The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has extended its review deadline to March 13, 2024, for the site suitability application for South Coast Renewables, LLC (formerly known as Parallel Products of New England).

The extension was detailed in a Feb. 1 letter to South Coast Renewables Vice President Tim Cusson.

South Coast Renewables is seeking to expand its operations at 100 Duchaine Boulevard in New Bedford. MassDEP has been conducting an extensive review of the application since early 2023.

If the state issues a favorable ruling, the new timeline could lead to public hearings on the project starting in April 2024, and a potential decision by the New Bedford Board of Health later in the spring.

The state’s review has seen multiple extensions.

Nov. 1, 2023, was the initial deadline for MassDEP to issue a ruling on the application. Amid conversations about sound monitoring and other components of the technical review, MassDEP announced an extension of the review to Dec. 18.

That extension was referenced in Oct. 30 technical comments, and a Nov. 2 letter, from MassDEP to South Coast Renewables Vice President Tim Cusson.

In December, the state announced an additional extension, to Feb. 29, 2024.

The eventual MassDEP ruling could lead to two outcomes:

  • If MassDEP determines that South Coast Renewables’ site suitability application does not meet all relevant criteria, it will issue a negative determination to the New Bedford Board of Health, which then would not proceed with the site assignment process.
  • If Mass DEP determines that the application does meet all relevant criteria, MassDEP will issue a positive determination to the New Bedford Board of Health. The Board of Health would then issue a public notice, conduct its own review, and hold public hearings before voting on whether or not to allow the proposal to move forward.

View multilingual fact sheets on the proposed facility and the site application process here.

View all relevant documents through the state’s public access portal, by searching “New Bedford” as the city and then “renewables” as the keyword.

MassDEP accepted public comment until Aug. 24, 2023 on South Coast Renewables’ proposed solid waste management facility at its site in the New Bedford Business Park, in New Bedford’s far North End.

 

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Free, walk-up COVID-19 clinics in New Bedford offer CDC-approved booster shots, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines and, at most locations, pediatric vaccines and boosters for teens 12-17. Please bring your vaccination card when getting a booster.

Youth Promotion: From Feb. 12-26, youth under 20 who receive a vaccine and show ID will have the opportunity to receive a $50 McCoy program voucher. Youth under 17 will be eligible for a YMCA year’s membership and program vouchers for YMCA programming. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Once eligible, youth can pick up vouchers at local vaccine clinics – at PAACA and Andrea McCoy Rec Center – on Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26.

Visit vaxnb.com for updated schedules of local COVID-19 vaccination and testing locations. Upcoming vaccine locations in New Bedford include:

Saturday, Feb. 12:

  • Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, boosters, vaccines for children 5 – 11, boosters for teens 12-17

Monday, Feb. 14:

  • Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, boosters, vaccines for children 5 – 11, boosters for teens 12-17

Tuesday, Feb. 15:

  • Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, appointment required, call 508-992-6553
  • Wilks Library Branch (1911 Acushnet Ave.) – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Moderna, Pfizer, J&J; all vaccines and boosters, for children and adults.

Thursday, Feb. 17:

  • Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, appointment required, call 508-992-6553
  • William H. Taylor Elementary School (71 Portland St.) – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, boosters, vaccines for children 5 – 11, boosters for teens 12-17

Friday, Feb. 18:

  • PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, boosters, w/ pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old & boosters for teens 12-17

Saturday, Feb. 19:

  • Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, boosters, vaccines for children 5 – 11, boosters for teens 12-17

Reminder on the Importance of Vaccinations, Especially During Winter 

Vaccination levels in the region remain low, and daily case rates remain high. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important during the winter months, when indoor gatherings can lead to super-spreader events, clusters, hospitalizations, and severe illness among people who are unvaccinated.

State Resources for Vaccine Records, Locations

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has free online services to find your personal vaccine records and local vaccination locations, including many pharmacies.

Access your vaccine records at https://myvaxrecords.mass.gov/, and find local listings at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/.

 

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The New Bedford Health Department has issued fines to six New Bedford businesses for failure to comply with the City’s COVID-19 regulations and protections for residents.

