Votes at a Glance: Key Actions from the Oct. 23 New Bedford City Council Meeting

The New Bedford City Council took the following formal actions at its Oct. 23 meeting. This roundup lists each item, its motion, and the recorded outcome.

• M1 — Loan order appropriating $17,421,338 for capital improvements (mayor’s communication): Motion to adopt failed on roll call, 0–11.

• M2–M4 — Loan orders for accelerated repair projects at multiple elementary schools and for a schematic design feasibility study for Trinity Day Academy: Received, placed on file, and referred to the Committee on Finance for further review.

• M5 — Resolution adopting the 2025 City of New Bedford Multi‐Hazard Mitigation Plan: Received, placed on file and referred to the Environmental Affairs Committee; adopted (committee recommendation followed; roll call recorded as passing 11–0).

• M6 — Order authorizing the mayor to advertise, negotiate salary for and hire an executive finance and operation manager in the auditor’s office (per city ordinance §19‑7c): Motion received and referred to the Committee on Finance.

• M7 — Transfer $1,076 from fire code enforcement reserve to fire other charges and expenses: Motion to adopt carried (ayes recorded by the clerk).

• M8 — Appointment of Daniel Higgins to the Election Commission (term expires April 2029): Received, placed on file and referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.

• New business Item 2 — Transfer $132,572 from police purchase of services to MIS purchase of services: Committee on Finance report followed; motion adopted (roll call recorded as ayes).

• New business Item 3 — Establishment of a cable television public education and government access stabilization fund (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40, § 5B): Motion to adopt passed on roll call 11–0.

• New business Item 4 — Appropriation of $750,000 from ordinary revenue to health insurance purchase of services: Motion to adopt failed on roll call, 5–6.

• Items 5, 5a, 6 and 6a — Matters related to prior appropriations and agreements associated with the Parallel Products project: Motion to waive reading and refer to the Audit Committee; referral approved by voice vote.

• New business Item 9 (written motion from Councilor Gomes) — Request to consider immediately filling vacant leadership positions within the New Bedford Police Department (including deputy chief, north end captain and several sergeant positions): Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods; referral approved.

• New business Item 10 — Request that the Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications consider a memorial for the late Elaine Lima: Received, placed on file and referred to the special committee.

• New business Item 11 — Motion pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 44, §33 to appropriate $100,000 for the Board of Health for independent legal representation related to the Parallel Products appeal: Motion adopted on roll call, 11–0.

• New business Item 12 — Petition from residents regarding the number of sober homes, group homes and rooming houses: Received and placed on file (2,047 signatures noted in the record).

• Item 13 — Municipal election warrant for Nov. 4, 2025: Received and placed on file; clerk to post as required by Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 43, § 44A.

• Item 14 — MassDOT notice of alteration to a section of I‑195 in New Bedford: Received and placed on file.

A motion to adopt consent items was approved and the council adjourned.