Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Today is Tuesday, May 12th at 7 p.m.

in the New Belfort City Council Chambers.

Tonight, colleagues, we do not have a uh member of the clergy with us, so I will ask for a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Tonight we will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councillor at Large, Shane Burgo.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Amen.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councillor.

I am joined in the chamber this evening by my colleagues, Councillor at Large, Ian Abreu, Counselor of Ward 2, Scott Pemberton, Councillor of Ward 1, Leo Schokat, Councillor of Ward 5, Joseph Lopes, Councillor at Large, Brian Gomes, Councillor at Large, Naomi Carney, Councillor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councillor at Large, Shane Burgo.

I am the City Council President and Ward Six Councillor Ryan Pereira.

I would like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

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

At this time, I will like the clo I will ask the clerk to read uh if there are any letters to be read into the record.

Mr.

President, there are none.

Okay.

Seeing that, I will ask the clerk to begin with our hearing section number one.

Mr.

President, item one is a hearing from NSTAR Electric Company doing business as EverSource Energy for the location of approximately 100 feet of conduit and one handhold in County Street.

This work is necessary to provide service to 840 County Street.

Motion receive and place on file and open the public hearing.

A motion to receive in place on file and open the public hearing made by Councillor Burgo.

Seconded by Councillor Oliver.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Hi Jessica.

Good evening.

Good evening, Mr.

President, members of the City Council.

Jessica Elder representing Eversource.

Nope, two four five four nine four three one.

Uh we are requested permission to install approximately a hundred feet of new one four-inch conduit from an existing um handhole.

We're going along the sidewalk on the county street in New Bedford.

Uh the work is being performed within the public right away to provide electric service infrastructure improvements for the customer at 840 County Street.

I don't expect the work to take any more than one to two days.

Definitely we anticipate, you know, localized traffic impacts only during the constructive time.

Great.

Thank you.

Colleagues, any questions?

Okay.

Seeing no questions from my colleagues.

This is a public hearing, so members of the public can speak in favor.

If any member wish to speak in favor.

If any member wishes to be recorded in favor.

If any member of the public wishes to be recorded in favor.

If any member of the public would like to speak in opposition.

See no comment from the public.

A motion close the public hearing made by Councillor Abrew.

Second by Councillor Loops.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Colleagues, your pleasure.

Motion adopt the order.

Motion to adopt the order made by Councillor Abrew.

Second.

Second by Councillor Oliver.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Without objection, I will ask the clerk to read items and items two and three, as they are the same property.

Mr.

President, item two is a hearing from Anstar Electric Company doing business as resource energy, the location of approximately 15 feet of conduit in Belleville Avenue.

Excuse me.

This work is needed to provide upgraded service to Belleville Avenue.

2A is the order, and item three is also on Belleville Avenue.

And this work is needed to provide upgraded service to Belleville Avenue.

This is for a poll.

3A is the order.

Motion receive and place on file and open the public hearing.

Motion to receive and place on file, open the public hearings made by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Pemberton.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Jessica, if you could give us an overview.

Absolutely.

So this petition, work order number 2356-4047.

We're requesting to uh install approximately 15 feet of new two to five inch conduit from a proposed poll which is 4 over 65 to an existing manhole.

This is the 1950 project.

This is this uh the area we're working out of is down the belt.

Belvolab over by Cedagrove near the overpass.

Uh we definitely definitely will be requesting a uh detail.

Um in addition to the installation of the 45 foot pole, uh we are also installing an anchor in a uh uh die wire.

Um underground electric facilities as part of the Route 185 project, as I had mentioned earlier.

Again, work should be uh maybe two to four days with the poll in the conduit.

Um like I said, we will require we will request the detail.

Fantastic.

Colleagues, any questions?

Chair recognizes counselor Gomes.

Thank you very much, Mr.

President.

Um that's in the area uh between the factory and the 195 drop off, correct?

Overpass over yes.

Okay.

There's a lot of work going on down there.

Yeah, um I know you said about the detail.

Um with the traffic and everything the way it is, you may need more than one officer depending on how much you're blocking off, because right now you're using that straight through down to Cedar Grove or pass um the overpass or whatever is there's a lot of work there.

Just uh need a little bit of safety with those factories and everything that goes on in that factory south of that.

There's a lot of traffic.

Just would appreciate that.

No.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councillor.

Uh Chair recognizes Councillor Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you for being here and explaining the scope of the project.

Um you guys are coordinating with ongoing project that's already going in.

I'm sorry.

Uh you you guys are coordinating with the ongoing project that's there already, correct?

Oh, yes.

There might be police details there.

Already in place.

Yeah.

But the uh do you expect any because we've had a couple of instances where uh uh business has been interrupted, especially to some of those businesses.

