Region

Haverhill, Methuen, Area Towns Receive State Recycling Dividends Grants

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Haverhill and Methuen reaped relatively large awards Thursday from the state’s Recycling Dividends Program—grant money that may be used for recycling, composting, reuse and source reduction activities that reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerators. Haverhill was awarded $24,500 and Methuen, $36,000, from the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Nearby, towns collecting dividends are North Andover, $13,000, and Groveland and Merrimac, $2,490 each. “As a former mayor, I understand the challenges municipalities face in managing solid waste costs,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These grants provide our local communities with the resources they need to reduce waste while balancing their budgets.”

In addition to reducing the amount of solid waste, local projects boost resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing the embodied energy in everyday products and packaging materials for conversion into new products.

Education

Haverhill High Wins $3.2M State Grant to Expand Career Programs

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Haverhill High School was awarded $3.2 million Wednesday to expand its Health Assisting and Information Support Services and Networking programs.

The school was one of six statewide to share in $14.5 million in grants, awarded through the state’s new Career and Technical Education Annex Pilot Program. Haverhill High School plans to add approximately 3,828 square feet of new instructional space, including a health care simulation center and technology innovation laboratory. The expansion will create approximately 140 additional vocational seats and support a satellite technology repair program where students gain experience maintaining municipal technology. Officials said grants will help comprehensive high schools add career technical education programs, increase enrollment capacity and partner with vocational schools, employers and colleges to provide students with career-connected learning opportunities, particularly in communities where access has been limited. “Students across Massachusetts want more opportunities to learn a trade, gain hands-on experience and prepare for good-paying jobs, and we are delivering,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill High Class of 1996 Reunion Nov. 27

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Haverhill High School’s Class of 1996 is having its 30th anniversary reunion, with special emphasis on the class’s theme, “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

“Turn! Turn! Turn!,” taken from the words from the Book of Ecclesiastes, is a song written by Pete Seeger and originally released as “To Everything There Is a Season,” notes class member Megan Arivella, now supervisor of school counseling for Haverhill Public Schools.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill, Southern New Hampshire Chambers Plan Joint Business After Hours

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The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is joining with the Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce for Business After Hours next week at Wicked Sticky Designs. Members of the two chambers will network; get a behind-the-scenes look at Wicked Sticky Designs, producer of wide format printing, vehicle wraps, fleet graphics, banners and decals; and enjoy food and drinks. Business After Hours takes place Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Wicked Sticky Designs, 12 Industrial Way, #1, Atkinson, N.H. The gathering is free to members of either Chamber. Registration takes place at HaverhillChamber.com.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Plans ‘Hill-O-Ween’ Jack-O-Lantern Contest Oct. 30

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Haverhill is planning its second annual “Hill-O-Ween” jack-o-lantern contest. The city invites residents to enter their carved pumpkins, to be displayed in Washington Square, into the contest, taking place Friday, Oct. 30, where volunteers will light and display pumpkins. Winners of the “Spookiest” pumpkin, judged by artist and Creative Haverhill Programs and Operations Manager Josh Salad, receives a gift card to Evens & Oddities; “Most Vintage” pumpkin, judged by Time Machine co-owner Jay Ferrandini, receives a gift card to the store; and “Most Creative” pumpkin, judged by Winged Rabbit owner Patricia Bruno, receives a gift card to that store. Jack-o-lantern drop-off runs from 5-6 p.m., judges arrive at 6 and winners announced at 6:30 There is no cost to participate and everyone who participates will be entered to win a gift card to The Charcoal Pit.

Haverhill

Holmes Joins Northern Essex Knights as Baseball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director

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Mitchell Holmes is the new baseball coach and assistant athletic director of the Northern Essex Community College Knights. Holmes most recently spent the previous two seasons as lead assistant coach at Babson College where he oversaw hitting and catching and helped lead the recruiting efforts for the Beavers who captured the 2026 NEWMAC championship and earned the third seed in NCAA Division III Southern Maine regional. Prior to his time at Babson, Holmes spent three seasons on the staff at Holy Cross. Athletics Director Dan Blair said Tuesday Holmes officially begins his duties next Monday. “I’m pleased to welcome Mitch to Northern Essex.

Beacon Hill News

State Awards Methuen $50,000 Grant to Identify Lead Pipe in Drinking Water Lines

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Methuen was formally awarded a $50,000 state grant Tuesday to help the city to identify and verify the existence of lead-based pipes to comply with federal environmental regulations. The grant, one of four to a gateway city, comes from the state Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program and helps communities better compete for federal money. “This $50,000 investment will help Methuen take an important step toward identifying potential lead risks in its drinking water infrastructure. Knowing where these risks exist is essential to addressing them and protecting the health of our residents,” said Sen. Pavel M. Payano, who represents, Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill. Gov. Maura Healey explained, “Our administration has made it a priority to pursue every federal dollar available, and these grants will enable more communities to do so.”

Methuen will use the money to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 order on Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which requires drinking water systems to replace lead and certain galvanized service lines and take other steps to improve public health protection and simplify rules.

Business Bulletin

Anna Jaques Hospital Plans to Break Ground on Expanded Breast Care Center

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An expansion of Anna Jaques Hospital’s Gerrish Breast Care Center is expected to begin next year to enable a larger number of patients to access to life-saving screening, diagnostic and supportive services. Construction plans for the 8,000-square-foot center at the Newburyport Medical Center were revealed last week during Anna Jaques Hospital’s SHINE at Night annual fundraiser for breast care services. “This investment reflects our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community. By expanding our capabilities and bringing services together in one integrated center, we can create a more seamless experience for every patient who walks through our doors and make care more connected, convenient and supportive close to home,” said Anna Jaques Hospital President and Chief Operating Officer Megan Gray. The hospital said patient care will continue uninterrupted throughout construction, expected to be complete next summer, and the current breast care center will remain fully operational.