Colleagues, would you take your seats?

We're about to begin.

Seven o'clock.

All right.

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the committee on appointments and briefings.

It is June 23rd, 2026, and it is seven o'clock, and we're here in the chambers.

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.

My colleagues in government who has joined us is a concert lodge in Abrew.

Council Ward 2, Scott Pemberton.

Council Board 1, Leo Choquett, Council Ward 5, Joseph Lopes, Councillor, James Roy, Council Ward 3, Sean Oliver, and Councill Lodge and First Vice President Shane Burgo.

Thank you all for coming.

Oh, and and Ryan stepped out.

And Councilor from Ward 6 is here, Ryan Pereira, he just stepped out for a minute, but he should be back momentarily.

Okay, colleagues, we're going to stop with number two, because Mr.

Ricard is downstairs at a license board meeting.

So when he's done, he's he'll be up.

Okay.

There are um no letters to read into the record to get that onto the record.

Item number two is a communication, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the appointment of Lara Harrington and New Bedford Mass to the Airport Commission.

Ms.

Harrington will be replacing Christina E.

Who resigned in January 2025.

This term will expire in December 2027.

It was referred here on May 28th, 2026.

And number two is now before you.

Motion receive and place on file made by Council Abrew, second by Council Lopes.

All in favor say aye.

Opposed the ayes have it.

And she's there.

Yes, and Laura.

Ms.

Harrington, you are at the podium.

So just give a little brief overview of yourself and why you want to sit on the airport commission.

Uh my name is Lara Harrington.

I've been in New Bedford since 2001.

Um I raised a daughter here in New Bedford Public Schools, opened a business, uh, had the business for 14 years, just sold it last year, and now I work in New Bedford Research and Robotics.

Um very committed to New Bedford, very committed to the community, to outreach.

Um when I was asked about this position, the question was what do I know about the airport?

And I didn't really know much.

And then how would I feel if it was non-existent?

And I didn't like that either.

So it was an interesting opportunity to learn more in depth about an area I think that I've probably taken for granted the whole time I've been here and ready to be helpful.

Excellent.

Um let the record show that Council Gomes has joined us.

Thank you, Council Gomes.

Yes, Council Abrew.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good evening.

Good to see you.

You too.

Good.

It's been a while.

I'm glad you're well.

Um thanks for coming in.

So I know you come from a small business background and I know a lot of the work you've done back in the old Chamber of Commerce days and the stuff we had done together.

So taking your entrepreneurship background and that kind of skill set or that area of expertise that you may have.

How do you interweave that into the airport operations as it relates to things like potential expansion?

Uh, you know, looking into new leasing for new restaurant space there, really continuing the vibrancy and the resurgence of that airport to kind of get it to finally where we want it to be.

There's some good momentum going, but like anything, we can always make room for improvements.

And I don't want to hold you anything to too crazy on the record because I know that you know I don't want you to bite off more than you can chew or you know, see something you might have to walk back.

But just wondering at 30,000 feet, not holding you at anything, but what are your thoughts about where we're at with the airport and uh where would you, if you had your drawers, you had the magic wand, where would you like to see it go?

Uh well I do know that the airport is positioned for growth and for renovation.

So obviously that instinctively is of interest to me.

Um my history with building a business, and I was also uh mentor for E for All for six years.

Um so the idea of building community through business makes a lot of sense.

So it ha it always has to do with um synergy and you know what happens at scale uh outwardly has to happen at scale inwardly also.

So as far as a restaurant, I used to go to the airport grill way back in the day.

Maybe too, yeah.

Yeah, when it was tiny.

And then when it expanded, we also went there.

My husband used to work in Antucket Winters, so he would be at the airport often.

So I feel like I've been a part of the airport enough to know that it's special.

Um, but I'm don't know enough about it to really give specifics on what I could do for it.

But you know what, though?

I think the fact that you don't come from an aviation background is a good thing because it's a fresh set of eyes on things because I've been here now.

I'm into my 11th year here, but it's like since I've been here, we've had two different initiatives where we had flights going to Florida.

Those flopped.

We had the puddle jump to Boston or the little hop skip to Boston.

That flopped.

It's just a bunch of little misses, and we get excited, and these things don't, and I'm not saying it's our fault.

It's not the Commission's fault.

It's not the airport director's fault, it's not the council of the administration's fault.

It's just uh I don't know.

I I think we have to continue to try to market this region and what's very unique in where we are.

I mean, there is between Barnstable and Hyannis to Providence, there's no other commercial airport like us.

We don't, you know.

I mean Taunton has one.

Uh, you know, and uh Mirks has one, but it's all little runway strips for uh little private jets and having fun bopping around.

This is a real commercial airport.

So I just ask you to think about those things and continue to do your sales pitch and market the region as best as you can.

So we'll be here to help you any way we can.

Yeah.

Thank you, Lara.

Congratulations.

Good luck to you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Council Abroom.

Anyone else for questions for Lara?

Make a motion to refer to the full city council with a positive recommendation.

Motion made by Council Lopes to refer to the full city council with positive recommendation, second by council Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

Saying none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

And it will be on the June, July 16th agenda.

If you'd like to come, we can sway win at that time.

Okay, great.

So thank you.

Thank you so much.

Item number three.

Communication mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the appointment of Justin Olsen, New Bedford Mass to the water board.

Mr.

Olson will be replacing the late Patrick E.

Rogers who resigned in January of 2025.

This term will expire in April 2027.

It was referred to on May 28th, 2026.

Item number three is before you.

Second.

Aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

I I don't see Justin here.

Uh motion to table made by Council Abreu.

Second by Council Oliver.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the ayes have it.

Number four is a communication, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the appointment of Craig R.

Espinola.

New Bedford Mass to the Steamship Authority Board of Governors to fill the seat vacated by Moritini Tierney.

It was referred here on May 28th, 2026.

Number four is now before you.

Second.

Motion made to receive in place on file by Council Abrew, second by Council Lopes.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Oppose the ayes have it.

And welcome.

Thank you.

Good to be back.

Yes.

So most of us know you, but give us an overview for the public.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So New Bedford resident for uh the last 25 years who returned back from Boston where I was in law school that was following University of Massachusetts Amherst.

And previous to the last three years, I was an assistant city solicitor for just over 10 years.

So that's how I got to know many on the council.

I know them just from the community as well, from being involved.

When I came back to New Bedford, um I had a goal of participating in any way possible to further the interests of this city.

I have a love and a passion for the city that I've carried through for uh, you know, when you grow up here uh in this area, it is the economic force, it's the cultural force of the region.

And when I returned back, um there was some question oh, do you want to go to the suburbs?

Do you want to go here?

Do you want to get it?

I said no.

So my wife and I uh lived on 7th Street for 13 years.

When I was on 7th Street, I joined the Preservation Society.

I was a board member for them for a number of years.

We did house tours.

The if a lot of people probably remember those holiday house tours that were so popular, my house was on it.

I had an 1820 whaling captain house, then Mr.

Baptiste Ward, I believe, the over there on 7th, became very involved with the Preservation Society, and then when that slowed down and moved on, they asked me to be on the board of the Roast Jones Stuff House.