Do you expect any of the I don't expect that, not with just the minimal work that we're doing?

All right, thank you.

That's all thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councillor Oliver.

Uh before any further questions, I would like the Chair would like to recognize we have been joined by Ward 4 City Councilor Derek Baptiste and Councillor at large, James Roy.

I would also like to mention that school committee member Rick Porter was in attendance.

Thank you.

Um other questions, colleagues.

Okay.

Seeing none, these are public hearings.

So if any member of the public would like to speak in favor, speak in favor.

Would anyone like to be recorded in favor?

Be recorded in favor?

Would anyone like to speak in opposition?

Speak in opposition.

Be recorded in opposition.

Recorded in opposition.

Seeing no further comment from the public, your pleasure to close the public hearing, colleagues?

Made by Councillor Burgo?

Second.

Seconded by Councilor Roy.

Anyone on discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Your pleasure?

Motion to adopt the orders made by Councillor Pemberton.

Seconded by Councilor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Moving on to mayor's papers.

Colleagues, pursuant to mass general law, chapter 32, section 103.

Uh this uh law does not permit mayoral vetoes of on the colo base.

Therefore, the chair will rule this out of order.

And I'll ask the clerk to read item M2.

I would like to do this on the second.

Mr.

President, M2 is communication from the mayor to the council.

Submitting an update to the veto of the council's approval of the increased base pension benefits for all city retirees.

Motion receive and place on file.

Motion to receive in place on file by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Roy.

On the question, the chair recognizes Councillor Burgo.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

This so-called veto is a figment of the mayor's own creation.

Not because he's confused or inexperienced, and certainly not because he's a fool.

I'll be the first to admit the mayor is a smart man.

He understands government and the law, which is why this is so troubling.

Because this is not ignorance.

This is a deliberate attempt to assert authority where none exists.

The mayor has no power or authority here beyond what the law actually grants him.

No matter how badly this administration wishes otherwise.

For nearly 14 years.

This administration has operated with unprecedented stability.

And uninterrupted control over the executive branch of city government.

For 14 years.

No administration in our city's history has enjoyed this level of sustained power and advantage.

And yet, instead of respecting the boundaries of government after all this time, we continue to see these attempts to push and redefine executive authority whenever this council refuses to fall in line.

That is not how government works.

The legislative branch is not subordinate to the executive branch.

This council was not elected to be an audience.

We were elected to legislate and to provide oversight.

And when this administration attempts to unlawfully sidestep that process, this council has both the right and the obligation to say no.

Our retirees should not be used as scapegoats for this administration's mismanagement.

These are individuals who spent decades serving our city, plowing our streets, keeping our neighborhood safe, feeding our children, maintaining our infrastructure, and dedicating their lives to public service.

So let me be very clear.

No amount of pressure or political posturing changes the law.

And no letter from the corner office changes the fact that this council will continue defending the authority entrusted to it by the people of New Bedford.

Because checks and balances only work when people are willing to uphold them.

And I'm proud that tonight, once again, this council is doing exactly that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else on the question?

Okay.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M3.

Mr.

President, M3 is communication from the mayor to the council.

Submitting a request for proposals for the disposition and development of the former police station number two, located at 170 Cove Street in Bedford Armory, located at 989 Pleasant Street.

The former Phillips Avenue School located at 249 Phillips Avenue.

The former Horatio A.

Kempton School, located at 135 Shawman Avenue, and the former William H.

Taylor School located at 620 Brock Avenue.

M3A through 3E are the RFPs.

Motion to refer to the committee on file and refer to the committee on that property.

Motion to refer to the committee on city property made by Council Oliver, seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read M4.

Mr.

President, M4's communication from the mayor to the city council submitting an ordinance submitting chapter 16 of municipal utilities and services, section 16-94.

Rate charge rate charges to provide the city council and the administration greater flexibility in setting the wastewater rates and M4A is the ordinance.

Motion refer to ordinance.

Second.

Motion to refer to the committee on ordinance made by Councillor Carney.

On the question.

Second by Councilor Roy.

On the question, Councilor Lopes.

I understand it's an ordinance, but if you look at the other items that are dealing with the financial matters associated with water, we could hold all of these hearings together in finance and adopt everything at one time if the committee is willing to do uh a meeting in finance.

Absolutely.

I will tend to finance.

So a referral to finance.

Finance, right?

So M five and M6.

We'll take them together.

Well, we're on M4, but we'll read M five and six.

We'll read M5 and six together, Council Bye.

We've read M4, so that's been made.

Council Roy, you second that.

That's correct.

Yeah.

Second to referral to finance.

Anyone else on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Without objection, I will take items five and six together.

Mr.

President, M five is a communication from the mayor to the council.

Submitting an order for proposed wastewater rates for FY27 and FY28 and proposed wastewater annual base charges for fiscal year 2027 to take effect on July 1st, 2026.

M 5A is the order.

And M6 is the communication from the Mayor to the Council submitting a loan order appropriating $20,400,000 for the purpose of financing the cost of projects outlined in the city's long-term CSO control and integrated capital improvement plan.

M6A is the motion to receive M55A, M6, and M6A and refer to the Committee on Finance.

Second.

Motion to refer 5 through 6A to the Committee on Finance made by Councilor Lopes.

Seconded by Councillor Carney.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M7.

Mr.

President, M7 is communication from the Mayor to the Council.

Submitting an order for the transfer of $2,099,535 from general stabilization to snow removal, purchase of services in the amount of $1,933,404.

Public infrastructure, purchase of services in the amount of 101,316.

Facilities and fleet management, purchase of services and the amount of $64,815.

M7A is the order.

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

Second.

Second.

Motion refer to the Committee on Finance made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Carney.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M 8 and 9 together, please.

Mr.

President M eight is a communication from the mayor to the City Council.

Submitting an order authorizing the payment of four outstanding invoices from a prior fiscal year, totaling 1,701 and 44 cents to be charged to the general fund.

Department of Facilities and Fleet Management Supplies.

M8A is the order.

And M9 is communication from Mayor Mitchell to the Council, submitting an order authorizing the payment of two outstanding invoices from a prior fiscal year, totaling $475 to be charged to the general fund of Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, purchase of services, M9A is the order.

Motion M Aye.

Second motion to adopt the orders on M eight and M9 made by Council Abreu, seconded by Councilor Roy.

Anyone on the question of adoption?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M 10.

Mr.

President, M10 is communication from the Mayor to the Council.

Submitting an order amending the order adopted by the City Council on March 26th, 2026 and signed by the Mayor on April 3rd of that year, which is in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E and a half.

The revolving fund under the control of the Community Services Department, known as the Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund, whose amount limited at $530,000 is now hereby authorized at $567,000 for FY26.

Motion to receive and place opposite order.

And adopt the order as presented.

Motion to adopt the order as presented, made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Burgo.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M11.

Mr.

President, M11 is a communication from the Mayor to the Council.

Submitting a request to authorize the city to advertise and employ within the next six months an associate city solicitor at M15, step two.

Second.

Motion to refer to finance made by Councillor Abrew, seconded by Council of Roy.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item M12, please.

Mr.

President, M12 is a communication from the Mayor to the Council.

Submitting an order authorizing to execute a lease extension and amendment between the New Bedford Airport Commission and Bridgewater State University.

M 12A is the order.

Motion to adopt the order made by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item number four, please.

Mr.

President, item four is a report from the committee on appointments and briefings.

Recommending the council approval of the application for renewal of a private livery license on behalf of Camille Taylor.

Doing business as CT Live Your Best Life Transportation Incorporated at 14 Beal Street, Apartment 1 in New Bedford.

4A is the original communication.

Motion received and place on file and uh grant the uh license, the renewal.

Second.

Motion to receive the report from the committee on appointments and briefings, place it on file and adopt the grant the renewal as presented, made by counselor Oliver.

Second by Councillor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item five.

Like a suck up weapon.

Mr.

President Item Five is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommended to the Council approval of the appointment of Renee Ledbetter of New Bedford to the Election Commission, replacing Donald Gaudet Jr.

who has resigned.

This term will expire on April 27, and 5A is the communication.

Motion receive and place on file, waiving Rule 40 and granting the appointment.

Second.

Motion to waive Rule 40 and grant the appointment made by Councillor Burgo, seconded up by Councillor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question?

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilor Abreu.

Yes.

Council Baptist?

Yes.

Yes.

Council Burgo?

Yes.

Yes.

Council Carney.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Shoket.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes eleven to zero, Mr.

President.

The item passes eleven to zero.

Renee is here, if you don't mind swearing her in, Clerk.

Renee, if you don't mind stepping to the podium, please.

Hi, Renee Ledberg.

Hi, Renee Lightbenner.

You solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear.

That I will faithfully and impartially perform my duties.

As a member of the election commission.

As a member of the election commission.

In accordance with the laws.

And the Constitution of the United States.

Commonwealth Massachusetts.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

And the Chartering Ordinances.

So help me God.

Okay.

Colleagues, without objection, um, I I should have cut this earlier.

I apologize.

Can we take six through seven together?

Okay, thank you.

I'll ask the clerk to read items six through seven.

Mr.

President, item six is a report from the committee on appointments and briefings recommended to the city council approval of the appointment of George Bulger of New Bedford, Massachusetts to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Zoe Hanson de Bello, whose term has expired.

