New Bedford City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

The New Bedford City Council convened on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was live-streamed and recorded. Council President Ryan Pereira (Ward 6) presided, with 11 councilors present. Key actions included approval of utility easements, a mayoral veto overruled, adoption of several appointments, passage of a $12.6 million loan order for city building repairs, and referral of multiple items to committees.

Consent Calendar

• Public hearings for Eversource utility installations at County Street (approximately 100 feet of conduit) and Belleville Avenue (approximately 15 feet of conduit and a 45-foot pole) were opened and closed without public comment. Orders were adopted unanimously.
• Several mayoral communications were received and referred to committees: RFP for disposition of five former city properties (referred to Committee on City Property); wastewater rate changes (referred to Committee on Finance); $20,400,000 loan order for CSO control and capital improvements (referred to Committee on Finance); $2,099,535 transfer from general stabilization for snow removal and other services (referred to Committee on Finance); payment of outstanding invoices totaling $1,701.44 and $475 (orders adopted); amendment to Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund cap to $567,000 (order adopted); authorization to advertise for associate city solicitor (referred to Committee on Finance); lease extension between Airport Commission and Bridgewater State University (order adopted).
• Reports from the Committee on Appointments and Briefings recommending approval of a private livery license renewal for Camille Taylor (CT Live Your Best Life Transportation) and appointment of Renee Ledbetter to the Election Commission were approved. Ledbetter was sworn in.
• Appointments of George Bulger and Zachary Needer to the Human Rights Commission were approved unanimously (11-0). Bulger was sworn in.
• A report from the special committee on the airport recommending a lease extension with Sandpiper Air was adopted.
• New private livery licenses for Fabio J. Teixera de Grassa (Grass and Solutions Transportation) were referred to the Special Permit Committee; renewals for Denise Fonseca (Ms. D's Transportation), Renee DePina (United Care Transport), and Chris Lamontagne (Cardinal Logistics) were adopted.
• A final decision from the Energy Facilities Siting Board regarding NSTAR/National Grid was placed on file.

Mayor's Veto Overruled

• Councillor Burgo introduced a motion to receive and place on file a mayoral communication vetoing the council's approval of increased base pension benefits for all city retirees. The chair ruled the veto out of order under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 32, Section 103, which does not permit mayoral vetoes on such matters. Councillor Burgo criticized the mayor's action as an "unlawful" attempt to assert authority where none exists, stating the council was not elected to be an audience. The motion passed, effectively overruling the veto.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Amendment (Item 13): Councillor Burgo moved to discharge from committee an ordinance amending Chapter 9 zoning regulations (dimensional requirements, residential infill, multiple buildings per lot). The discharge passed 11-0. Councillor Schokat then moved to amend the table under Building Height, Maximum Stories, for Mixed Use Business: striking "5" and replacing with the current language (2.5 for uses allowed in Res A and B, 4 for three or more families, 7 for other allowed uses). He argued the change would protect neighborhood character and prevent five-story developments without special permits. The amendment failed 5-6. The original motion to pass to a second reading passed.
• Item 14: Motion to refer to Economic Development Committee a request for discussion with city officials on how new zoning ordinances will increase economic development and provide growth estimates. Passed.
• Item 15: Motion to refer to Special Committee on Environmental Affairs a request for discussion with city solicitor and owners of A1 Asphalt and Pico Stone regarding the status of a trucking agreement for material transport through Shawman Avenue neighborhood. Passed; to be heard at the June 9 committee meeting.
• Item 16: Motion to refer to Appointments and Briefings Committee a request to meet with South Coast Neighborhoods United to discuss deployment of air sensors and environmental/health issues in the South End. Passed.
• Items 17 and 18: Councillor Schokat moved to refer to the Planning Department, Planning Board, and Committee on Ordinances a request to require in-person site plan review meetings (ending Zoom) and to invalidate meetings where abutter notifications are not properly provided. He also moved to refer to the same committee a request for city officials to appear regarding procedural violations in notification for a hangar project at the airport. Both items were combined and referred to the Committee on Ordinances. Passed.

Key Outcomes

• Loan Order for City Building Repairs (from tabled items): A $12,610,194 loan order for critically needed repairs to city-owned buildings was adopted by a vote of 8-3. Councillor Carney opposed, citing concerns about adding to the city's $12 million annual debt service, taxpayer burden, rising energy costs, and slow economic development. She urged a pause. Councilors Carney, Schokat, and Lopes voted no; the remaining eight voted yes.
• Consent Agenda: A motion to take up and adopt the consent agenda passed after waiving Rule 42 by an 11-0 vote.
• Ordinance Amendment (L1): A report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending approval of an amended ordinance (Chapter 9, Appendix A, Table of Principal Uses Regulations) was passed to a second reading.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM.