Haverhill

Encouraging Triple Deckers, Other Ideas Emerge for Easing Haverhill’s Affordable Housing Pain

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A committee reviewing Haverhill’s proposed five-year Housing Production Plan heard ideas Monday to provide more affordable homes that include encouraging triple-deckers and taking better advantage of state incentives. The Haverhill City Council’s Planning and Development Committee also received cautionary tales from both a nonprofit and for-profit developer. At Large Councilor John A. Michitson, who chairs the subcommittee, invited developers to attend the hearing. Two attending where Essex County Habitat For Humanity Executive Director Meegan O’Neil and David Traggorth of Causeway Development which developed two mixed-use properties in downtown Haverhill in 2009. Traggorth praised the city for its work on developing the housing plan.

Community Spotlight

Indian Violinist Headlines Haverhill Public Library Concert

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Indian violinist Pranav Swaroop Bettagere headline a concert of South Asian music Saturday at the Haverhill Public Library. Bettagere is trained in the classic Indian “carnatic” style of violin. He has performed across India and in Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands. He has been a guest artist at three of Berklee College’s International Folk Festivals and was honored in 2024 as a Maker of the Year by National Public Radio. Bettagere will be joined on stage by other South Asian artists including Raghav Rajaram on the Keyboard, and Shivara Natraj on drums.

The concert’s theme is “Sarang, the Colors of South Asian Music.” Bettagere explained that “rang” means color in Sanskrit so this concert is a colorful exploration and celebration of South Asian music traditions, he said.

Business Bulletin

L’Arche Boston North Awards Cedar’s Tsakirellis with First Heart of Generosity Award

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Aimee Tsakirellis of Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods became the inaugural recipient Wednesday of L’Arche Boston North’s Heart of Generosity Award. Tsakirellis, executive vice president of marketing and communications at Cedar’s, was presented the award during a ceremony at L’Arche’s Culinary Program Kitchen in Haverhill. The award “honors an individual or organization whose extraordinary generosity—through time, resources, or spirit—has deeply enriched the life of the L’Arche Boston North community.” Tsakirellis was selected for her commitment to L’Arche’s mission and ongoing support of the organization’s inclusive culinary training initiative for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “In creating this award, we hoped to recognize not just generosity, but the heart behind the help—and Aimee truly embodies that spirit,” said L’Arche Boston North Executive Director Jennifer Matthews. “Her support has gone far beyond the material—she has become a true companion to our mission, showing up with care, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in the power of community.”

Under Tsakirellis’ leadership, Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods has provided generous in-kind and financial support, while also amplifying the program’s mission within the broader community.

Haverhill

As Haverhill’s Legal Bills Grow, City Councilor Asks for Monthly Reports

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The City of Haverhill’s legal bills are on their way to doubling and Haverhill City Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski wants to know why. Following the retirement of William D. Cox Jr. as city solicitor in 2024, the city first tried to replace him with another in-house attorney. The position was advertised at an annual salary of $94,607. When no acceptable candidates applied, even after the salary was increased to $120,000, Mayor Melinda E. Barrett decided to hire a permanent outside law firm, a model the City Council ratified unanimously. The city spent $268,110 in 2023 and $268,880 in 2024, which included Cox’s salary and outside specialists.

Crime

Harmony Montgomery’s Grandfather Mounts Search for Murdered Child’s Remains; Seeks Help

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The grandfather of a five-year-old with Haverhill ties who disappeared in 2019 is mounting a search to locate her remains. Harmony Montgomery was formally declared dead in March of 2024. Her remains were never found. Her father, Adam Montgomery, was found guilty of killing the child and disposing of her body in February 2024. He was subsequently sentenced to 45 years to life in state prison.

Education

Finegold Testifies in Favor of Enabling Districts to Ban Cell Phones, Devices in School

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Area Sen. Barry R. Finegold called this week on the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education to advance a bill that would ban student cell phone and other device usage while in school except in certain circumstances such as emergencies. The bill, championed by Sens. Finegold, Julian Cyr and Nick Collins and state Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, would require local school districts to restrict “physical access to a personal electronic device by students during the school day,” except in some instances. “With local authority driving, a prohibition on the use of cell phones and related technology, with certain limited exceptions, is a powerful first step in creating what Attorney General Andrea Campbell has called ‘a digital landscape that prioritizes the well-being of our youth,’” Finegold said in written testimony. The bill covers mobile phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches or other electronic devices “not owned or provided to a student by a public school.”

Finegold noted, “Massachusetts is falling behind the 26 other states that have already passed laws in this space, 17 of which have happened this year.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Food Drive Saturday by Merrimack Valley Chamber, Central Labor Council and United Way

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The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council and United Way of Massachusetts Bay are asking for the public’s donations during a food drive this Saturday at all three Haverhill Market Basket store locations. Collections take place Saturday, June 21, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at Market Basket stores at 400 Lowell Ave., 2 Water St. and 285 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill

The effort seeks non-perishable food with organizers saying every can, box and bag makes a real difference. Volunteers will be at each site to assist. Those seeking more information may email Bobby Brown at [email protected].

Community Spotlight

Salem Poet Carver Reads at Haverhill River Bards Wednesday Night

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Poet M.P. Carver of Salem, Mass., is headlining Wednesday night’s Haverhill River Bards poetry and open mic night. Carver is the director of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival and teaches creative writing at Salem State University. Her poem “In Vitro” was named a finalist of the Connecticut River Review’s Experimental Poetry Contest in 2023. Her poem, “You & God & I,” was awarded the New England Poetry Club’s E.E. Cummings Prize in 2022. She has received financial support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Essex Community Foundation.