This term will expire in April of 2028.

6A is the communication, and item seven is a report from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending that the Council approve the appointment of Zachary Needer of New Bedford Mass, the Human Rights Commission, replacing Chad Freitas, whose term has also expired, and this term will also expire in April of 2028, and 7A is the original communication.

Motion to receive and place and file item six, six A, seven, seven A, and grant the appointment as presented and waive Rule 40.

Second.

Sorry.

Motion to receive and place on file the reports from the committee.

Grant the appointments with and waive rule forty made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Roy.

Anyone on the oh sorry.

Anyone on the question?

Roll call vote, please.

Councilor Abreu.

Council Baptiste?

Yes.

Yes.

Council Burgo?

Yes.

Yes.

Council Carney.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Schokek.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

11 to 0, Mr.

President.

Item passes 11 to 0.

Is either George or George's sector?

George is here?

Perfect, George.

Right to the podium, please.

I judge Bulger.

You solemnly square.

Do solemnly square.

And I will faithfully and impartially.

I will faithfully and impartially.

Reform my duties.

Reform my duties.

As a member of the human rights commission.

As a member of the Human Rights Commission.

With laws.

In accordance with the law.

In the Constitution of the United States.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Charter and ordinance of the city.

I will I will ask the clerk to read item number eight, please.

Oh, is that great?

Oh, I'm sorry, Zachary.

Is he sorry?

Thank you, Councillor.

I will ask the clerk to read item number eight, please.

Mr.

President, item eight is a report from the special committee on the airport recommending the council adoption of an order for lease extension and amendment on behalf of the New Bedford Airport Commission and Sandpiper Air Incorporated of Building 2, 8A is the order.

Motion to receive and place and file the communication from the Airport Commission and from the Airport Committee and adopt the order as presented.

Second.

Motion to receive and place on file the report from the committee and adopt the order made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Burgo.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Oppose the ICE Habit.

Without objection, the Chair will entertain a motion from Councillor Abreu to take items nine through twelve A together, waiving the reading, taking no further action.

That was made by Councillor Abreu, seconded by Councillor Burgle.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the Ice Have It.

I will ask the clerk to read item 13, please.

Mr.

President, item 13 is a written motion from Councillor Burgo requesting that the committee on economic development be discharged from further consideration of the following matters.

The report from the Committee on Ordinances recommended to the Council approval of the ordinance amending chapter nine of comprehensive zoning relative to dimensional requirements, appendix B, table of dimensional regulations, residential infill development, and multiple buildings per law.

And 13A is the original report, and 13B is the ordinance.

Motion and discharge from committee.

Motion to discharge from committee made by Councillor Burgo, seconded up by Councillor Abreu.

Uh is there discussion on discharge?

Yeah.

Is there discussion?

Questions on discharge?

Anyone like to discuss discharge in the committee?

Okay.

I will you like to be recognized?

No.

We have to we have to discharge the committee first.

Yeah, I was just asking if there was a question.

I will ask the clerk to call the roll and discharge.

Counselor Abrew, yes.

Council Baptist.

Yes.

Yes, Council Virgo.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Carney.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Choquet.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Loops.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 11 to 0.

Discharge passes 11 to 0.

Motion to pass through a second reading.

Motion to pass to a second reading was made by Councillor Burgo.

Second.

Seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

On the question.

Second.

On the question.

Okay.

Motion to what is the amendment, Councillor.

I'm going to get up and say it.

What's the the before you just m what is the motion?

What are you amending?

I'm amending one of the uh definitions.

Okay, which is so I would like to move to amend the ordinance in the table under section one in the requirement row entitled Building Height, Maximum Stories.

And under the column entitled Mixed Use Business, we shall strike the number five and insert in place thereof the currently used, currently used language, 2.5 for uses allowed in res A and B.

Four for three or more families.

And seven for other allowed uses.

Thank you.

That amendment was made and duly seconded.

Anyone on the question?

That was seconded by Councillor Royce, excuse me.

Councillor Schocat's.

So on the question, uh had a couple of things I wanted to state.

And it's actually fortuitous that many of my friends from Ward 1 are here tonight, even though this is not an issue that pertains to them.

But it speaks to what I want to convey the importance of community and neighborhoods.

Everybody has a neighborhood they live in.

A lot of times they don't want to see them changed.

And I feel that there's two ways you can look at zoning regs.

Some people look at them and say, okay, this is red tape.

This is an obstacle.

These are things that need to be removed so we can get development done.

That's one way of looking at it.

The other way of looking at it is these are protections in place to keep the neighborhood the way we like it, the way it was meant to be.

