The days of limited internet competition in Haverhill are coming to an end. Despite limited progress reports over the last two years, Breezeline says it has taken significant steps toward bringing fiber optic internet, cable and telephone service to Haverhill, offering an alternative to the historically dominant Comcast. With engineering and design work complete, Head of Corporate Communications Andrew Walton said the length of the permitting process—he estimated six months to a year—determines when customers can begin signing up. Connecting Haverhill to a newly-built hub in Plaistow, N.H., requires permits “from multiple parties … for underground work, road [or] highway crossings and more,” Walton explained.
After rerouting stormwater from the sewer system and replacing gas lines under Primrose Street, the city began to repave the stretch of road from Lancaster Street to Ninth Avenue yesterday, with improvements including raised, concrete sidewalks and granite curbs. Mayor Melinda E. Barret said to Haverhill City Councilor’s at last night’s meeting, “We know that Primrose Street was a hot-button issue with all the work going on, both under the surface and on top, and we thought we would make an effort to keep the council and the public a little better informed as to what is going to happen.”
With the project set to be complete by mid-September, Public Works Director Robert E. Ward said residents should expect some street closings and detours this summer. He said the bulk of construction, two to three months of building sidewalks, should not be “too intrusive,” with the road smooth enough for travel and one potential lane closing.
Recently, my wife Rikelma and I welcomed our second son into the world at Holy Family Hospital. It is the second time in a little over two years that we have been awed by the care, enthusiasm and commitment of the nurses, doctors and staff at our community hospital. Much has been written and covered regarding the fiasco caused by Steward Health’s corporate mismanagement (to put it kindly).
Students from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School recently found success at the 50th SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference. SkillsUSA’s State Leadership & Skills Conference, which took place last month in Marlborough, is the largest gathering of Massachusetts’ future skilled workforce and recognizes excellence in career and technical education. The event brought together more than 3,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more.