NB Resilient

Increase the type and number of community installations of renewable energy sources.

This action would facilitate the installation of more renewable energy sources throughout the city through assessments, collaboration with renewable energy providers, policy and program review, and pilot projects.

Create a city-wide energy and water conservation campaign and tracking system.

Update January 2021:

A city-wide energy campaign has been implemented for municipal energy.  A blueprint has been developed for commercial and industrial facilities.  

The City's Water Management Act Permit (in progress) has committed to "implementation of water conservation practices, including the installation of WaterSense compliant low flow plumbing fixtures where applicable, and low water landscaping in all development proposals.” DPI and Inspectional Services are developing policy enforcement protocol.  DPI tracks Residential Gallons Per Capita Day usage in its Annual Statistical Report. The Water Division includes water conservation tips in its Annual mailer, provides water conservation education through its IPP program in the schools, and is currently updating its website to significantly increase public outreach and education.

Create a green business certification program.

Update January 2021: 

The Energy Office developed a program outline. Once implemented, the Economic Development Council will support with outreach to get the word out and share success stories.

Encourage community electric vehicle adoption.

This action would promote electric vehicle adoption throughout the city by installing more charging infrastructure and launching an educational campaign on EV benefits.

Develop a long-term adaptation strategy for the Port.

Update January 2021:

Create a resiliency program for businesses to raise awareness of and prepare for climate change.

This action will ensure the resiliency of businesses by educating business owners about the effects of climate change and provide accessible trainings about how to adapt.

Implement an organics (food waste, yard waste) collection that includes commercial, single-family, and multi-family properties.

Update October 2022: 

Find out how to purchase a home compost bin.

Residents can drop off food waste and yard waste at the City recycling center at 1103 Shawmut Avenue.

In addition, two public schools are separating out food waste in their kitchens. At the schools, Black Earth Compost is picking up the food waste and taking it to a composting facility.

This action would bolster the cities reduce, reuse, recycle programs through community education, hosting promotional events, and banning plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and Styrofoam cups.

Update October 2022: 

The City has enacted a single use plastic bag ban.

Explore the Recyclopedia Tool to help determine the best disposal options for waste.

DFFM has partnered with the libraries to open the Funbrary Collection, a lending library with various items patrons can borrow from each branch. The collection includes musical instruments, crafting supplies, games, and more. See a detailed list of the available items.

Promote green infrastructure in projects throughout the city.

Update October 2022:

The City completed a Green Infrastructure Master Strategy and Implementation Roadmap in 2022 that focused on stormwater management and equitable heat island reduction. As of 2022 there are four major green infrastructure projects in the design-implementation stage.

Implement the Integrated Capital Improvements Plan.

Update October 2022:

Resilience is integrated into all Capital Improvement Plan projects.

Adopt an action plan to ensure the continued protection of New Bedford's water supply.

This action would protect and improve drinking water by repairing and upgrading infrastructure and educating the community about water availability.

Update October 2022:

New Bedford leads the Assawompset Ponds Complex Management Team and helped the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) and area municipalities to complete an APC & Nemasket River Management and Climate Action Plan. 

Learn more!

Ensure redundancy of critical infrastructure (EMS/police/OPI/etc.), community facilities, and utilities.

This action would bolster the redundancy of energy systems and critical infrastructure to ensure resiliency in the face of emergency.

Update October 2022:

Redundancy is a key component of all Capital Improvement Plan projects.

Improve access to and education of the city's natural resources.

This action would improve pedestrian and biker accessibility to natural resources, ensure all resident are within a 10-minute walk from open space, and increase natural resource education and outreach.

Update September 2022:

The City cleared a 1-mile section of the Flora B. Pierce Nature Trail to increase accessibility.  The Ricketson Nature Center was opened at Brooklawn Park in April 2021 providing year round hands on programs to youth and families on the natural world and the parks natural resources.  80% of New Bedford residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park and we are working to integrate Safe Routes to Parks with all park plans.  We  work with Buzzards Bay Coalition on  various nature walks and have developed an urban birding program with Audubon and the NB Public Libraries to introduce residents to urban birding.

Research and find opportunities to install alternatives to impervious surfaces and hardscapes in the city.

This action would research alternatives to impervious surfaces and hardscapes in the city to mitigate urban heat island effect.

Update September 2022:

New Bedford's Green Infrastructure Master Strategy and Implementation Roadmap evaluated opportunities for green infrastructure including pervious surface treatments. Projects in various stages of implementation include Buttonwood Senior Center, Brooklawn Duck Pond, Hathaway Road interchange, and East Beach Parking. The City received funding to evaluate G.I. opportunities along Kempton Street north of Buttonwood Brook. City staff will be providing G.I. educational opportunities to residents and community groups in late 2022.

Develop a Watershed Protection Plan.

This action would create a Watershed Protection Plan that ensures the future protection of the water resources and biological communities in New Bedford.

Update September 2022:

New Bedford is actively facilitating and/or participating in watershed management planning for it's public water supply located outside city boundaries as well as for watersheds within the City. We are collecting data to demonstrate improvements in water quality as we implement new stormwater management initiatives and taking opportunities to educate residents about positive actions they can take. We worked with SRPEDD to develop the Assowamsett Ponds Complex and Nemasket River Watershed Climate Action Plan.

Develop and implement an Urban Reforestation Plan.

