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New Bedford
New Bedford news from South Coast 360, built from the city's posted agendas, minutes and notices.
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Latest from New Bedford
Status as of Oct. 4. We recheck the sources before each update.
Listings from official town pages, checked by our desk. Each one links to its source.
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New Bedford School Committee Governance and Policy subcommittee next meets Monday, Oct. 19
The Sept. 21 subcommittee agenda lists Oct. 19 as the next regularly scheduled meeting. Time and room for Oct. 19 are not stated; the September meeting was at 5:30 p.m. in Room 224 of the Paul Rodrigues Administration Building, 455 County St.
Southeastern Massachusetts transportation planning board (SMMPO) meets online Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.
The regional metropolitan planning organization meets by Zoom Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 1 to 2 p.m., according to SRPEDD's calendar. The agenda was not posted on the event page.
New Bedford School Committee Academic Achievement subcommittee next meets Monday, Oct. 26
The Sept. 28 agenda names Monday, Oct. 26 as the next scheduled meeting. Time and place for Oct. 26 are not stated; the Sept. 28 meeting was at 5 p.m. in the Steven DeRossi Community Room at Keith Middle School.
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New Bedford School Committee Finance and Operations subcommittee next meets Monday, Nov. 2
The Sept. 29 agenda lists Monday, Nov. 2 as the next regular meeting. Time and room for Nov. 2 are not stated; the Sept. 29 meeting was at 4 p.m. in Room 224, Paul Rodrigues Administration Building, 455 County St.
MassDOT virtual public meeting on I-195/Route 18 project Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.
MassDOT will hold a live virtual public information meeting on Zoom about the New Bedford I-195/Route 18 interchange rehabilitation, Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.
Route I-195 to Route 18 interchange rehabilitation in New Bedford, Mass.gov
New Bedford School Committee meets Monday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. at Keith Middle School
The 2026-27 meeting calendar lists the next regular meeting Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Steven DeRossi Community Room, Keith Middle School, 225 Hathaway Blvd. Broadcast on New Bedford Cable Access Channel 9.
From the districtSchool Committee Regular Agenda, October 5, 2026 (PDF)
New Bedford School Committee calendar lists a Dec. 14 meeting, 6 p.m., at Keith Middle School
The approved 2026-27 calendar lists the regular meeting after the Nov. 9 meeting as Monday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Steven DeRossi Community Room, Keith Middle School, 225 Hathaway Blvd. Meetings are broadcast on New Bedford Cable Access Channel 9.
Elections
Election details: check the city clerk's page.
Notices
New Bedford Creative grant applications for 2027 due 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20
A calendar listing says New Bedford Creative is taking applications for its 2027 grants for artists, nonprofits, community groups and small businesses. The Art is Everywhere and Wicked Cool Places programs fund $3,000 to $10,000 for general grants. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 20.
SRTA: weekend buses Nov. 11; no fixed-route buses Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, SRTA runs weekend service. On Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) and Friday, Dec. 25 it will run demand response only and no fixed routes.
Regional planners seek members for a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; apply by Nov. 16
SRPEDD, the regional planning agency, is taking applications through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 16 for a new regional committee on walking and biking. Applicants from its 27 communities, including New Bedford, can apply; no transportation planning experience is required.
SRPEDD Seeking Applicants for New Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
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State Street closed around the clock between Cedar Grove and Penniman streets
The MassDOT look-ahead for Oct. 4 to 18 lists State Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street as closed to drivers and pedestrians at all hours.
Traffic and construction updates, I-195 to Route 18 interchange rehabilitation, Mass.gov
I-195/Route 18 work: overnight and daytime closures on local streets Oct. 4 to 18
MassDOT's look-ahead for Oct. 4 to 18 lists utility work and I-195 westbound construction, with closures on streets including Cedar Grove, County, Purchase, North Front and Belleville, plus overnight closures of Route 18 northbound and southbound (7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.). Exact hours differ by street; the page lists each.
Traffic and construction updates, I-195 to Route 18 interchange rehabilitation, Mass.gov
New Bedford yard waste pickup is the day after trash day through the week of Dec. 7
A calendar listing says a new yard waste schedule runs from September through December 2026. Pickup is the day after each household's trash day, and Friday routes are collected the following Monday. Set material out by 7 a.m. in paper bags or barrels; plastic bags are not allowed. The final collection week begins Monday, Dec. 7.
New Bedford Yard Waste collection schedule, The New Bedford Light calendar
Schools
New Bedford students have no school Tuesday, Nov. 3 (staff PD day)
Nov. 3, Election Day, is a staff professional development day with no school for students.
From the districtSchool Calendars, New Bedford Public Schools
Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech has no school Tuesday, Nov. 3 (teacher professional development)
Nov. 3 is a teacher professional development day with no school for students, according to the school's calendars.
From the districtGNBVT 2026-2027 school calendar for families (PDF)
New Bedford schools closed Wednesday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day
Nov. 11 is a district holiday; no school.
From the districtSchool Calendars, New Bedford Public Schools
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Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech closed Nov. 11; early release Nov. 25; closed Nov. 26 and 27
Veterans Day (observed) on Wednesday, Nov. 11 is a no-school day. The family calendar lists Wednesday, Nov. 25 as an early release day, and Thanksgiving recess covers Nov. 26 and 27.
Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech open house set for Sunday, Nov. 22
The school's calendars list an Open House on Sunday, Nov. 22. Time is not stated. Friday, Dec. 4 is a day off for students because of the open house.
New Bedford schools closed Nov. 25 to 27 for Thanksgiving
The district calendar lists Nov. 25, 26 and 27 as holidays, so the break starts Wednesday.
From the districtSchool Calendars, New Bedford Public Schools
New Bedford schools: early release Wednesday, Dec. 9 for parent-teacher conferences
The district calendar lists Dec. 9 as an early release day for students in all grades for parent and caretaker and teacher conferences.
Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech starts 1 hour late on Wednesdays Oct. 14, 21 and 28
Students start one hour late on four October Wednesdays (Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28) for staff professional development, per the school's calendar and a notice posted Oct. 5. Oct. 7 has passed.
From the districtGreater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School home page
Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech Spirit Week and homecoming run Oct. 13 to 16
The school's Spirit Week has a theme each day from Tuesday, Oct. 13 through Friday, Oct. 16, and the homecoming dance theme is Enchanted Garden. The posts do not give a dance date or time.
New Bedford school day: elementary 8:25 a.m. to 2:25 p.m., middle 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The 2026-27 district calendar lists elementary hours of 8:25 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. (doors open 8:15), middle schools Keith, Normandin and Roosevelt 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and New Bedford High 7:50 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Pulaski runs 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Parker 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
What we are watching
I-195 Ramps C and D in New Bedford stay closed until summer 2027, MassDOT says
MassDOT says the I-195 westbound Exit 26 to Route 18 southbound ramp and the Route 18 on-ramp to I-195 westbound closed Sept. 8, 2025 and will stay closed until summer 2027. Detours are in place for trucks and large vehicles; personal vehicles use local roads.
Traffic and construction updates, I-195 to Route 18 interchange rehabilitation, Mass.gov
How we read New Bedford
New Bedford is in Bristol County. Its top elected body is the City Council.
We start with what the city posts: agendas, minutes, notices and budgets. Each story names the document it came from. If you know of a document we should read, send it with the town selected.