New Bedford City Council Regular Meeting – October 8, 2026

The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 7:06 PM in the City Council Chamber (Room 214, 133 William St.). Council President Ryan J. Pereira presided. The meeting included three public hearings on Eversource conduit petitions, several mayor's communications regarding personnel and election logistics, and multiple new business motions. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Street Closings for Veterans Day Parade: Approved closing of Rockdale Avenue, Union Street, Pleasant Street, William Street, and County Street on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• Petition/Indemnity Agreement – Nodak Auto Service, Inc.: Permission granted to erect and maintain non-illuminated panels at 2147 Acushnet Avenue.
• Constable Bond – Ian Daley: Approved in the amount of $5,000 with NGM Insurance Company.
• Meeting Minutes Received and Placed on File: Minutes from the Board of Assessors (Aug. 20 & Sep. 3, 2026), Licensing Board (Mar. 24, Apr. 28, May 12, 2026), Park Board (Jul. 15, 2026), Planning Board (Aug. 12, 2026), and Public Health Excellence Collaborative (Sep. 16, 2026).
• Street Obstructions, Street Disturbances, Dumpsters, and Petitions for Locations (Items C5–C84): All routine approvals and referrals, including four new Eversource petitions set for hearing on October 22, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition on any agenda item. Only Eversource representative Jessica Elder provided testimony during the three hearings.

Discussion Items

• Eversource Hearings (Items 1–3):
  • MacArthur Drive (60’ conduit): Jessica Elder explained the work supports waterfront improvements including Leonard Wharf rehabilitation. No questions or public comment. Hearing closed; order adopted.
  • Middle Street (65’ conduit): Elder stated the installation supports an affordable housing development at 370 Middle Street. Councillor Lopes requested a police detail due to school routes and neighborhood safety. Councillor Baptiste asked about traffic flow on Ash Street, stressing the need to maintain access for residents and elderly services. Hearing closed; order adopted.
  • Belleville Avenue (12’ conduit on sidewalk): Elder noted the work is entirely on the sidewalk near Cedar Grove Street. Councillor Oliver requested a police detail due to increased traffic from I-195 construction. Hearing closed; order adopted with police detail condition.
• Mayor’s Papers – M1 & M2 (CFO Position): Mayor Mitchell submitted an order to authorize hiring a CFO at up to Step 3 on Unit C salary schedule and an ordinance to add grade M-24 for the CFO position. Councillor Burgo strongly opposed, arguing the city should not increase executive pay while services are reduced, schools defunded, and employee COLAs withheld. He compared salaries with Boston, Lowell, and Dartmouth, stating Boston’s CFO (dual role) makes only 23% more than New Bedford’s current M23 Step 1. Motion to refer to Committee on Ordinances passed.
• M3 – Transfer of $2,000 from Election Personal Services to Other Charges: Approved.
• M4 – Polling Location Changes: Manny DeBrito (Election Commissioner) explained that the Moose Lodge closed permanently, forcing relocation of Ward 5 Precinct C to St. Teresa of Calcutta School and Ward 6 Precinct F to New Life Southcoast Church. Notifications will be sent to 3,000–4,000 affected voters within the required 20-day window. Approved.
• M5 & M6 – Redevelopment Authority Reappointments: Paul Chasse and David Kennedy reappointed to terms expiring July 2031. Approved 10-0.
• Item 4 – Phillips Avenue Pocket Park: Councillor Pemberton requested a meeting with DPW and Police to address crime, drug use, and noise, and to explore alternative uses such as an electric vehicle charging station. Referred to Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods.
• Item 5 – Home Rule Petition for Legal Notices: Councillor Burgo proposed modernizing the legal notice process to reduce costs (city council office spends ~$15,000 annually) and delays. Draft petition shared with state legislators. Referred to Committee on Ordinances.
• Item 6 – ALPR Court Opinion: Councillor Burgo submitted a federal district court ruling on warrantless retrieval of automatic license plate reader data to inform pending ALPR legislation. Referred to Committee on Ordinances.
• Item 7 – I-195 Project Update: MassDOT Project Manager Valerie Kilduff requested to present on the next phase. Referred to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• Item 8 – Attorney General Zoning Acknowledgment: Letter acknowledging receipt of adopted zoning ordinances received and placed on file.
• Item 9 – Letter to Governor on Education Freedom Tax Credit: Councillor Burgo’s letter regarding President Trump’s initiative received and placed on file.

Key Outcomes

• Three Eversource conduit petitions approved with police detail requirements for Middle Street and Belleville Avenue locations.
• CFO salary and grade increase referred to the Committee on Ordinances (no final vote).
• Polling location changes approved effective for the upcoming election (26 days away).
• Redevelopment Authority reappointments approved unanimously (10-0).
• Four new Eversource petitions (Liberty, County, Maple, Purchase, Parker Streets) received and hearing ordered for October 22, 2026.
• Consent agenda adopted in its entirety.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.