Haverhill

Haverhill Plans to Cancel Flock Camera Contract, Tighten Privacy Rules for Next Tech

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Haverhill is moving to cancel its contract with Flock Safety, which has recently become controversial, but still plans to roll out safety measures to regulate whatever system might replace it. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett’s office said Thursday the city asked the company, which has supplied automatic license plate readers to the city since 2023, to remove the cameras. While the mayor’s office said an internal review of how the cameras are used shows no misuse, “the city found that Flock’s technology itself does not provide enough necessary safeguards to protect residents’ privacy.”

“To balance public safety needs with the privacy rights of Haverhill residents, the city will continue conducting a thorough review of all law enforcement tools and guardrails in partnership with the Haverhill City Council,” a statement said. “Stronger protections against mass surveillance” is one of the reasons the Haverhill Chapter of the Merrimack Valley Project plans to demand removal of the cameras. As WHAV reported, the local advocacy group plans to assemble next Thursday on the steps of Haverhill City Hall ahead of a City Council subcommittee’s plan to consider guardrails on the technology.

Haverhill

Coalition Plans Protest of Flock Camera Use at Haverhill Committee Meeting

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Members of the Haverhill City’s Council’s Public Safety Committee, meeting next week to consider guardrails on the city’s use of Flock cameras, will be greeted by a group demanding the devices be removed and better privacy protections. The Haverhill Chapter of the Merrimack Valley Project plans a press conference Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m., on the steps of Haverhill City Hall, calling on the city to “remove its 18 Flock license plate reader cameras and adopt stronger protections against mass surveillance.” In a statement signed by spokesperson Bill Taylor, the group said responses to public records requests show “Haverhill police officers have conducted nearly 53,000 searches on the Flock database so far.”

“We value our freedom and don’t want to be tracked when we go to work, visit friends, access healthcare and attend religious services. Both the Haverhill Police Department and city leaders have either severely misjudged or outright ignored the prevailing public sentiment about this so far,” the statement reads, in part. As WHAV reported in August, city councilors told residents strict guidelines must be in place to prevent misuse of surveillance cameras and asked city Solicitor Lisa L. Mead to draft an ordinance regulating camera use.

Election Central

Haverhill Voters Approve On-Site Cannabis Consumption; Return Local Legislators

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Haverhill voters not only joined their counterparts across the state in preserving the right to keep cannabis retailers legal, but approved a first-in-the-state, on-site cannabis lounge. Unofficial Haverhill election results show voters supported keeping cannabis legal 17,752 to 5,707, but also supported on-site consumption—Haverhill’s unique question 10—12,559 to 10,471. As WHAV reported in August, supporters gathered enough signatures to force the local ballot question. Stem, a cannabis retailer, has long proposed adding a consumption lounge at its 124 Washington St., location. “Haverhill voters have proven that they recognize the basic fairness of providing cannabis users the same options as those who go into restaurants or bars to consume alcohol.

Haverhill

Public Meetings this Week: Saving Winnekenni Carriage Shed; Action Against Bar Bat Attack

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The Haverhill License Commission decides Thursday whether to take action against an Emerson Street bar and restaurant where, police said, a bat attack took place in September. Commissioners plan to bring Afro-Infused Restaurant & Lounge, 30 Emerson St., before a show cause hearing for alleged overserving of alcohol and a discussion of a possible entertainment license violation. As WHAV reported in September, a 22-year-old Haverhill man was arrested for alleged assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of property. A police report said Frantzdley Jean was expelled from the bar and returned, hitting a man’s hand with a bat, threatening another and damaging a glass door. License commissioners also plan show cause hearings for Crusttown, 150 Washington St., accused of advertising free and discounted alcoholic drinks, which is prohibited by law; AmVets, 576 Primrose St., for possible overserving and a Sept.

Election Central

Pair of Local Races, Ballot Questions and U.S. Midterms Get Attention

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It’s Election Day Tuesday for those who didn’t vote early or cast ballots by mail, with few local races garnering much attention. Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright Esposito reported 2,766 residents took advantage of early voting over a two-week period. She warns anyone who hasn’t returned a vote-by-mail or absentee ballot should bring them to her office in city hall or use the drop-box on the main Street side of City Hall by 8 p.m. Otherwise, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All eyes are on the national congressional midterm elections where Democrats are seeking to take back control of both the Senate and the House. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, a Democrat, faces John Deaton, a Republican. The 6th district House seat vacated by Seth Moulton brings Democrat Dan Koh against Republican Micah Quinney Jones, while 3rd District Congresswoman Lori Trahan, a Democrat, faces Republican Gary J. Grossi and unenrolled candidate Dennis R. Conlon.

Education

Whittier Tech Officials Point to Local and State House Efforts to Return to College Talks

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Two efforts to resurrect a partnership between Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community are taking shape, both locally and at the State House. In a recent email to the Whittier Tech Building Committee, Whittier Business Manager Angus G. Jennings said he expects Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll to convene a meeting later this month between the administrations of both schools. “We expect this will restore clarity regarding the (Massachusetts School Building Authority) process, and the Commonwealth’s commitment to pursue this opportunity,” Jennings wrote. Meanwhile, Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch, said in a letter Monday to Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn that “Whittier Tech remains committed to a partnership with Northern Essex Community College, and I hope the NECC site will remain one of the options in our feasibility study.”

The letter was widely circulated, going to community leaders, Whittier Tech School Committee, Regional Agreement Amendment Committee and Whittier School Building Committee. The initiatives follow an Oct.

Haverhill

As Little River Dam Comes Down, Officials Outline Next Steps; See Project History

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(Additional photograph below.)

As Little River now flows almost unobstructed under Winter Street on its way to the Merrimack River, Haverhill officials this week will outline next steps for the dam removal and park project. The city’s Conservation Department is having a public information session with officials, contractors and consultants this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9-11 a.m., at Cashman’s Field, 175 Hilldale Ave., Haverhill. Julianne Busa, senior project manager from Fuss & O’Neill, previewed plans during the summer of 2023. “We’re also looking to increase river access and provide additional ways for people to get to the river, interact with the river, utilize the river and create some public greenspace and increased tree cover in the downtown area,” she explained.

Haverhill

Penacook Place Families Meet Wednesday with Questions About Proposed Sale

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Families of residents at Haverhill’s Penacook Place have a chance Wednesday night to express concerns about the proposed sale of the nursing home to Azure Healthcare when a Family Meeting takes place. As WHAV previously reported, Azure Healthcare appears to have ties with Eliyahu Mirlis, CEO of RegalCare, which faces state revocation of a dozen nursing home licenses following a Boston Globe Spotlight review of the company’s cost-cutting. Wednesday’s meeting is being organized by Justine Palermo, whose mother is a Penacook Place resident. She urged residents of Penacook and their families to attend. “Families are invited to share concerns, discuss the potential impact of the sale and explore ways to advocate for the continued quality of care of their loved ones,” reads a flyer she prepared.