I was a trustee for the Roach Jones Stuff House and participated significantly in trying to get abolition row on that end of the street connected to the Nathan and Pauly Johnson House.

It was a significant passion of mine.

I thought it was underutilized.

We had so many meetings and talks about that particular issue.

We're trying to get the RJD to be rear-facing so that folks could walk from the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, come down 7th Street.

Those houses on 7th Street probably everybody knows here are spectacular.

They're uh 1820 some of the oldest existing houses still left in the city because the revolutionary war when they came and they burned down.

There was a recent column on that, the much earlier houses.

And then I had, you know, I had an opportunity to become an assistant city solicitor, as I said, met a number of folks here.

I wasn't always here before the council.

Um, but I represented the city um in a whole host of issues.

It was a part-time position.

Um the first couple years, I probably made out okay because the I I was getting my footing, but I year three through ten, uh, it was not part-time, it was full-time, it was a passion.

Um, anybody that worked with me during that period of time from the police chief, the fire chief, from the insurance claims adjusters.

Um I I represented the city with integrity and uh always advocated for the best interest of of the city.

Um about three years ago, I was uh at my tipping point and was no longer able to juggle juggle my private practice along with being an assistant city solicitor.

Um so I gave notice to um to the city that I had to step down.

Um it was certainly bittersweet because I love being involved on the day-to-day issues of the city.

Um but I have a young family, um, two young daughters, you know, 13 and 11.

Their activities were ramping up.

Um, so I had to take a little bit of a step away from doing all that I was doing.

Um the mayor's office had contacted me at one particular point about another board, and I just wasn't ready.

I was still um recovering from from all the work.

Um and then when this opportunity came up, um I was I felt it again, and I was like, okay, I'm ready to serve the city again.

Um I spoke, I met with the port director, Gordon Carr.

He's provided some great insight into what they're working on currently.

Um in some ways, I I think you know it's a little bit underutilized our relationship with the steamship authority, so we're hopeful to enhance that relationship with our partners uh on the islands, but um for certain you can be assured that um the city of New Bedford will be at the forefront of my mind in every decision that I make as it relates to that particular position.

I'm happy to obviously answer any questions.

Thank you.

Council Pereira.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Craig, good evening.

So uh first I would just like to say uh uh in hearing your speech sounds like at this point you are ready to take on the step.

And I have had concerns and conversations with the administration about uh the attendance of the previous person on the board.

And um I are you able to commit to to attending as many meetings as possible?

I I am, and one of the you know, first questions I had for the uh Mr.

Carr was when are the meetings, how often are they scheduled?

Am I gonna be able to make them?

Um the meetings are Tuesdays uh at 10 o'clock, 12 o'clock regular work day, much easier actually than the evening meetings with with a young family when I have to shuttle um the kids around at times, and I don't like to miss their events, frankly.

Um so that really enhanced.

I was like, oh, okay.

So we you know, and of course, you know, I'm sure there'll be committee meetings.

The the new chair of the of the authority is appointed two additional committee, um, two additional committees.

And so I'm uh you know there'll be times when obviously I have to um attend those as well, but uh I don't have any doubt that I'll meet the needs of the attendance.

Great.

Uh a significant number of New Bedford businesses uh utilize uh work on Mothers Vineyard.

I can think of a couple service industry-based.

I know a lot of tradespeople who go to the vineyard every day.

Where is your priority in A, the possibility of working with the steamship, the Fast Ferry, to uh attempt to get year-round service out of New Bedford, especially in the wintertime for our tradespeople, uh an early boat, a late boat, so that uh those folks can go to the island, do their work, and can skip the the traffic or the commute down to the Cape and then have to get on another boat after a 45 minute drive to Falna to its hole.

I uh candidly I haven't spoken with Mr.

Carr about that particular issue, but I do know um that they had attempted year-round service previously, maybe not so similar to what happened at the airport, because I think you're right.

I think there's a an easier need between here and the island via boat in the in the winter time for the trades folks.

I have a a personal friend that's a hygienist on the island that has to fly Cape Air Um over there because she doesn't have the ability to you know to take the boat.

Um so certainly that would be uh a priority for me to speak with you know the Port Authority Director, and then obviously also my contemporaries at the steamship.

Yeah.

And having been on an a number of boards, I I find it to be extremely important to go in and really listen to to what's happening.

I've done you know some of my homework, I've met with Ms.

Carr a couple of occasions already.

We've had great meetings, but I'd like to get in there.

There's a new there's a new director at the uh at the steamship, so I'm I'm hopeful with that because although the previous director got high marks by our representative and was well liked, I think, and was there for a long period of time, you know, there's an audit that's gone on that's looked back, there's an inspector general reporting on an audit, inspector general report that was quite scathing of some of the things that have occurred there.

So we're gonna look at that.

Um but I've always found it prudent to listen first, um, and then once I have my footing, you know, certainly continue to advocate for everything city.

Well what we really and and also, you know, the the based on some of that reporting from the inspector general's office and everything, with the current reservation system on uh that the feder that the steamship uses, um there I hear it a lot as as I have a lot of uh uh uh uh friends and acquaintances that live in the island and and and run businesses there and survive off of tourism, and when they can't get tourists in because the reservation system is uh uh booking boats half full, saying the boat is full, uh, because maybe some elites on the island and some big shots on the island don't want as many tourists.

It's hurting the little guys and the guys who have to survive a year-round on three months to provide their their their uh to to make their knot for the year.

So uh we we really uh need to be f looking out for those folks because those folks are closest to like our folks here in New Bedford, absolutely our tradespeople who uh go out there, do work, but those folks that are on that island they're they're hard working blue-collared individuals like a lot of the people in this city.

Um and and to your point, uh and then the steamship doesn't uh used to uh not really be affected if their revenue wasn't up because as a quasi-governmental organization, they'd always be made whole by the state.

So there was never a need to generate a lot of revenue, a lot of revenue, and a lot of revenue, so they could appease a certain crowd that was asking for lower tourism on the islands.

I I haven't um I haven't heard that particular view before.

It's enlightening to hear it.

Um I'll certainly keep it in mind if I'm you know approved by the council to take on the position, uh be in the back of my mind as I engage with the other you know representatives.

Sure.

Um but you know I'm a I'm a I'm an attorney, but I'm a blue-collar family guy.

You know, my dad was a firefighter for the city of New Bedford for thirty years.

My grandfather worked, you know, for the uh Department of Public Um Waste for 30 years.

He's a World War II veteran.

He lived on Allen Street, my parents were on Allen Street.

Um, you know, um everything I think about revolves around that.

Yeah.

And and we've always worked well, so I uh that's one thing I can say that that I have no uh I have the utmost confidence that when these issues continue to arise and we we'll work well through that and and talk through it.

Absolutely.

Uh thank you.

Any concerns at any time and reachable and available to talk with counselors.

Perfect.

Thank you very much.

It's a good thing your father wasn't a firefighter under this administration, because then he might not have a job.

Thank you.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you, Council Pereira.

Council April.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good evening, Craig.

Um I'm sure you may have done some homework about the voting allocation breakdown of the authority and how it kind of all plays out.

I mean, to five member board, as I know you know.

