{ "city": "New Bedford", "state": "Massachusetts", "page": "https://mytown.theboringparts.com/city/gr-newbedford-ma/", "attribution": "MyTown / The Boring Parts — CC BY 4.0. Summaries AI-generated from official sources.", "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "generated": "2026-07-06", "upcoming": [], "recent": [ { "date": "2026-07-01", "body": "City Property Committee", "headline": "Port Authority voted to sell 276 MacArthur Drive", "summary": "The City Property Committee is discussing several property dispositions, including a Port Authority vote to sell 276 MacArthur Drive, RFPs for five former city properties, and proposals for two fire stations. The committee will also consider a 15-year lease for a parcel on MacArthur Drive to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and related motions about delays in purchase-and-sale agreements.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1183", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1183" }, { "date": "2026-07-01", "body": "Ordinance Committee", "headline": "Ordinance Committee to review multiple city department and administrative amendments", "summary": "The Ordinance Committee will discuss several proposed ordinances submitted by Mayor Mitchell. These proposals seek to amend city codes regarding health services, administration, licensing, parks, and veterans' affairs.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&event_id=1173", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&event_id=1173" }, { "date": "2026-07-01", "body": "Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing", "headline": "Committee to discuss feasibility of cannabis consumption lounges", "summary": "The Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing will review two license applications and a motion regarding cannabis consumption establishments. The body is tasked with exploring the legality and implementation of Host Community Agreements for onsite cannabis consumption lounges.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&event_id=1172", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&event_id=1172" }, { "date": "2026-06-25", "body": "City Council", "headline": "Council to consider $20.4M loan for sewer overflow control plan", "summary": "The City Council will vote on ordinances suspending step increases and COLA for management in FY2027, and amending paid family leave. Key financial items include a $20.4 million loan order for long-term CSO control, over $2 million in fund transfers for snow removal and other services, and proposed wastewater rate changes. The council also considers new private livery licenses and a motion to regulate electric bikes and scooters.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1158", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1158" }, { "date": "2026-06-24", "body": "Finance Committee", "headline": "Finance Committee to review CPA annual budget for FY27", "summary": "The Finance Committee will consider the Community Preservation Committee's proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2027, covering administrative expenses and preservation projects. This item was referred from the June 11, 2026 City Council meeting.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1156", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1156" }, { "date": "2026-06-24", "body": "Ordinance Committee", "headline": "New Bedford Ordinance Committee discusses zoning changes and city personnel matters", "summary": "The committee is reviewing a proposal to establish form-based code districts within the city's zoning regulations. Other items include proposed increases for administrative fees, the creation of an Assistant Superintendent of Green Space position, and a request for an early retirement incentive program.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1157", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1157" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "body": "Appointments & Briefings Committee", "headline": "Committee to review board appointments and Parallel Products facility opposition", "summary": "The Appointments & Briefings Committee will consider four mayoral appointments to city boards and commissions. The meeting also includes discussions on the impact of County Street construction and several motions opposing a proposed waste facility by Parallel Products, Inc.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1155", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1155" }, { "date": "2026-06-22", "body": "Special City Council Meeting", "headline": "City Council holds FY27 final budget cut session", "summary": "The New Bedford City Council is meeting to consider and appropriate funds for the fiscal year 2027 budget, including a $493 million general fund and several enterprise and special revenue funds. All appropriation orders are referred to the Quasi Committee of the Whole for discussion and potential approval.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1152", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1152" }, { "date": "2026-06-17", "body": "Finance Committee", "headline": "Finance Committee to weigh lowering senior tax exemption age to 65", "summary": "The Finance Committee will consider lowering the age for property tax exemption eligibility from 70 to 65 and discuss other possible exemptions for senior homeowners. The committee also will review multiple budget transfer requests from the Mayor, including $2.1 million from general stabilization for snow removal and other services, and a $750,000 transfer from several departments to city utilities.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1151", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1151" }, { "date": "2026-06-11", "body": "City Council", "headline": "Council to vote on tax break for 91 Summer St. school-to-condo project", "summary": "The City Council will vote on a Housing Development Incentive Program Tax Increment Exemption for Vanko Studio Architects to redevelop the vacant Holy Family Elementary School at 91 Summer Street into 44 condominiums. The Mayor also proposes multiple budget transfers totaling over $2 million, including moving $480,000 from the Stabilization Fund to Fire Personal Services. The Council will consider several ordinance amendments establishing a Department of Health and Human Services and updating administration, health, licensing, parks, and veterans codes. Public hearings are scheduled for Eversource conduit installations on William Street.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1150", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1150" }, { "date": "2026-06-11", "body": "Finance Committee", "headline": "New Bedford Finance Committee discusses wastewater rates and a $20.4 million loan", "summary": "The committee will review an ordinance to change how wastewater rates are set. They will also consider proposed wastewater rates and base charges for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the committee will discuss a loan order to fund long-term CSO control and capital improvement projects.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1148", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1148" }, { "date": "2026-06-10", "body": "Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing", "headline": "Committee reviews three private livery license applications", "summary": "The Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing will review applications for new and renewal private livery licenses. The meeting involves three specific transport business requests.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1141", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1141" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "body": "Environmental Affairs - Special Committee", "headline": "Discuss trucking agreement for Shawmut Avenue neighborhood behind airport", "summary": "The Special Committee on Environmental Affairs will meet with the City Solicitor, owners of A-1 Asphalt and Pico Stone, and other stakeholders to discuss the status of a trucking/shipping agreement for transporting materials through the Shawmut Avenue neighborhood near the New Bedford Airport. The meeting follows a written motion by Councillor Choquette and is for discussion only, no final decision is expected.