Large Ophthalmology practice in Southeastern Massachusetts looking for two full-time front desk receptionists. We urge bilingual English/Spanish and English/Portuguese candidates to apply.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the New Bedford Health Department that a primarily bird-biting / occasional mammal biting mosquito has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the area of Washburn and Logan Streets in New Bedford.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Program completed its spraying program for the season on the week of September 18th. With cooler overnight temperatures, mosquito surveillance is less effective and the small numbers of mosquitoes trapped are not indicative of actual risk. While spraying is no longer an effective tool in reducing the threat under current temperature conditions, other precautionary measures remain effective.

Though populations are declining as we move away from mosquito season and into colder weather, it remains important to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Residents are urged to apply mosquito repellent and use clothing to reduce exposed skin.

The risk of mosquito-borne illness typically extends until an area has experienced a hard frost. A hard, or killing frost is defined meteorologically as two consecutive hours of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. This will occur at different times for different communities, and there may even be variation within communities based on local geography. Although mosquitoes are not killed until a hard frost occurs, they are extremely unlikely to be active when temperatures fall below 50 degrees in the evening. These conditions are being experienced throughout the region.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

On Saturday afternoon at approximately 4pm south end officers were sent to the Rural Cemetery on Dartmouth St. regarding a male digging behind a grave. A witness walking in the area observed this and called police. When officers arrived they immediately recognized the suspect from previous encounters. He is a 24 yr. old New Bedford man.

The man was up to his chest in a hole in the ground that he had dug using a small garden tool and a plastic bottle. He stated he began digging around 4am. He began telling the officers that he had permission from the Federal Government to do the digging and that he owned the land.

Officers Matthew Rodrigues and David Raymond were able to pull the male out of the hole and he was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for evaluation.

$10 Tickets benefit the Festival and our Year-Round Education Programs. The Working Waterfront Festival presents a Festival Sampler, Friday, September 26th from 7:30-9:00 pm at the historic Seamen’s Bethel (15 Johnny Cake Hill). The ten dollar ticket helps support the free Festival and year-round programs. Seating is limited; tickets will be sold at the door, with advance tickets available through the Festival web site.

Designed to whet the appetite of festival goers, the evening will feature songs, stories and poetry presented by performers who hail from fishing communities in Newfoundland, New England, Seattle, California, and Alaska.

• Local favorites, The Beans will be joined by Dan Lanier to perform traditional and original maritime music.
• Bob Quinn, a lobsterman, mail boat driver, and storyteller from Eagle Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine, carries on a family tradition of recitations about island life originated by his Uncle Carl “Bonny” Quinn in the 1930s.
• Bridget Fitzgerald, who was born and raised in Connemara, an Irish ­speaking area in County Galway, is a master of the old style singing known as Sean Nos.
• Dano Quinn, Captain of the SS Legacy, a replica Victorian style steamer on the Columbia River, is an award winning storyteller specializing in tall tales.
• Matthew Byrne, making his Festival debut, hails from Newfoundland and is heir to a repertoire of traditional ballads from Placentia Bay, many of which he learned from his mother, father, uncle, and great uncle.
• Rob Seitz, who fishes out of Morrow Bay, California, writes poetry about his work and life and joins Festival regulars, Dave Densmore, an Alaskan fisherman and poet, and Jon Campbell, who pens original poetry and songs about commercial fishing and coastal communities.

As always, the Festival brings together a unique array of music, storytelling, and poetry. Performances include traditional sea chanteys and music reflecting the fishing industry’s ethnic diversity as well as songs, stories, and poetry about commercial fishing and the sea often performed by musicians who work in the industry or are part of a fishing family. In addition to the performers taking part in the Friday concert, the Festival line-up includes many other performers.

Making their first festival appearance, North Sea Gas is a trio presenting traditional tunes and songs from lochs and coastal communities of their Scottish homeland. Local legend Ana Vinagre performs Portuguese fado, a tradition which grew up in the port city of Lisbon and speaks to the Portuguese involvement in commercial fishing in the old country and the new world.

Charlotte Enoksen, who grew up in a New Bedford fishing family, writes poetry about the home front. Brian Robbins, a former lobsterman whose column Bearins’ is a mainstay in Commercial Fisheries News, will share his stories. Jim McGrath of Newport, Rhode Island and The Rum Soaked Crooks will share traditional and original maritime music, and the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus rounds out the weekend.

What comes to mind when you think of “clinical research”? If you are like most Americans, the words may evoke negative feelings or perhaps images of animal or human studies. These decades’ old misconceptions are relatively common and are actually responsible for holding back real scientific research that brings cures and remedies from honest sufferers of many major ailments.

Truth is that these days research for new medicines or delivery systems for these medicines have the participant’s best interest in mind as a priority. While certainly there are companies that will do the bare minimum and who are financially motivated, there are hundreds of companies who are genuinely trying to improve the quality of life for chronic sufferers of diseases and ailments.

