[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6567597,"mediaKeyId","3289822-1f7355159733fd0a58235529b1cf7f25","parentId",3289822,"title","Committee tables naming of pedestrian bridge for Andre Lopes pending review of executed MOU and city acceptance","audioSeconds",181,"startMs",1246000,"endMs",1427000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289822-1f7355159733fd0a58235529b1cf7f25&start=1246&end=1427","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289822-1f7355159733fd0a58235529b1cf7f25/thumbnail_1246000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567597/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Committee-tables-naming-of-pedestrian-bridge-for-Andre-Lopes-pending-review-of-executed-MOU-and-city-acceptance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567597-b755fbbaeaf553771f5225322bae8d04/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528676&Signature=O8fpMS8tRuCOcmQhfj5NqwrhsdSIemFRTEBDVRCvwu1oqBLeHgaN6LpIFzwelkerztRI1F~TQ~W24U-BnUf1mtSm5jGzZwbnFDwE71ll76QjbuXk96~T3NMruWCkPWjFaZ-2blGCRXbFwJFnfzIwMD-2sYw~-yaepEqITwuIHISdJehEgO-2PMuD0LH5Hy-TkYJrLNn0lSetfr8WCjJn031pzirKxAt0L4~R~BoG2H~6coTIdXvZef0RfhWBL16uQuFh6CH1axzobdYYJcnvoLLaq21Zc8bYTTCQFoG5DEOmR2pNm0GQBKlvgFwBVIemenMCKL~BS6miId6wINLFNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Bedford","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications of the City of New Bedford tabled May 13 a request to name the new pedestrian bridge over John F. Kennedy Boulevard the Andre Lopes Memorial Bridge, citing uncertainty about ownership and an outstanding memorandum of understanding.

The clerk read a communication from Mayor Mitchell proposing the name (item 8), which had been referred to the committee on Jan. 23, 2025. Assistant City Solicitor Catherine Chukka told the committee her understanding was that there is an executed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the state and that, \"upon the bridge's completion, the bridge does become a city owned asset,\" after which the city would decide the name.

Several councilors said the city has not yet accepted the bridge and pointed to a separate letter from the state delegation indicating the delegation’s role in naming until city ownership is accepted. Councilor Morad said the item was \"almost like cart before the horse,\" noting that without city acceptance the committee lacks authority to officially name the bridge. Councilor Kania asked the solicitor's office to provide the committee a copy of the executed MOU so members could confirm the legal status.

The committee first moved to receive and place the mayor’s communication on file; that motion was made by Councilor Mora and seconded by Councilor Chiquette and recorded in the transcript. Later in the meeting Councilor Mora moved to table the naming request; Councilor Carney seconded the motion to table and the committee approved the tabling by voice vote.

Assistant City Solicitor Chukka agreed to provide the committee with a copy of the executed MOU and city staff agreed to supply any relevant documentation about acceptance procedures and easements, as requested by council members.

The committee’s tabling preserves the committee’s and city council’s ability to act once the city’s legal ownership and any state agreements are clarified.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Bedford - Memorials & Dedications - Special Committee - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications of the City of New Bedford tabled May 13 a proposal to name the new pedestrian bridge over John F. Kennedy Boulevard the Andre Lopes Memorial Bridge pending clarification of an executed memorandum of understanding and city acceptance of the bridge.","taxTitle","New Bedford City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",5758,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567601,"Committee refers two park memorial requests to full council and asks Parks for installation timelines",647,383000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289822-1f7355159733fd0a58235529b1cf7f25&start=383&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289822-1f7355159733fd0a58235529b1cf7f25/thumbnail_383000.jpg","/articles/6567601/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Committee-refers-two-park-memorial-requests-to-full-council-and-asks-Parks-for-installation-timelines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567601-8c8f73f9aa6d429bec8c9ff98bb73e7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528676&Signature=YKpuILY4Zu0ChtVnVxwR5-2GUnX5cZ-SuBl14RPFn2oM7oEpsmMa-7KZleM2QYTAGVGM2pSVbH83ZiEVqrRGfHF-pLqRXmHgPtGJ0ii2G6XcUEtEYdEAnRSJZNwzjve9YTrHZNa~3bVatRPvFcyA8-KyHmYsO82C~f2iTfY~TWLvBq10YWWC4vP7lMcbk1TzvO53PqcwJ72GALAzUAFVmtSqc45uwaFM0YrJhMSFRg8l6KZL7Ly6DKVqDMQxteT-K7nPhGjWTaScalR121VCDRsxrSzeDEMPk-Oxv6W27k66jU2rJJqrN~YRwpqjkvDdvAU~w5fK6oQLXt6sqUA82Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications of the City of New Bedford voted May 13 to receive and refer two memorial applications to the full City Council and the Park Board.

The committee heard a request from the Department of Parks and Recreation for a memorial tree to be placed “at Hazelwood Park on a hill looking down, if possible” in memory of Dakota Sylvia and a separate application for a memorial bench at Baldwinwood Park in memory of Deborah G. Rower. The clerk said both items had been referred to the committee previously (item 1 referred on Feb. 27, 2025; item 2 referred on March 27, 2025).

Councilor Moretz moved to receive and place the Dakota Sylvia application on file, refer it to the full City Council for approval and forward it to the Park Board; Councilor Choquette seconded and the motion passed with the ayes. For the Deborah G. Rower bench the committee similarly moved to receive and place on file and refer; that motion was moved by Councilor Morad and seconded by Councilor Choquette and also passed with the ayes.

Sade, an administrative assistant in the Parks and Recreation Department, told the committee the requested locations \"do not foresee a problem\" and said Parks staff coordinate placement if issues arise. She described the installation timeline as variable and said delays can be caused by Park Board meeting cancellations and other scheduling matters. \"I can actually email you over, if you'd like, the memorials and dedication... I keep a timeline of everything,\" Sade said, offering to send a consolidated list of memorials that have been approved but not yet installed and expected timelines.

A family member who identified himself as Richard Rohwer spoke on behalf of Deborah Rower's family, describing Rower's long record of pro bono work and community service in Bristol County and asking the committee to grant the family's request for a public memorial. \"Deb didn't seek recognition for her good work,\" Rohwer said, describing her decades of legal aid and community service.

Following discussion, the committee chair asked Parks staff to forward a consolidated list of approved-but-not-installed memorials and their current timelines to the committee chair for distribution to council members.

The committee placed several other agenda items on the table earlier in the meeting at the request of absent councilors (items 3, 5, 6 and 7), but those are separate from the two park memorial items referred to the full council.

The committee adjourned at 7:23 p.m.","The Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications voted May 13 to receive and refer two memorial requests—a tree for Dakota Sylvia at Hazelwood Park and a bench for Deborah G. Rower at Baldwinwood Park—to the full City Council and the Park Board, and asked Parks staff to provide a consolidated timeline of approved but uninstalled memorials.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee tables naming of pedestrian bridge for Andre Lopes pending review of executed MOU and city acceptance

Committee refers two park memorial requests to full council and asks Parks for installation timelines