The New Bedford City Council on Jan. 8 approved an ordinance amending city personnel rules to add the title “supervisor of local building inspectors” at pay grade M6, advanced a series of loan orders to a second reading for schematic design and feasibility studies for multiple school roof projects, and confirmed several appointments and licenses in largely unanimous votes.

The ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7C of the personnel code to insert the supervisor title passed by roll call, 9-1. The council moved a set of loan orders, each appropriating $150,000 for schematic design and feasibility work on roof replacement projects at a group of elementary and secondary schools, to a second reading. The council also approved appointments to the Library Board of Trustees and a handful of private livery licenses and other routine items.

Why it matters: The personnel amendment creates an identified supervisor role for building inspectors, a structural change in city staffing. The loan orders move multiple school roof projects forward in the capital planning process, authorizing schematic design work that precedes any construction appropriation.

Most significant votes and outcomes (at a glance):
- Ordinance (item 1): Amend Chapter 19, Sec. 19-7C to add “supervisor of local building inspectors,” pay grade M6 — Passed 9 to 1.
- Library board appointments (items 2 and 3): Rosemary M. Saber and Glenn G. Chandler appointed to the Library Board of Trustees, terms to expire April 2026 — Passed 11 to 0; both were sworn in at the meeting.
- Appointment (item 4): Gregory Michael Saucier appointment approved — voice vote, approved.
- Private livery license (item 5): License for Anna Valentin Burgos, doing business as Gurana’s Transportation, 627 Allen St. — Granted.
- Private livery license (item 17): Jean Philippe de Desiramos, JSR Transportation LLC — Granted.
- Private livery license (item 18): Junior L. Morpe/”JM and V” — Referred to Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
- Loan orders (items 6–13a): Eight loan orders, each for $150,000 for schematic design and feasibility studies for roof replacement projects at the following schools: Sergeant William Kearney Memorial Academy (247 Elm St.), Ellen G. Campbell Elementary (145 Essex St.), Alfred J. Gomes Elementary (286 S. Second St.), Carlos Pacheco Elementary (261 Mount Pleasant St.), Eleanor Hathaway School (256 Court St.), Hayden McFadden Elementary (361 Cedar Grove St.), Casimir Pulaski Elementary (1097 Bridal Rd.), and Willing City Junior and Senior High School (455 County St.). Motion to pass to second reading approved.
- Traffic/parking referrals (items 14–15): Requests to replace faded “No Parking This Side of Street” signs on Lake Street and to consider installing a handicapped parking space at 375 Rock Hill Ave. (Medicare Help 65) — both referred to the Traffic Commission.
- HERO Act adoption (item 16): Referral to Committee on Ordinance to consider adopting provisions of the state HERO Act relating to disabled veterans’ tax exemptions — Referred.
- Homer’s Wharf lease petition (item 19): Petition opposing a proposed 15-year lease to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for Homers Wharf parking area — Referred to Committee on City Property.
- YMCA accessibility complaints (item 20): Referred to Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods.
- Cape Verdean Association grant support letters (items 21–22): Letters in support of Wicked Cool Places and Mass Cultural Council facilities capital grant applications — Received and placed on file.

Procedural notes: Most items were routine referrals or motions to receive and place on file; a single contested recorded roll call appears for the personnel ordinance (9–1). Several items were advanced to committee for further review rather than final enactment.

The council adjourned at 7:22 p.m.