New Bedford, Dartmouth Sign Baker’s Community Compact

New Bedford and Dartmouth join dozens of other communities from across the state in a voluntary program rolled out by Governor Charlie Baker.

Baker's first executive order was the creation of a Community Compact program, which encourages city and town governments to share best practices with the rest of the commonwealth.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell tells WBSM News in the past few years the City has implemented numerous reforms and believes government is delivering better services. "But there's always more that we could do. Times change. And with change in time we have to change the way we do business to keep up, and that's what taxpayers expect of us, and that's what we'll do," said Mitchell.

Dartmouth Select Board member Shawn MacDonald tells WBSM News one simple practice Dartmouth implements is a clear line of communication between each aspect of town government. "You need to have a working relationship with everybody in town, especially on the boards, whether they're elected boards or appointed boards, in order to get the best services to the people. And also to make sure you're getting the best services for your buck," said MacDonald.

New Bedford and Dartmouth join over 60 other communities that have signed the compact. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, who was on hand for the signing, says 150 other cities and towns are on the waiting list to join the compact.