COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND BRIEFINGS  - June 12, 2019
MEETING AT 7:00 PM,
City Hall, 133 William Street, New Bedford, MA City Council Chambers - Room 214
AGENDA
 

1. CITIZEN’S INPUT TIME – Not to exceed the first thirty (30) minutes of the meeting. 

 

1a. Ronald McKeon, 187 Durfee Street, New Bedford, speaking on Rehabilitation Centers. (Ref’d 4/13/19) (5/13/19-tabled)

 

1b. Elizabeth Swible, 3 Jennifer Lane, New Bedford, speaking on Parallel Products. (Ref’d 4/29/19) (5/13/19-tabled)

 

INVITEES: Ronald McKeon; Elizabeth Swible

 

2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of LEE BENTLEY, Park Keeper, as the Department of Public Infrastructure’s designee to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS; replacing Charles Cotter who has resigned; this term will expire May 2020. (Ref’d 5/23/19)

 

INVITEES: Lee Bentley

 

3. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Coelho, Lima, Lopes, Council President Morad and Councillor Giesta requesting that the Executive Director of the New Bedford Business Park, Derek Santos, come before the Committee on Appointment and Briefings for purpose of briefing the Committee Members, on the overview of the business park’s workings and any future plans for park growth and to bring more hi-tech businesses to the area. (To be Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.) (Ref’d 5/23/19)

 

INVITEES: Elizabeth Isherwood, Chair, Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation; Derek Santos, Executive Director, New Bedford Economic Development Council

 

4. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes, Abreu, Markey, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Lima, Lopes, Council President Morad and Councillor Rebeiro, on behalf of the residents and businesses in the immediate area of the New Bedford Business Park, requesting that the City Council go on record as being in opposition to the waste, recycling, trash and sludge facility currently being proposed by Parallel Products of New England, located at 100 Duchaine Blvd; and further, that letters be sent to the Massachusetts Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs and the City of New Bedford’s Planning Department, Board of Health, Environmental Stewardship and Conservation Commission, asking that unfavorable recommendations be made concerning this proposal and/or that any permits sought by Parallel Products for this project be denied due to the fact that the location of said business is in very close proximity to a residential area and that the New Bedford Business Park was established and intended for production and hi-tech businesses; furthermore, that letters be sent to Gov. Baker, Sen. Mark Montigny and the City’s entire State legislative delegation, Senators Warren and Markey and Congressman Keating expressing the City Council’s opposition to any state or federal permitting of this facility; and that letters also be sent to every business located in the Business Park, asking that they join the community and City officials in our firm opposition to this type of industry being located within this area; and finally, that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with all park businesses in order to learn their opinions regarding this proposed project and what impact they foresee it having on the Business Park, the residents and overall quality of life within the area. (To be Adopted, referred to the Committee on Appointments & Briefings, and that Rule 40 be Waived.) (Ref’d 5/9/19) (5/14/19 & 5/15/19 – Letters sent to all parties outlined in motion.)

 

INVITEES: Thomas Davis, Former Executive Director, Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation; Derek Santos, Executive Director, New Bedford Economic Development Council; Business Owners, New Bedford Business Park; Representative, Mayor’s Office

 

Chair Suggests 'No Further Action' and 'Report Out to the Full City Council'

5. WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments & Briefings meet with the Library Director and Library Board of Trustees, for the purpose of discussing the location, storage and the value of the artwork that the City owns; and further that the Library Board of Trustees take the Committee on tour of this artwork. (Ref’d 7/16/15) (6/13/16-tabled) (7/31/18-Remain in Committee)

 

6. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Mayor and the Director of the Whaling Museum take immediate action to make sure that the “Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage Around the World” stays in New Bedford, this painting is the largest in the world, has been restored and the City should make every effort along with the Whaling Museum to ensure that it remains in the City that set the history of Whaling in this country; and further, that the City find a suitable location for this treasure; and further, that the City will be glad to share this with the world, but it belongs to the City of New Bedford and this should be its home, this painting is part of our City’s history. (Ref’d 12/14/17) (7/31/18-Remain in Committee)

 

7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, once more that the original “Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage Around The World” A Spectacle In Motion, be given a permanent home in New Bedford, Massachusetts; and further, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings and/or the Committee on City Property meet with Whaling Museum officials to make sure that this work of art and history remain in the City of New Bedford; and further, if this panorama of art and history is to be loaned out or permitted to go on the road, that a cost be associated with such action and more importantly, that Whaling Museum staff travel with it and all appropriate equipment needed for the presenting and the protection of this work of art accompany it, and further, that a discussion be held as to the possibility of a permanent location in the City due to the thousands of tourists that visited New Bedford to see this amazing work of art and history this past summer and to ensure that this work of art permanently be part of our showcasing and tourism destination. (Ref’d 10/25/18)

 

8. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Markey, requesting, that the City Council go on record in opposition to Parallel Products, Inc., of New England, 100 Duchaine Boulevard, New Bedford, being issued any type of permitting from the City of New Bedford or the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Protection (MEPA) for any recyclable plastics, glass waste or a waste water sludge facility at this location, until company officials hold a meeting with residents of the Pinehill Drive/Phillips Road area and City officials; and further, that Parallel Products, Inc. officials explain how land in the Industrial Business Park was bought or leased for this type of operation; and further, that the company explain to the residents and the City of New Bedford how this operation will not affect the quality of life of the abutting neighborhoods and businesses located in New Bedford Industrial Business Park; and further, that the meeting be held for the convenience of the neighborhood at the Casimir Pulaski School, making it easier for residents who live in the area to attend. (Ref’d 3/14/19)

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if any accommodations are needed, please contact the Clerk of Committees Office at 508-979-1482.  Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.