Business Bulletin

On the Corner Grill Opens on Haverhill’s Downtown Riverfront

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On The Corner Grill, Haverhill’s latest restaurant entrant, is open for dinner this weekend in newly built out space overlooking the Merrimack River. The new eatery at Harbor Place is opening just for dinner, 4 to 9 p.m., through the weekend, as it guards against any grand opening kinks. Owner George Chiachio told WHAV he expects to “soon” expand the restaurant’s hours to include lunch. A sister to Chiachio’s Derry, N.H., restaurant of the same name, the Haverhill outlet is in a storefront at Harbor Place Residences at 28-44 Merrimack St. It faces the courtyard shared by Barrio Haverhill.

Education

Haverhill Exchange Club Rededicates HHS Freedom Shine

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The Freedom Shrine at Haverhill High School received a new plaque Wednesday when members of the Exchange Club of Haverhill gathered to rededicate it and its mission. Exchange Club member Ron Carpenito, who served as master of ceremonies, said the high school’s shrine was installed in June of 2011 while he was president of the service club. It contains copies of 20 important documents including Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and an early draft of the Declaration of Independence which contains handwritten edits. “When we installed this shrine our goal was not to just hang some documents up here on the wall. Our goal was to strengthen the appreciation for our American heritage to encourage respect for those who have served, sacrificed and in many cases, their lives to protect our freedoms and to create something lasting that students, teachers, staff, families and any visitors would pass by every day,” Carpenito said.

Education

Haverhill Councilors Hold Firm on School Budget; Won’t Add Money

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Haverhill city councilors wrestled Monday with how to avoid cutting school programs without adding to tax bills. At the final public hearing, Ward 3 Councilor Devan M. Ferreira, the lone vote two weeks ago in favor of more money for schools, proposed the city give the schools $350,000 more to cover cuts in programs that would immediately impact students. “When we talk about school success rates, when we talk about literacy rates, when we talk about achievement across the board for our public school students, continuing to limit access to programs that provide this broad, diverse education that we know everyone needs, is going to keep us in a cycle of having a hard time to move our achievement gaps forward,” she argued. Ward 1 Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere responded he cannot endorse what he referred to a “slush fund” for the school department. Ward 6 Councilor Michael S. McGonagle pointed out that even if the Council added money for the schools, only the school department can decide how to use it and there’s there is no guarantee programs would be restored.

Haverhill

Public Meetings This Week: City Seeks Lot Near Whittier Birthplace for Open Space Visits

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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. Haverhill’s Whittier Birthplace could benefit from a 10-car parking area, off Amesbury Road, to allow better visitor access to city-owned protected open space. The city is asking the Conservation Commission to determine whether plans, prepared by JR Builders of Haverhill, are subject to the state Wetlands Protection Act or local wetlands’ ordinances. According to documents before commissioners, there will be gravel access and the lot will be similar to the Isaac Merrill Trailhead at Winnekenni Park Conservation Area.

Business Bulletin

Dar Rafiki’s Haverhill Bakery Moving to Larger Storefront

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Dar Rafiki’s, a French-Moroccan bakery on Main Street in Haverhill, is moving to a new, larger location later this summer, expanding its offerings and likely adding staff. Owner Lhoussine Rafiq said the new bakery and café within Academy Plaza on South Main Street allows him to offer seating and a breakfast menu. Currently the space is being transformed into a small restaurant. “I am planning some very special delights,” Rafiq promised. Dar Rafiki’s, which means “house of friends” in Arabic, began as a food truck in 2016.

Education

A Call to Stay Curious Among Themes of Friday’s Haverhill High Graduation

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(Additional photograph below.)

Haverhill High School sent 522 newly minted graduates out into the world Friday night under sunny skies and moderate temperatures at Haverhill’s Trinity Stadium. As family and friends celebrated in the stands, Sophia Lee, the class president and valedictorian, channeled her favorite childhood hero, Curious George, and encouraged her classmates to stay curious. “I look at all of you with hope that you will continue to strive to be curious and full of opinions. Because who are we without curiosity? Who are we without the very mistakes that make us vulnerable in a way that is rewarding?” she urged.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Agree to Water and Sewer Rate Hikes

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Haverhill city councilors this week agreed to raising water and sewer rates to cover environmental mandates and other growing expenses, but some expressed support for a tiered water rate that would move more of the burden onto commercial users. During a continuing review of Mayor Melinda E. Barrett’s proposed spending plan, councilors agreed to 9.9% water and 4% wastewater rate hikes for the year beginning July 1, with expectations of larger increases in the next two years. Public Works Director Robert E. Ward noted rates would have been higher if not for the department using surpluses to hold down rates. Council President Timothy J. Jordan questioned the strategy. “Looking to give relief by having only a 4% increase here, but then the projection that you have is a 13.9% increase next year and 14.5% the year after that.

Haverhill

Future Haverhill Public Works Department Leadership Shift Takes Shape

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Two key employees are being groomed for promotions as Haverhill plans ahead for the eventual retirement of the city’s Public Works Department head. Assistant Highway Department Director Rob Kimball and Solid Waste, Recycling and Parking Manager Nicholas Aylward are receiving new titles as part of succession planning in anticipation of the retirement of Public Works Director Robert E. Ward in two to three years. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett outlined the plans this week as city councilors reviewed the Public Works Department budget. Kimball becomes the Public Works Director for Highways/Parks, while Aylward becomes his assistant. Ward will now be more focused as public works director for water and wastewater.