Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Call for Keeping iHub, New Management to Replace UMass Lowell

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Haverhill’s elected officials are calling for the continuation of the downtown business incubator, operated by UMass Lowell, with new management. Councilor John A. Michitson said Tuesday the Innovation Hub, now scheduled to close at the end of the year, is critical for Haverhill’s future. “UMass Lowell and the iHub cannot leave. UMass Lowell’s commitment to helping Haverhill with workforce development, innovation and economic development isn’t completed. In fact, we need it more than ever,” he said.

Haverhill

Proposed Haverhill Multi-Family Development, Freeman Street Connection Brings Opposition

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Late update: Developer Michael Cassell this morning withdrew his special permit request to construct two triplexes for a total of six units. His lawyer, Michael J. Migliori, told WHAV Cassell will now build two duplexes, for a total of four units, which is allowed by right. “It became clear that it didn’t have enough votes on the Council, especially with the supermajority you need these days. We’re dealing with a Council of 10 and I need eight votes. From the feedback I got, that wasn’t going to happen,” he said.

Haverhill

Liquor License Violations Bring Forced Closings, Probation for New Lantern Cafe in Haverhill

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Correction:  The License Commission voted unanimously to mandate the bar to completely close Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6 through 8, and Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 12 through 15, and imposed eight months’ probation. A heated show cause hearing recently resulted in limited hours of operation for downtown Haverhill’s New Lantern Cafe amid several alleged liquor license violations. According to Haverhill Police Department Patrolman Bryan Bailey, two people were involved in an altercation inside the bar, with an additional person involved outside of the bar.

Education

Proposed Haverhill Assistant Superintendent Job, Admin. Pay Increases Go to Committee

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The Haverhill School Committee on Thursday night sent proposals for an assistant superintendent position and administration salary increases to its Finance Subcommittee for further study. Haverhill Public Schools previously conducted an “extensive four-month search,” according to a Sept. 10 letter from Superintendent Margaret Marotta. “Given the challenges we faced in securing a suitable candidate, the search committee comprised of the School Committee, leadership team, principals, business office and managerial staff decided to report the position with a more focused scope of responsibilities,” the letter read. The scope of the position was reduced and reported under the title of chief financial officer.

Haverhill

MakeIt Haverhill Partners with CyberWarrior to Offer Paid Cybersecurity Certification

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MakeIt Haverhill will add a new cybersecurity certification course for young adults later this fall. Founder Keith Boucher told Haverhill city councilors this week the nonprofit recently partnered with CyberWarrior for a new IT certification program for job seekers. “They work on cybersecurity which is an up-and-coming opportunity for the IT industry,” adding “Working with them and working with the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board, together we were able to get a grant to go off and do some training for people that have a GED or a high school graduation, that type of thing.”

He said the program is available for unemployed adults ages 18 to 24 who have a high school diploma or equivalent credentials. “What they end up getting is a five-month course, this is a paid opportunity…By the time it’s all over they’ll have [a] Microsoft Azure certification.”

Boucher says MakeIT Haverhill seeks eight to 10 people who are unemployed and either receiving government assistance or are learning English as a second language. “We focused for the last five years on English language learners, we focused on digital literacy and equity and focused on workforce development.

Haverhill

Haverhill City Council Approves Chadwick Road Realignment to Improve Safety

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Haverhill City Councilors Tuesday approved a plan to realign Chadwick Road at the intersection of Kingsbury and Willow Avenues in an effort to reduce motor vehicle crashes in the area. Councilors voted unanimously to approve the plan, with an amendment to send it to the Traffic and Safety Committee for further evaluation of speeding issues. Councilors Colin F. LePage and Michael S. McGonagle were not present for the vote. The Planning Board recommended approval at a meeting last month. City Engineer John H. Pettis III said the plan calls for Chadwick Road to be realigned.

Haverhill

Haverhill License Commission Signs Off on New, Four-Floor Historic District Restaurant, The Reserve

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A new restaurant, planned for the Washington Street space formerly occupied by the Barking Dog Ale House, cleared a critical procedural hurdle Thursday ahead of its grand opening. The Reserve Restaurant, planned to open at 77 Washington St., received unanimous approval by the Haverhill License Commission for liquor, food and entertainment licenses. Sharbel Azzi, owner of the proposed restaurant, organized his new venture on July 22, according to the records from the secretary of state’s corporations division. “On the first and second floor we have a restaurant, the Reserve Restaurant,” Azzi told the commissioners. “We’re doing all types of food, steak, things like that and lobster.”

He said another part of the four-floor restaurant, Vault 77 Lounge, will feature appetizers. “On the third floor, we’re doing a tapas lounge, appetizers, more like a laid-back type of thing,” he explained.

Haverhill

Haverhill Council Approves Redesigned Kenoza Avenue Apartment Proposal

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Haverhill City Council approved an updated design for a 14-unit property on Kenoza Avenue after city councilors objected to architectural alterations earlier this month. Developer John Tucci says the reimagined look of the project faced several aesthetic challenges, including an angled foundation during Tuesday night’s meeting. “The rendering shows a square building, but we’re not building a square building,” he told the council. Developers added an additional 10 windows, double columns at the front of the building. “We’ve made the changes requested, we feel that it will be a good looking building in that corner,” he added.