The New Bedford Police Union is raising concern over officers not seeing the promised pay increase from the collective bargaining agreement reached between the City of New Bedford and the Police Union in July.

“The wage increase is yet to be seen by officers, despite the three-month mark approaching. The issue of wages is certainly important to any employee. But the underlying problem, once again, is a lack of communication and attention by the department administration regarding such a common concern.

No department email. No record of the communication. No consistency in the message. Seemingly no care to create such a public record, in the event that any of the words are possibly questioned in the future.”

City of New Bedford photo.

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Below is the original July 12th press release from the City of New Bedford detailing the agreement.

New Bedford, MA – After months of negotiation, the City and the New Bedford Police Union have entered a new collective bargaining agreement, which will increase police wages and benefits to address the Police Department’s staffing shortages. The agreement also paves the way for the use of body-worn cameras by all officers. The agreement runs from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024, and is subject to City Council approval.

The agreement includes the following new provisions:

• The residency requirement for new officers would be reduced from ten years to four years, and the City is authorized to waive the requirement if the Department’s staffing needs demand it.
• 2% cost of living adjustment in each year of the contract.
• 2% added to the base pay for the officer’s certification by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, effective January 1, 2024, and again on June 30, 2024.
• Effective on July 1, 2022: Step 1 on the pay scale is eliminated.
• Effective on July 1, 2023: Step 2 on the pay scale is eliminated and a new step, Step 6, is created at 2% above Step 5.

• For officers with 15+ years of service in the New Bedford Police Department, a new 15-year step is created at 4% above Step 5.
• Step 5A becomes the 25-year step at 6% above Step 5 for officers with 25+ years of service.
• Rank differential is increased to 18%.

• $3,000 retention payment for officers who remain employed with the City 30 days after City Council funds the contract.
• Education incentive payments are increased, and additional degrees are added to the list of qualifying degrees.
• Vacation time added for officers with 15-20 years of service.
• Added pay for officers who work on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Restrictions on the use of sick time.
• The police chief may use retired officers to conduct background checks.
• After training, the department can begin to introduce body-worn cameras.

“I am pleased that both sides worked toward a resolution that enables us to address staffing shortages with which departments across America are struggling,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I am proud of the work our officers do to keep New Bedford safe, and I believe that this new contract will put them in a stronger position to achieve professional success.”

“I’m very pleased that the City has reached an amicable agreement with the union and settled this contract,” said Police Chief Paul Oliveira. “I look forward to working with the union leadership as we continue to serve the citizens of New Bedford. As always, I remain very proud of the men and women of this department.”

The term of the contract is estimated to cost $3.5 million from the City’s General Fund.

“Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm, the New Bedford Fire Department responded to Tripp Towers at 12 Ruth Street for an automatic fire alarm activation.

This occupancy is a ten-story high rise containing almost two-hundred apartments. Crews initially began investigating a light smoke condition but quickly determined a pest control contractor was conducting a fumigation operation. The building’s ventilation system pulled in product from the fumigating.

Fire crews evacuated the lower three floors and the upper seven floors were able to remain sheltered in their apartments after the building’s ventilation system had been turned off. Continuous air monitoring and metering was conducted on all floors by the NBFD. The displaced residents were transported to the Fort Taber Community Center with assistance from SERTA and Tremblay Bus and New Bedford Emergency Management.

At this time, six residents have been transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for noncritical conditions and evaluation.

The State Hazardous Materials Team has made entry into the basement to assist ventilation operations and air monitoring. NBFD personnel are continuing air monitoring to ensure the environment is safe for the remaining residents. They have also assisted displaced residents by retrieving their pets and medications.

Fire crews remained engaged until the air quality in the entire building is safe and the displaced residents had been returned to their apartments.

NBEMS received numerous mutual aid ambulances and they’re remaining on scene. NBEMA and NBPD are also assisting on scene. The Providence Canteen is on scene providing rehab services to the residents and responders.

The Fire Prevention Bureau is also on scene investigating this incident.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

All photos by the New Bedford Fire Department:

“A Chelsea man was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “Green Cards.”

