Two public hearings on special permit requests, one for a bed-and-breakfast and one to allow a real estate office in an apartment complex come before city councilors Tuesday night.
Maryam Salehi is requested councilors to approve conversion of a vacant Victorian home she owns at 421 E. Broadway into a four-unit bed-and-breakfast and small events venue. The project prompted controversy on her street as some neighbors provided letters in support and others submitted a petition to stop it. Among those favoring the project is Haverhill City Planning Director Jacki Byerley, who told the Council in a letter the project fits within the city’s zoning even though Salehi does not plan to live on the premises. Salehi lives next door and her attorney said she would agree to a condition the special permit becomes void if either property is sold. Those opposed cite traffic concerns and the potential disruption to the rural neighborhood.
A petition from Procopio Company, owner of The Beck apartment complex, 39 Railroad Ave., asks councilors to allow it to lease 6,500 square feet of office space for a real estate firm in a first-floor unit designated for retail or a restaurant. In a letter of explanation, Methuen attorney Michael J. Migliori, told the Council that despite an aggressive marketing effort, his client has not been able to lease the space for over a year. As previously reported by WHAV, Haverhill’s Coldwell Banker Realty office, now at 40 Kenoza Ave., has expressed interest in moving to The Beck.
Barrett and Haverhill Police Chief Wayne J. Tracy plan to present commendations to several first responders for outstanding performance.
Eleven Haverhill police officers, a Merrimac police officer, four Haverhill Firefighters and two emergency medical technicians will be honored for their participation in locating a lost person during a search and rescue mission May 22 and 23.
Those being recognized are Detective Timothy Campbell, Sgt. Glenn Fogarty, Sgt. Michael Mills, K-9 Officer Justin Graham; Officers Domenic Buccini, Kristopher Buck, Michael Connolly, Tomanik Falcon, Elias Mejia, Rafael Nunez and Erick-Marte Riveras from the Haverhill Police Department; Merrimac Police Officer William David; Haverhill Fire Lt. Jon Stronach, Pvt. Hunter Hassam, Pvt. Andre Martinez, Pvt. Matt Monigle; and EMTs Andrew Schaefer and Sarah Spurr.
Members of the Haverhill Police Department’s Narcotics and Gang Units are up for commendations as well as five other officers for “their outstanding performance, professionalism and unwavering commitment to public safety” They are Detectives Joshua Boisvert, Dana Burrill, Timothy Campbell and David Steed and Sgt. Glenn Fogarty.
Vice President John A. Michitson plans to announce his Planning and Development Committee meets Tuesday, July 7, to take up the issue of where to establish a battery energy storage farm zoning overlay district.
State law requires communities to designate areas where the large electricity storage facilities could be located. The farms, which look like rows of metal shipping containers filled with batteries, are used as backup energy during peak demand periods. They can store electricity from solar and wind installations, for example. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St., Haverhill.
When the Council discussed options at its May 19 meeting, City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead suggested the former Dutton Airport off Route110 near Northern Essex Community College, which also happens to be a certified wildlife habitat for the endangered Blanding’s turtle. Mead explained the city could use such a zone to meet its legal obligation, but still have recourse should it choose to deny proposals.
Councilors will be asked to approve a five-year lease renewal agreement with the Archdiocese of Boston for the use of the former St. James School, 415 Primrose St. The building now houses Haverhill Public School’s Gateway Academy. Currently, the city pays $377,265 a year. The new lease would increase to $386,696 on July 1 with annual hikes to $426,840 in the final year.
Veterans Services Director Jeffrey C. Hollett is asking the Council to establish a veterans assistance fund and give him permission to solicit donations in the city’s tax and excise bills. City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright Esposito is requesting an increase in the price of the city’s street listing book of residents from the current $45 to $100 as the cost of printing the booklet has increased to $94.50. She also asks to add $5 to cover postage.
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.