One of the companies that has a track record of going above and beyond in terms of participant treatment is NEMRA out of Dartmouth, MA. Here is a company that is a leader in providing kind, sensitive patient service. One of their primary motivations is to cull enough data to give pharmaceutical companies the information they need to improve their products and medicines.

While a person who partakes in a research study may be individually motivated – many times they receive financial compensation, free medical care related to their disease while involved in the study, and the most modern medicines – the benefit is a much larger one. Information that the individual provides will benefit the entire group of people who suffer from similar ailments. It’s a collective undertaking to help solve serious health issues.

The wonderful, friendly staff at the Dartmouth Facility received me warmly and gave me a full tour. Dr. S. David Miller and his staff are very motivated to have a vehicle to showcase the positive service they offer at their 8,000 sq. ft. state of the art facility – which is one of the largest in the New England.

Unlike many research facilities that solely run clinical studies, the staff at NEMRA are also practicing board certified medical doctors. They have decades of experience handling families who have entrusted their well-being in their hands. Indeed, Allergy Associates has been taking care of families for over 50 years. Seeing what many of their patients go through and wanting to speed up quality research in the fields where they suffered was the initial motivation for expanding into clinical research.

Their primary goal is to “…provide quality, reliable clinical data that is used to advance new medical treatments designed to improve the many human conditions.”

While NEMRA focuses on respiratory research specializing in Asthma, Allergies, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), they also have done substantial studies in Cardiovascular Medicine, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Osteoarthritis, Headache, Endocrinology, Healthy Volunteer and Drug Interaction Studies. They have done this at the national and international level and are regarded by their peers as the premiere experts in clinical studies.

List of current studies: nemra-us.com/current-studies

Northeast Medical Research Associates

49 State Rd, Watuppa Building
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747
Phone: 508.992.7595
Email: study@nemra-us.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Nemra-USA/168255389882094
Website: nemra-us.com/
Testimonials: nemra-us.com/patient-testimonials/

Interview with Dr. Miller:

NBG: I’ve been reading up on your history and information. Let’s go through some of the more involved questions in your research. Why did you choose to focus on respiratory medicine?

DR. MILLER: Number one: we get to see a positive effect with kids and adults. Number two: I used to do internal medicine…while there were lots of chronic conditions…with [respiratory medicine] we could actually make people better. Some conditions are chronic and never get better. At least with asthma and allergies and such, you can make a huge improvement in their lives in a quick manner. That was the key: to be able to see direct results in terms of people getting better and how it affected their lives.

NBG: Was this a positive effect in most cases?

DR. MILLER: It was harder when I first started, but with the advent of new medicines and things like that it’s a lot easier to have control over these patient’s conditions.

NBG: When I was a kid, an old folk remedy to cure asthma was “Just go swimming a lot.”

DR. MILLER: “Oh yeah, we’ve heard a lot of stories – drink coffee, go out in cold air. Way, way back if you had asthma, they’d give you morphine, stick you in an oxygen tent and hope you got better. Now, with new medicines, it really made a big difference. Over the years we’ve seen a vast improvement with these types of conditions.

NBG: You do all 4 phases of clinical trials…are you focused on any one in particular now?

DR. MILLER: We tend not to do the post-marketing phase studies…phase IV…we tend to do earlier intervention studies, focusing mostly on phase I to phase III.

NBG: There are  many studies that people can sign up for at NEMRA. Those are a mix of phase I through III?

DR. MILLER: Most of them are phase II and III we’re one of the few phase I units in the whole Northeast. That means people stay in house – they actually stay here, sleep here. Live here for short periods of time.

NBG: Can you break down the objective of each of the phases?

DR. MILLER: Phase I, studies the safety of the drug or device which includes a small number of healthy volunteers. Early phase I is exploratory where you are testing the effects on people, not the disease. You are looking for side effects or things like that. This is after extensive testing on animals. We’re looking for any problems with medications. You can also pick out somewhere you can make improvements.

If it passes the safety trials and enters phase II, we are looking for efficacy and seeing if the medicine is showing some promise. Phase II trials involve several hundreds of patients.

Phase III which tests several hundred to several thousands of patients, provides the FDA with a more thorough understanding of the effectiveness of the drug or device. Once this is complete the Pharmaceutical Company will go for approval with the FDA.

Phase IV is post marketing. Is really like “Do you like my drug? Do you like this drug? Which one is better?”

NBG: Many of the studies are about testing the means of delivery and not necessarily a medicine. Please explain.

DR. MILLER:  Any time there is a new device, especially being in the respiratory field, even if it’s just putting a new counter and not necessarily the delivery aspect of the device, there has to be phase III trials to see that the device is doing its job. They haven’t been approved by the FDA.

NBG: What is the typical timeline from the having volunteers show up to the time the FDA approves a new medicine?

DR. MILLER:  It takes an average of 12 years for a drug to be approved from start to see it marketed.

NBG: How quick can someone jump into a study from the time they call to actually showing up here?