Wilberto Sandoval Mazariego, 40, was charged with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature. Sandoval Mazariego was arrested near his residence yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was detained pending a hearing set for Oct. 5, 2023.

According to the charging documents, during an investigation into Tomas Xirum for selling fraudulent Green Cards and fraudulent Social Security cards, law enforcement allegedly identified Sandoval Mazariego as the creator of the fraudulent documents Xirum was selling. Following Xirum’s arrest in August 2022, law enforcement allegedly found a text message string between Xirum and Sandoval Mazariego that contained approximately 568 attachments. It is alleged that in the messages, Xirum would regularly text Sandoval Mazariego pictures of unknown persons along with a name, date of birth and country of birth – to which Sandoval Mazariego would later respond with pictures of Social Security cards and/or Green Cards with the person’s photo and information that Xirum provided.

On Aug. 17, 2023, Sandoval Mazariego allegedly sold a fraudulent Green Card and a fraudulent Social Security card to an undercover agent.

On Aug. 21, 2023, Xirum pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and three counts of unlawful production of document or authentication feature. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2024.

The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“We set out for ‘Boots’ via dog and drone Hawkeye Aerial Systems. Ultimately he was found by our cadaver recovery dog and didn’t make it. He was eaten by coyotes, all we found was random body parts. Rest in peace boots.

It never gets easier to recover an animal this way for me. Please consider keeping cats indoors..I’m not going to shame you outdoor cat people but please beware this can happen and no cat is exempt from this demise.”-Wandering Paws K9.

Wandering Paws K9 photo.

“As part of the continuing effort to modernize and professionalize municipal government, the City has launched a Leadership Institute so that department heads and senior managers refine skills needed to be more effective in their roles.

The initiative, managed by the Personnel Office with support from AllOne Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP), will provide city managers with professional development training through a series of six seminars over the next several months, with additional classes planned for Spring 2024.

Topics include:

• Creating a Culture of Excellence: The Role of Leadership
• Moving from Manager to Leader: Inspiring Trust
• Creating Vision
• Executing Strategy
• Coach Potential
• The Role of Leadership in Navigating Change: A Leadership Roundtable

“The Leadership Institute will be a valuable and useful initiative for our managers,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “Although similar programs are common in large corporations, they are relatively rare in municipal government. I am pleased that this important leadership training is being offered to our department heads and managers.”

In addition to the leadership institute, the Mitchell Administration has pursued wide-ranging reforms across city government to bring municipal services into the 21st century and modernize the way local government serves its residents.

Examples include:

• The establishment of “The New Bedford Way,” the statement of city government’s organizational values.
• The establishment of the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
• Consolidation of municipal departments.
• Reforms of the budgeting process that have resulted in the City’s receiving the GFOA award for nine years running.
• The establishment of a See-Click-Fix app for municipal services.
• Reform of the City’s procurement process.
• Soon, the establishment of a city-wide 311 system.
• A citywide performance management initiative in which all city departments establish operational goals based on extensive data collection and analysis.
• A performance contracting partnership with Siemens Corporation which allowed the City to finance and retrofit municipal buildings with energy efficiency measures, modern heating and cooling systems, and climate controls. The partnership with Siemens Corporation also allowed the City to replace street lights citywide with high-efficiency LED fixtures.
• The installation of one of the largest municipal solar initiatives, adjusted for population, anywhere in the United States. In all, ten major solar projects totaling more than $60 million in privately financed construction are saving City taxpayers nearly $1 million annually.

“Developing the leadership skills of municipal managers is fundamentally about providing better city services,” said Mayor Mitchell. “It is also a prime example of the kind of improvements we have been introducing to city government so that we operate more effectively, more efficiently, and ultimately put ourselves in a position to deliver more for our residents.”

Mitchell added, “I also want to thank our Personnel Director Judi Keating and Katie Gilfeather of AllOne Health who both were instrumental in developing the Leadership Institute.””

“*Note: This video contains graphic imagery and language*

LAKEVILLE — Chief Matthew Perkins reports that the Lakeville Police Department is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that took place early Friday morning, Sept. 29. See the original story here.

