New Bedford City Council Meeting - June 11, 2026

The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, presided over by Council President Ryan Pereira. The meeting included a prayer, moment of silence, and pledge of allegiance. Key actions included adoption of several budget transfers, approval of a recall ordinance for elected officials (9-1), referral of a health insurance opt-out proposal, and a hearing on Eversource conduit installation.

Consent Calendar

• Hearings 1 & 1A, 2 & 2A (Eversource Conduit, William Street): Public hearing opened and closed with no public comment. Orders adopted to install approximately 208 feet and 18 feet of conduit for infrastructure improvements. (Ayes unanimous)
• Mayor's Papers M2: Transfer of $4,880,000 from stabilization fund to fire personal services adopted 10-0.
• Mayor's Papers M3: Transfer of $164,000 from facilities and fleet to fire personal services adopted by voice vote.
• Mayor's Papers M5 through M17A: Omnibus adoption of 13 budget transfers (totaling various amounts from police, fire, veterans, zoo, etc.) adopted by voice vote.
• Mayor's Papers M18 & M19: Authorization of Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund ($300,000) and Quest Center Revolving Fund ($271,500) for FY27, adopted by voice vote.
• Mayor's Papers M27 & M28: Reappointments of Diane Berby and George M. Viveris to the Park Board (terms expiring May 2031) confirmed 10-0.
• New Business Item 5: Petition for encroachment at 278 Union Street (canopy) adopted by voice vote.
• New Business Item 6: Renewal of private liberty license for Comfort Transportation LLC granted by voice vote.
• New Business Item 12: DEP public notice for vehicle access ramp at 302 Herman Melville Boulevard placed on file.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing for the Eversource items. No other public comment period was held.

Discussion Items

• Health Insurance Opt-Out Program (New Business Item 4): Councillor Joseph Lopes introduced a motion requesting the administration to establish a voluntary municipal employee health insurance opt-out program. Lopes argued this would save the city significant money (citing potential savings of $13,000–$20,000 per employee per year) and prevent closures like fire stations, noting that other communities (Somerset, Seekonk) offer such programs. He criticized the administration for refusing to study the idea. The motion was referred to the Mitchell administration and the Committee on Ordinances by voice vote.

• Recall of Elected Officers (Tabled Items 528-26): The council debated a proposed home rule petition to establish a recall process for elected officials (mayor, council, school committee). Councillor James Roy opposed the current version, arguing the signature threshold (1,800 affidavit signatures) and required turnout (15% of registered voters) were unreasonably high, making the process nearly impossible. He moved to amend the numbers (to 600 signatures and 10% turnout), but the amendments failed (each 1-9). Councillor Shane Burgo defended the ordinance, stating it protects against frivolous recalls and that input was available during committee work. Council President Pereira urged adoption as a first step, noting the recall process can be amended later. After debate, the motion to adopt the order and act was passed 9-1 (Roy opposed).

• Historical Significance of United House of Prayer Area (New Business Items 10 & 11): Councillor Burgo submitted letters to the Historical Commission and Planning Board requesting review of potential historic significance of property near the United House of Prayer. He and Councillor Baptiste criticized the developer for not engaging the community and highlighted the historical significance of neighborhoods in Ward 4 (South End/West End) that were historically redlined. The items were received and placed on file.

Key Outcomes

• Recall Ordinance Adopted: The order and act providing for recall of elected officers passed 9–1 (Councillor Roy dissenting). The final version retains 1,800 affidavit signatures, 300 per ward distribution, 45-day collection period, and 15% voter turnout requirement for a recall election. The home rule petition will be sent to the state legislature.
• Health Insurance Opt-Out Referred: Councillor Lopes' motion to study a voluntary opt-out program was referred to the administration and the Committee on Ordinances.
• Budget Transfers:
  • M2 (Fire, $4.88M) adopted 10-0.
  • M3 (Fire, $164K) adopted by voice.
  • M4 (Facilities, $85K from stabilization) referred to Finance Committee on a 6-4 roll call (Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Schoquet, Pereira yes; Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Roy no).
  • M1 (utilities, $750K) referred to Finance.
  • M20-M25A (ordinance amendments for departments) referred to Ordinances Committee.
  • M26 (tax increment exemption for 91 Summer Street redevelopment into 44 condos) referred to Finance Committee.
• Demolition Review (Item 8): The Historic Commission's determination that the Coffin Holland House (535 Brock Ave) is historically significant but not preferably preserved was referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• Eversource Installation: Orders 1A and 2A for conduit on William Street were adopted; work expected to take 3–4 days with traffic detail.