And of all the people I could quote here, my former colleague, Councillor Morad would probably repeat the same thing.

Any time we ever asked anybody to or we approved anybody to be on the zoning board of appeals, myself included when I came before this body five years ago.

She made me swear that I would look out for the character of the neighborhood in my decisions on the uh Board of Appeals.

Now, make no mistake, the city does need development.

However, what cost to the other people that already live there?

Somebody has to speak for people like my constituents, your constituents.

We don't work for the developers.

I sure as hell don't work for the mayor.

We work for the people, like these people here.

And even though their issue that we'll get to later this evening is not this same issue, I'm pretty sure that they would feel better knowing that all the counselors here don't want to see neighborhoods zoned out.

They don't want to see neighborhoods redeveloped, to see neighborhoods go through gentrification.

Okay.

So I'm asking you guys, my colleagues tonight, to consider allowing this change, this one change out of this whole panopoly of zoning changes.

If people need to build something larger than four stories, they can go to the planning board to get special permit, variance, whatever.

That's the way it's been, that's the way it should be.

Changing that to five makes it easier for somebody to just develop a five-story structure in any of the wards here, mine included.

Hell, they could stick a five-story apartment building in your neighborhood behind the airport, and it would go right through.

The planning board wouldn't be able to have we wouldn't have to have a special permit granted.

So these changes, we have to keep an eye on what's going on.

Because again, at the end of the day, we work for these people, not for developers, not for the mayor, not for the different boards.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else?

Yeah.

Could you please repeat the motion, the amendment?

Sure, I'd be glad to move to amend the ordinance in the table under section one in the requirement row entitled Building Height, Maximum Stories, and under the column entitled Mixed Use Business, strike the number five, and in certain place thereof, the currently used language, 2.5 for uses allowed in residential A and residential B, four for three or more families, and seven for other allowed uses.

So in conclusion, Madam Counselor, we would not be making any changes to the currently accepted zoning, as is the way it should be.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Without any further questions, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on the amendment.

Counselor Aru.

No, Council Baptiste.

Yes, Council Burgo.

No.

No, Council Carney.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Schulkett.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Oliver.

No.

No.

Council Pemberton.

No.

No, Council Ferrero.

No.

No.

Council Roy.

No.

No.

Fails five to six, Mr.

President.

Item fails five to six.

The motion before us is to pass to a second reading.

It's been made and duly seconded.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item 14.

Mr.

President Item 14 is a written motion from Councillor Schoquette and Council President Pereira.

Requesting that the Committee on Economic Development meet with EDC Director Derek Santos, Housing and Community Development Director Josh Amrol, City Planner for Planner Jennifer Carlone, and City Solicitor Jakes to discuss how the new zoning ordinances will increase economic development in New Bedford and provide the committee with estimates of new growth related to said ordinances.

Refer to the Committee on Economic Development.

Thank you, Council of Burgo.

Refer to the Committee on Economic Development made by Councillor Burgle.

Seconded by Councillor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item 15.

Mr.

President, Mr.

President, item 15 is a written motion from Councillor Schoquette requesting that the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs meet with attorney Eric Jakes, City Solicitor, along with the owner of A1 asphalt located at 1861 Shaman Avenue in New Bedford, and the owner of Pico Stone, located at 104 River Road in New Bedford, to discuss the status of the trick trucking and shipping agreement related to the transportation of materials through the Shawman Avenue neighborhood behind the New Bedford Airport.

Refer to the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs.

Second.

Motion to refer to the import the Committee on Environmental Affairs.

Made by Councillor Virgo.

Second by Councillor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

On the question.

Chair recognizes Councillor Shokett.

Thank you.

I'm back.

Little emotional over that last vote, but that's okay.

I'll carry on here.

So on this issue, what I'd like to do is have, as it states, and I'll give you all the background on this issue.

PyCo or Pico Stone.

Pico Stone has been trucking materials in into the A1, former A1 asphalt location on Shaw Met Ave behind New Bedford Airport.

There was a lease or an agreement or some kind of plan that had been in place for quite a while and it had come to an end.

However, the shipping through the neighborhood still continues.

So I've made inquiries all around, and I find that when I can't get an answer, the best thing to do is just get all the parties into one room and close the doors, and then we'll all talk.

So my purpose in this is as suasion this issue and finding out what that agreement was, what's the status of the agreement, and what's the future of this issue?

Because several of the folks in attendance here have been uh monitoring the situation for me and letting me know that you know even though this agreement supposedly doesn't exist anymore, it's in violation.

We still get trucks plowing through the neighborhood.

And it's a very thickly settled uh you know neighborhood.

So once again, common theme, neighborhoods, right?

Another neighborhood issue.

Um so thank you.

And I'd like to follow Councillor Burgo's recommendation.

Okay.

Thank you, Councillor Chairs, Councilor Abraham.

Very quick, Mr.

President, through you to the uh sponsor of the motion.

Our next environmental affairs committee meeting I just checked, uh, which I am the chairman of this year is scheduled for June 9th.

And through you to the counselor, I will have this on that next agenda.

Okay, so we can get this expeditiously heard.

Thank you.

I'll yield the floor at this time.

Thank you, Councilor Abro.

Anyone else on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 16.

Mr.

President, item 16 is a written motion from Council President Pereira, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with South Coast Neighborhoods United to discuss the deployment of SC and U air sensors across New Bedford and to further discuss current environmental and health issues in the South End.

Refer to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.

Motion to refer to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings made by Councillor Gomes, seconded by Councillor Abreu.

On the question from the Chair, I apologize to uh uh my colleagues um and the colleagues from the South End.

Uh I this was a motion I had to get in last minute.

I did not have a chance to uh reach out and discuss it.

But if anyone would like to co-sponsor and put their name on it, I will gladly accept your uh uh you on that.

Um so if anyone would like to, I see Councillor Abrau, I see Councillor Gomes and Councillor Connie.

If anyone else, that's okay.

Thank you.

Um the motion has been made to refer to the committee on appointments and briefings.

It's been made and duly seconded.

Anyone else on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose, the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item 17.

Mr.

President, item 17 is a written motion from Councillor Shoket.

Requesting that the planning department and the planning board cease conducting Zoom meetings for site plan review proceedings and hold all such public meetings in person where all members of the public have the opportunity to attend.

And further, the failure to properly notify a butter shall automatically invalidate any meeting for which the required abutter notifications were not properly provided.

Motion to place on file and refer to the committee on ordinance.

Second.

Motion to refer to the committee on ordinance made by Councillor Shokat, seconded by Councillor Kani.

Anyone on the question?

On the question.

Chair recognizes Councillor Shokat.

Oh, and sent to the planning board.

Okay, so let's redo that.

So motion to place on file and refer to the planning board.

And the committee on ordinances.

And motion has been made to refer the item to the planning department, planning board, and the committee on ordinances made by Councillor Shocott, seconded by Councillor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

Chair reckoned, Councillor Shocott.

Good evening.

This is the issue that many of the folks are here about tonight.

What we have here was was an problem.

Now the problem is not the issue with the Hainer.

Here's the problem.

Which by the way, these planning board meetings have now been on Zoom for I don't know how long.

Since the pandemic.

So I've noticed a common theme, not just in my ward, but in other words, that when developments are looking to be done in people's neighborhoods, you know, they want to know what's going on.

They want to be able to attend in public.

A friend of mine who works for the mayor actually said to me that Zoom is the most logical way to do this and the most fair, but I I don't agree because there are some people that don't have computers.

And so these meetings need to be held in public as part of the site review process.

Everything okay?

Um, again, getting back to the importance about this.

The abutters lists that were used were incorrect.

So many of these people did not even know that there was going to be a planning board meeting.

Now, I I don't want to be known as the councillor that every time there's a somebody wants to build something, I come before the council and complain about it.

However, in this instance, these folks were not properly notified that is a violation of procedure, and this issue needs to go in front of planning and to the ordinance board or the board of uh the uh committee on ordinances, so that we can put pen to paper and make sure that when the city fails to properly follow procedure, i.e.

alert the general public that a development is happening of some kind.

If it's not done correctly, then that's it.

It's it's it you have to do it again until you get it done right.

And if you screw it up a second time, too bad, so sad.

You've got to do it a third time.

Okay, it's this we're not talking rocket science.

We're talking addresses off a spreadsheet with little stickers that go on envelopes.

So let's clean our act up.

Let's get this done correctly, and if not, there'll be a rule in place, and we'll have to do it again until the people have their ability to know what's going on.

Thank you.

So I just had a point of information regarding sending it to committee on ordinance that I'm hoping our legislative council can clarify.

Just because the way the motion is written, the things that and I support the our colleague in this matter because I've addressed this with our attorney before, but I think when it comes to Zoom meetings and the planning board, a lot of this is uh by state uh statute, not by city ordinance or charter.

So I'm not sure why we would send it to city ordinance.

I there's nothing we can draft as a city ordinance to address this matter.

So I just want to make sure we're not wasting our time sending it to city ordinance if we can't address the matter in city ordinance.

So the there was no way that you could have virtual meetings until the state allowed boards and and city um boards to have them.

So they allow you to have them.

They don't require that you have them.

Site plan review is in the purview of the planning board by virtue of ordinance.

And so they have site plan review powers that are granted to them by the city council.