DR. MILLER: It could be right away. Once they go through the screening process and they qualify, the clock starts ticking and they can come right in. Every study is different. You may have weekly (once per week) or monthly visits (once per month). Perhaps they stay overnight. You may have trials that you have to stay for 12 hours so we can take breathing tests while we evaluate you. So, each study has its nuance.

NBG: What is a standard overnight visit like?

DR. MILLER: They could stay 24-36 hours. We’ve actually done studies where people have stayed a week. They facility is setup for that. To make it very comfortable for the patient. There’s Netflix.

NBG: It looks like a resort or hotel…

DR. MILLER: It’s like a nice hotel room. We have a kitchen, we cook, they get fed, there are showers, changing areas, high speed internet so people can do their work, students can do their study, etc. we’re looking to minimize their inconvenience while they’re here. There’s a lot of downtime. People can just relax.

NBG: Can they leave at all?

DR. MILLER: Usually if they are mandated to stay, to complete the study, we need them to stay.

NBG: So no heading to Mirasol’s?

DR. MILLER: Unfortunately no. Sometimes there are food restrictions. For example, there may be an oral tablet study where the medicine has to be taken with certain types of meals. Once we did a study where people had to have fatty foods like donuts, bacon, eggs, etc. We need to see the interaction. We especially don’t want them to take other medicines that could skew the study.

NBG: How much time percentage-wise is doing the actual research or in the study?

DR. MILLER:  It really depends on the study. Sometimes it’s just waiting around to do a breathing test or to draw blood. You’re not “going at it” every minute of your stay here. Some studies, you just sleep through most of it, because we need to see what things are like at 6:00 am.

Study participation can range from one week to two years. It depends on the type of trial we are running. For the most part the average seems to be 3-6 months. Some companies like to do long term safety trials that can go a year or longer.

NBG: There are obviously a lot of misconceptions and exaggerations about clinical research. What are some of the most common ones?

DR. MILLER: People need to understand the primary concern with these studies is that the safety of the patient is paramount. Everything is reported. Everything is watched. With these studies we have the resources to fully evaluate the patients then your primary care physician would have. These drugs have been through animal testing. Granted though, even in animal testing nothing may show up. Sometimes going form phase II to III you can see changes you didn’t see in the smaller studies.

People need to understand that EVERY medicine on the market has had to go through this process. Everything you get as a prescription or anything that was a prescription and can now be gotten over the counter has been tested and submitted to the FDA.

It goes back to the 60s, where there is the case of Thalidomide – which was a sedative used with pregnant women and it led to birth defects. Since then the FDA has very strict criteria and the Pharmaceutical companies want it that way. Nobody wants to see anyone have any issues. There have been study drugs that we’ve stopped in process. It’s always up to my discretion to stop a study, perhaps a patient isn’t getting better and I feel there is an issue; the patient is on a placebo and not doing well.

So, the biggest misconception is that a person believes that something bad is going to happen to them. The opposite is true: usually, you know, a drug that goes through the process, these are drugs that are already likely to improve conditions.

In fact, everything on the market for asthma and allergy has been tested here. There’s not one thing out that that we have not investigated.

It’s rewarding to see all that work come into play. When I see patients in my own practice, I have years of working with these drugs, when something new comes on the market, I have no problem adapting it very quickly.

In fact, many physicians in the area use us as the “thought leaders” and follow our lead, because they know that we’ve been working with these drugs for many, many years and we don’t have to wait for everyone else to try them before using them. We’re ahead of the curve.

NBG: Describe some of your longer term patients.

DR. MILLER: We’ve had patients who started here as children and they’ve grown up and their children are now doing studies. I think once people have that comfort level and understand our interest is their best interest they feel comfortable. People have done one study and they return for another and another.

We are always answering their questions and concerns. Everything is explained. We’re always on call for questions or problems. Most people typically come back for another.

NBG: What are some people’s anxiety or fears when they actually show up and ready?

DR. MILLER: People may think we might be giving them something new that may not work as well or as better than what they are taking already or that it’s experimental. All these protocols are scrutinized by the FDA before they start. There is also an institutional review board (IRB) a round table of physicians and lay people that will look at the protocols and review and approve the study.

People may not understand that a typical drug has a patent lasting for 15 years. By the time they get to human trials it may have been 5, 6, or 7 years already. So, all the previous investigations including animal trials, cell biology trials, looking at healthy individuals for side effects. There is a very rigorous process before it even reaches us. This is not the first time a person has been exposed to a drug.

Drug companies have a vested interest to find better drugs that have little risk. The benefit has to outweigh the risk to be approved. When they are developing a drug, they have this in mind from the beginning. They want the least amount of side effects while seeing improvement in patients.

NBG: In this field, would you say the illness is being treated or its symptoms?

DR. MILLER: At least in our field, most of the work has been in prevention. We’re not waiting for you to get sick, to treat you. Now, we want to prevent you from getting sick. It’s been a big turning point in the treatment of asthma.

