Education

Often a Problem Area, Haverhill School Admin Plans Out Transportation For Upcoming Year

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A problem area for the district in recent years, Haverhill Public Schools administrators are planning how best to mitigate bus delays as the first day of school fast approaches. Superintendent Margaret Marotta said to School Committee members last week, “I guess we could call this expectation management. Anybody who’s trying to get across Haverhill lately in their car knows how difficult the traffic and the construction can be. We always have some struggles with transportation.”

Committee Vice Chair Paul A. Magliocchetti brought up construction on the horizon for Haverhill. “The project that really has me concerned is the Procopio project on the former Skateland, going out onto South Main Street and Laurel Avenue—and the closure of the Basiliere Bridge.

Haverhill

Three-Family House to Fill Vacant Lot on Haverhill’s Portland Street

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After reducing the number of units by one and increasing green space on the lot, Haverhill city councilors Tuesday night approved a Portland Street three-family home—described as similar to a series of rowhouses. Attorney Caitlin M. Masys said told city councilors how the house benefits the entire neighborhood. “If this project were to be approved, it would be an incredible improvement in this neighborhood. This whole block is starting to look a lot nicer… There are parks for children on either side, within walking distance on Portland Street. It’s a great family neighborhood.”

Currently, the lot is covered in brush and dotted with a few sheds.

Haverhill

Councilors Demand Improved Look Before Approving Revised Housing on Kenoza

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(Additional images below). Developers must redesign the exterior of a new, three-story apartment building at the site of an abandoned gas station on Kenoza Avenue after Haverhill city councilors objected to the altered architectural style during Tuesday night’s meeting. “Although now it’s code-compliant, it doesn’t look as nice as the original plan. And some councilors think it’s like night and day… If we do approve a major modification without putting some further requests and demands on you, we’re stuck with a building that looks like what that looks like for the next 100 years,” said Council President Thomas J. Sullivan. The reimagined structure at 3-7 Kenoza Ave.

Haverhill

With Decreasing Members and Struggling Financially, Haverhill’s Temple Emanu-El Weighs Options

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Facing financial troubles, Haverhill’s Temple Emanu-El says it cannot continue in its current form for longer than one or two years. In an early July newsletter, President Jennifer Lampron called on community members to look into possible next steps. With too small a group for their current building, actions include renting or selling it, merging with an area synagogue or sharing space with another organization. With decreasing membership and difficulty maintaining a tenant to fill extra space, the Temple has been struggling “for many years,” Lampron wrote in the message. “Over the last roughly 30 years, we have noticed our congregation aging and losing members, mainly due to attrition,” she explained in an email to WHAV.

Haverhill

Changes to Kenoza Avenue Apartment Plans Up for Discussion at Haverhill City Council

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Haverhill city councilors Tuesday night will hear a request for a “special permit major modification” for a 14-unit apartment building on Kenoza Avenue. The applicant, Christos Eliopoulos, characterized the changes as superficial. While figuring out architectural and engineering details, the developer said his team realized they needed to adjust the design “due to structural feasibility concerns.” As a result, he proposes “subtle alterations to the building’s facade…while preserving the aesthetic and thematic essence of the initial proposal.”

As WHAV reported first a little over a year ago, Eliopoulos and John Tucci plan to build the apartments on the site of an abandoned gas station and office, at 3 and 7 Kenoza Ave. The three-story structure will hold one-bedroom and studio units, according to plans. In the original filing, Attorney Michael J. Migliori described the vacant buildings as “a blight in the neighborhood for many years.”

The property will include a park area in the front and one affordable housing unit.

Haverhill

Following Drowning, Haverhill Discusses How to Get Lifeguards at Plug Pond

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Following a tragic drowning in early July, city officials discussed strategies for bringing lifeguards to Plug Pond during a meeting Wednesday night. City Councilors Devan M. Ferreira and Timothy J. Jordan, who is also council vice president, expressed doubts about the city’s approach to hiring. As WHAV reported, 18-year-old Marco Antonio Cajilema Quijosaca of Haverhill died early last month after wading beyond a designated swimming area. City officials appeared to avoid mentioning the incident until Jordan broke the silence. “I’m obviously very frustrated.

Education

Haverhill School Committee Resumes Superintendent Evaluations, Grades Marotta Highly

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Resuming the practice of evaluating superintendents after a several-year pause, Haverhill School Committee members rated Margaret Marotta as somewhere between proficient and exemplary at her job during last week’s meeting. Vice Chair Paul A. Magliocchetti, who supervised the evaluation, said, “The past four years have been extremely difficult for educators and school leaders. Dr. Marotta has been an exceptional leader and fiscal manager that has guided us through the most difficult challenges and Haverhill has come out the better for it, and a lot better than most other communities in the Commonwealth.”

Other Committee members critiqued the process, saying Marotta was not given advance notice  of how she would be evaluated. Some also questioned whether new members—who started this January—knew enough about her to make informed judgements. Magliocchetti revived the practice this year, saying previous Committee leadership had stopped.

Education

Haverhill Schools Adopt New Policy Limiting Student Phone Use

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A new policy limits phone use for students across Haverhill’s school district. High School Principal Michael Downs gave the reasons why at last week’s School Committee meeting. “The main purpose of the policy is to help students focus on their learning while they’re in school during the day, and, of course, help teachers deliver instruction to students who are now paying attention,” he explained. The rule passed without controversy. Though teachers never allowed phones in class, Downs told WHAV, he hopes the new policy, put in writing, will make enforcement a little easier.