City council could in fact change the ordinance requiring that site plan review matters be held in person.

And so that could be discussed in ordinance committee and ordinance developed if the council soul wish to do that.

Okay, so that's okay.

Okay, so that's okay just one.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor.

Chair recognition, Counselor Abro.

Mr.

President, my question was actually just asked by uh the colleague before me, just wondering what our rules of engagement were here on this.

That's exactly what I was going to ask.

So uh counselor Burgo asked.

We got the answer, so I'm all set.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Councilor Abrew.

Chair recognized Counselor Khan.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I just arise to support this.

I guess everybody in this room knows how I feel about Zoom.

I voted no.

I voted no against every Zoom that's coming for for this council since after the pandemic when we we couldn't meet in person.

So I think meeting in person is much better.

I know that uh a lot of people weren't happy when I was a president when had anybody in here and didn't do Zoom meetings or here all night long for budgets, but that's it.

Um it's about time we get back to in person.

Because the neighbors, like like my colleagues said, a lot of them don't have computers.

A lot of if you have a windy day, if it's a rainstorm out there, you get breaking frequencies.

Now, I'm not opposed if they want to have plug-in for people that can't make it out of their house.

But just like the Board of Health, they're in person, you're invited in person, it's recorded in person, and you can anybody can be in the room, but they have an ability to be on the computer.

But I'm done with Zoom.

Let's get back in person.

That's who we are.

So let's do that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor.

Anyone else on the question?

Okay.

Seeing none, all those in favor of referral say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item 18.

Mr.

President, item 18 is written motion from Councillor Choquette requesting that Jennifer Carlone, Director of Planning, and Attorney Jake, City Solicitor, appear before the committee and ordinances to discuss procedural violations regarding the notification of abutters related to the hangar project at the New Bedford Regional Airport.

Motion receive and place on file and refer to committee on appointments and briefing.

Second.

Rather than rather an ordinance.

Okay.

The chair would just say that if the other one was the one before this was going to ordinance, did you want to just maybe keep them together or up to you?

I don't I think let's combine them.

Okay.

I just think it's they're the very related.

So okay.

Thank you, Counselor.

So motion to refer to the committee on ordinance?

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Second by Councillor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

Yes.

Chairness, Councillor Sherry.

How what happened happened.

You know, I feel like there's been a couple times where the abutters haven't received the proper notification.

So maybe Director Carlone and Attorney Jakes.

Sorry, solicitor Jakes, solicitor and attorney Jakes.

Can shine some light on it.

Maybe working together, we can find a way to streamline the process so this doesn't happen again.

Because look at the end of the day, when these things happen, I'm the guy that gets the phone calls.

And my constituents will tell you I always answer their calls, you know, and I try to get back to them quick.

But if we can figure out what's going on and nip it in the bud, let's do it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else in the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

Colleagues, I will ask the clerk to take items 19 and 20 together, and I'll explain once the clerk reads it, I'll explain what what's going on here.

Mr.

President, Mr.

President, item 19 is communication from the clerk to the council submitting the application for a new private liberty license on behalf of Fabio J.

Texra de Grassa doing business as Grass and Solutions Transportation, located at 175 Hemlock Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

And item 20, Mr.

President, is a renewal for the same license.

So colleagues, uh basically it is a new license before us, but because it expires in such a short period of time in 45 days or so, we already have the renewal at the same time.

So if if adopted, well we'll probably refer it to committee, but when adopted, uh that would uh be together.

So uh motion would be motion to refer to the special permit committee made by Councillor Abram, second by Councillor Roy.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to take items 21 through 23 together without objection.

Mr.

President 21 is a communication from the clerk to the council, submitting an application for a renewal of a private liberty license on behalf of Denise Fonseca, doing business as Ms.

D's transportation at 240 County Street in New Bedford.

22 is for the removal of a private livery license on behalf of Renee DePina of Fort Tisbury Street, doing business as United Care Transport Incorporated, located at 189 Wood Street.

And item 23 is a new prior uh renewal of a private liberty license on behalf of Chris Lamontane, doing business as Cardinal Logistics Incorporated, located at 236 Hemlock Street, Apartment 2S in New Bedford.

The terms of these licenses are all July 1st of this year to June 30th and 27th.

Colleagues, your pleasure.

Motion to adopt items 21, 22, and 23.

Made by Councillor Burgos, seconded by Councillor Loops.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Oppose the ayes.

Have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read it.

Item 24.

Mr.

President, item 24 is a communication from Keegan Werlin, LLP attorneys at law, submitting a copy of the final decision of the Energy Facilities Sighting Board issued on April 22nd of 2026 regarding petitions by NSTAR electric company doing business as air resource energy and New England Power Company doing this business as national grid.

