New Bedford Ward 5 Democratic Committee will held a candidates’ forum on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Here are the remarks form the Ward 5 Counselor Candidates.
1) What is your vision for New Bedford, and what role should the City Council play in achieving it?
R. Renee Fernandes
I envision New Bedford as a safe, welcoming city that will be known not only for its history but also for its ability to flourish in a changing world. New Bedford should be the nuclear core and a positive example for the entire Southcoast community. A healthy concept could be that the City Council, as well as the administration, meet annually to establish a mission that aligns with a shared vision. The council actions should always emphasize leadership that is proactive, fiscally sound, and always deliberated on the basis of what’s in the best interest of the city.
Joseph P. Lopes
A city that continues to work towards an open and transparent government – I was one of the councilors who worked and supported establishing the open checkbook as a means of allowing citizens to see in real time the workings of the city’s budget.
2) New Bedford has consistently failed to meet Net School Spending requirements. How would you ensure public school students receive fair and adequate resources?
R. Renee Fernandes
Education is the largest and most important component of any municipal budget. Failure to fund a budget in accordance with what the state mandates suggests a more thorough review of the entire city budget to determine how funds that should be used for education can be better allocated. Within the school budget, specific line items also need to be scrutinized to ensure that appropriate dollars are being spent on the core reason.
Joseph P. Lopes
During my tenure as a city councilor, I have always supported the New Bedford Public School budget as well as any supplemental budget requests. I have never voted to cut any funds from our school department.
3) What strategies would you support to keep housing in New Bedford affordable, including managing the increasing cost of rent?
R. Renee Fernandes
Of course, this is a national issue and there isn’t any easy answer out there. I believe New Bedford needs to be progressive and think outside the box. I would support a local initiative whereby the city gave multi-family property owners a tax incentive (break) to maintain affordable rental prices for a certain period of time. There needs to be a lot of conversation about the cost-benefit of a program such as this. If it is a legally feasible option, I believe it could bring stability and pride of ownership back to neighborhoods.
Joseph P. Lopes
The city needs to continue to work with developers to build more housing both market rate and low to moderate income housing. I have and will continue to support programs that take vacant lots that the city owns and make those lots available for development.
4) How would you use zoning or other policies to promote the production of new housing?
R. Renee Fernandes
I don’t think the question should be how do we use zoning to promote the production of new housing—I think the question should be how do we use zoning to reimagine existing housing? I think zoning can provide us with many ways to transform existing stock into housing opportunities on many different levels.
Joseph P. Lopes
Utilizing form-based code to make it easier and faster for developers to build in the city. Establish expedient permitting in the city. Both of these items I have advocated for during my tenure in the council.
5) What strategies would you propose to reduce homelessness and increase access to shelters and support services?
R. Renee Fernandes
I think it is important to publicly address the issue and eliminate any stigmas that may surround the topics of homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, etc. Because city services can’t fund assistance at the tremendous need there is, it is important to maintain and promote strong relationships with agencies that specialize in services.
Joseph P. Lopes
We have to stop punishing those that are in need of services. I have spoken out numerous times that we need to create a housing-first task force in the city. Previously, to bring attention to homelessness in our city, I was one of several councilors who spent the night on the street – this program was led by the Inter-Church Council.
6) What role should city government play in supporting New Bedford’s immigrant community?
R. Renee Fernandes
Legal immigrants should be afforded every opportunity their status gives to them. My grandparents came to this country from Cape Verde in the late 1800s. Obviously, someone helped them when they sailed into Providence, RI. I believe it our obligation as American citizens to pay it forward.
Joseph P. Lopes
We are a city of immigrants, from whaling to textiles to fishing, we have always welcomed immigrants to our city. We collectively as a city need to help those that are looking to become citizens.
7) How should the city’s budget process work, and what would be your approach to managing potential budget cuts?
R. Renee Fernandes
The concept of the level funded budget has surpassed its usefulness because unnecessary charges can just be moved along without question year after year. The budget should be built from the perspective of “O”. The questions that should be asked are, ‘what is your mission or your statutory obligation?’, ‘how many bodies does that require?’. I believe the Council should engage with departments throughout the budget year to assess whether needs are being met and managed adequately. Budget cuts should never be taken lightly and there should be a deliberate debate with the administration and staff to understand the ramifications of a potential budget cut.
Joseph P. Lopes
The budget process needs to be more inclusive between the mayor and the council. The mayor should be invited to the council for the duration of the budget meetings held by the council during the budget review process. During my tenure I have proposed and voted on budget cuts that look at reducing waste, not services to the citizens.
8) Do you support a review of the city charter, and if so, what changes would you recommend to improve civic processes and local government?
R. Renee Fernandes
Yes, I believe it is healthy to frequently review the city charter, the code of ordinances, and the bylaws. Term limits and the recall provision need to be codified.
Joseph P. Lopes
Yes, I was on the last charter review committee that was established. I would go back to a two-year mayor’s term, pay the members of the school committee, and look at changes that would streamlinemunicipal processes.
How would you create more economic opportunities for residents, including in offshore wind and other emerging industries?
R. Renee Fernandes
By providing educational opportunities that give our residents the skills to compete in these new markets. Increased education and competency provide accessibility to better economic
opportunities.
Joseph P. Lopes
In 2017 and currently I have worked with the administration to establish a second business park in the city. I have also worked with the current and past administration to look at how we can streamline the permit process for business owners and developers, and previously I was the councilor who proposed that we update our Tax Increment Financing program to make it more transparent for the business owners but also make sure that those same business owners were providing livable wages and benefits to their employees.
10) Would you support efforts to strengthen and expand after-school and summer employment opportunities to help youth enter the labor force?
R. Renee Fernandes
I would support an initiative such as this written into the curriculum, similar to a school-to-work program.
Joseph P. Lopes
Yes, the more enriched programs we are able to create for our kids, the better the opportunities that they will have once done with high school.
11) With the city landfill expected to reach capacity in five years, what strategies should 1New Bedford adopt to address solid waste management?
R. Renee Fernandes
This is a very reactive question. Despite Crapo Hill recently announcing they could extend the life of the landfill by over 10 years by siting a new cell, the conversations regarding what happens in 10 years need to be starting in earnest now.
Joseph P. Lopes
I think we need to go back to split-stream recycling and move away from the commingling of our recycling. We need to expand and promote the use of food compost as part of our waste reduction strategies.
12) Are you satisfied with the city’s current crime reduction strategies? What changes would you recommend to improve public safety?
R. Renee Fernandes
I believe our law enforcement personnel work extremely hard to keep our city safe. I think community policing and visibility is extremely important, and we must provide our public safety personnel with the tools and resources they need to protect our city.
Joseph P. Lopes
The use of body cameras is a tool that I previously advocated for. We need to continue to look at and review our policing policies to make sure that we are both supporting our law enforcement officers but also making it safer for our residents. We need to expand our use of cameras across our city and embrace technology that make policing safer for all those involved.
13) Are there additional matters you hope to raise at City Council to further the well-being of New Bedford residents?
R. Renee Fernandes
I think it is important that City Council works cooperatively for the best interests of every resident of the City of New Bedford. When I worked as the treasurer of the city, John Mitchell selected me to participate in the creation of The New Bedford Way, A Statement of Values for City Government. In accordance with The New Bedford Way, as a Councilor, I will continue to be a public servant whose
actions reflect the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Joseph P. Lopes
I would like to see the city and state support red light and speeding cameras as a means of making our city safer for both pedestrians and motorists.