Haverhill

Podcast: Historic New England to Open Haverhill Center with ‘Shoe Stories’

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Historic New England plans to open its long-awaited preservation and collections center a week from Saturday with “Shoe Stories: Past, Present, Future” as its opening exhibit along with a day of free activities for the public. The nonprofit, which operates 38 museums across the region, began housing its collections in 1988 within a former shoe manufacturing building in Haverhill. It went on to buy the building and its twin, spurring plans in 2023 for a history center. Vin Cipolla, president and CEO of Historic New England, appeared recently on WHAV and outlined the plans. “Historic New England owns twin former shoe manufacturing buildings on Essex Street, 151 Essex and 143 Essex.

Education

Families, Officials Celebrate New Consentino School in Haverhill

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School and city officials, students, families and friends gathered Monday to celebrate the formal opening of the new $151 million Dr. Albert B. Consentino School on Washington Street. Principal Eileen Doherty welcomed everyone and reminded them their new school is more than an education institution. “We are not just opening a new building. We are launching a hub for education, collaboration, civic engagement and growth,” Doherty said. Haverhill voters agreed to a debt exclusion override in 2023 to replace the original middle school built on the same Washington Street campus in 1969.

Haverhill

Public Meetings This Week: Board of Appeals to Hear Variance Requests for New Homes

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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 Zoning Board of Appeals will hear variance requests Wednesday which, if granted, would allow construction of two new single-family homes and a duplex. The board continues a public hearing on a request by Robert F. Ferreira Jr. and Judie M. Polcari for a lot variance for their property on Liberty Street. The pair seek to construct a single-family home on the parcel which is 25,675 square feet where zoning calls for 80,000 square feet.

Business Bulletin

Costello’s Famous Roast Beef Shuts Door Leaving Unpaid Bills

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Costello’s Famous Roast Beef, Seafood and Pizza near the Haverhill and Plaistow, N.H. line, abruptly closed May 20, leaving behind $222,627 in state taxes, according the Department of Revenue’s website, and with at least one worker saying paychecks bounced. Nicholas K. Flynn, administrator for the city’s License Commission, told WHAV the restaurant’s manager notified the city of the closing. The eatery’s website was still up as of Monday, June 15, with a note saying it was closed for vacation “until after May 14.” The listed telephone number is no longer in service. There was no note on the restaurant’s front door indicating the restaurant was closed and no longer in business. According to the Corporations Division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office, Costello’s is owned by Quincy-based W & W Holdings.

Haverhill

Haverhill Moves to Take Former Stevens Mill Property to Recoup Costs

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Haverhill is making plans to take the land below the now-mostly demolished Stevens Mill as it attempts to recover costs associated with two recent fires and accumulated back taxes. Details over whether the land will be transferred in a “friendly” transaction or by other means were not immediately clear. City councilors are scheduled to first meet in a closed-door meeting Tuesday night before publicly considering a request by Mayor Melinda E. Barrett to “to acquire, purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise the land” at 12-14 Stevens St. The proposed order before the City Council makes clear the city will “award no damages” to Steven Shain and Carol Shain, trustees of Shain Realty Trust. Haverhill already reached agreement to take ownership of the adjacent Little River Dam without cost.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Chamber Honors Four at Annual Awards Dinner

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Three community leaders and one nonprofit were honored by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner last Thursday night. Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO of the life sciences industry group, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, served as the keynote speaker for the sold-out event at the Haverhill Country Club. O’Connell said when many people think of innovation in Massachusetts, they think of Kendall Square, Cambridge or Boston’s Seaport. She thinks, though, of inventers, business owners and entrepreneurial risk takers in Haverhill where she resides. “When I think about innovation, I really think about places like Haverhill.

Haverhill

Haverhill Halts Construction of Two Homes to Resolve Erosion Issues

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A developer of two new single-family homes on Belvidere Road was recently ordered to halt work until he applies for, and receives, appropriate permits to prevent erosion. Brad M. Patnaude, whose Bear Capital Group is owner of record, told WHAV in an email he is working hard to satisfy city requirements. That includes applying for erosion control permits and making sure the street is clear of any loose dirt and gravel. Patnaude was told to stop work until he obtains a permit for erosion control measures after meeting with city officials April 7. The city’s order came after the city received complaints about excessive runoff of dirt, sand and gravel from the hilly properties.

Haverhill

Haverhill Extends Swasey Splash Pad Hours as Temps Rise

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With the thermometer rising, Haverhill suspended its drought restrictions Thursday at the Swasey Field Park splash pad, extending hours from noon to 8 p.m. through Friday. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett extended the hours of the park, off Blaisdell Street, three hours longer than regular hours. Hours for the water activity were cut back this year to 12-5 p.m. daily due to drought conditions. The mayor extended the hours at the request of Ward 1 City Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere, who noted that even though the city is under mandatory water use restrictions, the state allows the city overrule those regulations in an emergency. “Our intent is to keep everyone cool and safe,” Basiliere told WHAV.