The City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development is holding two virtual public meetings this week to discuss the best use of federal funding to improve the quality of life for New Bedford residents. The public meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11 and Wednesday, Jan. 12. Both meetings will be conducted via Zoom:

Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81589048038?pwd=UFJRbWhobFJxL3ZPckt1bTF4SlltQT09
Meeting ID: 815 8904 8038 Passcode: 320337

Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87956484822?pwd=OHFmajRmZ2crOHd5c1ZkOVMrVkZpZz09
Meeting ID: 879 5648 4822 Passcode: 464507

These public meetings are hosted by the City and designed to gather critical input from New Bedford residents. The public input will help the City formulate a strategic plan for using federal funding to address needs and priorities in housing, public facilities, public infrastructure, parks and playgrounds, community services, homelessness resources, and economic development. Input from the community is integral in shaping the priorities of these federal programs.

The City of New Bedford anticipates receiving about $2.7 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, $975,000 through the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and $230,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to serve low- and moderate-income residents and neighborhoods in Fiscal Year 2022, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

The public meetings will include presentations by the City staff, an assessment of community needs and priorities, and a review the City’s recent Housing and Community Development accomplishments.

The meetings will be an excellent opportunity for citizens to voice their opinions about how the City can best use its federal money to improve the quality of life in New Bedford and to suggest specific additions or improvements to facilities and services in its neighborhoods. Anyone who intends on applying for funding is strongly encouraged to attend and participate in one of these two public forums.

The Office of Housing & Community Development will also conduct two virtually based RFP Workshops on Friday, Jan. 14, at 9 a.m. for CDBG funds and at 10 a.m. for ESG funds, to assist potential applicants with the Request for Proposal process and provide technical assistance.

People interested in attending one or both of these workshops are asked to contact the Office of Housing & Community Development no later than Thursday, Jan. 13, to receive the necessary Zoom access information.

Questions regarding the public meetings or the Annual Action Plan process may be directed to Jennifer Clarke, Deputy Director of Community Development, at (508) 979-1500 or by email at jennifer.clarke@newbedford-ma.gov .

“Our Boston Community Outreach team got an unusual call. This stunning Serval had been spotted several times in Lincoln, MA and after days of communication, a resident notified us that he was in their yard. We immediately got on the road to see if we could capture and help this cat.

Servals are wild African Cats and are illegal to own as pets in Massachusetts. We don’t know how long this guy, now called Bruno, was outside, but he is thin and has a severely broken leg that is several months old.

We were lucky to be able to safely capture him and transport him back to our hospital for x-rays and pain management. If you would like to donate towards the cost of his care, you can do so at mspca.org/bruno (thank you!). This is a restricted fund and anything raised beyond the cost of his care will be reserved for medical treatment of homeless animals or to support financial aid for those who need assistance at our hospital.

We are working with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to determine appropriate permanent placement for Bruno. Bruno is NOT available for adoption.

We understand that MANY of you have questions about where he ends up. We are currently working with the MA division of fisheries and wildlife and beginning the process of vetting sanctuary placements. We can assure you that his placement will be approached with utmost caution, care and diligence. We do not take this responsibility lightly and we will certainly continue to update you on his progress. Thank you all for your interest and concern!!” -Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell.

MSPCA-Angell photo.

“My daughter ran off Sunday and hasn’t come home would you please help send out the word help me find out she is safe.

She disappeared after school. Her name is Aiyana, she is 14-years old, 5’1 and weighs 102lbs.

Please share with your friends if anyone has seen her. I just need to know she is safe in someone’s home and not out in the streets.

If any of her friend’s parents have her in their home please let me know 508-525-1391.”-Tatiana Bonilla.

Photo by Tatiana Bonilla.

Photo by Tatiana Bonilla.

Photo by Tatiana Bonilla.

Photo by Tatiana Bonilla.

“My Vax Records” Provides New Option to Access Vaccine History and QR Code to Verify COVID-19 Vaccination.

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a tool that gives residents a new way to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history. The new tool, called My Vax Records, allows people who received their vaccination in Massachusetts to access their own vaccination history and generate a COVID-19 digital vaccine card, which would contain similar vaccination information to a paper CDC card. The COVID-19 digital vaccine cards produced by the system utilize the SMART Health Card platform and generate a QR code that can be used to verify vaccination. The Administration is not requiring residents to show proof of vaccination to enter any venue, but this tool will help residents who would like to access and produce a digital copy of their record.

