Special City Council Meeting – Election of Board of Assessors Member – July 16, 2026

This special meeting of the New Bedford City Council was held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 6:07 PM in the City Council chambers. The sole purpose was to nominate and elect a new member to the Board of Assessors following the retirement of Assessor Marty Treadup. Councillors Lopes and Pemberton were absent due to work and business commitments, respectively. The meeting was live-streamed and recorded.

Nominee Presentations

• Linda Morad (nominated by Councillor Burgo): A former city councillor of 20 years with 34 years in financial services. She emphasized her knowledge of municipal finance, commercial/residential real estate, and her ability to serve immediately without a learning curve. She acknowledged the other nominees and current assessors.
• James Clark (nominated by Councillor Choquett): A 33-year veteran of the New Bedford Fire Department (17 years as district fire chief), licensed construction supervisor, property owner/landlord since 1990, and chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He stressed his knowledge of city streets, buildings, construction costs, and zoning experience.
• Richard Portis (nominated by Councillor Roy): A 14-year resident, former investment professional and certified financial planner, later a public school teacher. He highlighted his experience with large data sets, regulations, and board service (New Bedford Community Health, NAACP, James Arnold Mansion). He noted he is a renter with no taxable property ownership, citing independence.
• Carlos Amato (nominated by Councillor Abreu): Spent 23 years of a nearly 40-year career in assessment administration and appraisal with the City of New Bedford Assessing Department, including as administrative assistant to the Board of Assessors. He clarified the board's statutory role and emphasized his expertise.
• Sean Carney (nominated by Councillor Baptiste): A lifelong resident, attorney, chair of the Conservation Commission, and board member of the YMCA. He noted his mother is a councillor who recused herself. He described himself as an ordinary taxpayer concerned about financial fairness and transparency.
• Keenan Kabalu (spoke for nomination from the floor): A younger resident with no traditional assessing background, but committed to learning and representing the next generation.
• Holly Allison (spoke for nomination from the floor): A store manager at Cumberland Farms, seeking to start in government service. She has no prior community service experience but pledged accountability and attendance.

Discussion Items

• Point of order (Councillor Baptiste): Raised concern that nominees not formally nominated might not have been given a chance to speak. The chair, after consulting legal counsel, allowed any interested individual to come forward and be nominated from the floor, which led to two additional speakers (Kabalu and Allison). Councillor Shocket objected, noting fairness to those who did not attend, but the chair proceeded.
• Nominations closed: Motion by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Roy, passed unanimously.
• Speeches in support: Councillor Burgo praised Linda Morad's experience, financial knowledge, and mentorship, calling her the best fit for a temporary appointment until the 2027 election. Councillor Oliver also supported Morad, citing feedback from assessors and staff that she combines political knowledge, ability to ask tough questions, and readiness to modernize. He urged all candidates to run in the next election.

Key Outcomes

• Election: The council voted by roll call. Results: Linda Morad – 6 votes; James Clark – 1 vote; Carlos Amato – 1 vote. Linda Morad was declared elected as the new member of the Board of Assessors.
• Waiver of Rule 40: A motion to waive the 24-hour reconsideration period passed 8–0.
• Swearing-in: Linda Morad was sworn in immediately by the clerk, taking the oath of office. She thanked the council and the other nominees, and apologized for any disruptions during the meeting.