Business Bulletin

Driscoll Hosts 5th Annual Appreciation Lunch Honoring Public Safety and City Workers

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More 250 city workers were served lunch recently during Driscoll Funeral Home’s Fifth Annual Appreciation Cookout. Members of the Haverhill Police Department, Haverhill Fire Department; PrideSTAR, EMS and other city departments enjoyed a cookout featuring local restaurants Friday, Sept.19, at the South Main Street funeral home. “We decided in 2021 to do something to honor the hardworking men and woman from our various city departments being police, fire, EMS, DPW, Water Departments and city hall workers that all work tirelessly to keep our city safe and operating long into the night and weekends while many residents are home in bed or enjoying family time,” said Pat Driscoll, owner. Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright said, “Every year our office and other City Hall employees look forward to this event. It’s a great atmosphere and we enjoy seeing other city employees that we may not always cross paths with.”

Food was featured by Maria’s Family Restaurant, Wang’s Table, G’s Restaurant, Long Horn Steakhouse, Joseph’s Trattoria, Fantini Bakery, DiBurro’s famous salad dressing, Mark’s Deli and Stop and Shop while being served by dozens of community volunteers.

Business Bulletin

The James Apartments Formally Opens 153 Units During Ceremonies Tuesday in Ward Hill

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One of Haverhill’s newest housing developments celebrated the opening of 153 apartments Tuesday in Ward Hill during a grand opening celebration. The James Apartments, on the site of the former DiBurro’s Function Facility on S. Main Street, Route 125, welcomed city and state officials, citing the development’s contribution to tackling the state’s housing shortage. As WHAV reported, the apartments by Princeton Properties won City Council approval in 2022. Princeton Properties Management Chief Executive Officer Andrew M. Chaban told the gathering he enjoyed working with Haverhill City Hall. “I think it’s important to mention Bill Pillsbury, the economic development director in Haverhill, as well as Tom Bridgewater, the building inspector, both tough guys, but fair, truly fair.

Business Bulletin

State Awards $150K to L’Arche Boston North’s Effort to Transform Former A-1 Deli

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The state is bolstering L’Arche Boston North’s planned transformation of the former A-1 Deli in downtown Haverhill into a new a café that will promote workforce development. The Executive Office of Economic Development last week awarded $150,000 to the nonprofit’s efforts to expand its culinary arts program, staffed by adults with intellectual disabilities. As WHAV reported last spring, L’Arche plans to build on its “Homemade Hummus” and small culinary program at All Saint’s Church. Targeted to the project called, the L’Arche Learning Cafe: A Pathway to Culinary Careers for All Abilities, the money comes from the state’s Community Workforce Partnerships Grant Program, aimed at supporting “local economic priorities and collective problem-solving.”

Business Bulletin

State Environmental Agency Names UTEC as ‘Advocate of the Decade’ for Mattress Recycling

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UTEC’s mattress recycling program was recently named Advocate of the Decade for the Northeast Region by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The award, part of state agency’s 50th anniversary celebration, honors UTEC’s for its mattress recycling program and impact on the environment. Area participating communities include Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover and other communities. UTEC’s recycling program has more than doubled since Massachusetts banned mattress disposal in November 2022. “I knew about UTEC because of its mattress recycling program, but they’re way more than that,” said MassDEP Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning John Beling, who presented the award.

Business Bulletin

Palmisano Joins River Run as Executive Vice President, Legal Counsel Executive

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Attorney Charles Palmisano has joined River Run, the entity behind Pentucket Bank, Newburyport Bank, and Rollstone Bank & Trust, as executive vice president, legal counsel executive. Palmisano assumes the role previously held by Terrance McGinnis, who retires this year. River Run CEO Lloyd L. Hamm said, “His breadth of experience, community involvement and trusted reputation in the real estate and legal sectors make him uniquely qualified to carry forward the important work of our legal counsel office. We are thrilled to welcome him to the River Run family.”

Palmisano brings more than 30 years of experience in commercial and residential real estate law, representing lenders, buyers, and sellers in the financing, acquisition and sale of properties across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Over the course of his career, he has overseen thousands of residential and commercial closings in the region.

Business Bulletin

Northern Essex Community College is Haverhill Chamber’s Member of the Month

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The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce recently named Northern Essex Community College as its September 2025 Member of the Month. In a statement, Haverhill Chamber leadership said the two-year college with campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence “embodies dedication to educational excellence, community impact and student success. From forging strong local partnerships to offering innovative, accessible programs, NECC consistently leads with integrity and inclusion.”

Meanwhile, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce plans a “Back to Business Networking” mixer Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at North Mechanical Services, 25 Mulberry St., Haverhill. Registration takes place online at HaverhillChamber.com or by calling Chamber President and CEO Katie Cook at 978-479-2152.

Business Bulletin

Police Chiefs Talk Hiring Challenges, Crime Successes; Go Behind-the-Scenes at Chamber Breakfast

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The five chiefs who oversee the police departments in Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover pointed out their day-to-day challenges and successes in reducing crime during a Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Forum Monday morning. All of the leaders agreed recruitment and retention topped the list of challenges and said the support and help of the business community made their jobs infinitely easier. On hiring, Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said he believes younger officers reject shift work. Why is this happening? Well, I think shift work is different.

Business Bulletin

UMass Lowell to Help Seniors Use Computers, Free Chromebooks

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Students from UMass Lowell are offering to teach seniors basic computer skills for free. The class will run for eight weeks beginning Friday, Sept. 26, and take place from 1-3 p.m., at the Haverhill Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. The college will supply Google Chromebooks, which those who complete the course may keep. This digital literacy initiative is being co-sponsored by the Haverhill Council on Aging.