
New Bedford City Council Committee Assignments for 2025
NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford City Council President Shane Burgo has announced the 2025 committee assignments, and along with them has made a fundamental shift to the focus of one committee while eliminating two others.
Burgo, who was elected council president by a 7-4 vote earlier this month, made the changes as part of his “vision for a streamlined and productive city council that prioritizes solutions,” according to a release.
“With these committee assignments, I am confident we have the leadership in place to tackle the challenges ahead and build a brighter future for New Bedford,” Burgo said. “This council is prepared to make meaningful progress on behalf of our residents and keep our focus on addressing their most pressing concerns.”
Committee on Affordable Housing and Homeless Affairs Gets New Name, Focus
With that in mind, Burgo is changing the name and the focus of the council’s Special Committee on Affordable Housing and Homeless Affairs, which he has chaired each year since it was created by then-Council President Ian Abreu in 2022.
It will now be renamed the Special Committee on Housing, and “will shift to prioritizing the development of housing in all forms,” according to the release. Burgo said it was “only fitting” Councilor at Large Abreu chair the committee he created, now under its new name.
“Whether you call it affordable, workforce or market rate, the bottom line is that we need more housing,” Burgo said. “By focusing on this primary objective, we can address many of the broader challenges our community faces.”

Two Other Special Committees Are Eliminated
Burgo also dissolved two special committees: the Cannabis Regulation and Host Community Agreement Review, and the P.I.L.O.T. (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Program.
“These committees, while created with good intentions, have proven unnecessary,” he said. “Going forward, any motions that would have been referred to them will be directed to one of our standing committees. This approach eliminates redundancy and ensures our focus remains on areas that deliver the most impact.”
2025 New Bedford City Council Committee Assignments
Appointments and Briefings: Last year’s council president and Councilor at Large Naomi Carney returns to once again chair this committee, along with Vice-Chair and Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver. The full council serves on this committee.
Audit: Ward 6 Councilor Ryan Pereira once again serves as chair, with Councilor at Large Linda Morad as vice-chair. Abreu, Oliver and Ward 5 Councilor Joe Lopes are also on the committee.
City Property: Ward 2 Councilor Maria Giesta once again serves as chair, with Abreu as vice-chair. The full council serves on this committee.
Finance: Linda Morad returns as chair, with Lopes as vice-chair. The full council serves on this committee.
Fisheries: Ward 4 Councilor Derek Baptiste takes over as chair, with last year’s chair, Giesta, serving as vice-chair. Abreu, Oliver and Councilor at Large Brian Gomes are also on this committee.
Internal Affairs: Gomes once again serves as chair, with Pereira also returning as vice-chair. Carney, Giesta and Morad also serve on this committee.
Labor & Industry: Abreu is the chair with Lopes as vice-chair, along with Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette, Giesta and Oliver.
Ordinances: Pereira returns as chair, with Oliver as vice-chair. The entire council serves on this committee.
Public & Safety and Neighborhoods: Longtime chair Gomes is back again, with Baptiste as vice-chair, leading the full council.
Veterans Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health and Housing and Disability Issues: Carney is chair with Oliver as vice-chair, along with the rest of the council serving.
Special Committee on Housing: Abreu is chair and Baptiste is vice-chair. The rest of the council also serves.
Special Committee on the Airport: Choquette returns as chair with Gomes back as vice-chair. Abreu, Lopes and Oliver are also on the committee.
Special Committee on Environmental Affairs: Burgo will serve as chair, with Pereira as vice-chair. The rest of the council also serves on this committee.
Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications: Baptiste will chair, with Morad as vice-chair and Carney, Choquette and Oliver also serving.
Council Representatives on Other Boards and Commissions
Traffic Commission: Giesta and Gomes
Energy Resource Commission: Abreu
School Traffic Committee: Choquette
Sign Design Review Board: Oliver
TIF Board: Burgo and Morad
Water Board: Carney
Condominium Review Board: Pereira
Exhibition Hall Committee: Lopes
Mayor’s Youth Council: Baptiste
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