Yes.

Um Martha's Vineyard represents 35 percent of the vote.

Nantucket represents 35% of the vote and then us, 10%, Barnstable 10 and Falmouth 10.

So theoretically the two islands can get together and a two to three vote which you think would fail would actually pass because it's weighted 70%.

They can't so in other words they carry a supermajority into every single issue.

I know this impending legislation I think it's Senate Bill.

I mean I got a 1315 right now that was filed by Senator Sear to maybe try to fix that to make it a little more equitable and fair for everybody.

But how do you foresee yourself you know working through some of that knowing right off the rip when you get into those uh into those meeting halls and those subcommittees you're already in the minority so you're already in the minority vote and you're fighting for New Bedford so how have you thought about that at all I'm sure you have and how you look to kind of you know strengthen the voice of New Bedford when you're at that table.

Sure thank you.

You know I think it's about relationships.

You know we have a 10% vote but we're we have a seat at the table right so we are in a position where we have to convince you know either you know Barnesville or Falmouth 20 and an island.

And I think in looking at the history you know um it it's geared that way because it's a little bit different the needs of the islands right because the steamship is a total lifeline right um they can't get off you know if if if there's wind and you can't fly you might still be able to get on the boat.

But but if you have to get off that island you know they got to get off the island.

Now so I think that's why they I the intent of the legislation was that with that in mind.

But I do think it's relationships and I think it has to work whatever proposal it is that we're thinking about whatever economic development that we're thinking about it has to work for not just the port but it has to work for an island and likewise shouldn't just be working just for the islands and not for the port of New Bedford right.

So that's what I would try to develop the the relationships make smart points have good thoughts about what we're intending to do follow through on action items yeah no I I think your points are well taken I mean I've dealt with folks down the Cape and Chamber of Commerce workforce development stuff.

I'm sure you have people in connections down the Cape they look at us differently they just do it is what it is.

We're from New Bedford you know and um it's just the way it will always go we speak a different language than them they speak a different language than us and you go over that bridge right it's my wife works in Sandwich it's a whole other ball game once you cross that bridge right so I know you'll represent uh us uh with the utmost integrity um so you will get a positive vote from me I wish you well and uh I know you'll always be a phone call away if there's a concern or a question that uh any one of us have as it relates to New Bedford so you know I'm I have no doubt that you'll be a consensus builder at least try your darndest uh get the vote and do what's right for this community so I wish you well Craig thank you so much thank you Council Abro Council Baptist thank you madam chair how you doing Craig how's everything going to be how are you I'm doing well thank you um just a cut like you know just a couple of questions because I understand how it feels like when you hold multiple highs right first and foremost thank you for all you've all the service that you've given to the city and thank you giving back to what you do.

I'm giving back to other people in being on boards and supporting other organizations like I think is heavy in the city because a lot of people talk a lot of stuff and don't actually get involved with a lot of things so you know you have to give people credit for doing that stuff.

What I wanted uh really say is like I know how it feels to hold many hats and get burnt out and have to take steps back because of family.

What piqued your interest um seeing that you turned down another board what peaked your interest in coming into the steamship authority and what do you think the greatest asset you bring to the authority in their board and just what do you feel like you be what you can bring um to the board that's going to be a little fresher you know then and and help other people think out the box and and bring it up you know to lift it up I should say um first thank you because being a city counselor is you know you you guys are fielding you know maybe nobody does I get it's worse than it being an assistant city solicitor um because you're the public side of what we get on the backside from the law from the law department um so thank you so um I have a passion for the port now you know I think the port of Bedford is the greatest port in the country right I think it's just so phenomenal and I do think as I said in my opening remarks that um this particular relationship may be underutilized.

You know, I think the port of Bepford is the greatest port in the country, right?

I think it's just so phenomenal, and I do think, as I said in my opening remarks, that um this particular relationship may be underutilized.

Um I think there's opportunity that we need to explore more deeply in order to see whether or not we can have develop economic partners with with the islands, whether that's freight.

I know there's there was a contract with one particular freight service, it was a license issue.

We're you know, we gotta look at that, right?

But it's got to be right for our partners on the islands, but it's got to be right for New Bedford, right?

Um so my I think what I bring is I bring a passion for the city of New Bedford, and I think I am a consensus builder.

It's probably one of the best assets for me is I I can I try to build consensus.

So it's a challenge when you only have 10% of the vote when you need you know an island and you need you know one of the other ports.

Um but that's a challenge I'm ready to take on.

Um you know I've been back in New Bedford for 25 years and um have tried to participate under the radar for the most part, which is where I prefer to be.

Um but you know, when I have an opportunity to help the city, if I think I can bring traits to that, whatever board it is that I that can be helpful, um then that's what I do, you know.

Thank you.

Um just never never forget about the people.

No, no, just never forget about the people.

You know what I'm saying, man?

Just you know, we a lot of people come on here and you know they have their own agendas every time they get into different things and they get different titles, and you know, some people forget about what they do for other people.

I think you're working with a good group of people that understand what the people need and you know what's right for the people that work down there and making it a working waterfront.

So thank you for your service and good luck, and thank you.

And and best of luck with getting them girls to all them functions, man, because I know that's that's a job in itself.

Yeah, this this red isn't the beach, it's softball field.

Thank you so much.

I yield, madam chair.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Baptiste.

Anybody else have questions?

Seeing none your pleasure.

Second.

Motion made by Councillor Abreu to refer out with a positive recommendation.

Second by Councillor Lopes.

All in favor say aye.

Uh opposed, the ayes have it.

So we do have that meeting on July 16th.

If you want to attend, we'll sway you in then.

Okay, thank you.

Okay?

If not, you know the drill.

You can go see Dennis later and thank you, everybody, for your time.

Thank you.

I appreciate it very much.

Item number five is a written motion, counselors Abreu and Pereira requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings discuss the ongoing construction project on County Street, and further that the committee meet with local businesses to discuss the impact of the street disturbances.

It was referred here on May 7, 2024.

It was tabled on July 13th, 2024 after it was heard.

Uh and item number five is now before you and it is on the table.

Motion made to move from the table made by counselor April, second by Council Burgo.

All in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

It is now in front of us.

Council Pereira?

Council Pereira, do you want Sean to give us a brief overview first?

Absolutely.

Yeah, that's that's all.

That's exactly I I had brought this back up, colleagues, because we are on another new year.

Sorry, Sean.

We're in another new year of this project.

Uh it is now starting to be almost exclusively out of my ward, but I imagine the what five counselor was happy I'm bringing it up anyways.

As this progresses down County Street, um, I think it would be just good to touch base.

We're in the middle of construction season or in the beginning of the the busy time for construction season, be getting into it.

And just want Sean to give the committee and the general public an overview where we're at, timelines, any delays, how's it looking, and so on and so forth.

Excellent.

Okay, Sean.

Great.

Thank you.

Good evening, everybody.

Um so happy to be here tonight to talk about our county street project.

This is a very important project for the city.

It's rehabilitating about a mile and a quarter of road right through one of the most historic areas of downtown and the city, and it's spanning uh several wards as well as you're familiar with.

