May 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the New Bedford City Council Chamber to review four communication items regarding business licenses and waivers. The committee included Mayor Ian Abrew (Chair), Councillors Scott Pemberton, Leo Choquett, Joseph Lopes, and the absence of Councillor Um Carney was noted via letter.

Consent Calendar

Absentee Notice: A letter from Councillor Um Carney requesting to be late due to a prior commitment was received and filed on file by Motion of Councillor Lopes (Seconded by Councillor Shoket).
Item 1 Receipt: A communication from the City Clerk regarding an application for a new private livery license by Anna Liz Valentine Burgos (Giranas Transportation) was received and placed on file (Motion of Councillor Lopes, Seconded by Councillor Choquett).
Item 2 Tabling: The communication regarding a new private livery license application by Maria De Pina and Maria L. Pyers (Sisters Express Transport) was tabled (Motion of Councillor Lopes, Seconded by Councillor Shoquet) pending clarification due to lack of petitioner communication.
Items 3 & 4 Receipt: Communications from the City Clerk regarding petitions for a waiver of residency for Paul and Bryant (Fall River Palmbrokers) to obtain junk metal licenses were received and placed on file (Motion of Councillor Lopes, Seconded by Councillor Pemberton).

Public Comments & Testimony

Anna Liz Burgos (Giranas Transportation): Stated that the company transports school-age children and children of daycare services. She confirmed the fleet consists of three vans (two parked at 456 Mill Street, one at 627 Allen Street) and that she is currently hiring two additional employees.
Maria Pyers (Sisters Express Transport): No communication was received from the petitioner or her representatives during the meeting.
Mr. Bryant (Fall River Palmbrokers): Explained that he purchased Fall River Palmbrokers on October 28, 2022, operating 11 locations (six in Massachusetts, five in Rhode Island). He clarified his residential status, noting he has been a resident of Revere for two years and previously lived in downtown Boston, while previously being a resident of Texas. He affirmed his commitment to the area as the company's launch point.

Discussion Items

Item 1 (Anna Liz Valentine Burgos): Councillor Lopes inquired about the operational scope, confirming the company only services school runs and daycare services, with no airport or dialysis (GATTRA) runs. Councillor Pemberton asked about job creation, to which the petitioner responded she is hiring two employees and suggested leveraging the New Bedford Career Center for recruitment. The Committee heard testimony from the petitioner.
Item 2 (Sisters Express Transport): The Committee tabled the item due to a lack of communication from the petitioner, noting that a letter would be sent to determine the cause.
Items 3 & 4 (Fall River Palmbrokers): The Committee discussed the request for a waiver of residency under Section 15-38 of the City Code. The petitioner confirmed his residency status in the Boston area despite the business's multi-state operations. The Committee heard testimony from the petitioner regarding his relocation history.

Key Outcomes

Item 1 (Giranas Transportation): Moved by Councillor Lopes (Seconded by Councillor Pemberton) to make a positive recommendation to refer the application to the full City Council for a final vote. Vote Tally: All in favor.
Item 2 (Sisters Express Transport): Tabled pending clarification; no referral made at this time.
Items 3 & 4 (Fall River Palmbrokers): Moved by Councillor Lopes (Seconded by Councillor Choquett) to refer to the full City Council with a positive recommendation for the waiver of residency. Vote Tally: All in favor.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m. Motion by Councillor Lopes (Seconded by Councillor Pemberton). Vote Tally: All in favor.
Next Steps: Items 1, 3, and 4 are scheduled for final vote on the full City Council agenda on May 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is 6 30 p.m. on Monday, May 11th, 2026, here in the New Bedford City Council Chamber. I'd like to call to order this meeting on the special committee on special permits and licensing. No. This meeting is being live streamed and recorded. City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings. I am joined in the council chamber this evening by my colleagues in government and members of this committee. We have Ward Two Councillor Scott Pemberton, Ward One Council Leo Choquett, and Ward 5 Councillor Joseph Lopes. I am counselor at large, Ian Abrew and the chairman of this committee. I'll ask the clerk at this time. Mr. Clerk, are there any letters to be read into the record? I do I have one letter to read into the records from Councillor Um Carney. I am ready to inform you that I expect to be late for tonight's committee meeting due to a prior commitment. Please read this letter into the record. Motion receive and place this item on file, made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Shoket. Anyone on the question? All those in favor say aye. Opposed, the ayes have. I'll ask the clerk to read item one. Item number one is a communication city clerk, clerk of the city council, submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of Anna Liz Valentine Burgos. Uh 627 Allen Street, New Bedford Mass, doing business as Giranas Transportation. Incorporated 21 Wells Street, New Bedford Mass. The term of the license is July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. The uh was referred here on March 26th, 2026. And item number one is now before you. Made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Choquett on the motion to receive in place on file. Anyone on the question? All those in favor say aye. Opposed, the ayes have it. I believe Miss Burgos, you are here. Yes, good evening. So before we open it up to the floor for uh colleagues from uh questions from our colleagues, can you tell us a little bit about what you're looking to do? I'm sorry, what? Tell us a little bit about what you're looking to do here on your application. Um we do transportation for the school age. Pick up the microphone, please. We do transportation for school age children's and daycare services. Okay. I'll open the floor for the colleagues at this time, Councillor Lopes. We have three vans. Three vans, and where do you park those vans? Um we have two of the vans parked on four fifty-six Mill Street, and we have one van park on six twenty-seven Allen Street. That's the van that I drive in the morning time. So that's the one that you drive. So it's basically your own van. Okay. So you have three drivers now. Do you do anything other than school school runs?

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