New Bedford News

“Very Strong Management,” Fiscal Stability Lead to Healthy Bond Rating for City in S&P Report

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings cited “very strong management,” “continued economic expansion” and consistent operating budget performance in awarding the City of New Bedford an AA long-term rating, and a stable AA- underlying rating, for more than $41 million in bond obligations to fund capital projects such as wastewater improvements […]

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City’s Environmental Workforce Training Program Offering Free OSHA Certification Course

Recruitment Open for 40-Hour Course; Starts Sept. 19 at Quest Center New Bedford’s Department of Environmental Stewardship and community partners are recruiting job-seekers for environmental workforce programs that provide training, job placement and retention services for area residents. The new round of programs begins Monday, Sept. 19, with a free, […]

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City Announces Third Round of Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution

Free tests available at public libraries as new school year begins Sept. 2, 2022 — City health and emergency management officials are coordinating with the city’s public libraries to distribute free, at-home COVID-19 test kits, available until supplies last. The free distribution coincides with the start of the school year […]

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Upcoming COVID-19 Testing Sites: Sept. 4 – Sept. 22

Project Beacon’s appointment-based COVID-19 testing at New Bedford Regional Airport—part of the state’s Stop the Spread program—is offering testing on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Appointments for free COVID-19 tests can be made at beacontesting.com. Airport officials ask that people reach the site via the airport’s side entrance on Downey Street. […]

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Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics: Sept. 8 – Sept. 24

Free, walk-up COVID-19 clinics in New Bedford offer all CDC-approved vaccine doses and boosters, for adults and youth. Bringing your vaccination card when getting a booster shot is helpful, but not required. Clinics provided by Seven Hills Behavioral Health, unless otherwise marked. NOTE: The Seven Hills vaccine clinic at former […]

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Mayor Mitchell Appoints Director of Facilities and Fleet Management

Sept. 2, 2022 — Mayor Jon Mitchell has appointed Jennifer Vieira as the City’s Director of the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management (DFFM). Vieira has served as the department’s acting director since December 2021. She has worked for the City since 2011, in roles of increasing complexity and responsibility […]

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City Expands Voluntary Water Use Restrictions

The City of New Bedford is expanding voluntary restrictions on daytime water use to help conserve municipal resources during drought conditions throughout the Northeast. The City’s reservoir remains at a manageable level. Nevertheless, given forecasts of continued drought, New Bedford is expanding its voluntary, seasonal restrictions on nonessential outdoor water […]

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City Accepting Applications for Program Supporting Privately Owned Cultural Facilities

The City is accepting applications from privately owned, nonprofit cultural facilities that are seeking support for capital investments to revitalize their buildings, equipment, and outdoor spaces. Arts & Culture is a vital segment of New Bedford’s economy and community that has huge impacts on quality of life and job creation, […]

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Community Preservation Act begins FY23 application process with Sept. 8 workshop

Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Community Preservation Committee announce the launch of the FY23 CPA application cycle at an Application Technical Workshop.  The public is invited to attend this informational session on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the New Bedford Free Public Library 613 Pleasant Street, 3rd […]

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Roadwork Notice: Nighttime Surfacing Scheduled On Major City Roads from Aug. 31 – Sept. 8

The City’s Department of Public Infrastructure and contractors will be conducting overnight road surfacing into early September on major city roads. The following roads are scheduled for a preventative maintenance treatment known as microsurface paving during night work from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:   East Rodney French Boulevard (Cove […]

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Election Officials Announce New Polling Locations Ahead of Sept. 6 Primary

New Bedford, Massachusetts – The City’s Board of Election Commissioners has announced new and changed polling locations ahead of the primary election Sept. 6. The new locations for voters are the result of redistricting following the 2020 U.S. Census and changes to state legislation last fall. The changes and additions […]

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Early Voting Schedule, Registration Deadline Set for State Primary Election

The City’s Board of Election Commissioners has announced the early voting schedule and registration deadline for the state’s primary election Sept. 6. Early voting for the state primary will take place from Saturday, Aug. 27, through Friday, Sept. 2. In-person early voting will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 […]

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