Um this is an investment by Mass DOT of more than twelve million dollars.

So this is a significant undertaking.

And because it's such a large project, we ultimately divided the work up into three phases.

We didn't want the contractor just to be going crazy out on county streets, so we really wanted to control them to uh mitigate traffic impacts, complete it in sections, and ultimately um allowing us, the city to be able to uh work with Mastod and control the contractor.

So as of right now, phase one is almost done.

Uh phase one started um in 2024.

And believe it or not, the design of this project actually started in 2017.

So it's been going on for a while.

Uh so phase one goes from Nelson Street to Rivett Street, uh, which is in Constable Pereira's ward.

Uh the second phase goes from Rivet Street up to um up to Allen Street, and then the third phase goes from Allen to Allen to Union.

So the work in phase one is essentially done.

Um they just need to finish uh final paving, do some site restoration and work on some lights.

Uh they're currently actively working in phase two.

Um so they're working on some signal upgrades, uh they're working on uh basically digging the road out and building the road back up and reconstructing it.

Uh they're gonna be fixing some sidewalks, doing the ADA ramps, and then when we're done with that, at the end of this season, they'll they'll proceed on to on to phase three and continue to do the same thing uh with the goal of being done by 2028.

So we still have a few more years to go until until we're actually done.

Um the city is also planning on doing a um fourth phase of County Street, which will start in 2030, and that'll go from uh Union Street to Kempton Street.

So that'll be another mass DOT funded project.

So all in all, we're looking at you know uh 18 or 19 million dollars worth of investment along the county street corridor over the next over the next six years or so.

So that's a tremendous investment.

Um work has been going well.

Um tractors on schedule, and as of right now, we don't see any delays uh to go beyond uh 2028.

Excellent.

So with that, I'll take any questions.

Council Whoops.

Thank you, Council Chairwoman.

So, Sean, my biggest great, and I've I've talked to you, I've talked to Jamie, is when they close off both sides of the street.

Yep.

And there are businesses that run that entire length of the street, and when they block it off, the DTOR basically alleviates any business traffic to those communities.

And when this originally started, myself, Council Gonzals, Councilor Dua, and that that's how long this funding mechanism has gone on for.

We were assured in this room, and the only people here would be Council Gomes, myself and Council Carney, that the roads would be open to both pedestrians to use and traffic for the business community that we would not shut off County Street, which as you said is the main thoroughfare, one of the main thoroughfares in the city.

And last summer, I don't know how many times I had to call Jamie because from St.

James Church to right around the pizza parlor on the corner, you couldn't get anywhere.

And then miraculously the next day, one lane is open.

We already lost one restaurant, you know, the Portuguese restaurant that used to be the the old uh Nova Mundo.

Nova Moon, she closed, she does live in ward five, and one of the reasons why she closed was nobody could get to her restaurant.

So my biggest concern is making sure that the thoroughfare at least one way is open for traffic to go either north or south.

Because as we're encroaching up, those next two years are all in ward five.

And I love Jamie and I love talking to him, but he doesn't love it when I call him and say, what the hell is going on?

So my biggest concern is I want to make sure that the road is open to traffic, and then the other thing is nobody wants a portage on in front of their house for 45 days, 60 days, or when a snowstorm happens and the portageon is destroyed and it stays there for three weeks after the snow's been removed.

And instead of replacing the old one, they plop up, they plop a brand new one next to the one that's broken.

I understand it's a mass DOT project, so it's a little is out of our control.

Yeah.

But then at the same time, when I call District 5 and they say, Yeah, we'll get to that portage on, that's not the attitude that District 5 should have with the city either.

So my biggest concern is not just the equipment on the street, making sure it's open, but that also we're having it cleaned on a pseudo-regular basis because the dirt, the grind, all of that affects people's their air conditioning when they're turning it on, and the quality of life in the neighborhood does drop a little bit.

So those are my biggest concerns.

And those are all great concerns, Counselor.

We have started uh and you are a hundred percent correct.

This is a mass DOT administered project.

Um they're they fund it, they oversee the contractor.

Uh the city unfortunately is on the backside of getting all of the complaints from the residents.

And we have now started having uh routine meetings with the contractor on a weekly basis to discuss issues.

Um if we receive anything into our into our department, we're we're bringing it up with them, like the Port and John issue.

Um the dust issue is now going to become uh more prevalent because it's becoming the summer time and it's been very, very dry.

So we want to make sure that they're keeping the site extremely clean.

Um the issues with the detours, I know that has been a problem.

Um we have been uh trying to work with the contractor to make sure that uh he does maintain at least one lane of traffic.

And it is written into his contract that he has to do that, except for when paving.

Okay.

Now when he's paving, right, they can't have cars driving on the new pavement or it's gonna get or it's gonna get ruined, right?

So I think we all understand that.

Um I do know that uh prior to the start of construction, Erasource gas was working in there.

They had to do work prior to the current contractor.

Um we did have some issues with them closing down streets that we were unaware of.

Uh we were working with them to try to mitigate that, and if that was the case, then we would make some phone calls, and as you noted that the next day the road was open because we basically told them you need to open this road, you cannot close this road.

So phase one, you know, you're starting out, um it's a long project.

I think we worked out a lot of the kinks with the contractor.

I think he's starting to get into a good rhythm.

But as you pointed out, there are still things that we need to make sure that we as a city and a community stay on top of them.

Um we cannot have them simply just going in there and running you know, running a fly-by-night operation, which we will not tolerate.

Um these weekly meetings that we're having with them have been good.

We're working out issues um and they're being told that they cannot do this or that.

You have to adhere to the contract.

Um and they've been very good with us um trying to work with us to address those issues.

Sean, I appreciate you and the entire team at DPI.

I really do.

So uh and I know I can always call you or call Jamie, so and I appreciate that, so thank you, and I appreciate you listening to what I had for commenting.

Thank you, Councilor Chair.

Thank you, Council Goles.

Council Gomes.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Sean, thank you for being here.

And um thanks for uh your um approach to even though it's a state project, it's our city.

You have to deal with those residents you dealt with them early on, the department in the public meetings or whatever, you know how they were concerned about their frontages of their houses and some walls that had been built by dads and stuff like that.

Yeah.

Um I think it it's been uh a good ride so far because I do check with some of them constituents.

But I uh your your your attitude to be there to make sure that the residents are protected, I think is very important.

Um I got a couple other things.

Um can you tell me why somebody's sidewalks are being punched out into the road where they're extended like on Union Street here.

Um extension out of those bump outs.

What do they call them?

Bump outs?

Pop-outs, yeah.

Bump outs, yeah, bump outs.

Curb extensions, bump outs, yeah.

Yeah.

Why is that?

We're taking away some parking and I find them to be in like the craziest areas like that curve at South Street down there.

Why?

Um I'm gonna try to answer.

I also have Lisa Sherman of CDM Smith, she's the designer of record, uh, if we have any other questions.

So she may need to help me answer some of these.

But typically bump outs are made to shorten pedestrian crossings to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street.

Um it also allows the pedestrian to have a better sight line when you're crossing.

So if you have a vehicle that's parked and you're trying to like walk across the street, you sort of have to like nudge your way out and poke your head around the corner.

