City / Town Governance

Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) and the City of New Bedford invite the public to a meeting to discuss the intersection of Route 6, Kempton Street, Mill Street, Pleasant Street and Foster Street, commonly referred to as the “Octopus.”

Operation Clean Sweep, a New Bedford based anti-litter organization, will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Ward 5 from 8:30 am until Noon. The Ward 5 cleanup will be hosted by SouthCoast Hospitals Group and headquarters will be located in the St. Luke’s Hospital parking lot at Hawthorn and Page Streets.

The City of New Bedford, The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District, and Downtown New Bedford, Inc., will co-sponsor a paper shredding event on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 9:00am through 12:00 noon. The event will take place in the parking lot located across from New Bedford City Hall (at the corner of William and N. Sixth Streets). Residents and New Bedford area businesses are encouraged to bring their outdated paper items including (bank statements, insurance forms, medical forms, retired tax forms, personal files, receipts, etc.) to be shredded on site by Doc Shredding Corp.

New Bedford students will join students from around the state in celebration of “Walk and Bike to School Day” on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, as part of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program, in partnership with New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD and the City of New Bedford. Parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders, at participating schools within the New Bedford school district will walk to/from school on Wednesday, May 2nd.

The New Bedford Cable Network today announced a new partnership with New Bedford Public Schools to air “Homework Helpers” a live show on the Education Channel 17 that will allow students to call-in for help with their homework. Current and retired New Bedford Public Schools teachers will host the half hour call-in show and will provide helpful instruction and advice to students tackling difficult homework questions.

In preparation for regular spring maintenance and the new planting season, the City of New Bedford Cemetery Division respectfully reminds the public to remove flowers and decorations from the graves in cemeteries operated by the City, prior to Monday, May 1, 2012. Any decorations that have not been removed prior to the start of the spring maintenance will be removed and stored by the Cemetery Division for a period of 30 days. Those items can later be retrieved by contacting the Cemetery Division at (508) 991-6191.

This announcement pertains to the following cemeteries operated by the City of New Bedford:

Rural Cemetery -- 149 Dartmouth Street
Oak Grove Cemetery -- 185 Parker Street
Pine Grove Cemetery -- 1100 Ashley Blvd
Peckham West Cemetery -- Mt. Pleasant Street

Southcoast Hospitals Group and the St. Luke’s neighborhood group, Neighbors Eager for Enlightened Development (NEED), will co-host Operation Clean Sweep in Ward 5 on Saturday, May 19. Neighbors, families, friends, students, service groups and the community are encouraged to volunteer to demonstrate support for the city and to show pride in the community.

The City of New Bedford Veteran’s Advisory Board and the Fort Rodman – Fort Taber Historical Association will honor the 749 United States sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the devastating April 28, 1944 attack on the United States military training operation, Exercise Tiger. Exercise Tiger was a D-Day dry run which was ambushed by a German E-boat flotilla and resulted in America’s costliest incident of World War II, second only to Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack sank two American vessels and severely damaged a third.

A memorial ceremony is planned to honor the service members who perished in this incident:

Saturday April 28rd, 2012 | Fort Rodman – Fort Taber Military Museum at 1:00 PM - 1000 Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, Massachusetts

Keynote Speaker | Mayor of New Bedford | Jonathan F. Mitchell

Northeast Navy Band | Rhode Island Guards of Thunder Artillery Group

All veterans are asked to proudly display their service insignia.

The City and Refuse District are helping you make the most of your spring cleaning tasks with three upcoming events.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- Operation Clean Sweep, a New Bedford based anti-litter organization, will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Ward 2 from 8:30 am until Noon. The Ward 2 cleanup will be hosted by Cotali Mar Restaurant, and headquarters will be located in the restaurant's parking lot on Sawyer Street.

