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Record of Proceedings

New Bedford Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing - July 15, 2026

Default View — Wednesday, July 15, 2026

BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts

SessionDefault View

DateWednesday, July 15, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 31:01

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0:32

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:33

It is 7 p.m.

0:35

on July 15th, Wednesday evening.

0:38

I'd like to call to order this committee on the special permits and licensing here in the New Bedford City Council Chamber.

0:45

Room 214.

0:47

I am joined by my colleagues in government this evening, members of this committee.

0:51

Councillor of Award 2, Scott Pemberton, Ward 1, Councillor Lear Choquette, and myself, Councillor at Large and Chairman of this committee, Ian Abrew.

1:00

Thank you so much for joining us.

1:01

Note.

1:02

This meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

1:05

City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings.

1:34

This one's from Councillor Lopes.

1:36

I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend tonight's committee meeting due to previously scheduled work commitment.

1:41

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my audience.

1:46

Motion received and place on file both letters is appropriate.

1:50

Well, someone needs to make the motion.

1:52

Made by Councillor Choquette.

1:54

Seconded by Councillor Pemberton.

1:56

Anyone on the question?

1:57

All those in favor say aye.

1:59

Opposed, the ayes have it.

2:00

The chair would like to acknowledge Councilor at large, Naomi Carney has joined us.

2:03

Thank you.

2:04

I'll ask the clerk to read item one, which is now properly before us.

2:07

Item number one is a communication.

2:09

City clerk, clerk of the city council submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of George Almeida doing business as all needs transportation.

2:17

32 Liberia Lane, New Bedford Mass, the term of the license, July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.

2:24

It was referred here on May 28, 2026.

2:27

The number one is now before you.

2:33

Made it by Councillor Carney.

2:35

Second by Council.

2:41

Second by Councillor Choquette.

2:42

Anyone on the question?

2:43

All those in favor say aye.

2:45

Opposed, the ayes have it.

2:46

Now Mr.

2:47

Alameda, are you here?

2:48

Please take the podium, sir.

2:55

All right, Mr.

2:56

Almeda, good evening.

2:57

Tell us a little bit about your business, what you're looking to do, and then I'll open it up for questions.

3:01

Yeah, it's fine.

3:03

Tell us a little bit about yourself and the business.

3:12

And uh I I retired like seven years ago.

3:16

And I've been doing this kind of business for about a year now.

3:20

And I was thinking of doing it on my own now because I liked it so much.

3:24

So I would left to start my own business.

3:28

That's why I applied and see if you guys can approve it.

3:32

Thank you very much.

3:33

Colleagues' questions from Mr.

3:35

Almeida.

3:39

No questions?

3:40

Oh, should I recognize Councilor Carney on her first?

3:42

How are you?

3:43

It's nice to see you.

3:44

Carney, always a pleasure seeing you.

3:46

It's always a pleasure.

3:47

So um how many cars will you be having?

3:50

Two.

3:50

And will you be driving the cars?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Cannabis Regulation████████████████████████████████████████40%

Procedural██████████████████████████████30%

Public Safety████████████████████████24%

Public Engagement████4%

Transportation Safety██2%

Summary of Proceedings

New Bedford Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing - July 15, 2026

The committee met on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM in Room 214 of City Hall to consider two license applications and a motion regarding cannabis consumption establishments. Chair Ian Abrew presided, joined by Councillors Scott Pemberton, Lear Choquette, and Naomi Carney. Councillor Lopes was absent due to a work commitment, and his absence was duly noted and filed.

