Haverhill’s new trash and recycling coordinator, Gunther Wellenstein, has taken the reins at the highway yard and recycling center on Primrose Street.
Prior to coming to Haverhill, Wellenstein worked as Lowell’s solid waste and recycling manager. An official at the Lowell District Court confirmed that, while in that role, Wellenstein faced assault and battery charges. The case was continued without a finding—meaning that the prosecution had enough evidence to convict him, but he did not admit guilt. According to the Lowell Sun, Wellenstein allegedly assaulted an off-duty police officer over a trash disposal dispute in May 2010. Wellenstein served the required probation from April-July 2011.
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini introduced Wellenstein to the community this week in a social media post that doubled as an announcement of the city’s new DPW “welcome shed,” that will accept batteries and fluorescent light bulbs.
According to the mayor’s office, the shed was paid for at no expense to the city taxpayer.