Haverhill

State Awards MeVa Nine New Vans to Give Rides to Older Adults and People with Disabilities

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Merrimack Valley Transit, MeVa, for short, is getting nine new accessible vans because of a state grant to improve mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. The state said Wednesday, MeVa is among 30 recipients awarded a total of 115 vans from $14.8 million from the state Department of Transportation’s Community Transit Grant Program for cities and towns, Councils on Aging, regional transit authorities and nonprofit organizations. “This funding sends a clear and powerful message to older adults and people with disabilities:  we see you, we hear you and we are investing in your ability to travel safely, comfortably and with dignity,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. Gov. Maura Healey said the money is designed to helps in “making it easier for people to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments, the grocery store and more.”

There were 54 organizations requesting a total of 250 vehicles. Winning awardees were selected with a focus on organizations replacing older and high-mileage vehicles to maintain a state of good repair, along with compelling stories from applicants to expand fleets where need has increased.

Haverhill

Updated: U.S. Rep. Trahan Cites Haverhill Man’s Example as Risk if Feds Cut Medicaid

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Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Philip, who was initially identified Tuesday only by his first name, is Philip Rosa, son of Haverhill School Committee member Richard J. and Anne Marie Rosa. The family has consented to use of his name. Congresswoman Lori Trahan used the photograph of a Haverhill man Tuesday to put a face on a Republican proposal in the House to cut Medicaid. Trahan shared the story Philip Rosa, son of Haverhill School Committee member Richard J. and Anne Marie Rosa, whose independence and daily care depend on Medicaid-funded programs.

“Philip has a disability that hasn’t stopped him from giving back,” she said, “Whether volunteering with Meals on Wheels, training service dogs or caring for animals at a sanctuary, he does all this because of Medicaid. Medicaid funds the programs that help Philip gain skills, stay engaged and remain independent,” she said during Tuesday’s House Energy and Commerce Committee markup on reconciliation legislation.

Haverhill

With Lake Level Higher, Haverhill Lifts Severe Water Restrictions

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Thanks to a month of rainy weather, city officials lifted the most severe water usage restrictions but are still calling on residents and businesses to conserve when possible. Public Works Director Robert E. Ward told the Haverhill City Council Tuesday night that Kenoza Lake, the city’s main water reservoir, has recovered enough for him to recommend voluntary rather than mandatory conservation. The lake’s level is 5.3 feet higher than it was on March 18. Seven months of lower-than-anticipated rainfall prompted the city to issue a drought emergency in March and invoke several water use restrictions including a prohibition against washing cars and using automatic sprinkler systems.

Because warmer weather is on the horizon, Ward recommended residents who water their lawns do so before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. when there is less chance of evaporation and to use a watering can or hose with an automatic shutoff. He also asked residents to continue to take shorter showers, run dishwashers and washing machines only when full and fix leaking faucets and toilets.

Education

Haverhill’s Draft $133.8 Million School Budget Avoids Teacher Layoffs; Hearing May 22

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Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta last week unveiled a $133.8 million spending plan for next year that meets City Hall’s mandate to adhere to a 2.5% increase over the current year. Marotta told the Haverhill School Committee the tight budget anticipates no teacher layoffs or other notable cuts. “We are in a lot better shape than many of our surrounding districts and, while it is no easy road and we are not flush with cash at the moment, we are in a much better place. We are not looking at massive cuts. We are again looking at belt tightening and careful spending, but we are not looking at large layoffs or many of the things our neighboring districts are,” she said.

Education

Haverhill Kiwanis Awards Scholarships to Five Seniors from Haverhill High, Whittier Tech

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(Additional photographs below.)

Three Haverhill High School and two Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School students came away with $1,000 scholarships Tuesday following an honors lunch by the Haverhill Kiwanis Club. Kiwanian Deborah A. Conner announced two Community Service Scholarships, named in honor of late World War II veteran, Haverhill Firefighter and Kiwanis member David Moughan who died in 1998. The first was presented to Haverhill High School student Sylvie Schoenfeld. “In addition to her academics, Sylvie is a dancer with the Karla Pattavina’s Dance Academy. Through dance, she has participated in an annual fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society and another one which benefits St.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Hometown Heroes Plans Salute to Veterans and First Responders May 22

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The committee behind all of those downtown lamp post banners honoring veterans and first responders is planning its fifth annual Hometown Heroes Tribute Ceremony later this month in downtown Haverhill. A reading of the 2025 Hometown Heroes honorees, led by representatives of the Haverhill Police and Fire Departments and Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger, is planned to recognize the courage and sacrifices of Haverhill’s finest. Ward 1 City Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will serve as master of ceremony as local and state dignitaries, including Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and state Reps. Andy X. Vargas and Ryan M. Hamilton offer remarks. The Hometown Heroes Tribute Ceremony is open to the public Wednesday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at Grand Army of the Republic Park in Haverhill.

Business Bulletin

Pentucket Bank Donates $10,500 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill

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Pentucket Bank has donated $10,500 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill in support of a number of the Club’s initiatives including being lead sponsor of the Annual Golf Tournament, Casino Royale fundraiser and gymnasium floor logo. The bank has been a top sponsor of the annual Casino Royale fundraiser, the Club’s largest fundraiser for 10 years and running. In addition, several bank employees have served in board seats and as volunteers for several events and programs.

“Pentucket Bank has a long history of supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, and with good reason,” said bank President and CEO Steve Jaskelevicus. “From youth development, academic support and so many other positive programs, the Boys and Girls Clubs help strengthen communities by investing in the next generation’s success and well-being. There is perhaps nothing more important than that.”

Pentucket Bank has also supported the Boys & Girls Club with contributions to renovating the Club’s computer lab, along with continued maintenance of that space and its equipment.

Haverhill

Date Set This Month For ‘Slide-In’ of Bradford’s New S. Elm Street Railroad Bridge

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Traffic headed to and from the Sgt. Joseph C. Comeau Bridge will be rerouted over a long weekend at the end of the month. As WHAV reported nearly three years ago, city Community Development Division Director Andrew K. Herlihy told city councilors the long-anticipated final step resolved what would have been a tangle of simultaneous bridge projects. “Instead, what is going to happen, the MBTA is going to construct the bridge on an overhead platform. Two lanes of traffic will be passing through underneath all the time and, at least, one sidewalk available at all times, and they will construct this bridge over the next year,” he explained.