The video begins as the Lakeville officer activates his body-worn camera while getting out of his cruiser and commanding the suspect to put down his weapon.

The suspect has been identified as TIMOTHY HLADIK, AGE 45, of LAKEVILLE, and is facing several charges. He was arraigned at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on Monday, Oct. 2.

Lakeville Police Body Cam Footage – Sept. 29, 2023 from John Guilfoil Public Relations on Vimeo.

At approximately 3:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, a Lakeville Police officer was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets. HLADIK allegedly approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a handgun. The officer drew his service weapon, got out of the cruiser and retreated behind his cruiser, and ordered HLADIK to drop the weapon multiple times. HLADIK did not comply.

During the confrontation, an off-duty Massachusetts state trooper was driving by and stopped to render assistance to the officer.

During the exchange, HLADIK repeatedly used threatening language, and then allegedly took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon. At this time, fearing for their safety, both officers fired, striking HLADIK. The officers secured the suspect’s weapon, which was determined to be a replica gun, and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man.

The off-duty trooper was not wearing a body camera.

The police officers were placed on paid administrative leave and the service weapons of the officer and trooper have been taken as part of the investigation, as is standard procedure in any police-involved shooting.

All further inquiries should be directed to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.”-Lakeville Police Department.

“Since the City of New Bedford’s Food Waste Drop-Off Program started in June 2022, nearly two tons of food waste have been collected.

While that is significant, there is a lot more food waste that can be diverted from the landfill.

The City is encouraging more New Bedford residents to participate by giving out free food waste kitchen bins and there is a chance for you to win a $50 Stop & Shop gift card.

New Bedford Recycling Department photo.

“About 20 percent of what residents dispose of is leftovers and food scraps. This program helps by keeping food waste out of the Crapo Hill Landfill, our local trash disposal site,” said Jennifer Vieira, Director of the City of New Bedford Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, “and it gives residents a better option for dealing with food waste than just trashing it.”

Chance to Win $50 Gift Card
From October 9, 2023, to December 15, 2023, New Bedford residents dropping off food waste at the Recycling Center have a chance to win a $50 Stop & Shop gift card! Ten different New Bedford residents who drop off food waste during this ten-week period will be selected to win a gift card. The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District and Stop & Shop will provide the $500 in gift cards. The Recycling Center, at 1103 Shawmut Avenue, is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

New Bedford Recycling Department photo.

Kitchen Bins
One hundred kitchen bins are available to New Bedford residents while supplies last. Each 2-gallon kitchen bin contains a roll of BPI certified compostable bags and informational flyers. Kitchen bins are available at the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, 294 Liberty Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ID required. The kitchen bins and compostable bags were purchased with a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Here’s how to use your kitchen bin:

1. Find a spot for your kitchen bin. If you line it, use a BPI certified compostable bag only. No plastic bags.
2. Fill the kitchen bin with accepted materials (see below for details).
3. Loose food waste is accepted in this drop-off program. You can place food waste directly in your kitchen bin and empty it into a designated food waste cart at the Recycling Center. Wash the kitchen bin.
4. You may place bagged or loose food waste into a larger container, such as a 5-gallon bucket.
5. Make sure your larger container is not too heavy to pick up. Take it to the Recycling Center.

How to Participate in the Drop-Off Program
New Bedford residents can drop off food waste at the City of New Bedford’s Recycling Center at 1103 Shawmut Avenue. The Recycling Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Recycling Center has carts designated for food waste. The carts are emptied by a partnering company, Recycle Works, and brought to an anaerobic digester in Rhode Island.

You can drop off all unpackaged food e.g., fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, breads, grains, baked goods, as well as bones, shells, peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and BPI certified compostable bags.

Unacceptable items include plastic bags, cleaning chemicals, diapers, glass, pet waste, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plates, cups, utensils, recycling, trash, and yard waste.

If you don’t have a kitchen bin you can put food in any container, such as a bowl or bucket. Shake the food waste into a designated food waste cart at the Recycling Center.