Mayor Jon Mitchell and Lynne LaBerge, Chair of the New Bedford Cultural Council, have announced the award of 50 grants totaling $65,794 to support programs in New Bedford that promote education, diversity, and excellence in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. The grants were awarded from a pool of funds distributed to the City by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency that supports public programs and educational activities in the arts, sciences and humanities.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- During the month of May, the New Bedford Council on Aging will host the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 2012 Elder Law Program at each of New Bedford’s Senior Centers. The Elder Law Education Program matches attorneys from the MBA and the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys with more than 100 councils on aging or senior centers throughout the state to make free presentations about the law.

· Wednesday, May 2, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., at the Brooklawn Senior Center, 1997 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford

· Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Buttonwood Senior Center, 1 Oneida Street, New Bedford

· Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., at the Downtown Senior Center, 560 Pleasant Street, New Bedford

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell today launched the “The Mayor’s Task Force on Neighborhood Quality,” a multi-department team charged with addressing quality-of-life issues in targeted neighborhoods through more effective code enforcement.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell invites city residents, community organizations and local elected officials to join him in acknowledging National Community Development Week.

Earlier this week I invited New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Mary Lou Francis to begin a conversation about her role in the New Bedford Public School Department.

Dr. Francis has since expressed an interest in engaging in that conversation, and I am hopeful that a constructive dialogue will follow.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize the Superintendent’s personal commitment and work ethic. Dr. Francis assumed her current position under difficult circumstances, and, without question, has worked tirelessly. I believe she cares very deeply about our schools.

New Bedford schools are at a critical point in their history. Given the precariousness of the Department’s position relative to state overseers, citizens of New Bedford should know that I will not proceed down any path which might jeopardize the ability of New Bedford to satisfy state deadlines and other requirements, and avoid a state takeover.

That is why I contacted state officials earlier today and asked them to extend all deadlines associated with the approval of the district turnaround plan to accommodate a continued dialogue with the Superintendent.

I am awaiting their official response, but am hopeful that the state will accommodate our need in this circumstance. Students, parents, teachers, and Dr. Francis herself, are owed a respectful and positive resolution in this matter. 

Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (CEDC) are encouraging residents of New Bedford to learn whether they qualify for valuable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the MA Senior Circuit Breaker.

Appropriate, and carefully drafted government regulations create necessary parameters in all facets of our complex society. Unfortunately, in many instances, regulations which are archaic, or not well-grounded, stunt economic development opportunities, resulting in job loss, and thwart new growth potential for our communities. Fortunately though, business owners voice their specific concerns about onerous regulations, and our elected officials constructively respond, but, as we know, regulatory change comes very slowly, if at all. However, something very positive is happening in Massachusetts. Our government is taking action to cut bureaucratic red tape and our business community is working enthusiastically to assist in the effort to make Massachusetts more business friendly.

Visit's Scott's blog (ScottWLang.com) to read the remainder of this opinion piece.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2012, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell will join New Bedford commercial fishermen in Washington D.C., for a march and rally on Capitol Hill. Organizers anticipate thousands of fishermen hailing from ports across America will participate in the rally. The event will draw attention to the damaging effect federal fisheries regulations are having on America’s commercial fishing industry.

On Sunday, March 18, 2012, thousands of runners will participate in the 35th Annual New Bedford Half Marathon. The race is hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a New Bedford based fraternal organization, and the City of New Bedford.

The course is a challenging one that includes two major hills, waterfront views, and will be lined with hundreds of volunteers and cheering fans. Organizers have taken great care to ensure that the New Bedford Half Marathon continues to be one of the safest races in the region. More than 100 New Bedford police officers will patrol the course and ambulances and EMTs will be stationed throughout the city.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell today released a letter to the Massachusetts Insurance Commission expressing his strong opposition to the proposed rate changes under the FAIR Plan. The Mayor was joined in signing the letter by the entire New Bedford City Council. The brunt of the proposed rate hike would fall on New Bedford homeowners, while leaving those from other towns with minimal increases.

The New Bedford Fire Department will host the March meeting of the Northeast Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Training Officers Consortium.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- New Bedford voters unable to travel to the polls for the election on Super Tuesday, March 6, 2012 will be able to cast their ballots on Saturday, March 3, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. at New Bedford City Hall, 133 William St., Room 114.

