New Bedford Special City Council Meeting: Unfinished Business and Flock Camera Debate - August 25, 2026
New Bedford Special City Council Meeting - August 25, 2026
Meeting called to order at 7:01 PM by Council President Ryan J. Pereira. This special meeting was held to resume unfinished business from the adjourned August 20, 2026 meeting. The Council addressed 24 agenda items and four tabled motions, with major discussions centered on a resolution opposing safe injection sites, the closure of Fire Station #9, and the City's use of Flock Safety cameras and ALPR technology.
Consent Calendar
- Item C1-C19 (Consent Agenda): Adopted en bloc, including citations, street closings, petitions, and routine communications.
- Items 1, 3-9, 17-20, 22-24: Approved unanimously or by voice vote without debate. These included the call of the meeting, livery license, waiver of residency for Anna Thomas, demolition of the Coffin Howland House (535 Brock Avenue), appointment of Justin Ohlson to the Water Board, HDIP/TIE for Vanko Studio Architects, layout and taking of Hillman Street, approval of proposals for Fire Station #3 and #11, and memorial bench applications.
- Item 2 (Ordinance amending Chapter 9 Zoning – Form-Based Code Districts): Passed to be ordained by a roll call vote of 11-0.
- Items 10-12: Reports recommending “No Further Action” on cannabis consumption lounges, Clark Cove Beach Nourishment Project, and Ashley Park Warming House senior program were all accepted without objection.
Discussion Items
1. Resolution Opposing Safe Injection Sites (Item 14)
- Councillor Gomes (sponsor) moved to go on record for the third time against Massachusetts House Bill H.2196 (later corrected to H.5274) and Senate Bill S.1393, which would authorize safe injection sites. He argued such sites are illegal under federal law and that the City should help people get off drugs, not facilitate injection. He requested letters to state leaders and that the Board of Health decline any proposal.
- Councillor Roy opposed the motion, stating it oversimplifies the legislation which includes broader harm reduction services. He emphasized evidence-based policy and noted the House bill number had changed; both Rep. Hendricks and Rep. Cabral are co-sponsors. He stated that taking public health tools off the table preemptively is unwise.
- Councillor Burgo supported harm reduction but said the motion should advocate for local legislative approval rather than outright opposition. He offered to support an amendment requiring both Board of Health and City Council approval. He voted no on the motion because it asked for a letter opposing any site in New Bedford.
- Council President Pereira allowed the bill number to be corrected to H.5274 without objection.
- Vote on adoption of the motion (as amended to correct bill number): 6-5 in favor (Abreu, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver yes; Baptiste, Burgo, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy no). Rule 40 was then waived 11-0 to allow immediate effect.
2. Homelessness, Drugs, and Mental Health Strategy (Item 15)
- Councillor Gomes proposed a comprehensive strategic plan to address homelessness, substance use, and mental health issues downtown and citywide, using $1.5 million from the opioid lawsuit settlement. He advocated for a “one-stop shop” model to centralize services.
- Councillor Baptiste noted the link between mental health, addiction, and housing. He highlighted a 7-months-pregnant woman unable to get help and criticized the lack of coordination among service providers.
- Councillor Pemberton agreed, noting over $30 million in grants over the past decade have not improved the situation.
- Result: Referred to the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods.
3. South Terminal Development (Item 16)
- Councillor Gomes requested a plan from the Administration for the South Terminal (former Vineyard Wind staging area), pressing for job creation and economic development.
- Result: Referred to the Committee on City Property.
4. Fire Station #9 Petitions (Item 21)
- Councillor Burgo submitted petitions from residents opposing the closure of Fire Station #9. He presented appropriation orders for $1.3 million ($1 million for fire personnel services and $300,000 for health insurance) to keep the station open, noting $500,000 had already been secured by Senator Montigny.
- Councillor Choquette urged the Mayor to act, stating the $500,000 is temporary.
- Result: The Council voted 11-0 to receive and file the petitions and forward the appropriation orders to Mayor Mitchell.
5. Flock Safety Cameras and ALPR Technology (Tabled Items) Four tabled motions from the August 20 meeting were removed from the table and debated sequentially.
- Motion 1 (Gomes): Requesting a meeting with Police Chief Thody, Mayor’s office, and Flock Safety to strengthen policies and community trust. Referred to Public Safety & Neighborhoods 11-0.
- Motion 2 (Burgo, Lopes, Abreu): Requesting a broader review of all surveillance technologies, policies on data retention, sharing, and privacy safeguards. Referred to Public Safety & Neighborhoods 11-0.
