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 Planning Board holds public hearings Wednesday on two proposals that require special permits.
Jony N. Perez, chief executive officer of Davinci Mini Apartments, is requesting the permit to convert the vacant four-story building at 121 Merrimack St. into a first-floor daycare center for 56 children and six one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments on the upper three floors.
The building, at the corner of Merrimack and How Streets, recently housed the dental practice of Dr. Abol M. Tehrani and was sold a year ago for $875,000, according to the Southern Essex Registry of Deeds. For many years, the property was owned by New England Electric System before it was purchased and used as an art store by the late Natalie Paul.
When the Haverhill City Council first considered the project last March 23, Haverhill City Planner Jacki Byerley pointed out several concerns raised by city departments. Among them is a request from Haverhill Police Lt. Kevin Lynch that Perez provide a traffic management plan that takes into consideration traffic flows, particularly during morning and afternoon drop-offs; staff parking; and contingency measures should congestion occur.
Perez established Davinci Child Center in 2005 and currently operates two programs in Lawrence.
The second project is for a request for a permit to construct two single-family units and six duplex units at 931 Boston Road on land owned by Cedardale. The developer, Pentucket North Development, is requesting a change in the city’s zoning ordinance to allow a planned unit development in a commercial highway zone.
The board is also scheduled to continue its public hearing on a request from Haverhill Stem to amend city ordinances to allow a cannabis social consumption lounge above its retail store at 124 Washington St. However, the applicant has withdrawn its petition to allow the company to address concerns raised by city lawyers Lisa L. Mead and Elizabeth Lydon. In a May 25 letter to Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, they pointed out the city’s Board of Health does not allow smoking in public, which includes a prohibition on cannabis as well as tobacco products.
The Planning Board meets Wednesday, July 8, at 7 p.m., in the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St., Haverhill.
Tuesday, July 7
The Haverhill City Council’s Planning and Development Committee will take up the issue of where to site so-called battery energy farms when it meets Tuesday, July 7, at 6 p.m., in the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St., Haverhill. When the full City Council took up the matter at its May 19 meeting, Mead explained the city is legally required to provide a zoning area where the energy storage could be located. Mead suggested the old Dutton Airport property off Route 110 near Northern Essex Community College. It was previously considered for a new industrial park until it was found to be a protected wetland habitat for the endangered Blanding’s turtles. Mead explained the city could use such a zone to meet its obligation to consider such industries, but still have recourse should it choose to deny proposals.
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.
Those interested in joining remotely are advised use Google Meet.
Wednesday, July 8
The Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School’s Regional Agreement Amendment Committee meets Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m., to continue its discussion of changes to the operating compact for the school. The meeting will be at Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliot St., Haverhill.
Thursday, July 9
The Albert B. Consentino School Building Committee meets Thursday, July 9, from 9-10:30 a.m. for a project update. The ribbon cutting for the new $151 million school, 685 Washington St., Haverhill, was held last month. The meeting will be on Google Meet.
The Haverhill School Committee is meeting remotely Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m., to approve bills. The agenda and meeting link was not available in time for this story.