Haverhill

Haverhill Presbyterians Complete Sale; Say Proceeds Offer Local Benefits

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The First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill earlier this month completed the sale of its church building at the corner of Broadway and Carleton Street, noting proceeds will be used to benefit charitable efforts locally and within the region. The church, 346 Broadway, was sold last week to Merrimack Valley Presbyterian Church, previously of North Andover. Officials said, “While both Presbyterian churches, our congregations hail from different denominational entities and have no ties to each other. The building will remain a worship space and will not change in its function or purpose.” Josiah E. Morrow, the church’s clerk of session, told the larger story. “While this is a time of great sadness for our congregation, we are gratified to know that the building will remain a church and continue the purpose for which it was built in 1986.

Community Spotlight

Driscoll Again Sponsors First Responder, City Worker Appreciation Cookout

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Haverhill’s Driscoll Funeral Home is again treating first responders and city workers to a cookout Friday. Owner Pat Driscoll said the sixth annual First Responders and City Workers Appreciation Cookout takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the funeral home parking area, 309 S. Main St., Bradford. It features meal raffles provided by local restaurants and businesses

“If you are a current or former City of Haverhill worker, you are invited,” Driscoll said. Last year, more 250 city workers and first responders, including members of the Haverhill Police and Fire Departments and Pridestar Trinity EMS, were served lunch.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Poised to Add Limited Outdoor Food Vendor Locations

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The Haverhill City Council is poised to increase the number of outdoor food vendors next summer, but reject a suggested location. While councilors took no votes Tuesday night, they heard Ward 4 City Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski’s summary of where members of the Council’s Natural Resources and Public Property Committee are leaning in response to Ward 3 Councilor Devan M. Ferreira’s June proposal to more than double the number of vendor licenses from six to 14 and add three new locations. Lewandowski recounted objections raised by her subcommittee. “Some of the concerns that we had as a Council included pedestrian traffic, impacts on downtown businesses and trash and debris,” she said. Under Ferreira’s plan, the number of vendors allowed in Riverside Park would go from one to four and GAR Park, Swasey Field Park and Nettleton Avenue would each go from one to two vendors.

Haverhill

Former Holy Family Hospitals Show Improved Profitability in Report

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Hospitals Financials Improved Ahead of ‘Most Disruptive Wave’
By Alison Kuznitz

The former Holy Family Hospital and its new parent, Merrimack Health, showed improved profitability during the last fiscal year. It was among a majority of Massachusetts hospitals that boosted their profitability, but a trade group offered a cautionary note this week due to federal policy changes that could upend the gains. According to the state Center for Health Information and Analysis—or CHIA, the former Holy Family Hospital posted the highest acute hospital total margin of 27.4%. Merrimack Health, the rebranded system encompassing Lawrence General Hospital and Holy Family Hospital’s campuses in Haverhill and Methuen, had the highest total margin—11.5%—among multi-acute health systems. Holy Family Hospital was salvaged amid the Steward Health Care bankruptcy crisis. CHIA noted both entities “received state funding and one-time revenues related to Merrimack Health’s acquisition of Holy Family Hospital.”

The report also captured how much money hospitals are pouring into the use of temporary workers, a sore point for nurses who have gone on strike or are preparing to walk off the job as they push for higher wages.

Business Bulletin

PrideStar Trinity EMS’s Communications Center Wins Reaccreditation

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PrideStar Trinity EMS’ Communications Center has again earned designation as an Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. Originally achieving ACE Accreditation in 2017, PrideStar Trinity EMS became the first emergency medical dispatch center in Massachusetts to receive the designation. Today, it remains one of only two accredited Centers of Excellence in the Commonwealth and joins a group of just 300 accredited communications centers worldwide. “This re-accreditation reflects the professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment of every member of our Communications Center,” said PrideStar Trinity EMS President & CEO David T. Daly. “Our dispatchers are the first contact our patients encounter.

Community Spotlight

‘Wildlife Out Your Window’ Explores Backyard Visitors Oct. 10

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Bradd Timm, nature author and wildlife ecologist, tells the stories of everyone’s backyard visitors when he discusses “Wildlife Out Your Window” during the Haverhill Public Library’s Climate & Community Series. Timm tells the stories and uses photographs and videos from his book, “Wildlife Out Your Window,” to bring common backyard species to life with stories described as fun, memorable, and often surprising. He’ll also provide simple, practical ways people can help wildlife where they live, in the backyard, on the balcony or just through the window view. The free program takes place Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2-3:30 p.m., at Haverhill Public Library, Milhendler Room, 99 Main St., Haverhill.

Haverhill

Downed Limbs Highlight Haverhill’s Nor’easter Bout; Rain Fails to Break Drought

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Downed tree limbs and power outages over the last few days highlighted Haverhill’s experience with the season’s early nor’easter, but an official said, the rain hasn’t done enough to dramatically change local drought conditions. Officials starting receiving calls of power outages, downed tree limbs and business alarms being set off beginning about 12:45, Saturday afternoon. Public Works Director Robert E. Ward told WHAV the wastewater treatment plant on S. Porter Street recorded a little more than two inches of rainwater as of Monday morning. Elsewhere in the city, totals amounted to between an inch and a half and two inches. “It’s not enough, but every little bit does help,” he said.

Haverhill

Public Meetings This Week: Haverhill Historic Commission to Hear Elks Lodge Plans

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The Haverhill Historic Commission is expected to review demolition and reconstruction plans for the former Haverhill Lodge of Elks No. 165, at the corner of Summer and Newcomb Streets when it meets Wednesday night. As WHAV reported last March, Bethany Communities of Haverhill is eying the former clubhouse at 24 Summer St. for senior affordable assisted living apartments. According to the Southern Essex County Registry of Deeds, Bethany purchased the property last April 30 for $900,000 and secured a mortgage through Boston-based Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation.