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December Water Treatment Malfunction May Have Cost Worker’s Job

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Haverhill Water Treatment Plant. Last December’s malfunction at the city’s water treatment plant may have a cost a 30-year-veteran of the department his job. The Dec. 11 incident was the subject of city councilor complaints for a three-month delay in notifying residents and a confusing letter about the problem. WHAV filed a request April 27 with the City of Haverhill under the state’s public records law, asking specifically if a particular employee’s “termination (is) related to water treatment plant operational problems.”

Human Resource Director Denise McClanahan responded John E. Dignus, listed as a Class IV water treatment plant operator, retired Feb.

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Police Pick Up Man in New York for Alleged Hilldale Ave. Arson

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A 26-year-old Lowell man was arraigned on arson charges last week, a little more two weeks after Haverhill firefighters extinguished a small fire at a Hilldale Avenue duplex home. Troy Maloney, 482 Fletcher St., Lowell, returns to district court Wednesday, April 12, for a dangerousness hearing, Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokeswoman for Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett, told WHAV Friday. Maloney is accused of trying to burn the two-family home at 493 Hilldale Ave., Saturday, March 18, just before 4:30 in the morning. “The men and women of the Haverhill Police Department did an outstanding job of collecting the necessary facts and evidence so that the suspect could be identified and apprehended within the same day as the crime,” said Detective Lt. Robert P. Pistone, police spokesman. Fire Chief William F. Laliberty previously told WHAV the damage was “minimal,” but an investigation was focused on Maloney’s intent.

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City Loses Purchasing Agent as Lancaster Names Administrator

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Orlando Pacheco during a previous appearance before the Haverhill City Council. (WHAV News photograph.)

Haverhill Purchasing Director and Energy Manager Orlando Pacheco is expected to leave his Haverhill post after Lancaster selectmen voted Thursday to offer him back his old job as town administrator. Pacheco, who lives in Peabody, must first negotiate a contract with the town. “I expect it will take at least a month for me to get to Lancaster on a regular basis and then, I’m sure, there will be some longer-term transitioning,” he said. Pacheco notified Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini of the job offer, but assured him he will be available to complete some energy projects before he leaves.

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Updated: Suspect Under Arrest for City Arson Attempt

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A suspect, who allegedly planned to burn a Hilldale Avenue duplex, is being held by New York police and will be extradited back to Massachusetts to face charges. Jennifer Mieth, public information officer for state Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, confirmed the arrest this morning. Haverhill Fire and Police and the state Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the unsuccessful attempt to burn a duplex condominium a little more than a week ago. Haverhill police report responding to an arson call Saturday, March 18, just before 4:30 in the morning, at 493 Hilldale Ave. Citing the ongoing investigation, Fire Chief William F. Laliberty, said he could offer few details.

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Essex District Attorney Details Minor Drug Offender Help Plan

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Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett. Part 1 of 2. A recent decision to “divert” a Haverhill public works employee from the court system over a drug possession charge to a drug treatment program has helped raise awareness of a little-known effort targeting addiction. In the first of a two-part series, Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett tells WHAV listeners how the program started, who it is helping and why it is a benefit for the community. “We saw so many families that were struggling with this, cutting across the entire county, the entire socio-economic stratus,” he said.

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Lawyer For Haverhill Man Detained by Immigration Agents Reveals Story

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Attorney Petronila Veras-Rizwan of Lynn. (Courtesy photograph.)

An Ecuadorean man, now conclusively identified by WHAV as the target of a U.S. immigration raid at a Main Street apartment last month, has been released on a $4,000 bond by a Boston immigration judge. The early-30s man, who has lived in Haverhill for more than 10 years, was targeted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency—known as ICE—during one of at least two recent raids. Contrary to established protocols, ICE activity was apparently undertaken without the knowledge of the Haverhill Police Department. Local reports of ICE raids, first made public by Haverhill City Councilor Andy Vargas Feb.

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Cedardale Owners Vow to Quickly Rebuild After Devastating Fire

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Cedardale owner Ed Veasey, right, tours the fire-damaged health and fitness center. (WHAV News photograph.)

The owners and founders of Cedardale Health and Fitness are vowing to rebuild quickly after a three-alarm blaze Wednesday that caused an estimated $2 million in damage to a principal building at the complex. Ed and Zoe Veasey, who had been at the fire scene since about 4 a.m., said they are going right to work on a new Cedardale. Ed Veasey said work will begin once the insurance company completes its assessment. “We’re going to get this place put back together one way or another as quick as we possibly can.” Veasey said he is prepared to move quickly, whether part of the building is salvageable or not.

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Police Officer Rogers Decides to Retire; Still Facing Drunken Driving Charge

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A Haverhill police officer, charged last week with drunken driving for a second time, is retiring. Francis Carl Rogers, 60, of Bradford, submitted retirement forms this week to City Hall, confirmed Mayor James J. Fiorentini late Friday afternoon. Applications are filed with Haverhill Retirement Board and retirements generally take effect immediately if the individual is qualified. “He was a very good police officer for the city of Haverhill and we’re sorry to see the career of someone who served the city well end in this fashion,” the mayor told WHAV. “We wish him well,” he added.