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Haverhill Police Receive $255,000 Annual State Staffing Grant

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Haverhill Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro said the grant will help him with areas of the city Haverhill “hit particularly hard by crime on a continual basis.” (WHAV News file photograph.)

Haverhill is receiving more than $250,000 from the state to help bolster police staffing. This year’s $255,200 grant is up $50,200 from last year, officials said in a statement. The sum is part of $3 million awarded to police departments across the state by the Gov. Charles Baker administration. Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas said he is thankful for the grant. “Having a well-staffed police department means a better protected city and a higher quality of life for our officers and residents,” Vargas said.

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Haverhill Library Brings ‘Sunshine and Happiness’ with Card-Making Class

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The Haverhill Public Library is having a card-making and paper crafting class with a theme of “Sunshine and Happiness,” next week. Participants will be creating a multi-layered card, bookmark and treat holder, using several techniques including stamping, die cutting, and embossing. All supplies are included, but those interested may bring their own coloring tools, scissors and adhesive. “Sunshine and Happiness” takes place Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main St.

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Officials, Residents Mourn Unexpected Passing of Veterans Advocate John Ratka

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Residents are mourning the unexpected passing of John E. Ratka, a 26-year Navy veteran who recently served as the city’s acting veterans’ services director. Ratka, the longtime executive director of Veterans Northeast Outreach Center and a member of the city’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ad Hoc Commission, reportedly died Saturday morning after being stricken ill Friday. “By any standard of reason John was a giant in veterans services and a fine sailor. He will be sorely missed. I hope to be half the leader that he was,” said Ralph T. Basiliere, commission chairman.

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Parent Calls Whittier Middle the ‘Forgotten School;’ Mayor: It’s 2nd to Go

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Paige Caswell, parent of an eighth grader at John Greenleaf Whittier School, pleaded for replacement of the building at last Thursday’s School Committee meeting. (WHAV News photograph.)

John Greenleaf Whittier School is second in line for replacement, but one resident gave an at-times emotional appeal last Thursday for immediate action. Paige Caswell said the more than 60-year-old Concord Street middle school is “a pit,” suffering from a series of problems—mostly related to water issues on the swamp-like site. “I’m saying, from what I’ve seen in the school this year and from the amount of time that I’ve spent on seeing these pictures and putting stuff together and budgets for things we haven’t even had, J.G. Whittier is the forgotten school,” she said. She explained key problems are structural issues and mold in the boys’ locker room, which have forced the room to be closed; poor indoor air quality; severe moisture in classrooms; temperatures exceeding 90 degrees in restrooms; soaking wet playgrounds; missing plumbing fixtures; persistent roof leaks; use of the girls’ locker room as a classroom; and crowded classes.

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City Inks Deals With Three Proposed Marijuana Shops Ahead of Tuesday Zoning Vote

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Mayor James J. Fiorentini has signed host community agreements with three retail marijuana hopefuls. (File photograph)

After months of discussion and careful consideration, Haverhill is preparing to issue a final determination on retail marijuana zoning Tuesday night. Once that happens, the three companies that have negotiated host community agreements with Mayor James J. Fiorentini are free to schedule their public outreach meetings—the next step in their application process. As WHAV previously reported, Stem, Full Harvest Moonz and CNA Stores inked agreements with Fiorentini last month ahead of Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Caroline Pineau already purchased real estate at 124 Washington St.

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Haverhill’s Ortiz Is Second Roofer to Die in Project Supervised by NEI Contracting

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Roofers were killed in construction projects overseen by Randolph-based NEI General Contracting, OSHA records show. (File photograph)

City roofer Carlos Ortiz is the second roofer in two years to die in an accident sustained during a renovation overseen by NEI General Contracting, WHAV has confirmed. Employed by River Street’s Progressive Roofing at the time of his death, Ortiz was working nine stories up at 98 Essex St., last month when he fell down what is said to be an elevator shaft. The Essex Street project—a renovation of the former Chen building—was overseen by construction management company NEI out of Randolph. NEI in turn subcontracted Progressive Roofing to carry out related on-site duties.

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New England Patriots Donate $75K to UTEC for Merrimack Valley Outreach Efforts

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Members of the Lowell-based UTEC mingled with New England Patriots players and received a surprise donation last week at Gillette Stadium. (Courtesy photgraph)

Haverhill is among the communities poised to benefit from a $75,000 donation from the New England Patriots to Merrimack Valley-based youth outreach group UTEC. Issued last week, the donation is the first of its kind from the Patriots Social Justice Fund. CEO Gregg Croteau and Policy Director Geoff Foster headed to Foxborough to present an overview on UTEC’s work to reduce recidivism and discuss the group’s passion for criminal justice reform. The men and several staff members also mingled with players, including Julian Edelman, Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty.