Mayor Mitchell To Request Funding From City Council

The New Bedford City Council will be discussing some funding requests from Mayor Jon Mitchell during their Thursday night meeting.

Mayor Mitchell is asking the council to approve two loan orders for $65 million and $25 million respectively.

The $65 million loan agreement would be used to pay for costs of construction of water distribution and treatment systems improvements including, Quittacas Water Treatment Plant upgrades, High Hill Reservoir upgrades, a lead service abatement program, a water meter replacement and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) upgrade program and general system improvements.

The $25 million loan agreement will pay for projects outlined in the City’s long term CSO Control and Integrated Capital Improvements Plan which include supplemental integrated capital planning, wastewater collection system improvements, pumping station improvements, a wastewater collection system investigation program and MS4 permit compliance and reporting and general system improvements.

Speaking on his weekly radio program Mayor Mitchell said that this will allow for improved water quality and replace antiquated infrastructure.

"It's actually going to make our waters cleaner, the Acushnet River and Buzzards Bay will both be cleaner as a result of this," said Mitchell "the other thing people need to know is that these systems are 100 years old, they're going to break at some point, and so we've got to keep up with it."

Mayor Mitchell says the funds would be available through the State Rrevolving Fund, which provides loans for projects at a very low rates.

In addition Mayor Mitchell is asking the City Council to approve an eight year lease agreement with Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. for the purchase of two Pierce Arrow XT Pumpers for the New Bedford Fire Department.

Mayor Mitchell said the agreement will ensure that New Bedford's Bravest have the tools they need to get the job done.

"It's not enough just to have dedicated, hardworking, skillful firefighters, which we have, they need the tools to do their job," said Mitchell "and that means that we've got to spend some money on giving them trucks that will get alot of wear and tear but that are ready for the challenges that they face everyday."

In other public safety matters, Mayor Mitchell says progress is being made on plans for a new public safety building.

"The site location process is ongoing right now and also the search for the architect, the bids for the architect have gone out, so the project is moving along," said Mitchell "so it's off with a feasibility/site location study and then it will go to design and construction some time next year."

The mayor is also asking the council to enter into a five year lease with All American Investment Group, LLC for the purchase of five trucks, a bucket truck, a backhoe, a Bobcat, two chippers and two sander inserts for existing vehicles for the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management and the Department of Public Infrastructure.