Haverhill Welcomes Breakfast Exchange Club Donation of Taxi Vouchers for Seniors

A donation to the city from the Breakfast Exchange Club will provide taxi vouchers to keep seniors moving this spring. City councilors last week accepted the organization’s donation of $1,500 to the Haverhill Council on Aging for its “Happy Rides” initiative to provide taxi vouchers for city seniors. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett explained how the donation helps. “The Breakfast Exchange Club has come through again with this $1,500 for Happy Rides, which are critically important to some of our older adults that no longer drive, that need rides to appointments to see their doctors and to get to and from different things they need to attend. This will be well used and very much appreciated by the Council on Aging.”

The Club, founded in 1997, aims to support older adults with basic needs and services such as transportation, food and heating assistance.

Haverhill Officials, Private Partners Aim to Create One-Stop Shop For Education and Career Opportunities

Members of the Haverhill City Council’s Planning and Development Committee aim to create a one-stop shop to match students with career opportunities and internships. Councilor John A. Michitson on Tuesday updated his colleagues about plans drawn during the Jan. 21 Planning and Development Committee. Michitson said the Committee is exploring creating a website and online hub to link existing resources and tools for the community. “Potential features might include matching student needs versus education options, career training options and internship opportunities.

Haverhill Schools Note Dilemma Parents of Special Needs Students Face Over Earning Diploma

Receiving a diploma and graduating from high school may work against a high needs student’s interest. Haverhill School Committee members recently acknowledged a dilemma parents face when a high school diploma actually denies special needs students services to which they are entitled after age 18. School Committee Vice Chair Richard J. Rosa explained post high school programs may better prepare them for adult life. “They can’t get into the 18 to 22 programs, they not going to be able to get into an adult day program if they have a diploma. We know some students with autism, despite getting a diploma, they’re not going to be gainfully employed,” he said.

Haverhill City Councilors Vote 8-3 to Approve Lovers Lane Solar Farm With Conditions

After a number of delays dating back to October, Haverhill city councilors Tuesday approved a special permit with conditions for a solar farm on Lovers Lane. As WHAV reported first in October, December and earlier this month , the project proposed by SPI Solar is to be built on two woodland parcels on the northern side of Lovers Lane. The developer said the project, on what is currently 23 acres of green space near the New Hampshire border, will generate 6.8 megawatts of electricity. Councilors expressed concern about the so-called state Dover Amendment, a law that exempts in some instances certain uses, including solar installations, from municipal zoning ordinances. The law requires exemptions be included only based on public health, safety and welfare and may not unreasonably burden a project, according to City Solicitor Jason R. Talerman.

Haverhill City Clerk to Kick Off 4th Annual Top Dog Contest, Will Award Special Tag and Trophy

The Haverhill City Clerk’s is getting ready to kick off its fourth annual Top Dog contest to encourage timely dog licenses registrations and renewals. “We like to incentive people to register their dogs,” City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright told city councilors Tuesday. Residents who opt to license their dog early between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 and submit a photo of their dog to the City Clerk’s office will be entered into a drawing for dog tag numbers one through three.

Haverhill School Hosts Food Drive to Bolster Food Pantry in Time for February Vacation

Golden Hill School in Haverhill is conducting a food drive through Friday, Feb. 7, to support families in need. “We’re trying to reinvigorate a small food pantry that’s utilized by families as-needed,” School Committee member Mikaela Lalumiere explained during last week’s School Committee meeting. Hygiene and food items are in need throughout the year, but Lalumiere stressed donations this month are aimed at supporting families during school vacation next month. Ongoing collections to support the pantry are also planned.

Signage Proposal for Historic Haverhill Homes Inches Closer to Final Approval

The Haverhill City Council Tuesday sent a request from the city’s Historic Commission to allow uniform signage for historic homes to its Administration and Finance Committee for final review. The proposal, brought forth by Councilor Devan M. Ferreira and members of the Highlands Neighborhood Association would, as WHAV reported Tuesday, implement a citywide historic sign program where homeowners could place signage to denote its historic nature, including the name of the first owner and year built inside a decorative outline. Ferreira, who introduced the program, noted the city may need to explore how to procure signs for homes and whether the city or homeowner would pay for it. “The city’s involvement with this effort is a little unclear. It’s largely being a volunteer, neighborhood-based initiative,” said Community Development Division Director Andrew K. Herlihy, representing the Historic Commission.

Haverhill Administrators Reassure Students Laws Generally Prohibit ICE Raids in Schools

Haverhill school administrators set out last week to reassure students and their families that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents cannot conduct raids within schools. During last Thursday’s School Committee public comment time, Haverhill Student Council President David Martinez raised fear about possible immigration actions. His concerns followed media reports of a Jan. 20 memorandum from Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine C. Huffman rescinding Biden-era “Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas” as well as unverified reports of raids. “I’m super, super concerned about the ongoing ICE raids in Massachusetts and their impacts on students and families,” Martinez said.