Would Haverhill residents be better served by having city councilors representing specific neighborhoods?
Haverhill City Council President John A. Michitson is requesting a presentation tonight by speaker Dan McGraw on prospective “changes to the city charter with respect to the election of city councilors and ward representation.” All nine councilors are currently elected to citywide, or “at-large” seats. In communities such as Methuen and Lawrence, for example, a majority of members are elected by district, with up to three at-large representatives.
McGraw is host of a politically oriented, local cable television program, “Perspectives.”
Also on the agenda, the Haverhill City Council tonight will revisit a city request to accept Bonin Drive as a public way.
A council vote scheduled for last week’s regular meeting was postponed at the request of councilor Michael S. McGonagle, to hear from City Engineer John H Pettis III, who was unable to attend. McGonagle said he wanted Pettis to give more details and “just make me feel more comfortable about the condition of that road” in the Pilgrim Road neighborhood. The subdivision there was long-completed, but a request for acceptance was not forwarded by Pettis until last month. It has the support of Economic Development and Planning Director William Pillsbury as well as the Haverhill Planning Board.
The Haverhill city council meets at 7 p.m., tonight, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.
John Mitchinson: What are you up to? Why invite a ‘talk show host’ to talk about different forms of government? What’s the real meaning of this presentation? Sounds like a waste of time dog and pony show ….