City Government
New Bedford City Council
New Bedford’s City Council has eleven members: five elected city-wide (“at-large”) and six from neighborhood wards. Councilors serve two-year terms, and each year the Council elects one of its members as Council President to preside over its meetings and steer its committees. In a strong mayor city, the Council is the legislative check on the executive.
- Sets policy and law by adopting ordinances and resolutions.
- Controls the purse by reviewing and adopting the city’s annual budget.
- Checks the executive by confirming many of the Mayor’s appointments.
Council Members
Ryan Pereira, the Ward 6 councilor, serves as Council President. The five at-large councilors are elected by all New Bedford voters; the six ward councilors each represent one neighborhood ward.
Ian Abreu
James Roy
Shane Burgo
Brian Gomes
Naomi Carney
Leo Choquette
Scott Pemberton
Shawn Oliver
Derek Baptiste
Joseph P. Lopes
Ryan Pereira
Individual councilor emails and direct lines are listed on the city’s “City Council” directory at newbedford-ma.gov.
Meetings & How to Participate
- Where: the Chamber of the City Council on the second floor of City Hall, 133 William Street.
- Agendas & minutes: posted in advance by the City Clerk at newbedford-ma.gov.
- Public comment: residents may address the Council; check the agenda for the sign-up procedure.
- Watch: meetings are broadcast on the city’s public access channel and streamed online.
Sources
New Bedford City Council (newbedford-ma.gov). Verified July 2026.
New Bedford City Council coverage (newbedfordlight.org). Verified July 2026.
New Bedford City Council coverage (newbedfordguide.com). Verified July 2026.
What this seat decides
Your Town or City Council
A local ordinance, the city or town budget, or a problem in your own ward or district. The real testimony happens at committee hearings rather than at the full council meeting.
Public hearings and meetings are where residents shape city decisions.