(Additional photographs below.)
The dedication Saturday morning of a new, 15,000-pound, four-tier granite fountain brought not only a celebration, but recognition of a vast array of individuals and groups that give their all in support of Haverhill.
The fountain, a realization of Gale Park neighbors’ dream to restore the rich elegance of the park that more than a century ago sported the cast iron Carleton Fountain, brought praise and thanks. City Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan served as master of ceremonies and, with the bubbling of the new fountain heard in the background, spelled out the significance of the occasion.
“The Gale Park Neighbors have dedicated the fountain to Haverhill’s first responders, educators, essential workers and volunteers who make our community a better place to live,” he said.
Mayor James J. Fiorentini gave the inside baseball version of how half of the $200,000 cost of the fountain and restoration of the various war memorials at the park, was paid.
“The Senate president allocates money to the various senators and says ‘you can use it for whatever you want’—your earmarks—and the same thing in the House. The speaker of the House allocates to the representatives. Our representatives and senators have stepped up to the plate to give the money that made this park happen,” Fiorentini explained.
The mayor noted that both Sen. Barry R. Finegold and Rep. Andy X. Vargas both brought in state money over two budget sessions. Finegold acknowledged consulting with the mayor and neighbors.
“When I see the greatness that all of you are doing and what you put forth, that is why we do what we do. I would just like to leave with a quote from Winston Churchill and it goes like this, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,’ and this is about giving and this is about making the city better,” he said.
Vargas likewise referenced the city’s team approach.
“We set an example here in Haverhill. We don’t have to agree on everything. When it comes to getting projects done, we do go all-hands-on-deck between our elected officials, our citizens and the neighbors that made this possible. Thank you to the neighbors that harassed us really to make sure that we got the funding,” he said.
Fingeold’s reference to life and Vargas’ message about creating change, along with the symbolism of the fountain’s four tiers, were not lost on Veterans Service Director Jeffrey C. Hollett. He observed the levels of the fountain represent, from the top, life, truth, change and purity.
Finegold read a congratulatory proclamation directed to the dedication of Gale Park Fountain Committee members Kathy Bresnahan, Joan Cranton, Lisa DeMeo, Kathy Fitts, Betsey Natale, Dan and Mary Robertson and Kristine Sheehan.
Sullivan credited Dan Robertson as serving as a volunteer clerk of the works, while Robertson singled out neighbors Kathy Fitts for her “determination and persistence” shepherding the project and Joan Cranton for the initial vision of a new fountain. Robertson also related the story of three older veterans who walking around the World War I memorial after visiting the Vietnam Veterans memorial down the street.
“They seemed so happy and impressed that we were restoring and improving the park. They said ‘Thank you’ to me. I said, ‘No, no. Thank you. We’re doing this for you and your service—you, you, you—all of you here who help out the city of Haverhill,” he said.
Haverhill Police Chief Robert P. Pistone. Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr., Haverhill Police Honor Guard, Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien and firefighters were among first responders participating in the dedication.
Robertson said the current round of park efforts began in 1997 when neighbors Cranton, Claire Linnehan and Joan Dill set a goal of beautifying Gale Park. They cleaned the park, added trees and launched a Christmas lighting tradition. Besides the fountain, the current round brought the cleaning of the World War I memorial and the plaque on the Spanish-American monument so names can now be read, added small patio in front of woman’s veterans’ memorial and made electrical upgrades. He thanked volunteer electricians Don Miller, Ken Artz and Ryan Miller, associated with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103.
Other public officials attending were City Council President Timothy J. Jordan, City Council Vice President John A. Michitson and City Councilors Joseph J. Bevilacqua, Melinda E. Barrett, Melissa J. Lewandowski, Catherine P. Rogers and Shaun P. Toohey.
The Gale Park Association’s next event takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving with a tree lighting ceremony.
Neighbor Dan Robertson, credited with being the volunteer clerk of the works during the gale Park project. (WHAV News photograph.)
Original James Hazen Carleton fountain at the site before 1913. (Courtesy of the Trustees of the Haverhill Public Library, Special Collections Department.)