New Bedford City Council Meeting - September 24, 2026

The New Bedford City Council convened on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 7:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, led by Council President Ryan Pereira. The meeting included four public hearings for utility infrastructure projects, approval of unpaid bills, reappointments, and a contentious debate over an ordinance regulating Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) and mass location-tracking technologies. The session adjourned at approximately 8:17 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Items C1–C53 were adopted as a block. These included:
  • Citations and resolutions honoring Marci Pina Christian (two citations), Dolly Mendes (Miss New Bedford 2026), and Addison Kohler (Miss New Bedford Teen 2026).
  • Street closing requests for a candlelight vigil (September 11, 2026), a harvest family fun day (October 17, 2026), and the Nice Bike Show (September 26, 2026, rain date October 17, 2026).
  • Constable bonds for Ricky Nunez and Joseph C. Latimer, each in the amount of $5,000.00 with NGM Insurance Company.
  • Numerous street obstruction, street disturbance, dumpster, and petition for location items (C10–C53).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing portions for utility items (1–4).
• During the ALPR ordinance debate, a member of the public named Gilly was warned for decorum and later ordered to leave the chamber after repeated outbursts.

Discussion Items

• Hearings 1–4 (Utility Infrastructure):
  • Eversource and Verizon proposed pole installations, conduit, and manhole work on Acushnet Avenue, Ashley Boulevard, Purchase Street/Maxfield Street, and County Street. All work included police details and restoration commitments. Councillors requested details to ensure traffic safety and communication with abutters. Each hearing was opened and closed without public comment; orders were adopted unanimously.
• Mayor's Papers M1–M9A:
  • Nine orders to pay unpaid FY2026 bills from various city funds (Water Enterprise, Wastewater, DPI, Zoo, Library, Cable Access, Airport) totaling $33,528.30 were received, placed on file, and referred to the Committee on Finance.
• M10 – Southeastern Regional Revolving Fund:
  • Order authorized a $30,000 revolving fund under the MIS Department for FY2027. Adopted without objection.
• M11 – Reappointment of Kathryn Duff to Planning Board:
  • Reappointment approved by a roll call vote of 10–0 (Councilor Roy later joined).
• New Business Items 5–19:
  • 5–6: Memorial bench/plaque approvals for Arthur C. Burton, Jr. (Fort Taber) and Carl Natho (Buttonwood/Lake St.) granted.
  • 7 – ALPR Ordinance: The central debate of the evening. Councilor Burgo introduced a substitute ordinance using definitions of ALPR and mass location-tracking technology provided by Police Chief Thhody and the City Solicitor. The substitute was adopted (8–3). Three amendments to add sunset clauses of 6, 9, and 12 months were each defeated (6-month failed 4–6; 9-month failed 3–8; 12-month failed 3–8). The substitute ordinance then passed second reading (8–3). Councilor Burgo then moved to refer Chief Thhody’s September 24, 2026 correspondence to the Committee on Ordinances to draft permanent safeguards; the motion carried by voice vote with no opposition.
  • 8–9: Appointment of Brian J. Sousa to the Election Commission and Gerald L. Ribeiro as a constable were approved.
  • 10: Residency waiver for Marc DeCambra (d/b/a Side Quest Complete) for a secondhand articles license was approved 11–0.
  • 11–14: Four items were closed with “No Further Action” as recommended by committees: memorial bench for Freddie Mello, portrait tribute for Marchand/Charbonneau, development of rooming houses in historic districts, and parking near the Marine Commerce Terminal.
  • 15: Petition/indemnity from AHA, Inc. to place eight planters on the sidewalk at 715 Purchase Street (Union/Purchase corner) was granted.
  • 16–18: Three new memorial bench/tree applications (Jean B. Bennett, Ramsey Rafferty, Laurie & John Bullard) were received and referred to the Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications.
  • 19: The State Election Warrant for November 3, 2026 was received and placed on file.
• Street Closures and Permits:
  • Several street closure motions for community events were granted provisionally by the Council President and ratified.
• Consent Items: All consent items adopted en bloc.

Key Outcomes

• Utility Hearings (1–4): Four orders authorizing pole and conduit installations on Acushnet Ave., Ashley Blvd., Purchase/Maxfield Sts., and County St. were adopted without opposition.
• ALPR Ordinance (Item 7): A substitute ordinance (using administration-provided definitions) passed second reading 8–3; Chief Thhody’s recommendations were referred to the Committee on Ordinances for development of permanent legislation. All sunset amendments failed.
• Appointments: Kathryn Duff reappointed to Planning Board (10–0); Brian J. Sousa appointed to Election Commission; Gerald L. Ribeiro appointed as constable.
• Waiver: Marc DeCambra’s residency waiver for a secondhand articles license approved 11–0.
• Memorial Items: Benches/plaques for Burton and Natho granted; three new applications referred to committee.
• No Further Action: Items 11–14 closed without further action.
• Miscellaneous: Nine unpaid bill payments forwarded to Finance Committee; Revolving Fund authorized; AHA Inc. encroachment granted; State Election Warrant filed.