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 on air and online.
The Haverhill Conservation Commission plans to discuss an emergency certification of the city’s plans to demolish the fire-ravaged Stevens Street mill when it meets Thursday night.
Fire ripped through the mill just outside Lafayette Square on the early hours of Tuesday, April 28. The Haverhill City Council authorized Mayor Melinda E. Barrett to spend up to $5 million to take down the mill because of public safety concerns. NorthStar Contracting Group bid $3.98 million to demolish the abandoned mill.
Commissioners also discuss plans to add a golf clubhouse, cart barn and paved parking lot at the Crystal Lake Golf Club, 890 N. Broadway and upgrades to the Clement Farm disc golf course and softball fields at 1314 Main St.
The Haverhill Conservation Commission meets Thursday, May 21, at 7:15 p.m., in room 301, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St.
The Haverhill Zoning Board of Appeals will continue its public hearing on an application from Medford-base Momentum Wellness for a special permit to operate a medical office at the former Riverside Cycle bicycle dealership at the corner of James P. Ginty Boulevard and Mill Street. The applicant seeks a reduction in parking requirements for the outpatient clinic that would provide mental health and behavioral health care. The property is located in a Residential Urban Density zone.
The board will also consider a variance application from Essex County Habitat for Humanity for relief from lot area requirements, side yard setbacks and the distance between building for its property at 512 Washington St. As WHAV previously reported, Habitat bought the single-family Victorian home last year for $650,000 and plans to renovate it to accommodate three affordable housing units along with the construction of two duplexes on the property. The homes would be sold in a lottery. Habitat is also required to apply for a special permit from Haverhill City Council.
Members will also consider a variance application from Philip Rice to convert a single-story commercial building at 125 River St. into a three-story, three-unit residential building. Rice is requesting relief from lot size, frontage and side setback requirements.
The Appeals Board meets Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. in the Theodore A. Pelosi Council Chambers, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St.
Tuesday, May 19
The Haverhill School Committee’s Subcommittee for School Nurses Negotiations holds a closed-door strategy session with its legal counsel Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m., in room 206, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St.
The Haverhill School Committee’s Subcommittee for Security Specialists Unit Negotiations will also meet in a closed-door strategy session with its legal council Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m., in room 206, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St.
Wednesday, May 20
The Haverhill Board of Assessors holds its regular weekly meeting Wednesday, May 20, at 10 a.m. in room 115, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St. Routine business is on the agenda.
An update on plans for next month’s Multicultural Festival will be heard by the Haverhill Cultural Council when it meets Wednesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m., at the Haverhill Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. The Multicultural Festival Committee itself will meet at 7 p.m. to discuss details. This year’s celebration of diversity is Saturday, June 13, from noon to 6 p.m., at GAR Park on Main St., Haverhill.
Thursday, May 21
The Haverhill Public Library’s Board of Trustees gets an update on the impending $17 million renovation of the library from fundraising consultant Cecily Craighill Davis when it meets Thursday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m. in the Whittier Board Room of the library, 99 Main St.
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission meets in a hybrid session for its monthly meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 11 a.m. The in-person session will be held at the commission’s offices at 160 Main St. The link to join virtually is on Zoom.