Motion receive and place on file.

Motion to receive and place on file, but made by Councillor Burgo.

Second by Councillor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Colleagues, we have some tabled items.

Motion to remove from the table item from April 23rd, 2026, the loan order.

Motion or remove from the table item 42326, the loan order made by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Roy.

All those in favor of removing the question.

Oh, sorry.

Anyone all in favor of removing from the table?

Aye.

Opposed.

The ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read the item before us.

Mr.

President, the item is a loan order appropriating $12,610,194 for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to city owned buildings.

Motion to adopt, made by Councillor Abrew, seconded by Councillor Burgo.

On the question, the Chair recognizes Councillor Carney.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

So I I rise because I will not be supporting this loan order tonight.

I know we have a lot of critical projects within the State of New Bedford.

And there's a lot of need.

But we still have to remember this $12 million.

Well, actually, it's $12 plus million dollars is still a loan.

And it's still on the taxpayers' back that needs to pay back.

We're looking at people recovering from the burden of what happened this winter and last winter with these extremely high energy costs.

And who knows what's going to happen in November?

It could continue to rise if the current administration stays there.

This is crazy.

Our debt surfers right now, line item debt service, line item on the budget is $12 million.

That's there.

That's there as we can't cut the $12 million line item because it's a debt service.

We've got to pay our bills.

So now we're talking about another $12 million added to that debt service.

We're talking about other things.

We're talking about a budget that is coming up.

That if you listen to the mayor, he wants to close on a fire station, he wants to do this.

We're talking about a lot of money on the taxpayers.

Their taxes are going to be going up this year.

And guess what?

So is the energy costs.

So in December, when people are getting out of Christmas, and in January, what's going to happen in February?

And in March, those massive bills are coming in for your energy, along with your tax bills.

Where are people going to get the money?

I don't know of anybody that's getting more increasing their pays.

So right now, I'm asking my colleagues, let's take a pause.

We gotta stop the bleed for a little bit.

I understand these are critical.

Everything's critical in the city.

The cars are critical, the roofs are critical.

I get that.

But you know something?

I had to wait seven years till I raise money to do my roof.

And did did it ruin some of the walls?

Yeah, a little bit.

But it still was seven years till I was able to raise the money to do this.

So just because it's there doesn't mean it needs to be fixed right away.

It's $12 million we're talking about.

$12 million added onto that.

Then you're looking at another $20 million for uh for our wastewater to finish all the critical things that are in the ground.

So it's a lot of money that we're looking at coming up with us that we're gonna slap on the taxpayers.

All I'm asking is we really need to take a pause.

Take a pause.

Let's relook at things.

Let's see what the economic development is going to do in the city of New Bedford.

Let's see if we're gonna get these RFPs.

We're moving very slowly in the City of New Bedford by getting things on the tax rolls and by getting businesses in here.

We're not getting we're not doing that.

We're just not doing that.

And until we do, then we need to stop spending the mayor the money.

And please ask the mayor, please stop spending it.

It was $16 million.

He brought it down to $12 million.

Well, even $12 million is not a big enough cut.

So I urge my colleagues to take a pause on this and let's look at next year to see what we can do.

And let's give the taxpayers a break.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else on the question?

Okay.

Seeing none, the motion before us is to adopt.

I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilor Abreu.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Baptiste.

Yes.

Council Burgo.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Carney.

No.

No.

Councillor Schulquette.

No.

No.

Councilor Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Loops.

No.

No.

Councilor Oliver.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 8 to 3, Mr.

President.

Item passes 8 to 3.

Motion to take up and adopt consent made by Councillor Abrew, second by Councilor Burgo.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

The ayes have it.

There was a do we read that or do we take a channel?

We need to wave rule 42 for the question.

A motion to take to waive rule 42 is required at this time.

Motion to waive rule 42 made by Councillor Abru, second by Councillor Roy.

Roll call vote to waive Rule 42.

Counselor Abrew.

Yes, Council Baptiste.

Yes, Council Burgo.

Yes.

Yes, Council Carney.

Yes.

Yes, Council Schulkett.

Yes.

Yes, Council Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Lopes.

Yes, Council Oliver.

Yes.

Yes, Council Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes, Council Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Council Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes Little.

Item passes 11 to 0.

I will ask the clerk to read L1, please.

Mr.

President, L1 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommended to the Council approval of the ordinance as amended chapter 9, Appendix A, Table of Principal Uses Regulations, and L 1A is the ordinance.

Motion to pass to a second reading.

Motion to pass to a second reading made by Councillor Burgo.

Seconded by Councilor Loops.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed.

The ayes have it.

Seeing no further business before us.

Motion to adjourn made by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Roy.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

We are adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you.