Business Bulletin

Affordable Housing and Collaboration are Chamber’s Mayors and Managers Themes

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Creating more affordable housing throughout the region and working collaboratively were the major themes of city leaders who spoke at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayors and Managers Breakfast Monday in Andover. Michael J. Sullivan, chairman of the Chamber’s board of directors, opened the event by reminding the 250 in the audience that “there are no fences” between their communities and working together builds a more prosperous region. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett built on that theme, saying she discovered the most effective method for accomplishing her goals is through collaboration. “I’d like to publically thank my partners in government including all the city employees, the Haverhill city council, our state and federal delegation and the Healy-Driscoll administration. Collaboration is key to getting stuff done in government and beyond and I am fortunate to work alongside so may dedicated public servants to take on any challenge affecting our city from government shutdowns to massive snow storms.” Barrett said.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill’s Brando’s Restaurant to Expand to North Andover

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A Haverhill restaurant with a storied history is bringing it magic to a star-crossed eatery in North Andover. Billy Griffin and his partner Scott Brandolini, who run Brando’s Cutlets in Haverhill, have leased the old Harrison’s Roast Beef at 80 Chickering Road in North Andover. They are calling their new venture Brando’s Part II. “We are very exciting to be expanding to North Andover,” Griffin told WHAV. “It’s a great location, larger than our Haverhill spot.”

Griffin said they will duplicate their Haverhill menu which includes nine different chicken sandwiches, eight pasta dinners, soups and salad.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Bank Promotes Five to Senior Leadership

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Five Haverhill Bank staff were promoted to leadership positions during the institution’s annual meeting in November. Amy Barcelos becomes senior vice president, retail branch administrator, while Evan Cline moves up to senior vice president & controller; Elizabeth “Liz” Cronin, senior vice president, compliance & BSA; Kelly C. Quevillon, senior vice president of operations; and Nadine M. White, assistant vice president, branch manager. Haverhill Bank Chairman and CEO Thomas L. Mortimer and President & Chief Operating Officer Gregory Shaw said the promotions demonstrate the bank’s commitment to its depositors and borrowers. Mortimer said, “The breadth of experience represented by the senior executives bodes well for the bank that has remained locally depositor-owned and Haverhill-based for nearly 150 years.” Shaw added, “These are recognizable and trusted faces in the community, demonstrating important continuity of operations.”

Barcelos, of Hampstead, N.H., joined Haverhill Bank in July of 2023 as vice president, retail operations manager, and became vice president, retail branch administrator in April of 2024. With nearly 20 years of banking experience, she previously held positions with Pentucket Bank, River Bank and Fleet Bank/Bank of America.

Business Bulletin

AgeSpan’s Tabitha Kreyling Receives Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud Prevention’s Finest Award

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Haverhill’s Tabitha Kreyling, a Medicare fraud specialist employed by AgeSpan in Lawrence, was recognized this month with the Fraud Prevention’s Finest Award by the national Senior Medicare Patrol Program. (Courtesy photograph)

Tabitha Kreyling of Haverhill was honored with the Fraud Prevention’s Finest award earlier this month by the national Senior Medicare Patrol Program. The Medicare education project is a federally-funded effort to reduce errors, fraud and abuse in the Medicare system by helping beneficiaries better understand their bills and detect irregularities. Kreyling is a complex interaction specialist with the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol project, managed locally by Lawrence-based AgeSpan. She is trained to handle complex cases that require strong analytical skills.

Business Bulletin

The Lasting Room Welcomes Haverhill Chamber Members Feb. 10

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The Lasting Room, which was recently revived in downtown Haverhill, is hosting members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce early in February. The Chamber says the free Back to Business event gives members and guests a chance to meet new owner John Vargas and sample the sports lounge and grill. There will be appetizers and a door prize. The networking mixer takes place Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at 122 Washington St., Haverhill.

Business Bulletin

Under New Developer, Housing Gets Second Chance to Replace Abandoned Haverhill Hair Salon

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The new owner of the abandoned Mr. Wayne Hairstylists property on Washington Street is now planning three market rate, townhouse-style apartments. Mark A. Colantonio of North Andover purchased the property from Richard P. Early Jr. in the fall. Early won a special permit from the Haverhill City Council in 2023 to construct a three-unit townhouse on the parcel at 462 Washington St. The land includes a paved parking lot and is at the corner of Ayer Street. At the time Early was working with Bread and Roses Housing Development of Lawrence and plan was to rent them at affordable rather than market rates.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Boys & Girls Club Welcomes Haverhill Chamber Members Feb. 10

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Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s “Coffee Connect” moves to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill for its February networking meeting

The free event includes breakfast and a door prize. It takes place Tuesday, Feb.10, from 8-9 a.m., at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, 55 Emerson St., Haverhill. Registration takes place online at HaverhillChamber.com.

Business Bulletin

Storm Prediction Prompts Chamber to Postpone Mayors and Managers Breakfast

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The prediction of major snowstorm this Sunday night has prompted the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce to move its Mayors and Managers Forum a week. The event has been postponed to Monday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 a.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Boston, 123 Old River Road, Andover. Chamber President Michael Bevilacqua said Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will still attend as guest speaker on the new date. Bevilacqua said tickets are still available and may be purchased online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com, or by calling 978-686-0900.