New Bedford Committee on Appointments and Briefings Meeting - May 19, 2026

This meeting of the Committee on Appointments and Briefings was held on May 19, 2026, beginning at approximately 7:00 PM and adjourning at 8:51 PM. Councilors present: Ian Abrew, Scott Pemberton, Ryan Pereira, James Roy, Shane Burgo, and Derek Baptiste. Letters of absence were read for Councilors Lopes, Gomes, and Carney (Carney due to birth of a grandchild). The meeting covered three main topics: odor monitoring at the South End wastewater treatment plant, consideration of an appointment to the Veterans Advisory Board, and a proposed hangar construction at New Bedford Regional Airport.

Odor Monitoring and South End Health Concerns

• The committee removed items 2A and 2B from the table (unanimous vote). These items related to odor analysis and a resident petition regarding the sewage treatment facility on South Rodney French Boulevard.
• James Costa (Superintendent of Wastewater, DPI) reported that Veolia had installed four OdoSense odor monitoring devices (three in Fort Tabor Park, one near Nina Street pier) in July 2025, operating 24/7/365. Veolia also conducts handheld meter patrols four times daily and follows a strict complaint protocol. Residents can report odors via the NB311 app or 311 phone line, which is time-stamped and cross-referenced with monitor data.
• Edwin McAuliffe (Veolia Project Manager) explained that the plant uses four wet packed odor scrubbers continuously, and portable foggers with non-hazardous countervalent for maintenance events. He confirmed clear communication with the city.
• Tracy Wallace and Wendy Morrill (South Coast Neighbors United) presented health concerns, noting a possible cancer cluster in the South End. They emphasized that odor analysis alone is insufficient and called for comprehensive chemical air monitoring, a health exposure assessment, and a multi-pronged approach. They also raised concerns about Veolia’s history in Imperial Beach, California.
• Barry Sylvia (Sensiview Terrace) displayed a map of cancer cases (pink dots for deceased, green dots for current) in the peninsula, urging the city to help residents access blood testing for PFAS and to share data with oncologists.
• A resident from 72 Open Stream and another from 17 [address] identified themselves as present.
• Councilor Pereira made a motion (seconded by Abrew) requesting the Board of Health and/or Health Department to appear before the committee to provide data on chronic or concentrated illnesses in the South End peninsula. The motion passed unanimously.

Appointment to Veterans Advisory Board

• Christopher Jose Escobar (U.S. Marine Corps veteran, recent Suffolk University graduate) was interviewed for the Veterans Advisory Board. He expressed strong support for ending veteran homelessness and improving outreach and information sharing. Councilors praised his background and commitment.
• The committee voted to refer the appointment to the full City Council for approval. Motion passed unanimously.

New Bedford Regional Airport Hangar Construction

• Scott Service (Airport Director) explained the location of a proposed five-aircraft hangar northeast of existing hangars, noting that the site was chosen due to limited developable space, wetland constraints, and utility access. He stated that the lease was approved by the Airport Commission (April 16, 2025), City Council (June 26, 2025), and signed by the mayor (July 15, 2025). He cited FAA grant assurances requiring the airport to lease available land if no vacant facilities exist, with potential penalties of $40–50 million for noncompliance.
• Chance Perks (Conservation Agent) confirmed the proposed site is outside wetland jurisdiction and that he had no alternative site knowledge.
• Matt Preventure (Airport Commission Chair) detailed the public process, including the lease approval and site plan review by the Planning Board (February 2026, unanimously approved). He noted that the city’s site plan review ordinance does not require abutters notification, though the planning department attempts to send notices as a courtesy. He acknowledged that a mistake in the abutters list occurred but stated the meeting was properly posted.
• Attorney Jakes (City Solicitor) confirmed that state law and city ordinances do not require abutters notice for site plan review, and that the developer would likely prevail in court if challenged because the meeting was properly noticed.
• Residents spoke in opposition:
  • Jessica Brigoli (1415 Old Plainville Road) presented a petition and requested the building be turned around, a barrier for lights, and native trees planted. She argued the neighborhood was not properly notified.
  • Mark Martins (1418 Old Plainville Road) submitted the abutters list showing that only 2 of 25 non-city-owned properties received notice; he questioned why the other side of the neighborhood was notified but not them.
  • Bruce Booker (Shawmut Avenue) stated the hangar should be placed elsewhere on airport property, away from residences, and criticized flight path violations.
  • Tom Welch (1878 Shawmut Avenue) expressed frustration that the airport commission does not care about residents.
• Councilor Roy noted that Chair Choquette had already filed a motion to address the abutters notification ordinance at the previous council meeting.
• The committee voted to refer the motion (Councilor Roy, Abrew, Choquette requesting exploration of alternative hangar locations and suspension of construction) out for no further action. The chair clarified that this does not mean the issue is dropped; efforts to improve the ordinance will continue.

Key Outcomes

• Odor motion: Tabled after receiving update and ordering a data presentation for a future meeting. Motion to table passed unanimously.
• Veterans Advisory Board appointment: Referred to full City Council for approval. Motion passed unanimously.
• Airport hangar motion: Referred out for no further action (motion by Burgo, seconded by Oliver) – passed unanimously.
• South End health data request: Motion by Pereira requesting Board of Health/Health Department to appear before committee – passed unanimously.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:51 PM.