New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020Having an effective, responsive, and efficient government is critical to providing a sound foundation towardsour vision as a vibrant seaport community—one that will be achieved through a strategy that requires strongpartnerships and shared responsibility. We must continue to be vigorous advocates with our federal and statedelegations for the resources needed to achieve our goals by demonstrating clear benefits and measurableresults. We must seek out greater stability and efficiency in the construct of our governmental form as well asgreater sustainable practices in the delivery of our day-to-day services and operations. Finally, we must expandour roster of partnerships throughout the state and nation as we find ways to become more proactively involvedand engaged in the workings of our government.Existing Governmental StructureFederal and State GovernmentThe city is represented at the federal government level by one Congressman from the Massachusetts FourthCongressional District and two U.S. Senators. In 2010, these elected officials include:> Congressman Barney Frank> Senator Scott Brown> Senator John KerryWithin the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, New Bedford is represented by one state senator and four staterepresentatives. The state senator is elected from the Second Bristol and Plymouth Districts, which include thetowns of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Mattapoisett as well as New Bedford. The state representativesare elected from the Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Districts. The Ninth District includes Dartmouthas well as portions of New Bedford, Freetown, and Lakeville. The Thirteenth District includes portions of NewBedford, Freetown, Lakeville, and Middleborough. The Eleventh and Twelfth Districts are entirely within NewBedford. Figure 12.1, provided at the end of this chapter, presents a visual representation of federal and staterepresentative boundaries. In 2010, the city’s federal and state representation includes:> Senator Mark C. Montigny, Second Bristol and Plymouth> Representative Antonio F. D. Cabral, Thirteenth Bristol> Representative Stephen R. Canessa, Twelfth Bristol> Representative Robert M. Koczera, Eleventh Bristol> Representative Christopher Markey, Ninth BristolLocal GovernmentWithin the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “local government” includes incorporated cities and towns. Since1966, the Commonwealth has operated as a “home rule” state, meaning municipalities have a constitutional rightof self-governance and the authority to designate their own form of government. New Bedford operates under aform of government known as Plan B 1 , which consists of a Mayor as the chief executive officer and a City Councilas the legislative body. City departments undertake the day-to-day operations of the city, while boards andcommissions set policy and provide approval for various activities within the city. Under a Plan B form ofgovernment, the Mayor is elected by and from the qualified voters of the city. The Mayor holds office for the termof two years starting the first Monday in January following the election of the Mayor. In 2010, the Mayor of NewBedford is Scott W. Lang.The legislative powers of the City are vested in the City Council. One Council member is elected by the Councilannually as its president. The City Council is composed of 11 members, of whom one is elected from each ofthe six wards by the qualified voters of that ward, and the remaining five members are elected by the qualified1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Massachusetts#Local_governmentGovernance12-2