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1137", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1137" }, { "date": "2026-06-08", "body": "Quasi Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearings", "headline": "City Council holds budget hearings for multiple departments", "summary": "The New Bedford City Council, sitting as a Quasi Committee of the Whole, holds budget hearings for fiscal year 2026. The agenda includes line-item reviews of the police, fire, public infrastructure, wastewater, water, facilities, and fleet management departments, along with Sullivan's Ledge, waste collection, and the Zeiterion Theatre.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1130", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1130" }, { "date": "2026-06-08", "body": "Special City Council Meeting", "headline": "Council to vote on two zoning ordinance amendments", "summary": "The New Bedford City Council is holding a special meeting to take final action on two ordinances that amend Chapter 9 of the city code. One ordinance revises the Table of Principal Uses in Appendix A; the other revises the Table of Dimensional Regulations in Appendix B, affecting residential infill development and multiple buildings per lot. Both ordinances were previously passed to a second reading on May 12, 2026.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1129", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1129" }, { "date": "2026-06-03", "body": "Quasi Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearings", "headline": "New Bedford council holds budget hearings for multiple departments", "summary": "The New Bedford Quasi Committee of the Whole will hold public hearings on the 2026 budget for various city departments, including Purchasing, Resilience & Environmental Stewardship, City Utilities, and the Zoo. The meeting will be live-streamed and recorded.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1091", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1091" }, { "date": "2026-06-01", "body": "Quasi Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearings", "headline": "City Council holds budget hearings for FY2026", "summary": "The New Bedford City Council is holding a budget hearing as a Quasi Committee of the Whole to review proposed budgets for multiple funds and departments for fiscal year 2026. Discussions will cover Cable Access Enterprise Fund, Elections, Tourism/Marketing, Arts, Culture & Tourism Fund, Traffic Commission, Downtown Enterprise Fund, Library, Planning, CFO, and various employee benefit accounts.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1074", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1074" }, { "date": "2026-05-28", "body": "Quasi Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearings", "headline": "City Council reviews proposed budgets for multiple departments", "summary": "The New Bedford City Council, sitting as a Quasi Committee of the Whole, is holding a budget hearing to review proposed spending for several departments including Health & Human Services, Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, Assessors, Solicitor, Mayor's Office, and Labor Relations. The agenda lists page references for each department's budget but does not include specific dollar amounts or voting outcomes. This is a deliberative session focused on examining budget details.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1042", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1042" }, { "date": "2026-05-28", "body": "City Council", "headline": "Council to weigh freeze on management step hikes and COLA for FY27", "summary": "The City Council will hold four public hearings on utility conduit and sidewalk footing locations, then consider a package of mayor's papers. The most consequential items are proposed ordinances to suspend step increases and the annual COLA for Unit C management positions across city government for Fiscal Year 2027. The agenda also includes over 20 budget transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, mostly moving funds from Public Infrastructure Personal Services to other departments, and authorizations for revolving funds ranging from $240 to $60,000.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1048", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1048" }, { "date": "2026-05-28", "body": "Committee on Economic Development", "headline": "Committee discusses 2026 FIFA World Cup planning and regional tourism", "summary": "The Committee on Economic Development will discuss strategies to attract visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Members will also review the impact of new zoning ordinances on economic growth and consider outreach to potential business developers.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1047", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1047" }, { "date": "2026-05-27", "body": "Finance Committee", "headline": "Finance Committee discusses water project loans and tax-exempt property reports", "summary": "The committee is reviewing a request for interim loan financing for Massachusetts Clean Water Trust projects at a 0.0% interest rate. Additionally, the committee is considering a motion for the Treasurer’s Office to report on the value and status of all tax-exempt properties.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1034", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1034" }, { "date": "2026-05-27", "body": "Ordinance Committee", "headline": "City Council to hear zoning ordinance for form-based code districts", "summary": "The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Zoning, establishing form-based code districts. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1035", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1035" }, { "date": "2026-05-26", "body": "Airport - Special Committee", "headline": "Committee to consider inviting airport manager for briefing", "summary": "The special committee on the airport will consider a motion requesting that Airport Manager Scot Servis attend a future meeting to provide a briefing on airport operations. No other items are on the agenda.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=987", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=987" }, { "date": "2026-05-21", "body": "Quasi Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearings", "headline": "Council reviews FY2027 city budget and school department spending", "summary": "The city council's Quasi Committee meets for a budget hearing on the proposed FY2027 budget. The agenda includes a 15-minute overview from CFO Robert Ekstrom and a presentation on the school department budget. No votes or decisions are scheduled; this is a discussion-only hearing.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=977", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=977" }, { "date": "2026-05-19", "body": "Appointments & Briefings Committee", "headline": "Committee to discuss South End odor, air sensors, and sewage plant concerns", "summary": "The Appointments & Briefings Committee will consider several items related to environmental and health issues in New Bedford's South End, including a discussion with Southcoast Neighbors United about air sensor deployment and a motion to hire a company for odor analysis near the sewage treatment facility. The committee will also review a petition from residents about the sewage plant on South Rodney French Boulevard and hear from city officials. Additionally, the committee will address a motion to explore alternative locations for a new hangar at the New Bedford Regional Airport and suspend current plans.", "agenda_url": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=963", "minutes_url": null, "source": "https://newbedford-ma.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=963" } ] }