What we’ve seen is a dramatic reduction in the amount of people that die from asthma, reduction of hospital stays, etc. We have more effective preventative medicines, better inhalers and devices, easier to take medicines, etc.

NBG: You’re doing these clinical studies, but you’re also practicing physician. It seems that there would be some larger benefits to that.

DR. MILLER: It allows me to be on the cutting edge of medicine. I know more about asthma than the physicians in this area, because of my involvement in these studies and first-hand knowledge.
I can institute these new drugs immediately because I don’t have any fear and concerns. It’s not new or unfamiliar. I also know all of the side effects, if any.

NBG: You have what are called “Principal Investigators.” Tell me about the staff – are there twelve?

DR. MILLER: Well, there’s myself and four other physicians, one nurse practitioner and twelve staff members. I am the Principal Investigator which means it’s my obligation to run the trial; I’m responsible for everything that goes on in the trial. I’m the lead and there’s four other doctors. As the PI, the buck stops with me. It’s my watch.

NBG: What dictates how many studies you’ll do? How do you decide which ones to do?

DR. MILLER: Well, it depends on how many drugs are primed and ready. The Pharmaceutical companies will come to us. It’s in flux. Studies will come and go throughout the year.

NBG: What is the biggest benefit for people getting involved in a study?

DR. MILLER: Number one, you learn a lot about the disease. You become better educated. You learn better techniques in monitoring your disease. You get better access to cutting edge medicines. Perhaps better access than your primary care physician could offer. In addition, there is a greater focus on the patient.

NBG: So instead of a few minutes of attention from your primary care physician, who may have 50 more people to see after you, you get special amounts of attention?

DR. MILLER: Exactly. Not only that, but you get a large team of specialists, more eyes on you than just one physician. There is much more time allotted to you.

NBG: Out of curiosity: do the drug companies ever visit?

DR. MILLER:  Yes, all the time. The site is known as a site of excellence, not only do we get audited by agents of the pharmaceutical companies, it’s a well regulated industry so we have internal audits of our data, standard procedures, and conduct. They want to see my involvement and that of our physicians are actually here. I’m not running around the country doing lectures or not in the office.

On top of that, the FDA can show up any day at their whim and investigate anything. There are multiple checks and balances.

NBG: Final words?

DR. MILLER: We are one of the most highly regarded respiratory research sites in the country, if not, in the world. We’ve have an immense amount of experience in the field. Alone, I’ve done over 300 trials. You don’t have to go to Boston – as many people think – to get the best treatment. One of the world’s most prestigious research sites is right here in their backyard in Dartmouth.

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
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OPENING OF SESSION BY: CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOSEPH P. LOPES
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PRAYER LED BY: REVEREND KEVIN HARRINGTON
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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CITATION

1. CITATION, Councillor Martins, honoring INCOGNITO BAR and GRILL, in recognition of their 10th year in business with hopes of continued success.

RESOLUTION

2. RESOLUTION, Councillors Morad and Martins, honoring JILLIAN ZUCCO, Miss New Bedford 2014.

HEARINGS

3. HEARING, on NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY for location of two (2) 4” Conduits and one (1) 45”x45”x36” Handhole in SOUTH SIXTH STREET, South of Wing Street.

3a. AN ORDER,

MAYOR’S PAPERS

M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a VETO on the BUILDING DEMOLITION REVIEW, 4026 Acushnet Avenue, Map 136, Parcel 252, given the historic and architectural significance of the structure, it is important that the City be provided with a full explanation regarding the rationale for demolition. (Veto Received and Ordered Spread on the Records – September 11, 2014.)

M1a. COMMUNICATION/DEMOLITION, New Bedford Historical Commission, to City Council, re: BUILDING DEMOLITION REVIEW, 4026 ACUSHNET AVENUE, Map 136, Parcel 252, advising that “the structure was built circa 1800 and retains some of its original exterior architectural features including setting and massing; the structure is associated with members of the Tobey family who were early settlers of Old Dartmouth; the subject structure is reminiscent of a “Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn” farm complex found in many colonial American communities; the structure is found to be historically significant because of its historical representative of New Bedford’s early rural character and therefore, “the NBHC has determined that 4026 Acushnet Avenue is a historically significant structure and preferably preserved.” (Demolition Granted – August 21, 2014; Vetoed by Mayor Mitchell- September 02, 2014; (Veto Received and Ordered Spread on the Records – September 11, 2014.)

M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a SEWER ABATEMENT REQUEST for ROCKDALE WEST, 164 Oakdale Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, Account Number 029035A in the amount of $547.80.

M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of DANIEL PATTEN, New Bedford, MA 02740, to the GREATER NEW BEDFORD REFUSE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT replacing Issac T. Graves, whose term has expired; this term will expire June 2017.

M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of RICHARD CANASTRA, Dartmouth, MA 02747, to the HARBOR DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION; this term will expire December 2017.