This action would implement an Urban Reforestation Plan to increase tree canopy coverage, reduce the urban heat island, and improve stormwater management.

Update September 2022: 

The City plants an average of 200 trees per year with a focus on street trees. The City completed a Green Infrastructure Master Strategy and Implementation Roadmap in 2022 that focused on stormwater management and equitable heat island reduction. As of 2022, there are four major green infrastructure projects in the design-implementation stage.

Adopt a city-wide policy to use only native plant species, with a focus on pollinator plantings.

This action would mandate the use of native plant species and make New Bedford a pollinator-friendly community.

Update September 2022: 

GWSC has completed the restoration of the north bank and the renovation of the stormwater detention pond at Riverside park with native plantings that benefit native species. Volunteers installed a pollinator garden at Victory Park summer 2021. Native coastal plantings have been installed in Marine Park and Hazelwood Park. 

Support the sustainable remediation of natural resources.

This action would set in motion remediation of natural resource issues, such as beach and soil erosion and water contamination, as well as ensure businesses and industries are financially responsible for damages.

Update September 2022:

EPA is restoring shoreline areas of the Upper Acushnet River as part of the Superfund cleanup. The City is working with the State's Gateway Cities Parks Program to design additional riparian restoration along the area along with a walking path for the public. AVX is conducting necessary cleanup at Titleist and the AVX site and restoring the shorelines with green space.

Identify cooling stations throughout the City.

This action would identify existing structures or build new structures that could serve residents during heat events.

Conduct a thorough vulnerable populations assessment.

This action would conduct an assessment to identify populations vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and take steps to make these populations better prepared.

Assess needs for elder care improvements and accessibility.

This action would study the housing and emergency preparedness needs of the elderly community and take action to improve them.

Update January 2021: 

The City of New Bedford and its Office of Housing & Community Development has collaborated with community partners in developing the New Bedford Age Friendly Initiative- Housing Resources Guide- Promoting Aging in Community. Information relative to Renting/Rental Properties, Home Ownership and a range of other resources including the prevention of homelessness, legal assistance, utility assistance, disabilities and pets—just to name a few—are included in this document.

Enhance the Evacuation and Sheltering Plan.

This action would develop a comprehensive Evacuation and Sheltering Plan to ensure New Bedford is prepared for future emergency events.

Create Resilience Hubs throughout the city.

This action would create resilience hubs throughout the city. Resilience hubs are year-round neighborhood centers that provide community and emergency response services.

Update January 2021:

The Community Economic Development Center is working to redevelop the Capitol Theater to expand its programming to include a Resilience Hub.  The City is working with other community-based organizations to explore additional hub locations.

Expand access to primary and preventative health care.

This action would increase access to primary and preventative healthcare, including mental health services.

Improve access to local, healthy and affordable food.

This action would work with existing community partners to increase access to healthy food through programming and outreach.

Update January 2021:

GroundWork SouthCoast is installing 100 raised beds at Riverside Park; Initiated Sow & Grow program with 60 kits in 2020 and working toward 2,000 kits in 2021

Expand the lead abatement program.

This action would identify places where lead levels are high and take steps to combat this issue.

Update January 2021:

The City of New Bedford, through the Office of Housing and Community Development received a $2 million Lead Hazard Control Grant to address lead paint hazards identified in residential units. The goal of the City’s Program is to conduct lead hazard control activities in at least one hundred ten (110) units. The City also received a $400,000 Healthy Homes Grant. The top priority for Healthy Home Funding in New Bedford will be units with identified mold and indoor air quality hazards. Secondary priorities include HEPA air purifier, installation of exterior exhausting bath and/or kitchen fan, carpet removal, dust control, integrated pest management, and installation of fire and CO detectors.

DPI has completed Phase I of its Lead Service Line Replacement program, replacing approximately 1,200 services.  This includes both City and owner-owned portions of the service at no cost to the owners.

Improve and increase communication capabilities.

This action would establish communications protocols for emergency events and conduct outreach with the public on their use.

Update January 2021:

Emergency Management launched NB Alert, a multi-lingual emergency and information dissemination system, in 2019.  

Allocate resources to a multi-modal master plan that improves safety and access to non-motorized transportation and connections to public transit.

This action will lay the groundwork for creating broad access to public transportation by improving safety of non-motorized transportation and increasing the ease of public transportation connections.

Enforce anti-idling laws for vehicles and boats.

This action will enforce anti-idling laws for vehicles and boats to reduce emissions.

Continue efforts initiated by the Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School programs.

This action will continue the work of the Complete Streets Program to ensure that streets and sidewalks are accesibly to all.

Maintain focus on municipal transportation emissions.

This action will push forward the goal of greening the municipal fleet and reducing emissions by 50% by 2030.

Create a comprehensive, multi-lingual, multi-faceted education campaign around alternative modes of transportation.

This action will create a multi-faceted education campaign around alternative modes of transportation that is available in multiple languages to increase the reach of the campaign.

Promote sustainable land development and redevelopment.

This action will examine current zoning and building codes and find opportunities to promote sustainable land development and the incorporation of additional resilience measures.

Evaluate more co-housing and home-sharing options.

This action will facilitate more creative co-housing and home-sharing options to reduce energy use, maximize social benefits, and increase access to affordable housing.

Develop a housing plan that addresses housing stock location, safety, occupancy, energy efficiency and affordability.

This action will develop a housing plan that boosts residential safety, energy efficiency, and affordability.