City Council Rejects $17.4 Million Capital Improvement Loan Order

The New Bedford City Council on Thursday voted 0–11 to reject a loan order of $17,421,338 proposed by Mayor Jon Mitchell to finance repairs and upgrades to city-owned buildings, equipment and roads.

Councilor Ryan Perera, Ward 6, who presented the motion to adopt the order, said he would oppose the package. "I plan on voting no on this item here," Perera said during debate.

The loan order, submitted by the mayor and read into the record, said the funding would be used for “critically needed repairs to city owned buildings, including but not limited to projects for the repair and renovation of public safety facilities, recreational facilities, general office space, replacement of capital equipment and vehicles, and roads and infrastructure improvements.”

Why it matters: Councilors who opposed the measure said the total was unusually large for the city’s capital improvement program (CIP) and that they had expected a leaner list of projects. Several councilors urged prioritizing roads and sidewalks and requested a smaller, targeted CIP.

Councilor Naomi Carney, councilor at large and first vice president, said she would vote no, calling the amount "a little crazy" and saying she would support a smaller package strictly for roads and sidewalks. Councilor Linda Morad, councilor at large and second vice president, said the administration’s spending was "out of control" and urged the council to send the proposal back for a more limited plan.

Other speakers echoed the request for a pared-down list. Councilor Leo Choquette said a previous request he had made for $100,000 for the Board of Health was returned unsigned by the mayor, and said that made him less willing to approve a much larger loan. Councilor Brian Gomes described the package as excessive and urged a smaller CIP focused on immediate needs.

Roll call: The clerk called roll for adoption; each member voted "No." The clerk announced the motion failed 0 to 11.

Clarifying details: The loan order total given to the council was $17,421,338. The mayor’s communication listed a range of project types to be funded but did not provide a line-itemized list during the public reading. Several councilors said they had expected a smaller, "lean" CIP and that some department heads had not been briefed on proposed allocations.

What’s next: The motion failed; several councilors said they want the administration to return with a smaller CIP focused on roads and essential repairs. Councilors also asked for better departmental coordination and earlier briefings on proposed allocations.