New Bedford CivicMeeting.net Weekly

The committee reviewed the legal and operational framework of police surveillance technology following notice that New Bedford's contract with Flock will terminate on November 12. Police Chief Jason Thody submitted recommendations and materials regarding recent court rulings on warrantless location tracking. The discussion impacts local public safety, privacy rights, and the future deployment of automated tracking cameras across city streets.

City officials took up an ordinance submitted by Mayor Jon Mitchell proposing a citywide zoning ban on new data centers. Planning officials warned of intensive water consumption, heavy electricity demands, and excessive ambient noise based on issues faced by other Massachusetts municipalities. The measure aims to halt data center development while the city evaluates long-term environmental and infrastructure impacts.

Councillors initiated steps toward a state home rule petition to allow the city to publish legal notices primarily on the city website, in public libraries, and at the clerk's office rather than in print newspapers. Legal advertising has already cost the City Council over $15,000 this year, prompting officials to seek modernization to curb municipal spending. If approved by the state legislature, the change would alter how residents access official public notices while cutting taxpayer costs.