The New Bedford City Council filed a lawsuit against Mayor John Mitchell last week, asking a Bristol County Superior Court judge to clarify that the mayor must seek council approval to appoint a new police chief. Mitchell appointed John Thody as the city’s new police chief on June 24. Council president Shane Burgo said that […]
New Bedford City Council
Posted inLocal, South Coast Bureau, Stories
Despite budget cuts, New Bedford’s Casa da Saudade library will remain open
A week after New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he would close the Casa da Saudade library in response to $10.2 million in budget cuts for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, he announced that the library branch will remain open but with reduced hours. According to the mayor’s press release, Casa da Saudade’s new operating hours […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford business improvement district will not move forward
Business leaders hoping to establish a business improvement district in downtown New Bedford have withdrawn their proposal, ending a fierce debate over whether property owners should pay additional fees to spruce up the neighborhood and market it to visitors. In a letter sent to the City Council president on Monday afternoon, a consultant leading the […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford City Council delays vote on controversial business improvement district
At a much anticipated Monday night meeting, the New Bedford City Council delayed its vote on whether to approve a business improvement district proposed in the city’s downtown. Instead, the council reversed a previous decision to accept the application paperwork and reopened legal questions about whether the proposal has enough support from downtown property owners […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, South Coast Bureau
Business groups battle over the spirit of downtown New Bedford
Love him or hate him, everyone in downtown New Bedford seems to be talking about Marco Li Mandri. The consultant from San Diego arrived here about 10 years ago, at the invitation of a small business association looking for new funding sources to make downtown a more attractive place to shop and dine out. Li […]