Access the new tool at MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov.

How It Works: The new tool is easy to use: a person enters their name, date of birth, and mobile phone number or email associated with their vaccine record. After creating a 4-digit PIN, the user receives a link to their vaccine record that will open upon re-entry of the PIN.

The electronic record shows the same information as a paper CDC vaccine card: name, date of birth, date of vaccinations, and vaccine manufacturer. It also includes a QR code that makes these same details readable by a QR scanner, including smartphone apps. Once the SMART Health Card is received, users are able to save the QR code to their phone, such as the Apple Wallet, screenshot the information and save it to their phone’s photos, or print out a copy for a paper record. The system follows national standards for security and privacy.

This system provides an optional way that residents can access their vaccination information and a COVID-19 digital vaccine card. This will provide residents with another tool to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, should it be requested by businesses, local governments, or other entities.

The system leverages the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), the official database used by health care providers across the state to record vaccination information. The system relies on hundreds of providers inputting demographic and health information. Some users may not be able to immediately find their record, or may find an incomplete record. Residents whose record cannot be found or is incomplete can either contact their health care provider or contact the MIIS team to update their records. Learn more about the tool and view frequently-asked-questions at www.mass.gov/myvaxrecord.

Massachusetts has worked with VCI,™ a voluntary coalition of public and private organizations which developed the open-source SMART Health Card Framework in use by other states. The VCI coalition is dedicated to improving privacy and security of patient information, making medical records portable and reducing healthcare fraud.

My Vax Records is just one way residents can obtain their COVID vaccination record. Pharmacies that administered the COVID vaccine and many health care providers also are making SMART Health Cards available, or are providing additional options. Learn more here.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of January 10, 2022 – January 14, 2021 and they are as follows:

Eversource will be working on the gas main relays and services at:

• No work scheduled

Other:

• MassDOT Project #608536, intersection improvements at Rockdale Ave X Allen St is wrapped up for the winter season. Contractor (JH Lynch) will be returning in March 2022, weather pending, to resume utility work and intersection upgrades.
• MassDOT Project #606718, roadway reconstruction and related work (including traffic signal installation) along a section of Hathaway Rd, Nauset St and Mt Pleasant St is wrapped up for the winter season. Contractor (KR Rezendes, Inc) will be returning in March 2022, weather pending, to resume final site work.
• MassDOT Project #606709 intersection improvements along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Rd. is wrapped up for the winter season. Contractor (PA Landers) will be returning in March 2022, weather pending, to resume site work.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the City. (Church St at Carlisle St and Wamsutta St at Acushnet Ave.) If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
Union St. Phase II Sewer Separation Project:
• Contractor (C. Naughton Corp.) will begin replacement of the Union St sewer main between Sixth St and County St.  Initially, the work will closure of 6th St at the Union St intersection. During working hours, Union St westbound traffic will be detoured via Pleasant St and Elm St.  Union St eastbound traffic will be detoured via Seventh St and Spring St. Sixth St southbound traffic will be detoured at Elm St to County St. Thereafter access to, Union St will be limited between County St and Sixth St. Union St westbound traffic will be detoured at Sixth St to School St. Union St eastbound traffic will be detoured at County St to Spring St.
• Access to local business will be maintained, construction/detour signage will be posted, and police details will be on-site to assist with traffic management.

** Please note: Contractors will continue to follow guidelines and protocol regarding COVID-19 social distancing while conducting work in construction zone.

The citywide snow emergency parking ban is lifted as of 5 p.m. today, Jan. 7.

City officials implemented the parking ban at 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, as the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region, including New Bedford.

City offices and public schools were closed Friday, ahead of the storm which dropped several inches of snow on the city and region. The storm’s morning arrival affected the Friday morning commute and made travel difficult on slick roads.

The Winter Storm Warning ended at 4 p.m. Friday, as skies cleared. Saturday’s forecast is sunny and cold. With the ban lifted, residents are asked to please remove their vehicles from municipal and school parking lots, to ensure these lots can be cleared.

The parking ban is designed to allow City workers to efficiently remove snow from New Bedford roadways, and enable public safety vehicles and residents to travel safely.

