 |
|
New Bedford is open for business: Mayor announces
permitting overhaul
 New
Bedford, Massachusetts- Mayor Scott W. Lang announced on
June 28th a two-stage initiative to streamline the City
permitting process to make it easily understandable and
accessible for citizens as well as to facilitate
business expansion and recruitment. Mayor Lang is
working with the New Bedford Economic Development
Council and numerous city departments on this
streamlining project.
"This will allow us to simplify a sometimes cumbersome
process that everyone from the average citizen to the
major developer must adhere to in order to build or
relocate. A streamlined process benefits both the city
and developers, saving time and energy for city
employees and for businesses and potential investors in
New Bedford’s economy,” said Mayor Lang.
First, Mayor Scott W. Lang has assembled a “Permitting
Task Force” comprised of a representative from each city
department and board or commission that is regularly
involved in New Bedford’s permit approval process. These
include: City Planning, Inspectional Services, Public
Infrastructure, Fire Department, Health Department,
Office of the City Solicitor, Office of Community
Development and the Economic Development Council. The
task force will work to determine ways of improving the
city’s permitting process, examining other
municipalities to learn of best practices.
Secondly, the Mayor has created “First Stop,” a one-stop
weekly public meeting at which citizens interested in
seeking a permit will receive general guidance from each
department. A simple comprehensive meeting at the
beginning of the permitting process will help alleviate
some of the common misunderstandings that can occur with
any permitting process.
At the weekly “First Stop” meetings, each citizen
seeking a permit will have 20 minutes to present their
project and ask questions of the various city department
representatives regarding the permitting process.
The weekly meetings will commence on July 20, 2007.
Anyone interested in attending a First Stop meeting must
call the City of New Bedford Planning Department at
(508) 979-1488 to schedule a time to present to the
Permitting Task Force.
“I am enthusiastic about these improvements,” said Mayor
Scott W. Lang. “Anything that makes city government more
accessible and transparent to the public is a move in
the right direction.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