And if somebody driving fast, you're gonna get hit if you don't see them, right?

So the bump outs allow the pedestrians to basically be out still safe in traffic, uh not in traffic, and being able to see around the parked cars.

Um the second thing that it does is it it promotes traffic calming, so it it visually narrows the road for the drivers um and slows speed down.

So that's why we do it.

It being a main street and uh and uh as you know, bus traffic, truck traffic uh going through the city.

Um we have several businesses on County Street in that area or whatever.

Um is there some consideration for just enough room so that it just seems like I had the same problem you know when we did down East Rodney French uh Boulevard.

That all of a sudden went from what it was to whoa, wait a minute.

Oh, yeah.

Gotten kind of used to it.

It it is what it is or whatever.

But I'm just saying County Street just um it just seems to be narrowing up a little and uh it it is uh and we said I don't know how much we narrowed it.

I know that one foot high side.

So except for where the box is.

You want to yell like I'm Lisa Sherman, I'm with CDM Smith.

I'm the project manager and and engineer of record for the project.

Excuse me, could you put in the make down and speak into the mic?

I'm Lisa Sherman from CDM Smith, and I'm the engineer of record, um project manager for the project for the design.

Um it should be seven-foot parking lanes and eleven foot travel lanes.

That's consistent with what MassDOT standards are for an arterial corridor.

Um so if memory serves, we were just taking one foot on either side away from the roadway.

Um the parking went from eight foot down to seven feet.

Um and that was to give more room on the sidewalk.

More room on the sidewalk.

Okay.

Um all new street lighting that's going in, so we have to make sure we have that compliance around the street lighting, trees.

That was the next question.

The street lighting.

Are you um who who places the lights where they're going?

So those lights, we do um I we have electrical engineers that work on the project, and they do what's called a photometric analysis to make sure that the amount of foot candles that are put out by the street lights is adequate.

Because we don't want to have um dark spots in between street lights.

So that's how that was calculated, and that's what those placements are all about.

I'm sure you heard about one complaint that came from around Washington uh square area, right where the liquor store was, uh where that light was.

Yeah, Sean, I know you did, and I think uh some of my colleagues also had to hear about that one.

Um just thought it was just too close to the corner.

And as I tried to explain, it was a DOT project, and and they're mapping this out.

Also that them lights being placed on a corner, such as that intersection was to light it up because of the pedestrian crossing that happens from 6th Street, County Street, Washington Street coming from the the south side.

Uh it it is that why Yes.

I mean it's really it's all based on the photometrics, but we also want to pay attention to crosswalk locations to make sure there's adequate lighting for those.

Um I think there was an incident years ago because it was too dark near Blackmere Street.

Black Murray, that's where there was one south of Rivet.

Yes.

So we really wanted to um our design is intended to um light.

Okay, so you uh also where these trees uh where these streets, I'm sorry, where these lights are being placed, but there is consideration where the tree is located, how it will grow into this and keep that lighting on County Street.

Yes.

And as visible as we possibly can.

Yes, and there isn't there will be some maintenance at some point when the trees grow to their mature height, um, which DPI was as prepared for.

Okay.

Um Cape Vernian Square down there.

Any damages or equipment left on uh we going back in there as we have always done?

Uh is the DOT going back in there and make sure that the grass is put back, everything is the way it's supposed to be.

Yes, any damage to uh temporary easements that we acquired uh will be fully restored.

Including the sidewalks or well, we're putting the sidewalks on County Street, but anything in that square would be much appreciated.

Anything that's damaged by the contract, it will be fully restored.

And remind me to talk to you before you leave because I got a project for you, all right.

Um the second thing was we talked about the sidewalks, they're called bump outs now, so now I know the right term for that.

Yeah.

Um the only thing is a lot Sean is is and it not necessarily to do with this project, but some of the other projects that I'm watching.

These streets are just getting paved.

Why are we coming back and putting seal crack in the middle?

And seal crack is my friend, you know that from way back with Ron Label when nobody knew about single crack, and then I brought it up and we started using it.

Um why are they putting that down the middle of the strip when we should be going curb to curb with with the with the asphalt?

So crack sealing, as you pointed out.

What is causing that?

Is it causing the way we're putting that asphalt down?

No, it's the seam down the middle of the road.

So it's a preventative maintenance type uh type of activity.

So crack sealing prevents for those of you that don't know what crack sealing is, it's it's it's rubberized liquid asphalt that's heated and basically injected into cracks in the pavement.

So if you're driving down the street, you see all these black lines all over the place, that's what this is.

So a counselor is asking about is on a new road.

When you pave, the paver is only so wide, right?

So we can't pave in one swath down the road.

In addition, the road has a crown.

Right?

So that crown may be off-centered or wherever it ends up based on the design, but they'll pave up to that crown and then they'll pave the other side, depending upon how the width of the road is.

And a typical city street, they can do it in two passes uh because the road is the paver is enough to get both just do it in two passes.

Where it meets, there's a seam.

So as a preventive maintenance activity to prevent water from getting in there and causing the road to prematurely fail, we've been crack sealing down at those seams.

Okay.

Um I'm I'm going back in time, you know, like when we do a cushion avenue from um uh 140 to the free town line.

Um I don't know if that was a deal to the Lisa project.

Was that yours too way back then?

Uh uh it seemed like we went curb to curb back then.

Uh there had to be a seal.

Well, I see seal crack on it now, and I uh I I get a little nervous because I say, well, Brian, you were here when they put that new road down back in the beginning in the 90s.

It's one of the first things.

Go ahead.

May I?

Yes, that was one of my projects too.

Uh that was built in two thousand seven, so we're actually coming up on it's 20-year lifespan.

Um so the crack ceiling is trying to help extend that life.

As much as possible.

And as Sean mentioned, we're trying to keep water from getting in, because the second you get water in, now you got the freeze thoughts.

Okay, I was just I was just wondering from it seemed like in the uh uh back in the day we used to go curb to curb, but now putting that down the middle, I thought it it somewhat didn't the road didn't last as long.

And things were but it makes sense what you're saying, and uh you you educated me when you're meeting that peak or whatever, or also has to do with waters coming down, such as this morning if that wasn't like that, the water is puddling up or whatever, and I thank you for uh the education on that.

And and that's it.

And um just always keep the public in in mind and the businesses as you've heard from my colleagues.

I think that is so important that they have their opportunity and to get to their homes and also to do business as they always do.

Agreed a hundred percent.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, madam chairman.

Thank you, Councillor Combs.

Council Baptiste.

Thank you.

I'm so sorry.

Answering a family call.

Sean, how are you doing today?

Great.

How are you?

And um I just want to just make sure everybody knows that Council Lopes, this is not just going to Ward 5, it is going to Ward Ford, so you can't be selfish about Colony Street.

Half of it is ward fours.

Um Sean, um just like the the good counselor from Ward 5 said, um the only couple of complaints I've had, and I and we've talked about the whole you know, we we know about the the project and everything going on and hope hopefully it goes smooth and everything gets fixed up correctly.

