New Bedford City Council Wants Answers on Trash Along Commuter Rail Tracks

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The New Bedford City Council will consider a motion tonight calling for letters to be sent to MBTA and MassDOT officials, as well as members of the state delegation, requesting trash be cleaned up along the commuter rail line in New Bedford.

The motion, filed by Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver, Ward 2 Councilor Maria Giesta and Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette, asks for “all areas of state property along the commuter rail tracks throughout the city of New Bedford be cleaned of any trash and debris with a strong focus in the area between Church Street Station and Nash Road.”

The letters would be sent to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Phillip Eng and Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt; State Senator Mark Montigny; State Representatives Antonio Cabral, Chris Hendricks, Chris Markey, Steve Oullette and Mark Sylvia; and Mayor Jon Mitchell’s administration.

The motion also requests clarification “as to where the future responsibility of maintenance of these areas may fall.”

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Oliver said growing up in the city, he always believed he knew “every street, sidewalk and corner” of the community.

“However, a few weeks ago while riding the T, I was surprised to discover beautiful views and areas I had never seen before,” he told WBSM. “Unfortunately, mixed in with that beauty was a noticeable amount of trash and debris along the train tracks and in nearby wooded areas. I couldn’t help but ask myself, how did that even get there?”

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He said new people coming into New Bedford would likely be turned off by the trash and debris they see along the tracks.

“This is not the image that any elected official or resident wants visitors to see as they enter or leave our city, especially at a time when we're working hard to promote tourism and economic development, including the recent announcement of a new 140-room hotel near the end of the line,” he said.

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“The T is a new and vital mode of transportation in, out and around New Bedford, and for many riders, it offers their first impression of our city,” Oliver said.

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Oliver said that in his first year on the council, Mayor Mitchell’s State of the City Address included to goal of being “the cleanest city in New England,” and Oliver said that message “truly resonated” with him.

“In that spirit, my colleagues and I want to ensure we make the most of this opportunity by keeping these areas clean and welcoming,” he said. “To do that, we need a clear plan in place to maintain these high visibility spaces and identify who is responsible for their upkeep going forward.”