In this Presidential Primary, voters will cast their votes for President, City Committee Man, State Committee Woman, and Ward Committees. Un-enrolled voters (Independent) will have to choose a Democratic, Republican, or Green Rainbow ballot.

Voters will be able to request an absentee ballot up to 12:00 P.M. the day before the election: Monday, March 5, 2012. All absentee ballots have to be mailed to the voter, but completed ballots can be returned in person to the Election office by 7:45 P.M. on Election Day.

Due to re-drawing of precincts, many of the polling places have changed. This will be the first election with the new ward and precinct lines. Voters who are uncertain as to their voting status or who do not know where their assigned polling location is, should contact the Board of Election Commissioners at (508) 979-1420. Voters can also visit the City’s website www.newbedford-ma.gov to view specimen ballots and find out their polling locations.

The polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, March 6, 2012, from 7:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M.

New Bedford, MA – New Bedford Energy Now, a partnership of community groups, local and trusted businesses, and city offices will be at the Greater New Bedford Home Show offering no-cost home energy assessments.

The City of New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches will host “open gym hours” for New Bedford youth ages 8-18 years of age during February school vacation week at the newly renovated Andrea McCoy Recreation Center located at 181 Hillman Street.

The recreation center will be open from Tuesday, February 21st through Friday, February 24th from 12pm-5pm to provide city youth the opportunity to register as a member of the facility and participate in structured open gym activities. All youth must register in advance prior to participating in open gym hours. New Bedford youth and city residents can register as a member either during the school vacation hours or any time the facility is open.

February school vacation week open gym hours will follow the schedule below for the respective age groups:

Ages 8-13 from 12:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Ages 14-18 2:30pm – 5:00pm

The Andrea McCoy Recreation Center will remain open on a limited basis throughout March 2012 to serve city residents and beginning in April, the facility will offer a full schedule of program activities. Further program information will be provided upon registration at the facility.

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and New Bedford Fire Chief Michael Gomes announced that the New Bedford Fire Department has been awarded $11,300 for the FY ’12 Student Awareness of Fire Education or S.A.F.E. Program by the State Department of Fire Services.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The City of New Bedford has announced that the citywide snow emergency parking ban, which was effective as of 8:00 a.m. today, Saturday, February 11, 2012, will be lifted as of 9:30 a.m. today, as a result of a change in the forecast.

The City of New Bedford has issued a citywide snow emergency parking ban to take effect in New Bedford as of 8:00 a.m., early on Saturday morning February 11, 2012. The citywide parking ban will remain in effect for 48-hours thereafter, unless lifted or further extended by City officials. The parking ban is designed to allow City workers to efficiently remove snow from New Bedford roadways to allow public safety vehicles and residents to travel safely.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that he will host the first of three public meetings to hear directly from parents, teachers and others who are concerned about the state of New Bedford's public schools.

"At a time when our schools are facing serious challenges, a healthy public discussion about their condition is absolutely vital. We all have a stake in what is happening in our schools, and so it is important right now for as many people as possible to have opportunities, like these meetings, to get engaged," said Mayor Mitchell.

Letter from Scott W. Lang to Secretary Paul Reville regarding DESE collaboration with local school districts.

Specifically, Scott Lang comments on Commissioner Chester’s proclivity for generating sensational headlines. [PDF Format - Download HERE]

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that the City of New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development and the Fall River / New Bedford Housing Partnership, will host a no-cost, Credit 101 Workshop.

This workshop will provide valuable tips for setting goals and planning for your financial future. It will offer guidance on such topics as the meaning of a credit report to your financial future, how to obtain and re-establish credit, and the amount of debt you can comfortably afford. Mayor Mitchell said, “I encourage area residents to take advantage of the opportunity to become more effective managers of their personal finances. The skills they will gain at the workshop can make a huge difference to their financial security over time.”