Whiskey Lounge at 1669 Acushnet Avenue, and Sebastian’s at 110 Country Street, were each fined $300 for failure to comply with mask-wearing regulations.

Legends at 78 Covell Street was fined twice, $300 and $600, for violations on two consecutive days, for failure to comply with mask-wearing regulations and social distancing.

New Bedford Bar & Grill at 116 County Street, and The Bar at 266 Dartmouth Street were each fined $600 for violations of the social distancing and mask-wearing regulations.

Freddie’s Café at 175 Sawyer Street was fined $600 for failure to comply with mask-wearing regulations and for permitting dancing at its establishment, which is not permitted under COVID-19 safety regulations.

Violation orders were issued November 20 after inspections by the New Bedford Health Department. Businesses and employees are reminded to comply with mask-wearing to keep themselves and others safe.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Board of Health announced emergency orders to keep employees safe at their place of work, and to outline reporting requirements of COVID-19 in the workplace. The orders include strong measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces

Businesses will be subject to fines for failure to comply with the City’s orders, including failure to protect employees and failure to notify the Health Department of an outbreaks. The orders can be found on New Bedford’s COVID-19 webpage: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/health-department/coronavirus/.

Bar area seating paused November 25-29

in addition to Governor Baker’s recent orders

 

New Bedford, Massachusetts– In an effort to stay ahead of rising cases of COVID-19 expected after travel due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the City of New Bedford will prohibit bar area seating over the long holiday weekend.

Bar seating will pause from Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29, as travel is expected to increase, including from parts of the country where COVID-19 cases are significantly higher than in Greater New Bedford. This pause in bar seating is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the only public, indoor gathering environment where individuals are in close proximity to one another without masks. It is a proactive step to avoid necessitating further restrictions on gatherings in the weeks following the holiday.

Indoor dining with seating at tables, as well as outdoor dining, will remain in place in accordance with the state’s guidelines.

In another step to prevent spread of the virus after the holiday, employers in New Bedford are encouraged to allow employees to work remotely wherever possible for at least the following two weeks.

City government offices will also increase the number of employees working remotely rather than in person over this period. Limited in-person hours at the City Clerk’s Office, Treasurer’s office, Election Commission Office, and Licensing Board will continue at City Hall Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“The temporary pause on bar seating is a proactive step to prevent a significant spread of the virus in New Bedford at a time when people are traveling from other parts of the country and could gather indoors at close proximity with many other people, without wearing a mask,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The extended Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest occasions for bars, with many typically filled with patrons returning home for the holiday. The influx of holiday travelers and close proximity to one another creates a heightened risk for disease transmission. We don’t want to find ourselves in a far more serious situation in a few weeks, where we need to take more drastic and long-term measures, and look back on what simple steps we could have taken to prevent further transmission of the virus.”

City residents are also encouraged to take advantage of take-out dining at local restaurants to support local businesses. The City’s Health Department strongly urges Thanksgiving celebrations to be limited only to the people in your household, in an effort to prevent the virus from spreading during the holiday.

Mayor Mitchell also strongly encouraged all employers to offer remote work for the two weeks following Thanksgiving to every employee possible.

“Employers should actively seek out ways to accommodate remote work wherever feasible,” he said. “The New Bedford Health Department’s contact tracing data indicates that workplaces are the single largest exposure locations for transmission and spread of the virus. While the data shows that most workplace spread among city residents has occurred at workplaces outside New Bedford, it will be important to limit in-person contact as much as possible after the holiday. The City will continue to keep its non-essential staff as remote as possible, and I encourage businesses with the same ability to allow remote work as much as they can.”

Southeastern Massachusetts, along with the state’s general trend, has seen an increase in transmission of COVID-19 in the past month. New Bedford has stringently enforced strong public health actions to keep residents safe, including at businesses that serve the public. Earlier this year, Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Board of Health announced emergency orders to keep employees safe at their place of work, and special rules concerning industrial workplaces. The orders continue to be enforced and include strong measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The New Bedford Health Department has issued fines to three New Bedford businesses for failure to comply with the City’s COVID-19 regulations and protections for residents.

