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City Council tables renewal of private livery license after Ward 5 complaints
Summary
At its March 13 meeting the New Bedford City Council tabled action on a private livery license renewal following complaints from Ward 5 Councilor Joe Lopes about vehicles, noise and alleged auto-body work tied to the licensee. Multiple motions and two tie roll-call votes left the matter without final disposition and the item was tabled.
At its March 13, 2025 meeting, the New Bedford City Council tabled consideration of the renewal for a private livery license for the business listed at 627 Allen Street (Guaranas Transportation Incorporated) after extended debate and two tied roll-call votes.
The renewal, read into the record as item 15, drew sustained objection from Ward 5 Councilor Joe Lopes, who said vehicles tied to the license have been parked in residential neighborhoods, caused early-morning noise and that the property has been the subject of building-department inquiries for alleged auto-body work. “Those vehicles have never been parked there,” Lopes said, arguing neighbors continue to be affected by beeping and tow-truck activity at night.
Councilor Linda Morad moved to deny the renewal; the motion was seconded by Lopes. A roll call on the motion produced a 5-5 split (Baptiste, Carney, Giesta, Lopes and Morad voting yes; Brago, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver and Perera voting no), resulting in no final denial. A subsequent motion to refer the matter to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, made by Councilor Oliver and seconded by Councilor Gomes, likewise produced a 5-5 tie and failed.
After those tied votes, Councilor Morad moved to table the item; the motion, seconded by Councilor Giesta, carried. The council did not reach a final decision on the license renewal at the meeting. During discussion, Morad noted that a denial tonight would require the applicant to resubmit an application, and the clerk indicated that the ordinance suggests reapplication would be required if the council denied the license.
The council’s action leaves the renewal unresolved; tabling means the item can be brought forward at a later meeting for additional consideration or a final vote.
The applicant and any representatives did not speak during the public debate recorded in the transcript.
Next steps: the council tabled the item; it may be returned to the floor in a future meeting or referred to committee for hearing and a report before final action.
