Committee advances multiple private livery and delivery license applications to full council

The New Bedford City Council Committee on Appointments and Briefings on Sept. 16 handled seven private livery and delivery license items and moved each forward to the full City Council or placed the application on file for further action.

The committee received applications from: - Glenda B. Reis (doing business as Glenda Reis Transportation LLC), 68 Erin Court — applicant said she planned to start with one vehicle (a school‑transport van) and would park it in her driveway; the committee referred the application to the full City Council for confirmation. - Rafaela Bridal Guerra (Rafaela's Transportation), 122 Frank Street — applicant said the vehicle is a minivan to be used for school transportation; the committee referred the application to the full council with a favorable recommendation. - Samaria and Ali Bukhari (Wheels Transportation LLC), addresses listed in the packet — applicants said they previously held a license and requested renewal; they said they would operate three vehicles with off‑street parking at an owned property; the committee referred the application to the full council with a positive recommendation. - Denise Afonseca (Misty's Transportation), 240 County Street — Afonseca described school runs and airport trips and said she had off‑street parking and two vehicles; the committee approved the license motion in committee and referred the matter to the full council with a favorable recommendation. - Rutalia Aguilar (translation provided during the hearing), 7 Phillips Avenue — applicant said the business would run one vehicle for children and confirmed off‑street parking; referred to full council with a favorable recommendation. - Vinancio (Venezio) Mendez (Venezio Transportation), 35 Independence Street — applicant said he planned student transportation using an SUV and had a driveway; referred to the full council for approval. - Thierry Andrade Ouizier (Mehl Transportation), 109 Robeson Street — applicant said he planned two vehicles (a minivan and a small car) for school and medical transportation; referred to the full council for approval.

Councilors asked each applicant about the number of vehicles, where vehicles would be parked when not in service (driveway/garage), and whether the vehicle type was appropriate for school transport. Assistant city staff confirmed the applications have dates and standard expiration of June 30, 2026, as listed on the paperwork. Several applicants noted they previously held licenses and were renewing or re‑filing because packets had expired.

A sample of applicant testimony: Denise Afonseca told the committee she was motivated by community need: "Less fortunate parents that can't get their kids to school because they can't get buses or anything like that. So this is what I want," she said. The committee made routine checks for off‑street parking and vehicle counts before forwarding each application.

Where it goes next: All referred license applications are scheduled for consideration by the full City Council on Sept. 25, with favorable recommendations recorded by the committee for most applicants.