El Caribe Restaurant at 884 Brock Avenue, Expo’s Convenience Store at 309 Dartmouth Street, and Crown Fried Chicken at 1570 Acushnet Avenue, were each fined for their failure to comply with the regulations. Each business was cited for failure of employees to wear masks.

 

  • El Caribe: Fined $100
  • Expo’s: Fined $200
  • Crown Fried Chicken: Fined $200

Violation orders were issued the week of October 19 after inspections by the New Bedford Health Department. Businesses and employees are reminded to comply with mask-wearing to keep themselves and others safe.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Board of Health announced emergency orders to keep employees safe at their place of work, and to outline reporting requirements of COVID-19 in the workplace. The orders include strong measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.

Businesses will be subject to fines for failure to comply with the City’s orders, including failure to protect employees and failure to notify the Health Department of an outbreaks. The orders can be found on New Bedford’s COVID-19 webpage: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/health-department/coronavirus/.

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The New Bedford The New Bedford Health Department has issued fines to six New Bedford-based restaurants and bars for failure to comply with the City’s COVID-19 regulations and protections for residents.

Hong Kong Restaurant at 2899 Acushnet Avenue, Mikey B’s Restaurant at 989 Victoria Street, Taqueria La Raza at 1408 Acushnet Avenue, Whiskey Lounge at 1669 Acushnet Avenue, The Bar at 266 Dartmouth Street, and Casa Benfica at 1484 Acushnet Avenue were fined for their failure to comply with the regulations.

Hong Kong Restaurant, Whiskey Lounge and The Bar were cited for serving alcoholic beverages without food, and for failure for employees to wear masks.

Mikey B’s and Taqueria La Raza were cited for failure of employees to wear masks.

Casa Benfica was cited for serving alcoholic beverages without food.

Fines were issued in the following amounts:

 

  • Hong Kong Restaurant: Fined $300
  • Mike B’s Restaurant: Fined $100
  • Taqueria La Raza: Fined $100
  • Whiskey Lounge: Fined $300
  • The Bar: Fined $300
  • Casa Benfica: Fined $100

 

Violation orders were issued on October 14 after inspections by the New Bedford Police Department and the New Bedford Health Department.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Board of Health announced emergency orders to keep employees safe at their place of work, and to outline reporting requirements of COVID-19 in the workplace. The orders include strong measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.

Businesses will be subject to fines for failure to comply with the City’s orders, including failure to protect employees and failure to notify the Health Department of an outbreaks. The orders can be found on New Bedford’s COVID-19 webpage: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/health-department/coronavirus/.

 

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The New Bedford Health Department is providing tips for a safe, healthy Halloween 2020 during COVID-19.

Halloween will look different this year, but families can still celebrate, and they can do so safely. Many of the tips are habits everyone has already adopted during the pandemic.

Here are some simple tips to keep in mind for Halloween this year.

  • Trick-or-treat safely by keeping good habits.
    • Wear a mask. You can do this under a Halloween mask, or you can wear one with your costume if it doesn’t include a mask. Wear a mask at your doorstep or in your yard if you are outside during Halloween.
    • Practice social distancing. Stay six feet away from anyone in your group. Don’t interact directly with trick-or-treaters.
  • Provide your treats without making hand-to-hand contact. Instead of using a bowl to hand out goodies, separate them and leave them on an outdoor surface. Don’t hand them out, and don’t get close to trick-or-treaters or anyone outside your group. You can also provide hand sanitizer where you leave your goodies.
  • Skip Halloween parties or Trunk-or-Treat events because of the large gatherings. Stick with small groups and stay outdoors.
  • Keep your group small. Limit group activities to household members when possible. Carry hand sanitizer, and wash your hands well after trick-or-treating.
  • Remember, some people will not be celebrating this year. Respect those who won’t be participating in Halloween this year. If the lights are off or goodies aren’t offered on the porch, head to the next house that’s celebrating Halloween.
  • If you are feeling sick or have been exposed to anyone with COVID-19, stay home and don’t hand out goodies. Keep your lights off to let trick-or-treaters know.

