New Bedford City Council Meeting – September 10, 2026

The New Bedford City Council convened on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting began with a moment of silence in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, followed by a prayer led by Associate Pastor Jamie Wynn of Grace Harbor Church and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councillor Ian Abreu. Council President Ryan J. Pereira presided. All eleven councillors were present. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.

Hearings

• Items 1–3 (Eversource – Willis Street, Maxfield Street, Pleasant Street/Tower Drive): Eversource representative Jessica Elder requested permission to install conduit and handholes for service upgrades. A public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony. The Council unanimously voted to adopt the orders for all three items.
• Item 4 (Eversource – Belleville Avenue): A separate hearing for installation of conduit and handholes to improve system reliability on Belleville Avenue. No public testimony. The Council unanimously adopted the order.

Mayor's Papers

• M1 – Amendment to Lease‑Purchase Agreement (32 Madison Street / PACE): Approved unanimously. The amendment allows PACE to borrow against its leasehold interest for capital improvements.
• M2 – Ordinance Amendment on Data Centers: Referred to the Planning Board and the Committee on Ordinances for further review.
• M3 – Appointment of Alyssa DaCunha (Executive Director, Commission for Citizens with Disabilities): Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• M4 – Appointment of Joana Goncalves (Executive Director, Human Rights Commission): Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings. Councillor Burgo criticized Mayor Mitchell for allegedly misinforming the Human Rights Commission chair that the Council had blocked appointments; Burgo said the mayor “lied” but expressed support for the appointee.
• M5 – Appointment of Ymane Galotti (Zoning Board of Appeals): Already serving as an alternate, Galotti was promoted to a full‑time member. The Council voted 11‑0 to waive Rules 38 and 40 and confirmed the appointment.
• M6 & M7 – Reappointment of Constables Ian Daley and Ricky Nunez: Approved unanimously.

New Business

• Item 5 – School Budget Transfer ($157,791 from School General Expense to Transportation): Approved unanimously. Councillor Burgo noted the transfer helps offset cuts the mayor made to the school budget.
• Item 6 – Motion (Lopes) for Line‑Item Breakdown of Dues and Subscriptions in Budget Books: Referred to Mayor Mitchell, the CFO’s Office, and the Committee on Finance.
• Item 7 – Motion (Abreu) for a Free Bicycle Safety Flag Program: Referred to the Committee on Finance, CFO Ekstrom, and the Administration. Councillor Abreu stated the flags could be purchased at $2 each and that a family affected by a tragedy supports the idea.
• Item 8 – Motion (Burgo) to Review Lack of Public Trash Receptacles: Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods. Councillor Burgo cited complaints and stated the administration removed barrels without replacement.
• Item 9 – Motion (Burgo) for Audit of Mayor’s New Staff Hire: Referred to the Committee on Audit. Burgo alleged the position was unfunded and could constitute deficit spending. The motion passed 10‑1 (Councillor Roy dissenting).
• Item 10 – Motion (Abreu/Pereira) for Odor Complaint Logs near Sewage Treatment Plant: Approved. DPI and applicable departments are to provide logs to the Special Committee on Environmental Affairs.
• Item 11 – Motion (Pereira) for Audit of Health Insurance Brokers’ and Consultants’ Fees: Referred to the Committee on Audit.
• Item 12 – Request (Gomes) for Plaques at Gold Star Memorial Trees (Clasky Common Park): Approved 11‑0, with a separate 11‑0 vote to waive Rule 40.
• Item 13 – Demolition Review (262 Carroll Street): The Preservation Planner determined the structure is not historically significant. The Council voted unanimously to grant the partial demolition.

Tabled Agenda (from March 12, 2026)

• Kendra Parker – Appointment and Waiver Request: Two items were removed from the table: (1) appointment of Kendra Parker as Acting Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors, and (2) a waiver of education/experience requirements for that position. Councillor Burgo spoke against approval, noting that a qualified person already serves. The motion to approve both items failed 0‑11.

Consent Agenda

• The consent agenda (C1–C63), including citations, street closings, petitions, and routine reports, was adopted by a single motion without separate discussion.

Key Outcomes

• 4 Eversource hearings: Orders adopted (unanimous).
• M1 – Lease amendment: Adopted (unanimous).
• M2 – Data center ordinance: Referred to committees.
• M3 & M4 – Appointments: Referred to Appointments and Briefings.
• M5 – Zoning Board appointment: Confirmed 11‑0.
• M6 & M7 – Constable reappointments: Approved (unanimous).
• Item 5 – School fund transfer: Adopted (unanimous).
• Item 6 – Budget book detail: Referred.
• Item 7 – Bicycle safety flags: Referred.
• Item 8 – Trash receptacles review: Referred.
• Item 9 – Audit of mayor’s new hire: Referred (passed 10‑1).
• Item 10 – Odor complaint logs: Approved.
• Item 11 – Insurance broker audit: Referred.
• Item 12 – Gold Star plaques: Approved 11‑0 (rule waiver also 11‑0).
• Item 13 – 262 Carroll Street demolition: Granted (unanimous).
• Tabled items – Kendra Parker appointment and waiver: Failed 0‑11.
• Consent agenda: Adopted in full.