Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett assessed the high points of her last 16 months in office and looked to the future in her first State of the City address Tuesday delivered in the City Hall auditorium. Against a backdrop of city, state and the America flag and with her department heads, city hall staff and members of the public cheering her on, Barrett reflected on the successes of her administration, priorities for the future and gave a warning about city finances. Preceding her at the podium was Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll who praised Barrett and other city leaders for their willingness to serve the public and make the city and state a better place to live. Driscoll, the former mayor of Salem, pointed out the challenges inherent in the position that Barrett holds. “It’s a job that is one of the hardest jobs in America, serving as a mayor, particularly of what I consider to be medium-sized cities where you don’t have ton of staff writing press releases and doing the communications, doing all the work you might have in a larger city but you have all the same the challenges.
Education
Northern Essex Community College Adds Ball and DeCologero to Executive Staff
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Northern Essex Community College has hired two executives in the president’s office—both with significant state and local experience. Jennifer Ball, currently the assistant town manager in Ashland, become chief of staff to college President Lane A. Glenn, while former North Andover Selectman Philip DeCologero takes the newly created post of director of president’s office communications and external affairs. “Jenn and Phil both bring extensive knowledge of local and state government, as well as experience in complex project management and strategic planning,” said Glenn in a release. “Both will be tremendous assets to the college.”
DeCologero, who currently works as director of community and external affairs for state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, begins Monday, May 5, while Ball assumes her post a week later. As assistant town manager, Ball manages cross-departmental projects and advises the town manager and elected officials on policy and operations.
Community Spotlight
Haverhill Boys & Girls Club Back-A-Kid Donors Have Chance to be Listed on T-Shirts
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Those who contribute $125 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill might just find their names on the backs of T-shirts the club is handing out at its Walk-A-Palooza. The social services organization is asking for $125 donations for its Back-A-Kid fundraiser in honor of its 125th birthday providing recreational activities and support to children in Greater Haverhill. The first 125 donors will be listed on the event tee for the club’s Saturday, May 3, Walk-A-Palooza through downtown Haverhill. Contributions in any amount up to $25,000 made by June 1 will be matched by the Amelia Peabody Foundation. The club notes three quarters of children served are from low-income families and 40% are led by one parent.
Haverhill
Music Alliance Says CPB Cut Threatens Use of Music on WHAV, Many Radio Stations
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“I saw Satan laughing with delight…The day the music died.”
— from Don McLean’s “American Pie”
WHAV is defined by its commitment to original, comprehensive local news reporting, but those who enjoy its unique, locally curated selection of classic hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s should know this music could go away. WHAV does not receive any grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but listeners do benefit from broadcast and internet music license agreements CPB has negotiated on behalf of all nonprofit broadcasters. The noncomMUSIC Alliance says a plan to rescind funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting “will devastate the public media system.”
“Without federal funding for CPB and CPB’s management of these music rights, public radio stations will not be able to play any music of any genre on the radio or stream on the internet. Noncommercial music in broadcast could vanish, unless the music rights organizations renegotiate in some way to allow these uses for hundreds of public radio stations nationwide. The effects on public radio music stations—which predominantly play noncommercial music on the air and serve nearly 24 million listeners weekly—would be devastating.”
The noncomMUSIC Alliance is asking those who love music and support artists to communicate directly with lawmakers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire before May 2 about the importance of public radio to your artists and their development.
Business Bulletin
Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Offers Free ‘Coffee Connect’ May 8
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The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is introducing “Coffee Connect,” described as a casual morning networking event to kick-start your day with great coffee and even better conversation.”
The inaugural Coffee Connect, free to Greater Haverhill Chamber members, takes place Thursday May 8, from 8- 9 a.m., at Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill. A door prize is offered. Registration takes place at HaverhillChamber.com.
Haverhill
Juror Shortage Prompts Delay of Haverhill School Committee Member’s Trial
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A shortage of jurors delayed the trial Wednesday of first-term Haverhill School Committee member Cheryl A. Ferguson, charged with alleged indecent assault and battery on a teenage boy. The trial is now scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, after Haverhill District Court Judge Cesar A. Archilla was unable to seat a full jury of six and one alternate. Archilla spent more than four hours training and certifying a pool of 17 potential jurors, but after 12 were excused for various reasons, he announced the trial could not proceed. “We can go forward with six but not with five so I thank you for your service,” Archilla told the two men and three women who were successfully seated. Fifty-nine-year-old Ferguson, who represents Ward 3 on the School Committee, was arrested last Oct.
Haverhill
Feds Cancel $1 Million in Grants to UTEC, Which Runs Anti-Gang Programs in Haverhill, Lawrence
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The operator of anti-gang and gun violence prevention programs in Haverhill, Lawrence and other areas said Wednesday it will lose about $1 million after the federal government cancelled contracts for community violence intervention services and related programs.
Nonprofit UTEC said the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday pulled back grants to community organizations and local governments, including money for gun-violence prevention programs, crime-victim advocacy and efforts to combat opioid addiction. “The Department of Justice’s decision to immediately cancel hundreds of grants, including critical funding for gun violence prevention and community-based intervention programs, is deeply disappointing. This negatively impacts our communities in a time where we are working so intentionally to combat the harms that affect our young people. These cuts directly affect communities like ours across the country that are working to prevent violence and who are working to support young people most at risk,” said UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau in a statement. The U.S. Department of Justice terminated two grant contracts awarded to UTEC in 2021 and 2023 for community violence intervention services totaling $500,000 plus a like amount UTEC would have received as a sub-grantee on grants awarded to police and a nonprofit organization, bringing the total loss close to $1 million.
Education
Haverhill Commission on Disabilities to Award Two $7,500 Scholarships
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Graduating high school seniors with disabilities who live in Haverhill and are planning to pursue a career in a health care or disability-related field may apply for one of two $7,500 scholarships offered by the Haverhill Commission on Disabilities. “We believe these scholarships often make the difference in whether non-traditional students are able to attend college and further their education,” said Frances (Hogan) Lamb, commission chair. “We look forward to having these students return to the community and tell us how furthering their education has made a difference to them and to those they are helping.”
The application is one-page form available from both the Haverhill High School and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School guidance departments, by emailing [email protected] or by calling the Commission at 978-374-2387. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, June 6, she said. Applicants are advised to be prepared to describe their disability as well as their high school activities and community-based volunteer work, any employment or internships and what they most enjoyed about high school.
Haverhill
U.S. Rep. Trahan Nominates Haverhill, Methuen Students to United States Service Academies
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Congresswoman Lori Trahan hosted a ceremony this week to nominate students from across the Third District to United States Service Academies. Trahan nominated students to the United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy. “It’s one of my greatest honors and most serious responsibilities to nominate outstanding young men and women from our district to our nation’s service academies,” said Trahan. “These students are driven by something bigger than themselves—by a desire to serve, to lead, and to contribute to the common good. Their commitment to country and community inspires hope for the future of our armed forces and our nation.”
West Point nominees included Samuel Richenburg of Haverhill, St.