NB officials pay hike vetoed

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) – New Bedford’s Mayor Jon Mitchell vetoed the City Council’s 44 percent pay increase on Thursday five minutes before the raise would have been passed into law.

It has been more than a dozen years since the New Bedford City Council has gotten a raise.

The City Council voted to increase salaries from nearly 15 thousand dollars a year to 21 thousand dollars to match that of comparable positions.

The Mayor issued a letter saying "Citizens need to have confidence that their contributions in form of tax dollars are respected. ”

The Council president tells Eyewitness News that the Mayor was on board and reneged on a mutual agreement at the last minute.

The Mayor says, he still supports a fair increase, he just wants the cost of living adjustment removed and for the public to have more of a say.

However, the Council has the power to override the Mayor’s veto and still receive their raises.

Whether the Council decides to override the Mayor remains to be seen.