M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of PATRICIA LAREAU, New Bedford, MA 02745, to the HARBOR DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION; this term will expire December 2017.

NEW BUSINESS

4. REPORT, Committee on Memorials and Dedications, recommending that the City Council Grant Permission allowing the Vermette Family, with the cooperation of the City to dedicate the parcel, the triangle located at Mill and Kempton Street, outside the Rite-Aid Pharmacy, in memory of the Late Paul Ryan Vermette.

5. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL on behalf of Mariam Bokhari, 347 North Street, Apt 1E, New Bedford, MA 02740 & Ali Masood Bokhari, 44 Liberty Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, d/b/a MAGIC WHEELS TRANSPORTATION, 347 North Street, Apt 1E, New Bedford, MA 02740, hereby submit a copy of the Application requesting a NEW Private Livery License, under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 159A, Section 1 and amendments thereto, and M.G.L. Chapter 270, Section 22 (Smoke Free Workplace Law) and all other laws applicable to such operation, to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford.

5a. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of Mariam Bokhari, 347 North Street, Apt 1E, New Bedford, MA 02740 & Ali Masood Bokhari, 44 Liberty Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, d/b/a MAGIC WHEELS TRANSPORTATION, 347 North Street, Apt 1E, New Bedford, MA 02740, hereby submit a copy of the Application requesting a NEW Private Livery License, under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 159A, Section 1 and amendments thereto, and M.G.L. Chapter 270, Section 22 (Smoke Free Workplace Law) and all other laws applicable to such operation, to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – August 21, 2014.)

6. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council NOT to Grant the rezoning of Plot 124, Lot 162 (NS Shawmut Avenue) from Mixed-Use Business to Residential B.

7. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the Zoning Change, AS AMENDED, of the Vacant Lot Property, Plot 16, Lots 140 and 141 and Plot 14, Lot 223 (Cleveland Street) being approximately 16,000 square feet from “Residential C” to “MIXED USE BUSINESS.”

7a. AN ORDINANCE, (To be Passed, to a Second Reading.)

7b. COMMUNICATION, Council President Lopes, submitting letter from Matthew J. Thomas, Esq., representing Wayne & Delia Martin, regarding rezoning request on Cleveland Street including Map 14, Lot 223 and Map 16, Lots 140 and 141. (To be Received and Placed on File.)

8. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the ORDER, AS AMENDED, that in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E ½, the revolving fund under the control of Tourism and Marketing Department known as the TOURISM REVOLVING FUND whose purpose is to collect sponsorship funds associated with City events, co-op advertising expenses and fees relating to film permitting, whose revenues and amount limited to be spent in FY15, is restricted to revenue deposited into the fund, is hereby authorized for FISCAL YEAR 2015; and further, the revenue deposited into said fund will not exceed $10,000.00.
8a. AN ORDER, as amended.

9. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION as amended, AN ORDER, amending the Order adopted by the City Council on June 26, 2014, and signed by the Mayor on July 01, 2014, which in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E ½, authorized the Revolving Fund under the control of the Planning and Community Development Department, known as the ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REVOLVING FUND whose purpose is to provide supplies, postage, equipment and advertising costs, contract for technical and administrative support for the ZBA, zoning studies, and stipends for ZBA members, whose revenues and amount limited to be spent estimated at $41,015.00 is hereby authorized for FISCAL YEAR 2015.

9a. AN ORDER, as amended.

10. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the LOAN ORDER that $12,500,000.00 is appropriated for the purpose of constructing, equipping and furnishing Taylor School at the existing SeaLab Facility site, and for which the City is eligible for a 90% grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA.)

10a. LOAN ORDER, (To be Passed, to a Second Reading.)

11. REPORT, Committee on Finance, reporting this matter out of Committee without a recommendation but to the City Council for action as follows: requesting that School Committee Vice Chairperson Livramento, appear before the Committee on Finance to discuss the City Council’s concern over the non-operational alarm system at Keith Middle School, considering that taxpayer monies were expended in the construction of the brand new school building and that taxpayer monies will certainly be required to cover the expense of repairing the alarm system and for the costs associated with the destruction that was caused at Keith Middle School by the vandals in the recent break-in.

12. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Winterson, requesting, on behalf of The Greater New Bedford Track Club, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: LAKE STREET and LT. WALTER E. FULLER MEMORIAL PARKWAY, from 6:00 A.M. THROUGH 12:30 P.M., on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014, for the purpose of THE 36th ANNUAL SPOONER 10K RUN AND SPOOKY 5K RUN/WALK. NOTE: ALSO REQUESTING THAT THE DPI PROVIDE STREET CLOSURE BARRELS.

13. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, on behalf of the Marion Institute, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: PURCHASE STREET, from School Street to Union Street; SPRING STREET, from Pleasant Street to Acushnet Avenue and SCHOOL STREET, from Pleasant Street to Acushnet Avenue, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014, AT 8:00 A.M. THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014, AT 5:00 P.M., for the purpose of Bioneers by the Bay Network Event Conference: Connecting for Change.

14. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Coelho and Martins, requesting, on behalf of concerned Citizens, that the City Council be informed of the current status of the Phillips Avenue School and what are the future plans for this abandoned property.

15. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting, that Health Department Director, Dr. Brenda Weis and Office of Planning and Community Development, Director Patrick Sullivan appear before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health, Housing and Disability Issues to discuss available options, to include grant funding, that can be made available to Senior residents in the City of New Bedford whom have proudly owned their homes for many years and are looking to maintain the exterior of their properties, but are unable to fund the cost of this maintenance from their annual social security or pension income. (To be Referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health, Housing and Disability Issues.)

16. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, Council President Lopes, Councillors Winterson and Martins, requesting, that Department of Public Infrastructure Commissioner Ronald Labelle be invited to appear before the Committee on Appointments and Briefings to update the Council on how far along in the process they are in the LED lighting project the City is undertaking; and further, we would like a list of all streets to receive new increased lighting, is the Police Department involved, due to public safety, in deciding what streets are being updated, also, what is the criteria the DPI is using to install this new increased lighting. (To be Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings and Department of Public Infrastructure Commissioner Ronald Labelle.)

17. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of CLAUDIA TABARES, d/b/a DANIEL’S TRANSPORTATION, 772 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, hereby submit a copy of the Application requesting a RENEWAL of a Private Livery License, under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 159A, Section 1 and amendments thereto, and M.G.L. Chapter 270, Section 22 (Smoke Free Workplace Law) and all other laws applicable to such operation, to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford. (Current License expired June 28, 2013.)

18. COMMUNICATION, Councillor Gomes, submitting copy of a Standard-Times Editorial, titled Our View: City Council should leave school business to School Department, dated 09/17/14.

19. COMMUNICATION, Councillor Gomes, submitting copy of a letter sent to Council President Lopes from the School Committee, dated 09/16/14, responding to inquires made by the Council relative to New Bedford Public Schools.

20. COMMUNICATION, Councillor Morad, submitting a response from the Airport Commission of all the sub-committees of said Commission that was requested at the City Council Meeting of August 21, 2014. (Received and Placed on File.)

TABLED BUSINESS

01/23/2014 CITATION, Councillor Rebeiro, honoring REVEREND RUSS CHAMBERLAIN, Mercy Meals and More, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the homeless during the recent snow storm of January 2 and 3, 2014.

03/27/2014 WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, that the Department of Public Infrastructure which maintains the street lights provide the City Council with a report on the annual cost of upkeep including labor and materials; and further, whether it would be more cost efficient to contract the work to a private firm should be included in said report.

08/21/2014 CITATIONS, Councillors Martins and Bousquet, honoring NEIGHBORHOODS UNITED and JERRY PINTO, President of Neighborhoods United, in recognition of their planning and organizing NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2014 held at Riverside Park on August 05, 2014.

08/21/2014 CITATION, Councillor Alves, honoring LARRY ABREU JACQUES, President – 100th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, in recognition of his commitment and dedication to preserving the cultural traditions of our Madeiran Ancestors and in acknowledgment of his hard work and a successful 100th Feast.

09/11/2014 WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Martins, requesting, that the Attorney General and our City Solicitor, look into “Just Energy”, who have a bad reputation in Massachusetts for harassing people about their services, representatives from “Just Energy” are ringing door bells and telling people they are from the electric company, “Just Energy” has a troubled past in Massachusetts and in several other States, where they faced allegations of deceptive practices, convincing people to switch over once pressured and once people sign up, they are committed for five years and rates can change every month; and further, requesting, that “Just Energy” be seriously investigated and until they are, they should be banned from New Bedford to better protect our constituents.

With help from U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, New Bedford’s nationally-recognized Renewable Energy Initiative took a major step forward today as the Sullivan’s Ledge Solar Project was officially commissioned on the site of one of the country’s most high-profile “Superfund” hazardous waste sites.

The City’s Renewable Energy Initiative is designed to dramatically reduce city government electricity costs– saving taxpayers millions in the coming years–help create local construction jobs, re-develop contaminated properties, and help fight climate change.

The City’s recent achievements in implementing its comprehensive renewable energy strategy have cemented its place as a state and national leader.  According to a recent report, New Bedford has now installed more solar power per person than any other U.S. city besides Honolulu.  On the East Coast only New York City has installed more solar power.

The featured speaker at the Friday, September 19th, 2014 commissioning ceremony, United States EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy cited New Bedford’s effort to redevelop contaminated sites at Sullivan’s Ledge and other city properties as an example to the nation.

“Today, thanks to the Sullivan’s Ledge Superfund cleanup and our partnership with state and local governments, and the private sector, we’re entering the next chapter in the city’s history,” said Administrator McCarthy.

“I applaud the city of New Bedford for using the property to make clean, sustainable power— Sullivan’s Ledge will now add 2 megawatts of clean power to the grid— and for heeding our moral obligation to act on climate change and invest in renewable, local energy.  This is the kind of leadership that we need in cities and towns across the country.”

