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Haverhill

Proposed Ward Hill Area Retail Marijuana Store Plans Remote Community Outreach June 1

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What could be Haverhill’s fifth adult-use marijuana store—proposed for 1181 Boston Road in Ward Hill—goes before the public next Monday night. The developers of what would be called “Frosty Nug” plan a required community outreach meeting June 1 at 6 p.m. Unlike others who pitched proposals before the current health pandemic, the hearing will take place online. The Boston Road site has been used for many years as a used car dealership. This is the first step in the process and no approvals will be requested or granted at the meeting. The company must obtain a special permit from the Haverhill City Council, a host agreement from Mayor James J. Fiorentini and permission from the state Cannabis Control Commission before it may begin operating.

Haverhill

Haverhill Mayor: Worst-Case Budget Cuts ‘Absolutely, Positively Devastating’

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The Haverhill City Council and Mayor James J. Fiorentini agreed on one thing at a conference held last night to discuss the upcoming city budget. It is going to be a tough one. The mayor began the discussion by acknowledging everything is still a guess at this point, but he believes revenue drops will likely be substantial because the state is predicting a huge decrease in its revenue income. “The state had a budget estimate that the best budget experts estimated at $4 billion and they’re now up to $6 billion. There is no way the state can get by without cutting things, including local aid.

Education

UMass Lowell Biology Major from Haverhill Receives Chancellor’s Medal for Community Service

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A UMass Lowell biology major from Haverhill is one of 15 recipients of the university’s Chancellor’s Medals for Community Service, Student Service and Diversity and Inclusion. Dorothy Nankanja is one of six graduating seniors to receive a community service medal and will be highlighted during a virtual commencement Friday at 5 p.m. Other recipients of the Chancellor’s Medal for Community Service are Michael Johnston of Dracut, master’s in mechanical engineering; Oritsegbemi Mene Ejegi of Lowell, master’s in public health; Andrea Patino Galindo of Chelmsford, business administration major; Nicole Haas of Nashua, N.H., master’s in public health; and Samuel Munnelly of Litchfield, N.H., mechanical engineering major. A local winner of the Chancellor’s Medal for Student Service is Kellsie Howard of Georgetown, a business administration major in the university’s Manning School of Business. “UMass Lowell provided me with a lot of mentors and gave me a really great platform to land co-op positions and other opportunities,” said Howard. She responded in kind, founding and serving as president of the Manning Women in Business, a student club that offers participants networking, internship and job opportunities.

Haverhill

Haverhill’s Tom Bergeron Among Those Appearing in Livestream to Support Amazon COVID-19 Fund

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One of Haverhill’s favorite sons, Tom Bergeron, is among those appearing tomorrow night in a livestream video to promote the Amazon Emergency Fund, launched last month to respond to the urgent needs of indigenous peoples of the Amazon threatened by COVID-19. The two-hour event, “Artists United for Amazonia: Protecting the Protectors” airs from 8-10:30 p.m., Eastern time. It is hosted by activist, actress and “Game of Thrones” and “Avatar” sequel co-star Oona Chaplin. Others appearing are Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, Morgan Freeman, Carlos Santana, Jane Goodall, Jeff Bridges, Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock, Cara Delevingne, Brazilian Grammy winners Ivan Lins and Luciana Souza. Spokeswoman Julia Jaye Posin told WHAV Bergeron will “express his advocacy for the Amazon Rainforest.” Bergeron, host of ABC’s popular “Dancing with the Stars” launched his career at WHAV in 1972.

Haverhill

Haverhill Mayor and City Council Try to Forecast Income and Expenses at Budget Workshop Tonight

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How much money will Haverhill bring in during the upcoming budget year and how much can it afford to spend? These are the questions before Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini and members of the Haverhill City Council tonight when they have a special workshop. Last Tuesday, Fiorentini told councilors answers are elusive—especially as they relate to education. He explained the state is suffering a staggering drop in tax revenues due to COVID-19-related business closures. “The big unknown is state aid—particularly Chapter 70—which makes up a large portion of our budget.

Education

Superintendent, Nurse, Union Head Plan Panel Discussion Wednesday on School Reopening

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Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta is among those participating in an online panel discussion Wednesday night on challenges surrounding the reopening of schools this summer and fall. Topics include whether and how to safely reopen schools and options for remote and blended learning alternatives. Sponsored by the Haverhill Education Coalition, Marotta is joined by school Director of Health and Nursing Katie Vozeolas and Haverhill Education Association President Anthony Parolisi. The video panel begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, on the Haverhill Education Coalition’s Facebook page. Questions may also be submitted through Facebook.

Haverhill

I-495 North Bridge Construction Calls for Overnight Lane and Ramp Closures This Week

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Installation of steel beams at the new I-495 northbound bridge over the Merrimack River means overnight lane and ramp closures through early Friday morning. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation plans double right lane closures on I-495 north between exits 49 and 50 in Haverhill, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., each night through Friday morning. Besides the lane closures, there will be “rolling roadblocks” between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., to safely deliver beams into the work zone and ramp closures. State Police will manage the roadblocks to control traffic for short periods of time. The exit 48 Ward Hill ramp onto I-495 North is scheduled to be closed each night from 8 p.m. through 5 a.m.

The schedule is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.