Finance committee approves interim loans for multiple New Bedford water projects

The New Bedford City Council Committee on Finance voted unanimously Thursday to approve interim loan financing for several Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and MassDEP SRF projects, funding stormwater, wastewater and drinking-water infrastructure across the city.

John Taxiarco, the city treasurer and collector, told the committee the short-term loans are available to the city at 0% interest and that the long-term loans will carry a 2% rate. "The short term loans are available to the city at an interest rate of 0.00%, and the long term loans will be at a rate of 2.00%," Taxiarco said while presenting the loan numbers and amounts to the committee.

The loan package covers multiple previously authorized borrowing orders. Taxiarco read loan numbers and amounts tied to projects included under prior loan orders: CWP2324 and CWP2324A (Buttonwood Brook phase 2 improvements) for $4,158,630 and $671,370; CWA2355AMP (asset management program) not to exceed $111,500; CWP2326 and CWP2326A (Sasququin Pond improvements) for $1,827,308 and $333,450; and portions of DW2246 and DW2478 for Quitticus Water Treatment Plant improvements, including amounts stated as not to exceed $9,100,322, $2,732,666 and a remaining portion of $899,678.

Sean (identified in meeting materials as the city engineer, present for the discussion) described the scope of the projects. On Buttonwood Park, he said the work will replace a dirt parking area with porous pavers, install infiltration meadows, add two pedestrian bridges, repave paths, replace chain-link rail with wood guardrail and install plantings along Kempton Street islands. "The goals of the project are to address flooding and pollution to Buttonwood Park Pond and to Buttonwood Brook," Sean said, adding construction is expected to start in spring and take about 18 months.

On Sasququin Pond, Sean said the project is intended to capture the "first flush" of stormwater — the initial runoff with the highest pollutant load — by diverting that flow into a wetland treatment area. Work includes roughly 2,200 feet of piping (24-inch to 12-inch), box culvert installations, catch-basin upgrades with hoods and deep sumps, and full repaving of impacted streets; construction was expected to start in March and last about a year.

The largest item, Sean said, is Quitticus Water Treatment Plant improvements (DW2246 and DW2478), which include replacement of aging equipment, a new HVAC system and an upgraded SCADA control system. He said that project is roughly 30% complete and anticipated to span roughly two years.

Taxiarco and a staff member identified as Bob answered councilors' questions on interest-rate comparisons. Bob said that, as an AA-minus community, permanent financing in the open market would likely carry a higher true interest cost — "about 3.2 to 3.4 percent" — making the Clean Water Trust terms advantageous. Bob also noted some portions of the clean-water funding may be eligible for forgiveness, though staff said they would confirm eligibility details.

Committee members pressed staff on operational details. Councilor Brian Gomes asked that the islands on Kempton Street remain as traffic-calming features; Sean said the curbing and islands will remain but the concrete centers will be replaced with plantings. Councilor Maria Giesta asked about the number and placement of trash barrels in the park; Sean said he would provide the expected count to the council office so it can be shared with the committee. Councilor Ryan Pereira raised questions about the scope and phasing of the asset-management technology project; Sean said the effort is multi-phase and the current request represents a second round of funding to expand field technology and GIS/work-order capabilities.

After discussion, Councilor Derek Baptiste moved to approve the loan orders as presented; Councilor Maria Giesta seconded. The committee took a roll-call vote and approved the package 10-0. "Passes 10 to 0," the clerk announced after the tally.

The committee directed staff to provide requested supplemental details — including the trash-basket count and confirmation of potential forgiveness eligibility — and to bring documents to the clerk for signatures. No additional committee business was taken up that night.