Haverhill Updates Approach to Public Spaces, Asks Residents for Input Through Online Survey

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As Haverhill updates its approach to its open and recreational spaces, Environmental Health Technician Robert E. Moore Jr. asks residents to share their thoughts via an online survey. “To develop meaningful objectives, we need input from the public, for it’s the public’s needs we are trying to meet,” Moore wrote in an email to WHAV. Public opinion will guide the city in its stewardship of all open spaces, including historic areas, hiking trails, bodies of water and parks, as well as buildings like the library, private recreational facilities and Haverhill High School’s pool. To gain access to state money for maintenance and improvements, Moore said the city must keep its Open Space and Recreation Plan up to date, a process that happens every seven years. The plan has brought tangible upgrades to the city in the past.

Jaskelevicus Becomes Pentucket Bank Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Officer

Pentucket Bank’s Steve Jaskelevicus was recently named to the concurrent roles of executive vice president and senior credit officer. Lloyd Hamm, CEO and Jonathan H. Dowst, president, of River Run Services, the shared services organization of River Run Bancorp, MHC said in a statement that Jaskelevicus is responsible for the oversight of credit policy and risk management. “Steve is an extraordinarily knowledgeable banker,” said Dowst. “Given the changes in our economy the past few years, it’s no surprise that the industry and our regulators are much more focused on credit policy and risk management. It’s essential to keeping our organization sound in every way.

Former Councilor O’Brien and Bentley Lecturer LeBlanc Seek Consideration for Whittier Seats

A retired nurse who served 20 years on the Haverhill City Council and a Bentley University lecturer whose family runs a successful automotive business are among those wishing to serve on the Whittier Tech School Committee. Former City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien and Jeff LeBlanc, who has taught business at Bentley, Boston University and Suffolk University, among others, both notified WHAV of their interests in one of the two available Haverhill seats at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. “My successful and fulfilling 46-year nursing career as well as serving 20 years on the Haverhill City Council make me uniquely qualified and that I can bring valuable knowledge and understanding to the board.” O’Brien told WHAV. She added “I am very familiar with budgetary concerns, administrator transparency, working collaboratively on a team and, most of all, putting Haverhill’s priorities first.”

LeBlanc said, “My connection to Whittier VoTech runs deep. My father, Kenneth LeBlanc, got his start at Whittier VoTech, where he received the foundational skills and training that paved the way for his successful career in the automotive field and business.

41st Annual YWCA Tribute to Women Set to Honor 23 at Awards Lunch in May

YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts will honor 23 women during its annual Tribute to Women awards lunch this spring. The 41st annual Tribute to Women honorees are Teri Almquist. Nancy Carace, Bria Day, Lisa Fabbri-Lopez, Jessica Gordon, Jeanette Isabella, Dee Jacobs O’Neil, Suzanne Korschun, Meaghan Lally-McGurl, Alvania Lopez, Eva Montibello, Eva Moscat, Carina Pappalardo, Janice Phillips, Alethea Raybeck, Susan Riccio, Maria Santos, Michelle Shea, Helen Sheehan, Diana Teel, Dawne Warren, Sarah Weiser and Antoinette Whitney. “Every year this is one of our most exciting, inspiring, and empowering events,” YWCA CEO Susan Staples said in a release. “It is such a privilege to bring the community together to celebrate some of the most powerful and committed women in the Merrimack Valley.”

The annual Tribute to Women awards is slated for Thursday, May 16, from noon to 2 p.m., at Andover Country Club.

Haverhill’s Alexandra Smith Demonstrates Skills in Celebrating Women In Construction Event

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Alexandra Smith of Haverhill was recently sponsored by Milton CAT during a two-day Celebrating Women In Construction event that highlighted her equipment operator skills. Smith joined 17 other women from across the United States and Brazil for the first-ever Caterpillar Celebrating Women In Construction event. The networking event and skills tests at Caterpillar’s Edward J. Rapp Customer and Training Center in Clayton, N.C. Smith has been operating equipment for more than 10 years. “I started in the family business and I’ve recently ventured out on my own installing septic systems,” Smith told WHAV. “I’m learning how to design new systems—do the blueprints/plans—and how to evaluate existing systems.”

She added she is a founding board member of a nonprofit called Crew Collaborative that encourages the next generation to pursue a career in trades.

Finegold Praises Senate Passage of ‘Revenge Porn’ Legislation; Bill Would Increase Penalties

Sen. Barry R. Finegold is hailing the state Senate’s passage of legislation that would criminalize the sharing of sexually explicit images or videos without consent and launch an educational program for adolescents to demonstrate the consequences of posting indecent visual depictions online. The so-called “Revenge Porn” law unanimously passed the Massachusetts Senate last Thursday. “Our digital reality is rapidly evolving, and I am proud to support this legislation that will help protect individuals from harm caused by the dissemination of illegal and inappropriate images online. It is critical that we recognize the growing number of ways individuals can be abused and coerced through online platforms, which is why I am grateful for the educational component that will ensure our youth understand the gravity of these actions from an early age,” said Finegold, whose district includes Haverhill and North Andover. The bill increases the allowable fine for unlawful distribution of indecent images, proponents say, rein in coercive control of abusers.

Citizens Center

Mayor’s HOPE Task Force to Discuss Drug-Free Communities Grant, More This Week

The mayor’s Haverhill Overdose Prevention and Education—HOPE—Task Force meets this week to discuss, among other things, necessary steps to qualify for a grant from the federal Drug-Free Communities Support Program. The Committee, headed by HOPE Program Director Charlie Manzi also plans to hear from Haverhill High School Athletic Director Thomas O’Brien on April school vacation resources. The meeting takes place Wednesday, March 27, at 4 p.m., at the Haverhill Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St., second floor, Haverhill.

Haverhill Begins Formal Process of Paying Ahead for $276 Million in Future Retirees’ Insurances

Haverhill is banking up to $25 million a year to catch up on decades of deferrals in funding future employee retirement pensions, but has officially put nothing aside to pay retirees health insurance costs. City CFO and City Auditor Angel A. Perkins told city councilors this week the city expects to meet its pension obligations in 2032, but will then have to fast track catching up on what is called other post-employment benefits—or OPEB, for short. “When our pension liability becomes fully funded in 2032, it’s going to free up anywhere from $20 to $25 million annually in appropriations and we’d like to pivot a significant portion of that to begin funding the OPEB,” she explained. She explained the source of what is now an estimated $276 million obligation. “Employees retire.