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(Additional photograph below.)
Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett introduces Haverhill Police Capt. Meaghan Paré as the city’s acting deputy police chief when the Haverhill City Council meets Tuesday.
Paré is filling in for Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr., whom Barrett placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 10 while a department review is underway. It is not the first time Paré has held the position on an interim basis. As WHAV reported at the time, Barrett appointed Paré as interim deputy police chief last January while Doherty took part in the FBI National Academy for 10 weeks at FBI headquarters in Quantico, Va.
Paré is “the first woman to rise through the ranks of the police department to become captain and now she is the first woman to serve as deputy chief,” the police department said in a statement then.
She was promoted to captain in 2021 during a ceremony in City Hall auditorium where she thanked her fellow officers.
“To the men and women, I’m humbled and honored to work alongside you every day. I look forward to this role and working with you,” she said.
Then-Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro said “She has fantastic compassion and empathy for employees which is so important today in this job with all of the stresses we are under as police officers. She is a great role model for others to follow.”
As WHAV also reported earlier this month, Barrett launched an independent investigation into police operations after the Haverhill Police Patrolmen’s Association and the Haverhill Superior and Executive Officers Union raised questions about the management of the department. Questions surfaced in the wake of the death of Frances P. Gigliotti II while in police custody and the untimely death of Officer Katelyn M. Tully.
Haverhill Police Department’s newest K-9 officer, Rex. (Courtesy photograph.)
Barrett will also introduce the department’s newest K-9 officer, Rex, and the dog’s handler, Officer Justin Graham. She will also ask the City Council to set up a fund for the receipts of gifts for the care of the new pup.
Shortening the winter parking ban by four weeks will also be discussed at the request of Ward 6 Councilor Michael S. McGonagle. McGonagle will report on the results of the council’s Public Safety Subcommittee, which met Wednesday, Oct. 22. Among the recommendations is pushing back the start of the seasonal ban to Dec. 15 and ending it March 15. The current ban runs Dec. 1 to March 31.
Barrett will recommend the Council appoint Jane McDade, 48 Haley Road, to a three-year term on Haverhill’s Commission on Disability Issues. In her application McDade said she holds a degree in special education from Boston College.
The mayor is also proposing councilors establish a fund for gifts to maintain and landscape Winnekenni park and castle, 347 Kenoza Ave.
Councilors will hold a public hearing on an application from Richard P. Early Jr. to raze a non-conforming auto repair shop at 47 Railroad St. and replace it with a four-unit townhouse.
Daniel Plourde, chairman of the Haverhill Santa Parade, is requesting an event permit to hold the annual holiday extravaganza Sunday, Nov. 23, from noon to 5 p.m.
And Cynthia Dauksewicz is requesting an event permit to hold a holiday wreath workshop Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rocks Village Hand Tub House, 1 River Road, Haverhill.
The Haverhill City Council meets Tuesday night at 7 p.m., remotely and in-person at the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers, room 202, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St. As a public service, 97.9 WHAV plans to carry the meeting live.
Haverhill Police Capt. Meaghan Paré is sworn in 2021 by then-City Clerk Linda L. Koutoulas while the-Mayor james J. Fiorentini (partially obscured) ,Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro and Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty look on. (WHAV News file photograph.)