But um, the only problems that I had from constituents on um the wood floor side of the street is um blocking of driveways and people not being able to get into their houses, and um having late trash pickups because they can't put trash out and they don't know where to put the trash so the um garbage can come pick up the trash.

Um so they was left with you know a couple of weeks with not getting trash and not knowing where to put it, not being able to park in front of their houses and not park in front of the houses, but get into their driveways and have access to get in and out, especially people that you know that work during the day and you know some people work from home and they have to shuttle in and out as well.

So those those are the only concerns that I had, and I just want you to understand that.

But thank you for all you do.

If I have any problems, I call.

So have a good one, guys, and thank you as well.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you, Councillor Baptiste.

Anybody else?

Councillor Pereira, would you like to keep this on the table?

I'll make a motion of the table at this time.

Right.

Okay.

So any more questions for either second.

No.

Okay.

So motion for made by Council Pereira to table.

And second by Councillor Abrew.

All in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Thank you for the update, and we'll see you back in a few months.

Let me know that.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

Item number one is now before your communication, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the reappointment of Ricard Rosendis.

It wasn't on the date table.

We know we know that.

Yeah, no, we did it.

We just we just pushed it back to the end of the agenda because you have motion made by Councillor Burgle to receive place on files seconded by Councillor Baptist.

All in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Hello, welcome.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Okay.

Okay, so you want to just give in that little update on the licensing board, what's been going on?

Well, uh, as far as uh updates what is going on, I learned recently that the office is going to be moved to the health department.

Uh uh they cut one of the positions in the office.

Uh this uh administrative clerk there that assisted uh Ms.

Amaral.

Uh so she's going to be uh, I believe a one uh person show for the time being.

Uh she does a great job.

Uh also uh we've had uh some turnover in the licensing board.

Uh my commissioners uh uh one of them uh has only been on for maybe a year.

I took over the chairman's position since last year, since last summer, I believe.

Uh we uh I apologize first off for being uh late uh for this meeting.

We had uh a 6 p.m.

meeting tonight, and uh as soon as we finished I made my way up here.

Uh if anybody has any questions, I'd be more than happy to discuss.

Yeah.

Okay, so we get questions open.

Councillor Burgo.

Yes, uh congratulations on your recent appointment, Chairman Disney's.

Thank you, Councillor.

Um I guess I'll start off on my concern around uh hearings being on Zoom.

Um there's been, you know, I had a situation, I don't know if you are aware of, I had spoken with the solicitor's office where I uh as a city council or elected official was attempting to uh be a part of a public hearing, and I wasn't able to Which which hearing was it was for the morning lounge um uh was that with the ABC C.

Yes, for their extension of their hours.

Um it's just uh it's chaotic, I guess, is the the thought process is like I get it.

It's one of those things like we have hearings too, that's why we typically have them in person because it's hard to kind of organize when it's sure virtual.

So I guess that's my question is how can we better facilitate that if we do decide.

I I get the idea of having it virtual, sometimes it's more accessible for people.

Uh but I think oftentimes we're finding, not just with the licensing board, but with the planning board, with the zoning board, we're seeing it more and more that it's not very accessible for the people.

Uh maybe for the board.

Um so I guess that's my first question is is there other ways that we maybe can streamline that and make it more accessible for the people of New Bedford?

Councilor, I will go on record as saying I am not a fan of Zoom.

I am not a fan of Zoom.

When I first became a commissioner, we were in uh Zoom meetings.

The reason being is because we were dealing in uh we're coming off of COVID.

So we transitioned back to live meetings.

If the ABCC posts a Zoom meeting, that's beyond our office's control.

I can I don't foresee any circumstance that we would have a Zoom meeting go uh uh as as it relates to a local meeting.

I don't I'm I'm not a fan of Zoom meetings.

I like the back and forth.

I I like to see the individuals in person.

Uh I'm I'm not a fan of uh Zoom meetings.

I don't anticipate squares, as she calls it.

I don't anticipate anything going forward.

She calls it Hollywood Squares, so yeah, she doesn't like it either.

So I guess that brings me to my next question about what do you believe is the licensing board's responsibility when it comes to ensuring meaningful public uh participation in proceedings?

Well the license is board responsibility as far as uh having the public engage is in posting our meetings and invite public uh to make input.

Uh we just had a meeting uh downstairs uh with uh an establishment that we've been having problems with, and we gave uh everyone who is willing to speak ample time to uh verbalize their uh frustrations with the establishment as it pertains to noise and so forth affecting that neighborhood.

Uh we we put great value on individuals coming to the meeting because we know they're taking time out of their uh busy lives, okay, to talk about an issue.

So uh I I think that's paramount in uh for the licensing board is to hear, you know, because we promote we want to promote business in the city, okay?

But my biggest concern is the residents who are living next to these establishments.

So any feedback I get from the residents, okay, we want to give them ample opportunity to address us.

Well, I I hear you say ample opportunity.

I and I do sometimes see that, like for example, during the testimony I did get to hear on that Zoom call.

I think that oftentimes what's lost though is that you allow whoever, like if you you know, this person next up, whoever is going to speak, you allow them to speak for however long, but then when the board decides, okay, we've heard enough, only maybe five people have gotten to speak.

That's why here, for example, the city council, yeah, to make sure we hear from as many people as possible, we limit the amount of time.

Say, oh, we have a hundred people in the room, we're gonna limit the comment to two minutes per person.

So that way, in that opportunity, it might not be ample amount of time, maybe someone wants to speak for five minutes, but we get to hear from more people here from a diverse group of people in that sense.

And the only reason I bring that up is because uh you know, obviously my most recent experience was with the the Morner Lounge case, but we know there's been past experiences with the licensing board where the ample time that you're referring to uh it the it was it was cut off where only a certain number of individuals were given the that ample time to speak.

Uh I believe the in uh the uh meeting you were referencing was uh a couple of years ago regarding the NIP ban.

Okay.

I wasn't I wasn't the chairperson, but when you have a room full of people, I think we want to hear as much feedback as we can, but we also have to be courteous to everybody in that room to give them an opportunity and give you know the appropriate amount of time and then start to cut it off because some people just ramble on.

You know, if I can just speak in layman's terms.

As the commissioner, I probably need to do a better job uh running the meeting by giving people a uh a little more time.

Okay.

But uh I I think what comes into factor is how many people are there.

If you have a room full of people and you want to give everybody uh opportunity to speak, okay, unless you're gonna have the meeting for six hours, you want to try to be courteous to everybody, but you know, try to limit a speaker.

You well, again, as I mentioned, it's not about I'm not sure if that's the answer you want uh looking for, but I'm not looking for any particular answer.

You say whatever you your heart has you say.

Uh I'm not looking for any answer that you know, but uh and again also I'm not uh referring to any particular meeting.

Uh to me, I'm showcasing a pattern that I think is is showcasing, and again, the other part too I want to mention is not necessarily that I feel as though people should be able to speak for however long they as they want.

As I just pointed out to you, the city council limits uh the amount of time you can't get up here during citizens input time and speak for 10, 20 minutes.

We limit, I think it's three three minutes.

Um so that's what I'm trying to say to you now is that I don't believe that the licensing board should allow people to get up there and speak for an hour or however long.

