The public has opportunities to shape policy this week as various Haverhill boards meet. In the interest of transparency in government, WHAV provides this list of upcoming meetings every week.
The condition of Haverhill’s fire stations, particularly its Water Street central station, is the subject of a rare workshop-style conference tomorrow night between Mayor James J. Fiorentini and members of the Haverhill City Council.
A Mayor/Haverhill City Council Conference takes place at 6:30 p.m., in the City Council office, room 204, Haverhill City Hall. The discussion centers on repairs and improvements to the Water Street and other fire stations in the city. Councilors asked for the rare workshop-style session two weeks ago after hearing testimony from the Fire Chief William F. Laliberty chief about “crisis management” he faces at most fire stations.
“Our unmanned stations are in deplorable condition, even worse than the living quarters that we have,” the chief said.
Proposals by the Haverhill Friends of Agriculture request to establish a right-to-farm ordinance and Agricultural Commission are up for discussion tonight as the Citizens Outreach Committee of the Haverhill City Council weighs any pros and cons.
Early last month, Devan Ferreira introduced the Haverhill Friends of Agriculture, asking councilors to take steps to protect farmland being threatened by development. She explained an agricultural commission would work with other communities to obtain guidance, mediate disputes between farms and neighbors and suggest regulatory changes to help farms thrive. With the city working on a new master plan, she said the time is right.
“I think we’re long overdue for this here in Haverhill. We have a lot of active farmland and not so active farmland that is being preserved here,” she said.
Marlene Stasinos of Chris’ Farm Stand also backed right-to-farm bylaws and ordinances that allow agricultural uses as a right.
The Citizens Outreach Committee of the Haverhill City Council meets at 7 p.m., in the City Council office, room 204, Haverhill City Hall.
Other meetings this week.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Masshire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board’s Planning/Career Center Committee meets at 8 a.m., at MakeIt Haverhill, 301 Washington St., Haverhill. The agenda includes updates on the budget and grants and an update on the Career Center.