For more information, call the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District at (508) 979-1493, or email Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.”

“Yesterday morning at 2:00am, 911 calls were received for a reported large motor home on fire in a driveway at 43 Seymour Street.

On arrival, crews found a large volume of fire extending from a 40’ motor home with an exposed one-story wood frame ranch nearby. Multiple hose line were deployed to extinguish the fire and protect the exposure. The nearby single family residence suffered radiant heat damage.

The cause of the fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be accidental. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. NBEMS along with NBPD provided assistance.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

All photos by the New Bedford Fire Department:

The following is an opinion sent to New Bedford Guide. It does not reflect the opinion of New Bedford Guide, nor is it an OP-ED. In fairness and objectivity, we share opinions from our readers whether we agree or disagree with their opinion.

Do you have a counter opinion to this opinion? Have an opinion about something else? Email us at info@newbedfordguide.com.

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“Kevin McCarthy’s loss of the House speakership came from the ultra right wing minority of the Republican caucus. For many Democrats this represents a just demotion for an incredibly hypocritical politician who has infuriated them with his pandering and enabling of Donald Trump.

It would be far more satisfying if his loss was attributable to centrist Republicans who publicly demonstrated that Trumpism is anathema to democracy, the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. But that possibility is presently a remote pipe dream.

One can surmise that McCarthy’s last major concession to Donald Trump was the commencement of a seemingly bogus impeachment of Joe Biden. That maneuver and his ungracious speech after the Democrats had allied with him to pass the continuing resolution, blaming them for the problem instead of utilizing this opportunity to demonstrate that bipartisanship can be productive, was his undoing.

It is realistic to imagine that but for these two assaults upon the Democrats much of his previous self-serving actions would have been forgiven, if not forgotten, and some Democrats may have voted against the motion to vacate the speakership. This would have assured his remaining as speaker and finally silencing this small group of ultra Trumpists.

Now McCarthy’s quest for power, prestige and and a positive legacy has ended in ignominy by the “sixteenth vote.”-Betty Ussach, Dartmouth.

New Bedford saw an extremely low voter turnout on Tuesday night with only 6.10% of registered voters casting a ballot. 4,018 of a possible 65,876 registered voters in New Bedford decided to make their voice heard.

The area with the lowest voter turnout was ward 2B (a neighborhood in between Brooklawn Park and Riverside Park) where of 1,450 registered voters, only 17 people (1.17%) casted a vote.

The area with the highest voter turnout was ward 5F (a neighborhood near Buttonwood Park) where of 2,056 registered voters, 271 people (13.18%) casted a vote.

Of the 4,018 voters, 2,544 (67.84%) of them voted for Mayor Jon Mitchell. This strongly indicates that voters are happy with the job that he is doing and will re-elect him in the Municipal Election on November 7th.

Mayor Mitchell posted this message on social media following the results,

“I’m grateful for and humbled by the support I received in today’s preliminary election. My commitment remains to get up every morning and do my very best for the residents of New Bedford. Our city has momentum, and we will not skip a beat.”

Here is a recap of the Preliminary election. Everyone listed below advanced to the Municipal Election on November 7th.

Registered Voters: 65,876
Votes: 4,018 (6.10%)

Mayor

• Jon Mitchell: 2,544 votes (67.84%)
• Richard Tyson Moultrie: 357 votes (9.52%)

Ward 5:

• Joseph Lopes: 666 votes (56.25%)
• Zachary Boyer: 377 votes (31.84)

At Large:

• Ian Abreu: 2,067 votes (14.50%)
• Shane Burgo: 1,711 votes (12%)
• Brian Gomes: 1,527 votes (10.71%)
• Linda Morad: 1,447 votes (10.15%)
• Naomi Carney: 1,434 votes (10.06)
• Scott Lima: 1,386 votes (9.72%)
• Devin Byrnes: 1,170 votes (8.21%)
• Bruce Duarte Jr: 873 votes (6.12%)
• Guelmie Santiago: 852 votes (5.98%)
• Carmen Amaral: 845 votes (5.93%)