New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell must go on the record with how much federal COVID money he is willing to spend to offset sharp sewer and water rate increases.
The EPA is running out of patience as New Bedford drags its feet over restarting the federally mandated upgrades to the water and wastewater infrastructure.
Inaction by the New Bedford City Council has resulted in a missed opportunity to receive millions in state funding to upgrade the city's water infrastructure.
Councilor Linda Morad said the City of New Bedford could be fined up to $464,000 a day for not updating its water and sewer systems to federal specifications.
Two New Bedford fishing companies, a manager, and a vessel captain agreed to pay over $400,000 in civil penalties following 2017 oil spill in New Bedford harbor.