For the first time in at least many years, the Haverhill Fire Department is enjoying the beginnings of a surge in new recruits—both to replace retiring firefighters and fill 16 new federally funded positions. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien late Thursday afternoon presided over the swearing in of two new recruits and three others being promoted. Assistant City Clerk Rose Leonard-Flynn administered the oath to officers Capt. Thomas Helps and Lts. Evan Kelleher and Robert Miles and Firefighters Paxton Lee and Nicholas O’Neil who graduate today from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
Haverhill is receiving millions of dollars in state financing help for its sewer projects this year, while Groveland will be receiving state help upgrading its well water treatment. Haverhill Public Works Director Robert E. Ward told WHAV most of the help comes in the form of low-interest rate financing—previously around 1.5% on a 20-year loan, but there is also a small amount of loan forgiveness granted to communities. “It is still a low-interest loan, but there is a little bit of forgiveness.
A 41-year-old Haverhill man was arrested and charged Thursday in connection with a Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim he filed in 2020 for a man who was living in Brazil and who has since been charged with migrant smuggling, among other offenses. Julio Roncaly Morais was charged by complaint with mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. He was arrested Thursday morning and was scheduled to appear in U.S, District Court in the afternoon.
Tickets are now available for the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s 26th annual Winning Opportunities for Women conference next month. Speakers include Amber Farley, educator, consultant and thought leader and partner and executive vice president of brand development at FMS; Michelle Saunders, a certified trainer involved with the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance assessment, which is a global professional personality development program; and Ilhianna Rojas of BeLIVE Coaching and Consulting. Farley speaks to “10 Myths Debunked: How to Inspire, Empower and Get Things Done;” while Saunders addresses “The Guiding Force of Self Awareness” and Rojas offers tips on how to “Cultivate Your Legacy Story.”
Early bird admission of $189 per person is available until Friday, April 5, and $209 thereafter, and ticket may be purchased online here.