What I'm saying, though, is that you should allow more than one or two people.

And by by shortening and by stating at the top, like for example, I'm I'm just using the Morning Lounge experience because it was the most recent one.

Um if you had said maybe at the beginning of that meeting, hey, we have a lot of people on the Zoom I see.

Um because there's about 30 people I'm seeing right now, I'm not sure if all 30 are gonna uh speak.

Um however, because uh all 30 might speak, I'm going to limit each person to two minutes, and I'm stating that right now.

So when you get on, you will be timed, and at the two-minute mark you will be cut off.

So that way we can get to as many people as possible.

That if that stated, but instead what typically happens at these meetings is you allow someone to get on, they ramble on for however long, they try to get in all these points, and and I think you're doing it to be fair, which I'll give you that uh credit, which I appreciate, and you're trying to navigate that fairness, and they're speaking maybe five just like I am right now, rambling on uh talking for five, ten minutes.

I won't cut you off.

I appreciate that.

But you're talking for five, ten minutes, and then before you know it, you know, like you're saying, we're halfway through the meeting and you only got through two people, and then you have to say, obviously, as a commissioner, all right now we've heard enough testimony.

And you might be right in that sense we've heard 30 minutes of testimony, but only three people have spoken and now ten people are still waiting.

So then you f the the general public that are there feel disenfranchised in that moment.

Um so that's why just for me, I just wonder the for the city council here, what confidence do we have that if you continue on with this board, how will you what changes, especially now that you're the chairman.

I I don't know how the terms work um if you'll uh if you get voted on as chairman every year or if they have a vote for that, if you'll continue on in this leadership role, what changes will you make to ensure that accessibility will change?

Counselor, the points you just brought up, I will I will uh going forward I will uh work towards improving that.

I appreciate that.

And I guess my last question I'll ask is just about when you're coming to the decisions that you have to make on the licensing board, which I think are really important in a city like New Bedford, uh, with the amount of license that we have out there, uh what information do you typically rely on when making a decision?

What I rely on is uh if we have uh uh abutters, okay, constituents that live in the neighborhoods, okay, because uh I I give them a lot of weight.

I get I give their statements a lot of weight.

I rely on the police reports, okay.

I uh rely on the calls for service.

Okay, not only the police reports, but how many times the officers are being dispatched there because with if they're being dispatched to that location, okay, they're not patrolling a neighborhood.

Okay, they get be they're being tied up because of the disturbances or whatever the case may be at that particular establishment.

So I put great weight in that also.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Burgo.

Anyone else have any questions?

Council Pereira.

Thank you.

So Rickard, uh basically uh just building a little bit more off of uh of uh the c my colleague who spoke before me's points, but uh when building in and and framing up and hearing these testimonies, one thing that I have concerns with a lot of boards is you know obviously you're going to take advice from um the police department, great resource, the abutters, great resources.

Uh legal advice from the city's staff, absolutely.

But at the end of the day, the decision rests with you.

You you you serving as a commissioner almost uh even more on a smaller board, right?

You have it's a three-member board, there's a lot of uh weight per vote.

And you have that sole discretion of of how to vote, how to make the motion.

And I think a lot of times uh the city doesn't do a very good job explaining that to you and and not just you, but boards in general.

And and now that you're in uh uh in a leadership role, I just want you to uh continue to remember that at the end of the day, the authority rests with you, no one else.

And while you might have procedure to fulfill, you you execute that authority the best way you see fit.

And I have concerns sometimes that um the lawyer sometimes might throw in some language to scare s in not scare but direct in and and influence uh where they should be just giving neutral legal advice.

The the decision rests with you, and the decision rests with your board and your fellow commissioners and and board members in every board in the city.

I agree.

Okay.

I agree.

At the end of the day, I have to look in the mirror.

Yeah.

Okay.

Exactly.

I agree with I agree with what you're saying.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Council Abreu.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good evening.

Uh thanks for coming in.

Um referenced, Mr.

McHugh and Mr.

D, I asked them both the same questions about being free thinkers, right?

Um despite what the political pressure might be from the corner office or from any special or regular interest groups out there, abutters, and they both pledged that they would be free thinkers and they would go through that process based on the information they've gathered.

Um I don't know if we had the chance to talk about that, but talk about yourself and trying to be a free thinker and uh not cowing tau to any kind of maybe political pressure you may be getting.

And you know, I I think about like for example, the NIPBAN that came, you know, that was instituted by the board back in 2023.

I know obviously uh it's before the courts now, and uh there was an injunction uh put forth by the courts, and uh it's in discovery phase and it'll be um a pretrial end of this year, so that's still before the courts.

But um talk about that a little bit about kind of um making a decision while he's trying to based on the information you're getting or how you feel um despite whatever political pressure you might be getting, calls from mayors and so forth and so on, uh, about being an independent voice and threading that needle, right, between public safety and accountability, but also not be uh being bureaucratic in the sense of stalling business, stalling commerce.

So can you talk a little bit about that?

Sure.

Uh just for the record, uh the mayor has never called me.

I've never had a conversation with him on the phone.

Never.

Uh well, I didn't say you had.

No, but I'm just put I'm just I'm just uh I'm going into uh I'm just giving a background, okay.

Uh when I took this position, all right, I served on the police department for 32 years and I uh just before I retired, I ran an investigative unit.

Okay.

Uh I'll bring up the NIP ban.

Okay.

There was a lot of there was a lot of uh talk in the media about the proposed NIP ban and so forth.

Uh how I approach that, I went for a walk.

All right.

I live in the far north end of New Bedford, okay?

I went for a walk uh a week before, because I was on the fence because I'm not a big uh I'm not a big regulation guy, I'm not.

Okay.

But uh I went for a walk and uh I went for about an hour walk on a cushion avenue in the Sassewin area.

And I counted, I started counting all the little nip bottles I'd see along the roadway during my walk.

Okay.

Uh I was kind of shocked because I never looked for them before.

Okay.

So I was kind of shocked how much I actually saw.

I also got information uh from uh neighboring police department, I still may have the information where uh where a police chief uh gave some uh gave uh gave an interview and he indicated that uh nip bands, okay, are good for public safety because what happens is individuals are going, and just to summarize, individuals that go to a liquor store, buy a can of soda, buy the nip, pour it into their can of soda, and drive down the road drinking alcoholic beverage, okay?

This way if they get pulled over and they're tossing the nip bottles out the window.

So this if they get pulled over, there's going to be no evidence of alcohol in the car.

All right.

So as a police officer of 32 years, yeah, that that that played a uh that played a lot of weight on my person uh in my mind, okay.

But I based my decision on my walk and how much litter I saw on the ground.

Now, what's interesting, Counselor, I didn't know we were going to be talking about this tonight.

I spent a lot of time walking my daughter's dog.

And I see less on the ground now.

I don't know if all the media uh media hype concerning uh the NIP ban and the pending litigation and so forth and the reason why with littering and so forth.

I didn't know if that was uh if that acted in some sort of public service announcement.

I still find bottles on the ground, but I'm not seeing as many as I used to.

So again, when I at the end of the day, I look in the mirror and I got to base my decisions on how I feel.

This is uh this this job on the licensing board, okay.

