New Bedford City Council Meeting - June 25, 2026
New Bedford City Council Meeting - June 25, 2026
The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 7:07 PM, with 10 members present (later joined by Councillor Carney). The meeting concluded at 7:44 PM. Key actions included the adoption of several ordinances, approval of financial transfers, and discussion of paid family leave and a petition opposing the closure of Fire Station 9.
Mayor's Papers (Financial Transfers)
- M1: Transfer of $1,728,450 from wastewater free cash to special projects fund. Adopted 9–1 (Councillor Burgo opposed).
- M2: Transfer of $2,842,750 from water free cash to Water Stabilization Fund. Adopted unanimously.
- M3: Transfer of $334,000 from Stabilization Fund to debt service. Adopted unanimously.
- M4: Transfer of $250,000 from City Utilities Purchase of Services to debt service. Adopted 6–4 after debate. Councillor Lopes criticized the mayor for calling the council’s budget cut “frivolous” while the administration raised an excess. Councillor Burgo noted the transfer was responsible for FY26.
- M5: Transfer of $177,033 from various departments to debt service. Adopted 10–0. Councillor Burgo clarified this was not the same situation as the previous budget dispute.
New Business: Ordinances (Final Adoption)
All six ordinances were adopted unanimously (10–0):
- Ordinance amending Chapter 9, Section 4100A relative to municipal facility conversion.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 10, Section 10-86.1 for voluntary electronic email delivery of tax bills.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7.2 for temporary delay of step increases in FY2027.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7D suspending annual COLA for Unit C Management positions for FY27.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 19 relative to paid family leave. Councillor Burgo spoke in support, noting it was three years in the making and would allow employees to bond with newborns without using earned leave. He emphasized it does not create new departments or significant taxpayer burdens.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7, Article 1 relative to personnel.
Reports and Orders
- Items 7–8: Private livery licenses for Sister Express Transport and Grass' Solutions Transportation approved unanimously.
- Item 9: Ordinance amending wastewater rate setting flexibility passed to second reading.
- Item 10: Wastewater rates for FY27–28 adopted.
- Item 11: Loan order for $20.4 million for CSO control plan passed to second reading.
- Item 12: Tax exemption eligibility changed from age 70 to 65.
- Items 13–16A: Multiple transfers from stabilization fund and other adjustments adopted 8–0 (Councillor Carney not recorded voting). Councillor Burgo criticized the administration for deficits in the mayor’s office and mismanagement, but voted yes to fund them, warning it would not be allowed next year.
- Items 17–18A: Waived reading and no further action taken.
Motions and Communications
- Item 19: Councillor Gomes motion to establish an ordinance regulating electric bikes, scooters, and mini-bikes, citing safety concerns. Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
- Item 20: Renewal of private livery license for Portillos Transportation granted.
- Item 21: Adoption of CPI increases for various tax exemptions as submitted by Board of Assessors.
- Item 22: Petitions opposing closure of Fire Station 9 received and placed on file. Councillor Burgo stated the council is listening to residents and will continue fighting for Ward 1.
Tabled Items and Adjournment
- Tabled items were taken up and adopted on consent.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM. Councillor Burgo noted the start of Cape Verdean Heritage Month and upcoming events.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today is Thursday, June twenty fifth, twenty twenty six at seven oh seven PM. We are led in prayer this evening by Brian Duby, lead pastor of the Christian Fellowship Center. Pastor. Good evening. Thank you for the invitation. Let's pray. Father, we come before you on behalf of the New Bedford City Council and all who serve this community. Your word tells us that the government rested on the shoulders of your son, the one called Emmanuel, God with us. And we know that you are here with us now. Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We ask that the same spirit of wisdom and counsel that rested on him would rest on these leaders. Lord, give each council member a discerning heart, wisdom for hard decisions, patience and disagreement, and courage to do what is right, even when it isn't easy or popular. Let them govern not for themselves, but for the good of every person in this city, especially the vulnerable, the forgotten, and the struggling. Grant New Bedford peace in its streets, integrity in its leadership, and unity where there is division. Where there is brokenness in this city, bring healing. Where there is injustice, bring correction. Where there is need, bring provision through wise stewardship. We thank you that no earthly government is too heavy for shoulders sustained by you. And so we ask for godly wisdom for the council members and for each one of us here this evening, that you would give us a heart like Jesus to see and love everyone the way he sees and loves them. We pray that you continue to work in each of us so that you can work through each of us. Strengthen this council, Father, and we pray for your favor for this city in Christ's name. Amen. We are led in the Pledge of Allegiance tonight by Ward 3 City Councillor Sean Oliver. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councillor. Tonight in the City Council Chambers I am joined by my colleagues, Councillor at Large, Ian Abrew, Councillor of Ward Two, Scott Pemberton, Councillor of Ward One, Leo Schokat, Councillor of Ward Five, Joseph Lopes, Councillor at Large, Brian K. Gomes, Councillor at Large, James Roy, Councillor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councillor at Large and First Vice President Shane Virgo. I'll ask the clerk, um excuse me. 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. She would have saved us two minutes. That's all right. I will ask the cler moving on to Mayor's papers. I'll ask the clerk to read item M1. Mr. President, item M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council. Submitting an order for the transfer of one million seven hundred and twenty-eight thousand four hundred and fifty dollars from wastewater free cash to special projects fund. M1A is the order. Make a motion to receive and place and file and adopt the order as presented. Motion to adopt the orders presented to me by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Choquette. Anyone on the question? Okay. I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. Counselor Abreu. Yes. Council Burgo. No.
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