The New Bedford City Council elected Councilor Shane Bergo as council president and approved a slate of mayoral reappointments during its organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

The council voted 9–2 to elect Bergo after nominations from the floor. Councilor Brian Gomes spoke at length in support of Bergo, saying councilors should not “let anyone come into this building or this room and dismantle police or defund police,” and urging colleagues to back Bergo. Councilor Shane Bergo, taking the chair, thanked colleagues and supporters and said, “As council president, I pledge to work collaboratively with my colleagues to ensure that our decisions bring hope, clarity, and opportunity to every corner of our city.”

The organizational meeting also recorded unanimous votes to accept mayoral reappointments for city legal roles and weighers of merchandise. The council approved the reappointment of Owen Murphy of Dartmouth and Michael J. Harrington of Little Compton as assistant city solicitors for one-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2025; the reappointment passed on a roll call vote of 11–0. The council likewise approved the reappointments of Ian McNaught, Zachary DiRocco and Joseph Rio of L&S Industries Inc. as weighers of merchandise for one-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2025, on an 11–0 vote. The body also approved the reappointment of David J. Garatowski of Newport as legislative counsel to the city council for a one-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2025; that motion passed 11–0 and Garatowski was sworn in.

Nominations and debate

Nominations for council president were opened by the presiding officer. Councilor Maria Giesta (who placed an initial motion earlier on the record) moved to nominate Councilor Shane Bergo, and Councilor Leo Choquette moved to nominate Councilor Sean Oliver. Several councilors spoke for their chosen candidate. In support of Bergo, Councilor Brian Gomes emphasized Bergo’s procedural knowledge and advocacy on housing and other issues; Choquette described Oliver as “one of a few councilors I would trust” to run Ward 1 if Choquette were incapacitated, and urged colleagues to support Oliver.

Roll call and tally

After nominations, the council proceeded with roll-call voting. The roll call recorded nine yes votes for Bergo and two no votes (Choquette and Oliver), producing a 9–2 result and seating Bergo as council president. Later in the meeting, Bergo took the chair and delivered remarks thanking his family and referencing the city motto, including the line “I diffuse light.”

Other formal actions

- Assistant city solicitors: Mayor Mitchell’s communications recommending the reappointments of Owen Murphy (Dartmouth) and Michael J. Harrington (Little Compton) were placed on file and their reappointments were granted by roll call, 11–0. The council then administered the oath to the two attorneys.

- Weighers of merchandise: The council received and granted the mayor’s communication reappointing Ian McNaught, Zachary DiRocco and Joseph Rio (L&S Industries Inc.) as weighers of merchandise for one-year terms (Dec. 31, 2025), 11–0.

- Legislative counsel: The council received and granted the reappointment of David J. Garatowski (Newport) as legislative counsel for a one-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025; the motion passed 11–0 and Garatowski was sworn in.

Process and context

The meeting was the council’s annual organizational session, during which members elect leadership and consider mayoral reappointments and other housekeeping items for the coming year. Several speakers used their time during the president election to address broader concerns about city governance, media coverage and housing and public-safety issues; those remarks occurred in the context of advocating for specific candidates and were recorded during the nominations and speeches portion of the agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Election of council president: Motion to elect Shane Bergo (nominated by Councilor Maria Giesta; seconded by Councilor Ryan Pereira). Vote: 9 yes, 2 no (Choquette, Oliver). Outcome: elected.

- Reappointments — assistant city solicitors: Owen Murphy and Michael J. Harrington (mayoral communications). Motion to receive, place on file and grant reappointments (moved by Councilor Pereira; seconded by Councilor Gomes). Vote: 11–0. Outcome: approved; two assistants sworn in.

- Reappointments — weighers of merchandise (L&S Industries Inc.): Ian McNaught, Zachary DiRocco, Joseph Rio (mayoral communication). Motion to receive, place on file and grant reappointments (moved and seconded as recorded). Vote: 11–0. Outcome: approved.

- Reappointment — legislative counsel: David J. Garatowski. Motion (moved by Councilor Powers; seconded by Councilor Choquette). Vote: 11–0. Outcome: approved and sworn in.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.