It doesn't it i it's not my sole source of income, as I I'll say.

Okay.

I I do it as a service to the city, okay.

I'm not a I'm not a person that bows to political pressure because at the end of the day, I have to look in the mirror.

And that's and that's how I make my decisions.

Well, I appreciate your your candor and and your service.

Um I'm not gonna get into the rabbit hole of bureaucracy and fear mongering and all that and that the reefer madness around alcohol, we're not here to talk about that.

We've litigated that in these chambers.

That's not on the question right now, so we'll leave that for another day.

But uh and and I and I believe you when you say the the administration hasn't called you to vote a certain way, but I just the regulation to institute the NIP ban, where did that come from then?

Because you had you had a piece of paper that was before you with a written motion that was there to adopt it, so that came from someone and somewhere um who I was I was provided some material from the solicitor's office to read.

So it was from the administration, though.

I'm assuming so, yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Council Aver.

Anybody else?

Council Gomes.

Thank you very much, Madam Chairman.

I I don't I don't really have any c questions for officers.

I still want to call you officer.

And um, I just known you for a long time, and I know you're a caliber of person that you are, and you're exactly right, which you have told this council tonight.

You're not politically pushed, you're not mo motivated by um political mayors or anything like that, and you never was like that, even on the police department.

You uh is what I have seen from you, and I know you because um I'm here already.

I'm sure in the time that I've been here when you get on, and you always was a a good officer on the street, even when you got into your rank, you continue to be the same officer that I knew when you got on the force, and that was no nonsense.

Do my job, I go home, I sleep soundly.

You have done this job to the best of your abilities, and I I just want to commend you.

You have had some tough issues to deal with.

You you you I've been to a couple of license boards where you're dealing with some of the um problem areas of the city uh and and you take the appropriate action.

Uh I I am basically a fan of yours and have been a fan of yours, whether you know that or not, even while on the department.

So what I'm saying to you is just keep doing the job that you're doing, the leadership role that you are playing.

We always have a of space in uh positions where we can grow, we can open our minds, we can listen to others and make that decision.

I think you're the type of guy.

And I just wanted to make that statement.

And uh I appreciate uh what you do and uh not only your years of service on the department, but coming to the licensed board, which is one of the most powerful boards in the city.

I was just talking to my colleague to my left.

I've known about this board for a long time, going way back when I worked in the industry when Mars Levesque is the chairman and he has his members of whatever.

There is one thing I want to ask you.

Do you um do you still go out on Friday and Saturday nights doing some calls on the bars?

I I haven't gone out on a Friday, Saturday night.

A lieutenant from the South End station reached out to me on my cell phone uh maybe a a month ago, and uh he had some concerns about a package store, so I uh made an unannounced visit at the package store as soon as they opened.

Is that something that the license board would consider?

I'm not saying every Friday and Saturday night because um you know as well as I do going back in your years um when the license board did hit the streets on a Friday or Saturday night, by the time you left the first um uh bar, they the phones were ringing across the city that the license aboard is out and there's a possibility they may come in.

I I like I like not that fear, but that um idea of you can pop up any time, you and your staff, just to make sure that things are running uh properly, not to invade or and and as you have said earlier tonight.

You you you're a guy about regulation, but you're not about a guy about regulating people.

But just making that appearance, letting them know that the license board is functioning and we we could come in at any time, especially when you've had complaints from a neighborhood or whatever, to get your first eye look on it.

Yeah, absolutely.

I'd be in favor of that.

I'd be I I would support that.

Thank you very much, and I hope you would take that into consideration, especially during the warm um uh weather times when a lot more people are out in the evenings, just to make sure that everybody's up to standards and and it's uh it's not because we want to be evil in any way or you're looking to suspend anyone's license or whatever.

We just got rules and rights that we have to run under the laws of the the liquor uh establishments throughout the city.

And again, you you you have the biggest power in this city uh under that licensing board because of what you control, and I appreciate it.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Yes, thank you, Council Combs.

Council Roy.

Hi, thanks.

I just uh I was curious.

The licensing board is a stipended position, right?

I hear it's one of the only boards in commissions in the city that provides what's the stipend just for the public six dollars a week.

Sixty-six bucks a week?

Yeah.

Is that enough to go out on Friday and Saturday and I'll night, Councillor?

I'm not I don't drink, so maybe enough for me, but I appreciate that.

I'm good.

What are you getting at, Council?

Thank you, Councillor Roy.

Anyone else?

Seeing none, did gentlemen.

Motion to refer to the full city council for confirmation.

Motion being made by Council Gomes to refer to the full city council for confirmation.

Council Lopes on it seconded it.

All uh on the question.

Council Barrett.

Um I just wanted to mention that this uh uh Chairman Rosende sent his paperwork um to the mayor's office back in March, um, which is great.

Uh but the took the mayor two months to send it down to us.

Um I'm only highlighting it because of the fact that this is the administration that tells us they're so efficient and they do such great work.

Um this is why, for example, his um term technically expires in a week.

And it will not make it in time.

Um it will it will be on July 16th's uh council agenda by that time.

His term will technically have expired, but by mass general law, he can continue serving.

So there will be no interruption.

But I'm just making that note that this is the type of administration that we have that even with all the staff that they have they continue to make all of these mistakes and delays even when people properly notify them and give them all of the things that they need to send down to us.

And I also want to take this opportunity to thank Captain Rosendis for his 32 years and his service in the license board.

I will say also that I appreciate his uh comments that he is looking to make some reforms to license board.

I I will hope to see some of those changes and I appreciate his time tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Burgo.

Anyone else on the question?

Saying none all in favor say aye.

Aye aye opposed the ayes have it and we'll see you if you want to come in on the 16th and we can sway you in then if not you know the drill you can go see Dennis Farius in the office and get sworn in after.

Thank you Council.

Thank you very much and thank you for your service.

Madam Chair motion to waive items six through thirteen and refer out to the full city council for no further action.

Wave the re and wave the reading yeah Council Burgo second by council Pereira severing I excuse me.

Did you say seven or ten council seven number 10 seven number 10 I understand trying to get rid of all the other stuff but no problem then.

Okay.

Okay.

Who is the second second was Council Burgo and Council Oops.

Oh it was multiple Madam Chairman.

Yes.

And the reason I'm asking for the several I I understand the other stuff going away but um it's on record of what this council did to address the parallel project right from the get-go and along the way.

The second thing is um with um the Berkeley school um we did meet last year once with uh Jackie Santos professor and some other people I I would like to keep this where it is uh for now and if uh at uh earliest convenience I will talk to Jackie and get back to you and and let you know whether we should come before you or we are going to let this go but it was something that is still on the Absolutely okay it's a good motion I just put there because I was looking to clean the agenda and to put new motions on so we could just readdress it in a motion and we'll be doing that with the other the other motions they'll be putting something no to just the current stuff.

And I understand Council Burgo was trying to clean that up real quick.

Yeah.

Yes.

Okay.

All in favor say aye opposed the ayes have it.

Motion to adjourn made to adjourn by Council Burgo second by Council Pereira all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed the ayes have it we are adjourned at 817 p.m.

Thank you all for coming