Discussion Items

Item 1: Private Livery License for George Almeida (All Needs Transportation) – Mr. Almeida, a retired individual who has been driving for about a year, applied for a private livery license to operate two vehicles from his home at 32 Liberia Lane. He stated the business would focus on medical transportation (dialysis) and not school or airport runs. Councillor Carney inquired about the number of vehicles and parking arrangements; Mr. Almeida confirmed off-street parking. Chair Abrew advised on MassPort certification requirements for Logan Airport runs. The committee voted unanimously to approve the application with a favorable recommendation to the full City Council.
Item 2: Waiver of Residency for Second‑Hand Dealer License (Anna Thomas, All Things With Anna) – Ms. Thomas requested a residency waiver under Section 15‑38 of the city code to operate a thrift store at 127 West Rodney French Boulevard (Kilburn Mill). She described previous experience running a flea market booth, a hair salon, and a cleaning company. The store will sell second‑hand clothing, household goods, and toys. No opposition was voiced. The committee voted unanimously to approve the waiver and license with a favorable recommendation to the full City Council.
Item 3: Cannabis Consumption Establishments (Motion by Councillors Abrew and Oliver) – This item, which had been tabled since March 19, 2026, was removed from the table. The committee heard updates from:
- Police Chief Jason Thody: Expressed concerns about the lack of reliable roadside or blood tests for THC impairment, the difficulty of identifying overserved patrons, the cash‑heavy nature of cannabis businesses (attracting burglary/robbery), and the strain on short‑staffed police resources. He stated he is not “anti‑cannabis” but highlighted enforcement challenges.
- Health Director Stephanie Sloan: Reported that the Massachusetts Health Officers Association met with the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) but received vague timelines. The CCC indicated no routine compliance inspections would be performed, and local enforcement would likely be necessary. She noted that many other large cities are also in a “wait‑and‑see” posture.
- Solicitor Eric Jakes: Noted that the CCC has been slow to act—for example, it has not yet responded to New Bedford’s social equity policy submitted in August 2025. He questioned the state’s ability to conduct compliance checks and advised against moving forward at this time.
- Councillor Carney: Stated she is “not ready to see cannabis cafes in New Bedford anytime soon” and agreed that implementation is premature. No formal ordinance was proposed. The committee voted unanimously to refer the motion to the full City Council with a recommendation of no further action.

Key Outcomes

Item 1: Approved favorably; final vote scheduled for the full City Council meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
Item 2: Approved favorably; final vote scheduled for the same August 20, 2026 meeting.
Item 3: Referred to the full City Council for no further action, effectively halting the proposal for now. The committee will revisit the topic if and when the state provides clearer guidance.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is 7 p.m. on July 15th, Wednesday evening. I'd like to call to order this committee on the special permits and licensing here in the New Bedford City Council Chamber. Room 214. I am joined by my colleagues in government this evening, members of this committee. Councillor of Award 2, Scott Pemberton, Ward 1, Councillor Lear Choquette, and myself, Councillor at Large and Chairman of this committee, Ian Abrew. Thank you so much for joining us. Note. 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. This one's from Councillor Lopes. I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend tonight's committee meeting due to previously scheduled work commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my audience. Motion received and place on file both letters is appropriate. Well, someone needs to make the motion. Made by Councillor Choquette. Seconded by Councillor Pemberton. Anyone on the question? All those in favor say aye. Opposed, the ayes have it. The chair would like to acknowledge Councilor at large, Naomi Carney has joined us. Thank you. I'll ask the clerk to read item one, which is now properly before us. Item number one is a communication. City clerk, clerk of the city council submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of George Almeida doing business as all needs transportation. 32 Liberia Lane, New Bedford Mass, the term of the license, July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. It was referred here on May 28, 2026. The number one is now before you. Made it by Councillor Carney. Second by Council. Second by Councillor Choquette. Anyone on the question? All those in favor say aye. Opposed, the ayes have it. Now Mr. Alameda, are you here? Please take the podium, sir. All right, Mr. Almeda, good evening. Tell us a little bit about your business, what you're looking to do, and then I'll open it up for questions. Yeah, it's fine. Tell us a little bit about yourself and the business. And uh I I retired like seven years ago. And I've been doing this kind of business for about a year now. And I was thinking of doing it on my own now because I liked it so much. So I would left to start my own business. That's why I applied and see if you guys can approve it. Thank you very much. Colleagues' questions from Mr.

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