Haverhill’s Conservation Commission this month voted to grant a 25-acre parcel of land on the city’s West Lowell Avenue a conservation restriction—prohibiting construction on the property—and as those involved with the project await final approval from Mayor James J. Fiorentini, neighbors tell WHAV preserving the land is the right move.
During an appearance on WHAV’s Open Mic Show, Team Haverhill’s Liza Marzilli and her husband Jeff Grassie—on the air to promote March 11 “Possible Dreams” event—said they welcome the idea as neighbors and farming advocates. The couple, who organizes the city’s Farmers Market annually, have lived in the rural area near 996 West Lowell Ave., bordering Methuen, for 17 years, Marzilli said. They say the farmland adds to the community’s charm.
“There’s been development around us. You can definitely start to see the open space decreasing. That, and we run the Farmers Market and want to keep our farms in Haverhill. We feel they’re a vital part of our community. It’s a great place to live and we’re very excited to conserve that space.”
As WHAV previously reported, the Essex County Greenbelt Association—acting on behalf of Barbara A. DiSalvo and Janice D. Anton of The Anton Haverhill Realty Trust—backed the Commission’s decision to recommend Fiorentini agree to the deal, which would grant the Anton Trust a sizable tax credit.
The deal is not finalized until Fiorentini approves and the City Council considers the request. A decision is expected this week.
A similar agreement was reached in 2012 when the Bailey family worked with the Greenbelt land trust nonprofit to protect 60 acres of farmland on Kingsbury Avenue in the city’s Bradford section.