Education

With Pfifferling Leaving, Haverhill School Committee Considers Reduced Role For Replacement

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With Assistant Superintendent Michael J. Pfifferling on his way to Marblehead, Haverhill School Committee members talked over changing the title, and potentially responsibilities, of his role at Monday night’s budget hearing. Alternatives include business administrator, which would only oversee three departments—as opposed to the assistant superintendent of finance and operation’s six—and chief operating officer. The operating officer position would be quite like Pfifferling’s, with the new title aimed at attracting more candidates, according to Superintendent Margaret Marotta. “It’s a well-known fact that there’s just a dearth of people that can do these positions well out in the community, and I think that’s why some school systems are changing the names up a little bit to see if they can attract people from the business world,” she said. “Whether or not that’s a tactic that works, I don’t know.”

Member Jill Story spoke against hiring outside of the education field.

Haverhill

Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Housing Secretary Augustus Hear Concerns at Downtown Haverhill Roundtable

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State officials heard how hard it can be to navigate Greater Haverhill’s housing market from residents, advocates and lenders at a roundtable held yesterday at UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub at Harbor Place. At the head of the table were Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, state Housing Secretary Edward M. Augustus, state Rep. Andy X. Vargas and Mayor Melinda E. Barret. The governor’s Affordable Homes Act proposes $150 million to boost affordable homeownership opportunities. Introducing the event, Barrett said, “This is the important work of creating generational wealth and homeownership. It can make an incredible difference in a family’s existence, in their long-term stability and our community’s long-term stability, so we’re just thrilled that they’re here on their tour.”

Part of developing a five-year plan, the first in 40 years, the Healey-Driscoll administration and state housing department have been holding listening sessions across the Commonwealth.

Haverhill

Update on Steward Health Crisis at Tonight’s Haverhill City Council Meeting; Trustee Names Monitor

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Speaking on how to continue care at Holy Family Hospitals in Haverhill and Methuen, a representative of a Lawrence-based nonprofit is expected to pose possible next steps during the ongoing Steward Health Care crisis at tonight’s City Council meeting. Council President Thomas J. Sullivan invited Merrimack Valley Project Community Organizer Julio Mejia to discuss the subject. Steward, which owns Holy Family, declared bankruptcy May 6. Though the healthcare giant said its facilities will remain open, the Lawrence General Hospital medical affairs chief reports the quality of care is decreasing. State Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein disputed the sentiment, saying “we don’t want people with chest pain driving past the Holy Family campus to go someplace else.

Haverhill

During Haverhill Law Day, McCabe Receives Moody Award, Eastman Liberty Bell

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(Additional photographs below.)

Praising community involvement and equality under the law, speakers stuck close to the annual Law Day’s national theme, “Voices of Democracy,” at the Haverhill District Court ceremony last Friday. With two student musical performances brightening the usually somber halls of justice, the room was packed with the people who keep Haverhill’s legal apparatus running—local and state police, clerks, probation officers, judges and attorneys. First Justice Cesar A. Archilla set the tone in his opening remarks, calling the law “the great equalizer.”

He said, “Every single person that walks into those doors, is treated exactly the same as the person before them and the person after them, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender, how much money you have, how much political influence you may wield.”

The first of two awards presented at the event, attorney Chaz Chandler gave District Court Judge Mary F. McCabe the Moody Award, noting how she always respects that defendants have lives outside of their court appearances and praising her thoughtfulness. A “daughter of Lawrence,” McCabe said she chose to serve Haverhill in part because she learned Associate Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody was born in the city. “Whether the vibrant downtown or along the river—farms, vineyards, all manner of people and all cultures—it’s a wonderful place to serve people,” she said.

Haverhill

Design Phase Begins For 47-Year-Old Haverhill Waste Treatment Plant Revamp

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Haverhill will soon begin designing renovations for its 47-year-old wastewater treatment plant. A $1.5 million loan, which city councilors authorized Tuesday night, goes toward creating the schematics contractors will follow, the first step in a years-long overhaul. Public Works Director Robert E. Ward said the loan makes up the difference left from $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act money used for the project. “It’s a lot of money, and nobody likes that, but I think we’ve been fairly fortunate that this is the first real big upgrade we’ve had to do to this plant. Ultimately, it’s going to be a big price tag, but that shouldn’t happen for a couple years,” he said.

Haverhill

Bradford’s Callen Cronin Earns Fourth in National Youth Golf Competition

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(Additional photograph below.)

Callen Cronin, of Bradford, won fourth place in his age division at a national youth golf competition for seven- to 15-year-olds. After making it through Drive, Chip and Putt’s three qualifying rounds, kids from across the country demonstrated fundamental golfing skills on the legendary Masters Tournament course in Augusta, Ga., including shooting putts at the 18th hole. As the name suggests, competitors shot two drives, chips and putts Sunday, April 7, before the professional tournament began April 11. “It’s only six shots for the day, but it’s not even where he finished, it’s the fact that he made it there,” said Kevin Murphy, owner of Bradford Country Club, where Cronin plays. He got to go to Augusta.

Education

Councilor Michitson Calls For More Vocational Alternatives to Four-Year College in Haverhill

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With growing interest in alternatives to four-year college and not enough options, Haverhill City Councilor John A. Michitson called Tuesday night for collaboration between educational institutions offering vocational or career training. “The real goal, there, is to really try to determine the best path for each child, across boundaries. And if we become recognized for that, it will be a draw for industry because it’s their number one problem out there right now,” he said, referring to businesses struggling to find workers. Council Vice President Timothy J. Jordan noted how difficult it must be for students who end up at Haverhill High School, but wishing they could pursue a trade. “I just hate to think that the kids are wasting four years,” he said.

Education

As Haverhill Schools Battle Deficit, Payano Budget Amendment Offers ‘A Glimmer of Hope’

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A possible budget amendment by state Sen. Pavel M. Payano might ease painful cuts Haverhill Public Schools face next year. “We have a glimmer of hope,” School Committee member Paul A. Magliocchetti said at last week’s meeting. He and member Thomas Grannemann have lobbied lawmakers on Beacon Hill and organized other gateway cities grappling with deficits, as WHAV reported. Making up for high inflation the state did not account for in recent years, Payano proposed $100 million for gateway cities last week. If approved, the “extraordinary relief” would be distributed proportional to how much public school aid each of the 26 districts receives.