- Motion 3 (Burgo, Abreu, Lopes): Requesting the Ordinances Committee consider either abolishing ALPR systems or establishing privacy standards. Referred to Ordinances 11-0. Councillor Burgo stated he is drafting an ordinance to terminate the contract and any continued use. Councillor Roy argued for a comprehensive ordinance governing all surveillance technologies. Councillor Abreu raised Fourth Amendment concerns and the need for constitutional protections. Councillor Baptiste passionately called for immediate removal, citing misuse and lack of transparency. Councillor Choquette referenced the Fourth Amendment and criticized the Flock company. Councillor Gomes urged hearing from the entire city before a decision.
- Motion 4 (Choquette): Requesting immediate cessation of Flock cameras citywide until permanent legislation is enacted. Amended to require the police department to “take down or physically obstruct or cover all ALPR technology equipment.” Then referred to Mayor Mitchell and Chief Thody. The amendment and referral were both approved unanimously after debate.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance Amending Chapter 9 Zoning (Item 2): Passed and ordained 11-0.
- Resolution Opposing Safe Injection Sites (Item 14): Adopted 6-5 after amendment; Rule 40 waived 11-0. Letters to be sent.
- Fire Station #9 Appropriation Orders (Item 21): Forwarded to the Mayor with a request to submit for Council approval.
- Flock Cameras: All four tabled motions passed unanimously. The Council requested Mayor Mitchell and Chief Thody to immediately remove or cover all ALPR equipment citywide pending enactment of permanent legislation.
- All other routine items (licenses, appointments, reports, referrals) were approved as noted.
Meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today is Tuesday, August 25th, and I am calling the special meeting of the New Belfort City Council to order at 7 01 P.M. We do not have a member of the clergy, so I will take a moment of silence. Thank you. Tonight we are led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councillor at Large Shane Burgo. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, and liberty and justice for all. Amen. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councillor. I am joined tonight in the New Bedford City Council Chambers by my colleagues, Councillor at Large Ian Abru, Councillor of Ward 2, Scott Pemberton, Councillor of Ward 1, Leo Choquet, Councillor of Ward 5, Joseph Loops, Councillor at Large, Brian Gomes, Councillor at Large, James Roy, Councillor at Large, Naomi Carney, Councillor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councillor at Large and First Vice President, Shane Burgo, Councillor of Ward 4, Derek Baptiste, and I am City Council President and Councillor of Ward 6, Ryan Pereira. I'd like to note that this meeting is being live excuse me. Are there any letters to be read into the vote? Yes, sir. Thank you. I would like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded. City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the new City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings. Before we get to the business, the Chair would just like to read a brief announcement. We are all aware of the occurrence last week, and now that everyone has had time to settle down from the emotions that sprung up during last week's meetings. We need to conduct the business of the city in an orderly and deliberate manner. So there's no need to rewind or replay what happened last week, but only the need to remind everyone of some basic ground rules for proceeding in an orderly way. The President is responsible to preserve decorum. There are rules of decorum that detail some expectations of everyone in attendance at meetings of the city council, and and the rules are posted here at City Hall. The rules posted, however, are not exhaustive, and the chair reserves the right to preserve order in his sole discretion. In preserving dis decorum and order, no person other than members of the city council may speak or address the meeting without the explicit permission of the chair. Members of the City Council are also responsible to maintain order as well. Councilors must confine their remarks to the merits of the pending question. In preserving decorum and order, the president requires that all remarks be made through the chair, and the chair will not allow members of the council to directly address each other, the media, or any other persons. Once debate ends and a vote is being taken, no member of the council shall give commentary during the vote and shall simply answer yes or no on each question put to a vote. Disruptions of this meeting will not be allowed. Should the chair determine that a particular person is disrupting the meeting, the chair may alert the person that the behavior is causing a disruption, and the chair could ask the person to leave. The chair is now advising everyone that yelling or shouting out loud or making noise during the course of debate will be considered a disruption. If after being warned and then requesting the person disrupting to leave the meeting refuses to leave voluntarily, the chair will be left with no choice but to have the disrupting person removed by the police at the chair's direction. It is the chair's expectation that the need for such action will not be necessary. But everyone should understand how the chair intends to proceed. I ask for everyone's assistance in keeping order and conducting tonight's government business. Thank you. I'll ask the clerk to read item number one. Mr. President, item one is a communication from Council President Pereira calling a special city council meeting for Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 at 7 p.m. for the purpose of considering and hearing the unfinished business remaining from the city council meeting agenda previously scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026, which was on unexpectedly adjourned. Motion received in place on file. Second. Motion to receive and place on file made by Councillor Roy, seconded by Councillor Burgo. Anyone on the question? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed the ayes have it. I'll ask the clerk to read item two.
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