Crime

Grand Jury Indicts Owners of Trucking Company Involved in Crash That Killed 7 Motorcyclists

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A federal grand jury has returned indictments against the owners of a trucking company that hired the driver who crashed into and killed seven motorcyclists, including a former Haverhill man, during the spring of 2019 in Randolph, N.H.

Thirty-six-year-old Dunyadar Gasanov, also known as Damien Gasanov, and 35-year-old Dartanayan Gasanov owners of Westfield Transport, were each indicted on a charge of falsification of records. The older Gasanov, who has eluded arrest, was also indicted on conspiracy to falsify records and making a false statement to a federal investigator. The younger Gasanov was arrested Friday morning and appeared before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. Former Haverhill resident Albert “Woody” Mazza Jr., 59, of Lee, N.H., was among those killed June 21, 2019 when, New Hampshire State Police said, a Dodge pickup truck “collided with several motorcycles.” The motorcyclists were part of Jarheads Motorcycle Club who were riding to a charity event at the American Legion in Gorham, N.H. The club consists of active duty or honorably discharged marines and FMF Corpsmen. The driver, 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy of West Springfield was charged with seven counts of negligent homicide.

Haverhill

Haverhill May Need to Invest in Merrimack Street Parking Deck Even as It Seeks to Demolish It

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See related stories: Haverhill to Seek Developer for 3.8 Acres of Downtown Land, Including Goecke Deck and Downtown Analysis: Al Boulanger Can Finally Rest. Although the city wants a developer to buy and demolish the downtown Haverhill parking deck, it requires emergency repairs to at least temporarily restore more than a dozen parking spaces. Council President Melinda E. Barrett told her colleagues Tuesday she noticed a number of parking spaces at the Herbert H. Goecke Jr. Memorial Parking Deck are out of commission. “There was a crack in the upper deck there so, subsequently, some metal plates were put down. We’ve lost maybe seven spots up top and maybe nine spots down below, behind the Pentucket Bank,” she said.

Education

Haverhill’s Education Support Professionals Say Schools ‘Holding Firm’ on Pay Raises

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The union representing Haverhill’s education support professionals returns to bargaining with the city in about three weeks after making little progress on a new agreement earlier this week. The union’s contract with the city’s schools expired at the end June, last year. In an update to members of the Haverhill Educational Association, ESP Chair Maureen Zuber said the Haverhill School Department is “holding firm” on a differential of 50 cents per hour for ESPs to work as the technology or library teacher. The union countered, asking for a differential of $5 per hour. “…The proposal was extremely disappointing as there was no movement on the (School Committee’s) proposed wage increase of 1.75%, 2% and 1.5% each year,” Zuber said.

COVID-19

State Removes Some COVID-19 Restrictions Monday; Haverhill City Hall to Reopen

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With the state returning Monday to Step 2, Phase III of its COVID-19 reopening plan, Haverhill likewise plans to fully reopen City Hall that day. Gov. Charlie Baker’s plan returns the Commonwealth to the December phase it was in before new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations followed the Thanksgiving holiday. One practical effect of the new rules is restaurants will no longer have a percent capacity limit and will be permitted to host musical performances. A six-foot social distance, limit of six people per table and 90-minute limits remains in place. Other venues, such as indoor performance spaces and recreational activities with greater potential for contact, will have a capacity limit of 50%.

Education

Whittier Tech Looks Ahead to Spring Sports; Says There Hasn’t Been Enough Room for Fall II Sports

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Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School is aiming for a spring sports season after having cancelled sports for about a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch explained, for one, the school hasn’t had the space required by social distancing rules to offer athletics. Her remarks appeared to coincide with some students’ and parents’ calls to have Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s proposed Fall II season. “If we can’t offer a sports season to all Fall II athletes, we’re not having one at all because it simply wouldn't be equitable,” Lynch said in a statement. “We are hopeful, should COVID-19 case numbers stay down in our 11 sending communities, that we may be able to offer a spring sports season.

Haverhill

Haverhill City Council Asks for Local and State Suggestions for Route 125 Restaurant Crash Site

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Haverhill will look at local options such as improved signage and ask the state for help improving a Route 125 intersection where three crashes within two weeks forced the closure of a restaurant there. Since Feb. 4, three cars have crashed through the front of Li’s Fine Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar, with the most recent causing enough damage to force the closure of the business. City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, who once lived near the intersection on Main Street where the crashes occurred, said Tuesday night the increase in population at the state border has inevitably led to traffic issues. “The growth of the Plaistow, N.H., business community has really added to the traffic in that area, and speed is definitely a factor,” she said.

Education

Council Approves Spending $60,000 on State-Required Haverhill High School Roof Plan

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The Haverhill City Council on Tuesday approved spending $60,000 to pay for a feasibility study and design for a partial roof replacement project at Haverhill High School. The study and schematic design are required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority as part of a possible state Accelerated Repair Program grant. During the Schematic Design Study phase, the MSBA will work with the city’s project manager to find an economic, educationally appropriate and sustainable solution to the repair of the facility. In a related matter, a request by Council President Melinda E. Barrett for a status update on the newly combined city and school’s maintenance department was put on hold after Council Vice President Colin F. LePage said new Maintenance Director Steve Dorrance plans to address the Council in person to discuss what has been achieved over the past three months as well as his vision going forward. The Council agreed and tabled the discussion to March 16.

COVID-19

VA Bedford Opens COVID-19 Vaccinations to All Veterans Regardless of Age Starting Today

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VA Bedford Healthcare System is opening COVID-19 vaccinations to all veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, regardless of age, starting today. Enrolled veterans and designated caregivers may receive the vaccine by making appointments by calling 781-687-4000 weekdays. Appointments are available daily, including weekends, from 7 a.m.-4:45 p.m. VA is administering the Pfizer vaccine in the auditorium of Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford. Veterans will automatically be scheduled for their second dose in three weeks while in the clinic. Veterans who wish to use the shuttle between local VA clinics and the Veterans Hospital should reserve seats before making their appointments.