To further increase public safety during storm events, some areas are designated for a double-sided parking ban. Streets with parking prohibited on both sides are selected because they are major routes for ambulances, school buses, and SRTA buses, or have a history of large vehicles being unable to successfully navigate due to street narrowness.

“NWS has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING that will go into effect on Friday January 7th at 1am and is set to expire at 7pm.

* WHAT: Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches.
* WHERE: Portions of eastern and southeastern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except Block Island.
* WHEN: From 1 AM to 7 PM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS: Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

Accuweather photo.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.

PRECISION
Forecast as of 6:30am TODAY. Snow by Friday 3am- 5am. 1” of snow by Friday 5am–7am. Total snow 4” to 7.” Duration: 8 to 12 hours.

DETAILED FORECAST
Biggest impact will be from the morning commute till about 10am Friday. Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 10 to 13 mph. Tonight there will be snow, mainly after 3am. Low around 31. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Accuweather photo.

Friday there will be snow, mainly before noon. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. Northwest wind 11 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Friday Night will be mostly clear, with a low around 20. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 20 mph.

Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 33. Northwest wind 12 to 17 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon.

Massachusetts Highway Safety reported on Monday that the number of people who died on Massachusetts highways last year reached its highest level since 2009.

The preliminary number was released in a tweet by the office: 390 people died on state highways last year, a jump of 63 from the previous year when there were 327 fatalities. In addition, there was an increase in motorcycle fatalities.

More importantly, the office declared the causes to be fewer people using their seat belts and speed. No information was revealed about distracted driving or driving under the influence. The former would be a hard number to peg down since many people who were driving distracted would not admit that they were doing so or they were a lone driver that passed away.

“390 people died on Massachusetts roads last year (preliminary). That’s more crash fatalities than any year since 2009.

Please slow down, buckle up and look twice to save a life.” –MAHighwaySafety.

Massachusetts Highway Safety photo.

“It is with a heavy heart, that Marion Fire/EMS reports the passing of one of its former brothers, Lieutenant Paramedic Kevin Buckley.

Lieutenant Buckley was a dedicated man, who served our town and its residents, for 20 years. He took great pride in his job and touched the lives of many. He will be missed.” -Marion Fire/EMS.

Marion Fire/EMS photo.

Mayor Jon Mitchell and the City’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) are inviting all interested community members to review the Fiscal Year 2022 Community Preservation Act (CPA) applications and provide public comment at three virtual public meetings this month.

The FY22 application process began last September with Step I: Eligibility Determination. Eligible applicants then were invited to submit Step II: Project Applications in November. Seventeen applications–seeking more than $2.7 million in CPA funding, in total–were received by the deadline.

There is $1.6 million available for the CPC to award among the FY22 applications. During the month of January, the CPC is inviting applicants to present their project at a public meeting, with public comment welcomed from community members. Once the CPC has completed its application review, the committee will vote on the projects to recommend for funding and submit their recommendations to the New Bedford City Council for final consideration and awarding of funds.

All meetings will be held via Zoom, at: https://zoom.us/j/84596031271
Meeting ID: 845 9603 1271 Passcode: 624603

Members of the public also can call in, via: Call (646) 558-8656 Meeting ID: 845 9603 1271 Passcode: 624603

Project applicants will present at virtual Zoom meetings detailed in the attached flyer, starting tonight at 6 p.m. and continuing on Jan. 11 and Jan. 20.

To review the FY22 applications, please visit the CPC webpage at: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/plan…/community-preservation/

Public comment must be received by January 24, 2022, and can be provided by:

• Attending the virtual meeting for the project you wish to comment on. Public comment will be allowed after each project presentation.
• Emailing your comment to CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov
• Mailing your comment to:

CPC
Department of City Planning
133 William Street Room 303
New Bedford, MA 02740

For more information, call the CPA Coordinator at (508) 979-1488 or email CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov.

ABOUT:

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was adopted by New Bedford voters through a ballot question in November 2014. This statewide enabling legislation allows communities to create dedicated funding for: Open Space, Outdoor Recreational Facilities, Historic Preservation, and Affordable Housing activities in the city.
Oversight of this process rests with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), the body established by the City to oversee the CPA program in New Bedford.