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City Council cuts $150,000 from CPA recommendation for Acushnet River Rowing Center dock; adopts $1.85M package
Summary
The New Bedford City Council amended the Community Preservation Act FY2025 funding recommendations to remove $150,000 for the Acushnet River Rowing Center dock and then adopted the revised $1,850,000 funding package after debate over public input and geographic distribution of funds.
The New Bedford City Council on April 10 voted to remove $150,000 earmarked for the Acushnet River Rowing Center dock from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) FY2025 funding recommendations and then adopted the amended $1,850,000 package.
Councilor Maria Giesta moved the amendment to strike the $150,000 Acushnet River Rowing Center dock item, saying she had been contacted by members of the rowing community who “are very disappointed that they were not given a chance to be included or even considered by the city” and who believed “a decision had already been made on who would be partnering with the Department of Parks and Recreation for this project.” The amendment was seconded by Councilor Sean Oliver and passed 9–1, with Councilor Naomi Carney voting no.
After the amendment, Councilor Ian Abreu moved adoption of the order as amended, seconded by Councilor Derek Baptiste. The council adopted the amended order 9–1, with Councilor Linda Morad casting the lone no vote. The adopted order funds 22 projects totaling $1,850,000 under the CPA FY2025 recommendations; the original committee report had recommended 23 projects totaling $2,000,000.
Councilor Morad urged broader outreach and criticized the geographic distribution of CPA funds, noting that “there are 23, now 22 projects total $1,850,000. ... 1 project is North of Cogswell Street in the city of New Bedford. 1. And that 1 project is for $14,000 out of $1,850,000.” She said many taxpayers in the city’s North End do not see CPA benefits in their neighborhoods and urged more participation in CPC workshops.
Councilors who supported the amendment and adoption emphasized the need to re-open discussion with affected stakeholders; Giesta said she supported the idea of a dock for nonmotorized recreation but wanted “the process [to] be open and transparent.” The council did not adopt any new requirements for additional public meetings at the time of the vote.
The order will proceed according to the council’s normal implementation process; the Community Preservation Committee and City departments retain authority to administer individual projects and contracts. The council record shows the Acushnet River Rowing Center dock had been priced at $150,000 in the CPC recommendations.
