Crime

UTEC Among Those Receiving State Grants to Help Reduce Repeat Offenses by Those Leaving Prison

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The Essex County Sheriff’s Department was among those recently awarded state Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative grants to reduce repeat offenses and improve outcomes of people aged 18 to 25 who are leaving prison. Chelsea-based Roca was awarded $1.6 million to provide programs for the prison and probations operations of the Sheriff’s Departments of Essex, Hampden and Suffolk counties, while UTEC—which operates in Haverhill, Lawrence and Lowell—was awarded $1.2 million for prisons operated by the Sherriff’s Departments in Essex and Middlesex counties. According to the state, programs partner with the departments to deliver pre- and post-release services. “Quality reentry programs are essential to preventing recidivism and improving outcomes for young adults. The Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative combines evidence-based programming with ongoing technical assistance and strong collaboration between partner agencies and service providers.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Bank Promotes Four to Senior Posts at Annual Meeting

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During its recent annual meeting, Haverhill Bank announced the promotion of four staff members to leadership positions. Angelita Martinoli and James P. Henebry were both promoted to senior vice president, while Matthew Currie was promoted to vice president and Alison M. “Ali” Defina to assistant vice president. Martinoli, who previously served as vice president of human resources, brings more than 20 years of industry experience. She received her Business Management degree, majoring in Human Resources Management, from Southern New Hampshire University. She joined Haverhill Bank in June of 2021.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Hound, Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Derby Takes Place Feb. 8

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Haverhill Hound, Rod & Gun Club’s annual Ice Fishing Derby is set for the first Saturday in February with cash prizes for the three heaviest fish, with other prizes for the three heaviest kid’s fish entries. The club invites the public to join in the fun of walking on hard water, drilling an ice hole and setting a fishing line in Chadwick Pond. “Our main priority is to make sure there is safe thickness of ice to walk out on for this event. We will continue to monitor the ice conditions and either cancel or postpone the ice fishing derby based on our known ice conditions,” says club president Jeff Richards. “There are restrictions to gas engines being allowed on the pond, so we ask all to go old school and use either hand augers or battery-operated augers only.”

The Ice Fishing Derby Saturday takes place Saturday, Feb.

Beacon Hill News

Haverhill’s State-Mandated MBTA Housing Plan Wins Approval—Allows Max of About 10,000 Units

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Just days after Massachusetts’ highest court ruled communities with, or near, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service must plan for multifamily housing, the Haverhill City Council will formally receive notice the city’s plan—which allows more than 10,000 housing units—is legal. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett’s notice to councilors will be heard during next Tuesday night’s regular City Council meeting. In her cover letter, the mayor said she is “pleased to inform the Council that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has issued a determination that the City of Haverhill is in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act under Section 3A of the zoning act.”

In a letter, dated Jan. 2, state Housing Secretary Edward M. Augustus Jr. notified Barrett that zoning within Haverhill’s Downtown Smart Growth and Merrimack Street Gateway Renaissance Overlay Districts are acceptable. The city’s plans, as WHAV has reported, date back to at least the spring of 2022.

Haverhill

City Councilors Honor Lisa Guerin, Late Wife of Former Haverhill Mayor

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Haverhill City Councilors on Tuesday honored the late Lisa (Duggan) Guerin, who died over the weekend following a brief illness. She was the wife of former Mayor John J. Guerin Jr.

Council President Thomas J. Sullivan offered a moment of silence in honor of Guerin, his first cousin. “We grew up in Bradford together and we were very, very close,” he said. “As children, we hung out all the time, whether we were at Bradford swim club, which is where we spent many of our summers.”

Sullivan pointed out he and Lisa would join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Santa Parade Committee, founded by Sullivan’s father, John. Sullivan, who would become chair, said he went on to serve with his cousin many years.

Business Bulletin

Lennon Joins Merrimack Valley Planning Commission as Environmental Program Manager

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Former Amesbury City Councilor Adrienne D. Lennon was recently named environmental program manager at Haverhill-based Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. According to the quasi-public agency’s latest newsletter, Lennon leads a team of talented specialists in the technical service areas of environment, land use, climate and clean energy planning. “She is an experienced public administrator and environmental planner, centering her practice around ecological climate resilience, community engagement and how to reconnect people and nature. Her background in environmental regulations and policy development, natural resource assessments and land management, and climate impact and carbon reduction strategies bring a holistic view of regional planning to the Environmental Program.”

Previously, Lennon worked as an environmental scientist and project manager at a New England-based architectural, engineering and construction firm serving public and private clients. She is also a former Gloucester conservation agent and Amesbury conservation commissioner.

Community Spotlight

Pentucket Kiwanis Club Plans Eighth Annual Trivia Night Jan. 25

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The Pentucket Kiwanis Club is planning its eighth annual Trivia Night while at the same time celebrating the service club’s honor the 50th anniversary. Besides the trivia competition, there will be raffles and prizes, a look back at the club’s golden anniversary and sandwiches and snacks included in the ticket price. A cash bar will be available. Pentucket Kiwanis’ Trivia Night takes place Saturday, Jan. 25, at American Legion Wilbur M. Comeau Post 4, 1314 N. Main St., Haverhill.

Education

Haverhill Reports City Schools Not Affected by Software at the Center of a National Data Breach

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Parents of Haverhill Public School students are receiving assurances they are not impacted by a data breach involving a particular PowerSchool-branded educational product. Haverhill Director of Technology Douglas Russell said in an email Thursday to staff that city schools do not use the product. “First and foremost, we want to assure you that our district does not utilize PowerSchool’s Student Information System, which was the affected product in this incident. Instead, we use PowerSchool’s application system, and PowerSchool has indicated that only their SIS was compromised,” Russell wrote. Schools across the country were notified Wednesday by the Folsom, Calif.