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell highlighted the City’s recent progress, “Just a few years ago this site was regarded as a problem with no good solution.  Just a few years ago New Bedford began testing solar on a few school roofs and city buildings.  Today, what we once thought of here as a problem is now a source of pride.  And what was once a modest local effort has turned into one of the nation’s most ambitious moves to adopt solar.  New Bedford’s leadership position has other communities asking how we managed to achieve so much so quickly.”

“As we speak, the Sullivan’s Ledge Solar Project is quietly generating power, cutting City utility bills and saving taxpayer dollars.  Our renewable power program is also strengthening our City’s economy and our environment in a big way.  I could not be prouder of the creativity, commitment, and teamwork of all those here who helped us reach our goals,” added Mayor Mitchell.

At 1.8 megawatts, and with more than 5,000 solar panels spread across ten acres, the Sullivan’s Ledge solar project annually produces enough electricity for 226 homes.

It is projected to save New Bedford approximately $2.7 million over the next twenty years through the purchase of solar net metering credits.  Even so, it represents just one of ten solar projects installed as part of the City’s Renewable Energy Initiative.

Original Energy Goals Being Surpassed

The Sullivan’s Ledge solar project is one of several sizable solar power contracts the Mitchell Administration has inked since taking office, including a 4.2 megawatt project on City-owned land in Rochester which broke ground last spring.  In all 16.25 megawatts of projects are now installed or under construction. The City has one project remaining under construction, a 3.7 MW system in the New Bedford Business Park.

When all 16 megawatts of projects are completed New Bedford will have exceeded the City’s 2011 goal of purchasing ten megawatts of power from renewable sources within five years.  No other Massachusetts municipality has achieved comparable progress toward the ten megawatt benchmark.  (Ten megawatts represents enough energy to power approximately 1,500 homes.)  The Mitchell Administration has also adopted a long-term goal of purchasing two-thirds of its energy needs from solar sources.  Now at 50%, it is on track to achieve its goal by year’s end.

“The Patrick Administration is committed to securing our clean energy future and reclaiming economic opportunity for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through investments in renewable energy,” said Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Deputy Commissioner Dan Burgess.

“In collaboration with federal and local partners we are reinforcing the Commonwealth’s national leadership in clean energy with projects like this in New Bedford.  With 643 megawatts of solar installed, we are well on our way to meeting our goal of 1,600 megawatts by 2020,” he continued.

Taxpayer Savings

The City of New Bedford is a major purchaser of electricity from the grid, with nearly one hundred city buildings including wastewater and water treatment plants, so the combined projected energy savings from all solar projects are substantial, generating $500,000 in budget savings this year and nearly $22 million over the next twenty years.

Environmental Benefits

“Our approach has been simple:  Find ways to turn our environmental liabilities into environmental assets,” said the Mayor.  “These solar projects are not just about cutting local government’s utility bills and saving taxpayer dollars, but are part of a larger environmental strategy to both clean up contaminated properties and reduce fossil fuel consumption.”

Sullivan’s Ledge operated as a granite quarry until about 1932.  Between the 1940s and the 1970s, local industries used the quarry pits and adjacent areas for disposal of hazardous material and other wastes.  Beginning in the 1980s until 2000, the site was cleaned up in three stages which included excavation and capping among other remedies.  It continues to be closely monitored.  The cleanup solution meets all U.S. EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) standards and ensures the health and safety of residents.

“EPA partners with the City of New Bedford on many projects, and today we are very proud to see the City prioritize renewable energy solutions, and develop them by putting a Superfund site property back to good use providing clean, renewable energy,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “Thanks to EPA and all the partners here for cleaning up the site, it is now being used in an innovative way by becoming part of the City’s Energy Initiative.”

“MassDEP is delighted to have worked with the City of New Bedford and EPA to turn Sullivan’s Ledge into a solar energy success story,” said MassDEP Commissioner David W. Cash.  “As part of our Clean Energy Results Program, MassDEP has made it a priority to support the siting of renewable energy installations on contaminated lands and landfills, and this project demonstrates the energy, environmental and economic benefits to be gained from this strategy.”

Local Jobs

The City undertook the Sullivan’s Project in cooperation with several private-sector partners, including Boston-based BlueWave Capital, SunEdison, and Beaumont Solar.  All partners committed to maximizing the hiring of local workers.

BlueWave, led by Managing Partner John Devillars, has served as the City’s development partner on the Sullivan’s Project and others, since the inception of the City’s Initiative.  SunEdison, as owner and operator, entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with the City, and assumed responsibility for financing, installation, ongoing operations, and maintenance.  Beaumont Solar Company of New Bedford, led by President and CEO Phil Cavallo, installed the solar panels for SunEdison.

