Committee refers multiple memorial requests to City Council and Park Board; several items tabled for follow-up

The New Bedford Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications on an evening session referred several memorial and dedication applications to the full City Council and the Park Board, and tabled other requests for further review.

The committee voted to forward a request to place a permanent plaque at the northeast corner of Monty’s Park to honor Anton T. Fortz, a longtime neighborhood gymnastics coach; to refer a memorial bench application for Rocelli “Coco” Paris at Ash and Morgan streets to the Park Board and City Council; and to send a proposal to rename Diamond No. 3 at Brooklawn Park “Founders Field” in honor of the founders of the Wailing City Youth Baseball League. The panel also referred a family request to add a memorial plaque to a bench in front of Lincoln Elementary School for Leotina Da Costa, asking staff to confirm whether the bench is on school property or city layout before formal placement.

Why it matters: The committee’s referrals advance small-scale commemorations in public places across New Bedford and signaled generally cooperative support from city staff. The items will appear on the full City Council and Park Board agendas on Sept. 25 for final action. Other proposals — including a family-proposed stone to honor Calpimento/Pimentel on privately donated land and two proposed downtown dedications — were tabled pending legal or technical follow-up.

Committee discussion and decisions

Anton T. Fortz (Monty’s Park). Jacqueline Fort Spino, who identified herself as an applicant and said she is requesting recognition for her brother Anton T. Fortz, told the committee that he taught neighborhood children gymnastics and tumbling “for over 50 years.” Mary Raposa of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches told the…