Haverhill

SBA Opens Outreach Office for Greater Haverhill Residents to Seek Low-Interest Disaster Loans

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Despite federal government’s rules that prevent Haverhill and other Essex County cities and towns with any relief due to floods caused by the Aug. 8 storms, residents are reminded they may still receive low-interest loans to help with rebuilding. That was the message from Small Business Administration Public Affairs Specialist James Accurso to members of the Haverhill City Council last Tuesday. He explained loan rates run between 2.4 and 4% and can be paid back over 15-30 years. “A lot of folks don’t know that we do offer our loans to homeowners and renters in addition to businesses and nonprofits.

Haverhill

Haverhill Reports Hub Helps Deliver Local Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

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City officials are reporting progress in their efforts to improve delivery of substance abuse and mental health services closer to home with the creation of a local hub. While the state has designated Danvers-based Eliot Community Human Services to serve Haverhill, councilors have asked since April for a city-based center. Mayoral Chief of Staff Christine Lindberg reported last week Eliot has been reaching out to the city to find ways to improve service. “Eliot staff members have been meeting with the Lahey at the Haverhill Police Department and talking to the Department of Mental Health and the Holy Family Hospital and they decided to start a monthly hub at-risk meeting for individuals in the City of Haverhill who are in need of behavioral health services,” she explained. Eliot operates one of the community behavioral health centers intended to provide around-the-clock urgent mental health and substance abuse treatments for children and adults.

Haverhill

Merrimack Valley Chamber, Auditor DiZoglio Honor Mayor Fiorentini in Advance of His Retirement

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The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce honored outgoing Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini at last night’s 2023 Annual Chamber Dinner. The awards ceremony, held at Michael’s Function Hall in Haverhill, recognized a number of Merrimack Valley business people and residents with Fiorentini receiving an Appreciation for Leadership Award for his 20 years of service. Chamber of Commerce Chairman Michael Sullivan, who held the position of mayor in Lawrence for eight years, made the award presentation. For his part, Fiorentini spread the praise around pointing to the hard work of members of his staff as well as members of the City Council. “We’ve had a lot of success in Haverhill over the last 20 years.

Haverhill

Despite Parking Concern, Haverhill Councilors Vote 8-1 to Allow Apartment Expansion

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Despite concerns over a lack of off-street parking, the Haverhill City Council gave the okay Tuesday night to a request by Methuen developer Manuel Matias to expand an existing 12-unit apartment building at 71 Portland Street into 16 units of housing. Attorney Robert D. Harb, representing Matias Capital, told councilors despite the addition of four new efficiency apartments to the building, the outside of the structure will not change. “The fourth floor is actually a mansard roof. What we’re actually asking you to do is allow him to put four efficiency apartments on the top floor,” he said. Currently, the fourth floor is used only for storage.

Education

Haverhill School Board Reviews ‘Disappointing’ MCAS Scores; Cite Increase in Non-English Speakers

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See also, the full set of Haverhill MCAS scores. The most recent MCAS results are in and while there are improvements in some areas, there are not enough in the opinion of some members of the Haverhill School Committee. State MCAS “accountability indicators” show Haverhill with a 57% progress rate toward those education goals, which was the highest among nine other cities that the state designated as comparable. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education figures presented at last Thursday’s meeting take into consideration such factors as coursework completion, chronic absenteeism and the annual drop-out rate. The numbers, however, were the last comparison in which Haverhill students led the charge in English Language, Math and Science at any grade level.

Haverhill

Councilors Told Haverhill Flooding Issues Made Worse by Drainage Maintenance Backlog

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Haverhill’s older sewer systems, worsened by a maintenance backlog, added to the overwhelming deluge of rain last month and contributed to significant damage to homes and businesses. Public Works Director Robert E. Ward, responding to city councilors last week, said some areas that received significant flooding received relief when debris was removed that blocked drainage systems. He also admitted some problems probably could have been avoided or diminished with regular maintenance checks. “Part of it is about maintenance—checking catch basins, culverts, drain lines, and clear or clean if needed,” he said. Ward said not only is his crew out cleaning and clearing, but they hired an outside contractor which is in the process of cleaning 1,200 catch basins. He said longer range plans are in the works, such as an 11-year project to install a significant amount of new drainage.

Education

Those 62 and Up May Be Able to Attend Haverhill School Athletic Matches for Free

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Restaurant discounts and reduced travel fares are just some of the benefits of becoming a so-called senior citizen. Now, add to that list, free admission to Haverhill school athletic events. That was the decision of the Haverhill School Committee on Thursday as the result of a proposal by Committee members Gail M. Sullivan and Toni Sapienza-Donais. Donais explained the origin of the idea. “This was brought to our attention by grandparents and parents that have gone to games in other districts and they do not charge the senior citizens to attend the athletic events,” she said.

Haverhill

Councilors Agree on Fee Haverhill Developers Must Pay if Opting Out of Building Affordable Homes

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It took a while to get there, but the Haverhill City Council reached agreement on Tuesday regarding the amount the city will charge certain developers who do not designate at least 10% of new projects as affordable housing. Mayor James J. Fiorentini re-introduced the topic, emphasizing the need to secure lower cost homes. “We all know we have two problems in the City of Haverhill regarding housing. The first is we just don’t have enough of it. The second is, of the housing that we have, a lot of it is just not affordable.