“As a company dedicated to employing New Bedford-area residents, we thrive on win-win projects like Sullivan’s Ledge.  In all, Beaumont Solar employed twelve New Bedford residents on this job site.  This project is a direct reflection of their professionalism and talent,” said Beaumont Solar President and CEO Phil Cavallo.

“This project exemplifies why our company was ranked as one of the most influential solar companies in Massachusetts and the country.  We believe our entire region prospers when we act as responsibly minded members of the community.  These are the ideals on which Beaumont Solar was founded,” Cavallo continued.

“We are proud to have been selected by the City to help them make energy history.  When it comes to embracing renewable energy, New Bedford stands as a model to other municipalities,” said Matthew Dickey, Managing Director of Sales for SunEdison.

“Sullivan’s Ledge marks the latest chapter in the New Bedford solar success story,” said John DeVillars, Managing Partner of BlueWave Capital LLC, which developed the Sullivan’s Ledge project with SunEdison.  “We are proud to have been a part of an exceptional team of professionals from the City, EPA, MA DEP and SunEdison,” said DeVillars, a former regional administrator with the Environmental Protection Agency. “This team has done a masterful job on an extraordinarily challenging project.”

A Live Auction moderated by auctioneer, Dennis Broadbent and featuring art from some of the area’s most celebrated names will be the primary attraction at the Spinner Celebrates! 33rd Anniversary Fundraising Gala. Also included in the auction are pottery by Peruvian artisans from Colo Colo Gallery. The event is to be held at Fort Taber Community Center located at Fort Taber Park in New Bedford on Saturday evening, October 18, 2014 from 6pm to 10pm.

Headlining the Live Auction are works from these well-known artists:

• Arthur Moniz
• Milton Brightman
• Peter Michael Martin
• Chuck Hauck
• Allison Wells
• Dr. Joseph “Zack” Souza
• John Gamache
• Jim Sears
• Gay Gilles

Additionally, a silent auction will feature antique objects—such as Pairpoint glass—rare books, signed prints, and gift items from merchants, restaurants, artisans and museums throughout the area.

The public can preview most auction items at Spinner Publications’ office at 164 William Street in downtown New Bedford. Previewing date is on AHA! Night, Thursday, October 9, 5 – 7pm.

Images of the artwork can also be viewed at www.spinnerpub.com.

The October 18 event will be catered and feature an open-bar with beer, wine and a signature cocktail. Live Big Band music will be provided by The Meadowlarks.

Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased at www.spinnerpub.com or at these local outlets: Bourassa Hardware, Arthur Moniz Gallery and Subtext Bookshop. Tickets can also be ordered by calling (508) 994-4564. Seating is limited; early reservations are recommended. Proceeds will support the Spinner Publications’ educational projects and new books, including A Picture History of New Bedford ~ Volume 2, 1925-2014 due for publication in 2015.

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Fairhaven Police responded to a Lafayette Street residence Friday afternoon on September 19th, 2014, to conduct a welfare check on a male party at that location. The welfare check was requested by family members who stated a man at that location had made some irrational statements.

Officers responded to check the well being of the man and noticed some suspicious items on the property. As a precaution, the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad responded to ensure the device was not dangerous. Bomb Technicians arrived and quickly determined the device posed no risk to public safety. In addition to the State Police, the Fairhaven Fire Department stationed in the area until the scene was deemed safe.

All measures taken were strictly precautionary until it could be determined the device was in fact a hoax. It appeared to be clumsily assembled and highly unlikely to be a threat. However, officials decided not to leave anything to chance and decided to call in experts to confirm there was no danger to the public.

CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
GARAGE FOREMAN $49,984 – $60,973
DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES & FLEET MANAGEMENT

Supervises, trains and directs garage personnel in repairs, maintenance and fabrication of equipment throughout City departments.    Supervises the inspection and/or troubleshooting of vehicles to approve them for compliance with Registry of Motor Vehicle standards.

Enforces existing procedures and policies, and develops new garage methods and procedures as authorized.  Ensures adherence to applicable City, State and Federal health and safety rules and regulations.  Maintains garage and equipment in clean and orderly condition.

Assists the Superintendent with researching equipment before purchase to ensure the City has received the best long-term value when purchases are made.  Keeps up with any changes or improvements that may develop.

Maintains records of all personnel in the garage.  Maintains records of purchases, requisitions, Registry files, accident reports, outside repairs, etc.

High school diploma or GED equivalent required plus some specialized training in motor vehicle repair, and three years of related experience in the management of fleet garage; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Thorough knowledge of automotive mechanics.  Working knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions common to municipal maintenance and repair activities.

Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license with good driving record, including CDL Class B endorsement, vehicle inspection license, hydraulic license and/or ability to obtain these licenses within six months from date of hire. Mandatory CORI (Criminal Offender Record Investigation) background check per City Council Ordinance effective May 14, 2013.

For application/complete job description, please visit www.newbedford-ma.gov or contact the Personnel Dept., 133 William St., Room 212, 508-979-1444.  Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.  New Bedford has a residency requirement.   EEO