Haverhill

Public Meetings This Week: Workshop Begins Planning for Next Haverhill School Budget

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Next year’s Haverhill school budget begins to come into focus this Thursday when the School Committee’s Budget and Finance Subcommittee undertakes a Budget Workshop. The subcommittee meeting, called by Haverhill School Committee Vice Chairman Thomas Grannemann, plans to review factors affecting the budget for the year beginning next July 1. These include enrollment, contracts, inflation and district goals; budget priorities; preliminary budget projections; expected state education aid under Chapter 70; and communication with city Chief Financial Officer Angel A. Perkins. The Haverhill School Committee Budget and Finance Subcommittee meets Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6:30-8 p.m., in the library at the Caleb Dustin Hunking School, 480 S. Main St.

Region

State Awards Haverhill, Area Fire Departments Student and Senior Fire Safety Grants

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Haverhill, Methuen and North Andover fire departments recently learned of state allocations for life safety education to Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents. Grants represent two longstanding fire safety programs coordinated by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, known as SAFE for Student Awareness of Fire Education, and Senior SAFE. The student program sends specially trained firefighter-educators into schools to deliver clear, consistent lessons to young people, while Senior SAFE is geared toward older adults and delivered through senior centers, councils on aging and home visits. Haverhill was awarded $7,384, SAFE, and $2,819, Senior SAFE; Methuen, $10,998, SAFE, and $4,200, Senior SAFE; and North Andover, $3,135, SAFE, and $1,468, Senior SAFE. “Our firefighters do incredible work responding to emergencies, but some of their most important work happens before a fire ever starts,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

Haverhill

Knight’s Women’s Basketball ‘Has the Potential to Be a Really Good Team’

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Northern Essex Community College women’s basketball had its season recently get underway. Head Coach Malaquais (pronounced Malachi) Canery, said he believes the group “has the potential to be a really good team.”

Thursday night, the Knights defeated Thomas College’s junior varsity team 73-28, in the Knight’s first home matchup of the season. After the game, Canery shared with WHAV what he liked from his team in the win. “We kept going. I think we started off really slow and I got on them and we responded and I think that’s a sign of a good team, that they’re able to respond,” he said.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Readies for Christmas Stroll; Seeks Tree Donation and Business Involvement

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Haverhill’s Public Works Department is searching for a Christmas tree for the city’s central display in Washington Square. The department is asking for a donation of a Spruce or Fir family tree of 40 to 50 feet in height and located within five miles of Haverhill’s border. Officials ask for trees that are at least 15 feet from buildings, 12 feet from above ground utilities and 50 feet or less from the roadway. The city will handle cutting down and transporting the tree at no cost to the donor. Residents are asked to email [email protected] or call 978-374-2364.

Haverhill

Covenant Health Calls Off Sale of Haverhill’s Penacook Place

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The planned sale of Haverhill’s Penacook Place Nursing Home is off. Covenant Health said Sunday it has reconsidered the proposed sale to Azure Healthcare, as WHAV reported last month

“Across all our ministries, Covenant Health’s highest priority is quality care. Earlier this year, we explored an opportunity to transfer Penacook Place to another operator. After additional due diligence, we have elected not to proceed with that change of ownership,” read the statement released to WHAV by Covenant Health Senior Vice President of Marketing and Chief Communications Officer Karen R. Sullivan. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to residents’ health, safety, well-being and the continuity of their care,” the statement added.

Region

North Andover Firefighters Adams, McClellan Graduate from Academy

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North Andover Firefighters Blake Adams and John McClellan Jr. were among Friday’s graduates of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. They were among 27 firefighters of Career Recruit Class #343, taking part in the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. “Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said state Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, who also announced his retirement Friday. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”

Davin retires after a career of nearly 30 years in the Massachusetts fire service. He will step down as Massachusetts’ 19th state fire marshal Jan.

Business Bulletin

MassDevelopment Awards $73K for Merrimack Valley Small Business Help

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The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission’s affiliated nonprofit Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation last week was awarded $73,205 through MassDevelopment’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program. Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation will expand its support for small businesses across the Merrimack Valley, with a particular focus on Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The program primarily serves existing small businesses while also supporting emerging entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on immigrant-owned, minority-owned, women-owned and businesses in low- to moderate-income communities. “We’re grateful to MassDevelopment for this investment, which will strengthen our ability to help entrepreneurs and local businesses overcome barriers, access financing and pursue opportunities for growth” said Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Jerrard Whitten. The effort will work alongside specialized consultants and community partners to offer personalized assistance, workshops and group training focused This includes one-on-one business assistance, financial management and access to capital, marketing and business visibility, workshops and group training and guidance on certifications and business resources.