The decision is based in part on concern for public safety, lack of police resources and not enough time for public input.
Category: City Hall
Posted inCity Hall
New Bedford City Council slices $1.7 million from mayor’s budget
City Council proposed cutting four general fund positions, while pressing the mayor to keep Fire Station 9 open.
Posted inCity Hall
Councilors on the budget: Everything is on the cutting board
Whether it’s the mayor’s chief of staff positions, the city’s travel budget or pay cuts, councilors weigh in on the tough choices needed to balance the budget.
Posted inCity Hall
Judge: City does not have to pay legal fees to The Light
The judge had ordered the city to release four public records to The Light in August 2025.
Posted inStatehouse
Mass. Senate proposes ‘historic’ increase in local aid. Is it enough?
New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Dartmouth officials all face budget struggles. They say they need more local aid from the state.
Posted inCity Hall
The anatomy of a budget deficit
Mayor Jon Mitchell had projected the deficit would be close to $13 million, then said it was $32 million. How did the numbers get so big?
Posted inCity Hall
Montigny pushes through $500K amendment to help city’s deficit, keep Fire Station 9 open temporarily
But the mayor says the deficit is structural and can’t be closed with “one-time money.” He says reducing the staffing of the city’s fire engines would decrease long-term costs.
Posted inCity Hall
Airport hangar gets approval but some abutters say they were left out of the loop
Some airport neighbors, concerned about traffic, say they weren’t notified of the proposal before the February meeting. The city says new traffic would be minimal.
Posted inCity Hall
How would city councilors tackle the $32 million deficit?
The Light asked all 11 councilors how they would cut the budget and four responded to the question. They’re weighing layoffs and department cuts. But they say they want to avoid closing Fire Station 9.
Posted inCity Hall
Mayor’s annual budget address calls for higher taxes, layoffs, service cuts
The proposal for a total tax increase of $16 million, elimination of 94 positions, and the shuttering of Fire Station 9 was met with fierce resistance from councilors and firefighters.