You can learn more at the CDC’s Halloween page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html or at the state Department of Public Health’s Halloween page: https://www.mass.gov/news/halloween-during-covid-19.

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The Lawler and Wilks branches of the New Bedford Free Public Library system and several city offices will reopen beginning Tuesday, October 13 with limited hours in order to provide in-person services.

The Lawler and Wilks library branches will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Limited browsing, with social distancing, and grab-and-go book pickup will be offered at the libraries. Lawler Library is located at 745 Rockdale Avenue. Wilks Library is located at 1911 Acushnet Avenue. The other library branch openings will be announced in the future.

In addition, three city departments will reopen to limited in-person services: the Health Department, Veterans’ Services Department, and Licensing Board offices will reopen from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, following other City offices’ limited hours.

Currently, several other offices located at City Hall are open to the public on a limited basis: the Treasurer’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, and Elections Office, all Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Access to the buildings will be limited Residents can call ahead to these or other city departments with any questions.

Clear directions will be in place to allow for safe social distancing in the buildings. Strong health and safety requirements are in place to protect residents and employees. In addition to mandatory mask use and social distancing, physical barriers have been installed to ensure the safety of visitors and city employees. Department staff have been trained on best practices to promote health and hygiene, and the building is being sanitized frequently.

Due to the pandemic, residents are still encouraged to pay any bills by mail, by phone, or online whenever possible. Payments can be made online at the City’s website, www.newbedford-ma.gov, and selecting ‘Pay Bills’ directly on the home page. To mail payments, residents can use the mailing address printed on their bills or mail their bills directly to the City Treasurer at the following address:

City Hall – Treasurer’s Office

133 William Street, Room 103

New Bedford, MA 02740

The City is committed to keeping all residents informed of the latest news. Follow the City’s social media pages, including Mayor Jon Mitchell’s and the City of New Bedford’s Facebook pages, tune in to New Bedford Cable Access on Channel 18, and visit the City website at www.newbedford-ma.gov for regularly updated news.

City departments are also doing business by phone or online. Residents are encouraged to contact other city departments for any services they need.

City of New Bedford – Department Phone Numbers

Assessor: 508-979-1440

Cemetery: 508-979-1550

City Clerk: 508-979-1450

Council on Aging: 508-991-6250

Election Commission: 508-979-1420

Fire (non-emergency): 508-991-6124

Health: 508-991-6199

Inspectional Services: 508-979-1540

Police (non-emergency): 508-991-6300

Traffic: 508-979-1766

Trash: 508-979-1520

Treasurer: 508-979-1430

New Bedford, Massachusetts– Southern Airways Express has announced that it will expand daily flights on a year-round schedule, and base its New England fleet at the New Bedford Regional Airport. Basing includes aircraft maintenance, fueling, storage, crew basing, and additional jobs based at the airport. This move comes after a successful launch in August, in which New Bedford passenger numbers exceeded all expectations for the Pompano-based carrier. Southern will continue daily flights past the initial October 12 agreement with plans for future expansion.

“Southern Airways launched new service between New Bedford and Nantucket on August 26, 2020. The initial market response to the service from the southeastern Massachusetts community has exceeded our expectations. In line with that, we have decided to extend our service through this winter. We are hopeful that this will allow us to further expand here in the future,” said Southern Airways Express Chief Commercial Officer Mark Cestari.

New Bedford Airport Management has seen an increase in private and commuter flights considering the global pandemic. The airline launched in the New England market this year, and New Bedford specifically in late August.

“Southern Airways Express is a welcomed addition to our growing airport. We encourage the public to take advantage of the commercial service options that the New Bedford Regional Airport has to offer,” said Scot Servis, director of the New Bedford Regional Airport. “We look forward to growing and expanding service options at the airport over the coming years.”

Southern enplanements have enhanced the New Bedford market, with daily service options for both business and leisure travelers.

Southern’s new schedule, effective October 14, provides for an early morning departure from New Bedford to Nantucket and a late afternoon return. This schedule will run Monday through Friday, perfectly time for business travelers, tradesmen, and day-trippers to Nantucket. Tickets and E-Coupon Books may be purchased at iFlySouthern.com.