Haverhill

Haverhill Conservation Commission Delays Approval of 6,000-Panel Solar Farm For Another Review

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An eleventh-hour petition to alter a drainage plan at a proposed ground-mounted solar energy system in East Haverhill caused the Haverhill Conservation Commission to delay its approval last Thursday. The 2-megawatt solar farm, which received the approval of the Haverhill City Council in August, has been before the Conservation Commission for several weeks. Solar Smart of Summerville, S.C., proposes to install more than 6,000 solar panels on 18.6 acres of land owned by Theodore Xenakis at 139 Amesbury Line Road. When completed, the system would provide two megawatts of solar-produced power. Kyle Bouchard, of Ayer-based Goldsmith, Prest and Ringwall engineers, presented a revised plan with adjustments in drainage plans for the site as well as a prohibition on herbicides.

COVID-19

Podcast: Haverhill Schools’ McArthur and Sister Share Luminary Award for COVID-19 Horror

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Haverhill Public Schools Human Resources Director Sandra McArthur has been busy helping to fill the many job openings at Haverhill schools, but many don’t know about an emotional and trying path she and her sister followed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. McArthur and her sister, Karen Nascembeni, general manager of the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, were recently honored with the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce Peter Frates Family Luminary Award. The recognition came during a Sept.23, event celebrating inspiring stories and heroes of 2020. McArthur recounted the onslaught of COVID-19 sent her sister Karen, and Karen’s husband, Steven Richard, to the hospital at the same time

“It was back March of 2020, very early on when all of this started happening and unraveling here in the states. Karen and her husband Steven were so very sick one weekend, and it was on St.

Community Spotlight

Sts. Vartanantz and Hye Pointe Churches Have Golf Outing Tomorrow, Oct. 13

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A golf outing by Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church and Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 13, to support scholarship programs.

The StsV-HyePointe Golf Outing raises scholarship money for both parishes to support youth in college educational programs and diocesan enrichment programs such as Camp Vartan, St. Nersess Summer Studies and trips to the Holy Land. Participation is open to golfers of all skill levels and denominations.

Haverhill

Merrimack Valley Leaders Urge Senate Not to Split Gateway Cities in New Voting Districts

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Local leaders and most of the area’s legislative delegation are calling on state Senate leadership not to split individual gateway cities, such as Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence, between any future Senate districts. Leaders reacted to, what they called, “motivations” to “create a majority citizens voting age population district of one demographic.” New legislative districts are being considered following U.S. Census findings that the Massachusetts population has grown and shifted between communities. “We understand that there are several principles at play in the redistricting process including equity, minority representation, fairness and ‘keeping communities whole.’ We agree with these principles, which is why we write today with great concern for any proposed plan that could split the Gateway City of Haverhill and dilute the voices of our constituents,” Mayor James J. Fiorentini and all members of the Haverhill City Council wrote in a letter dated last Wednesday. Rep. Andy Vargas released the letter Friday. As WHAV reported previously, the Drawing Democracy Coalition proposed adding nine House districts and four Senate districts where people of color represent the majority of the population.

Haverhill

Two Haverhill, One Lawrence Firefighter Among Friday’s Firefighting Academy Graduates

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Two Haverhill firefighters and one from Lawrence were among Friday’s graduates from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, which also celebrated its 50th anniversary. Andrew Hastings and Joshua Zaino, both of the Haverhill Fire Department, and Alberto Acosta of the Lawrence Fire Department were part of Class 295, graduated at the Stow campus. The campus was also the Academy’s first location and serves as the Department of Fire Services’ primary headquarters. State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy leadership took time out to observe the 50th birthday. “We take them for granted today, but uniform standards for fire service training were still a new idea 50 years ago,” Ostroskey said.

Business Bulletin

State Awards Tax Credits to Mill Cities Community Investments, Part of MV Strong

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Mill Cities Community Investments, part of the MV Strong partnership with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and Small Business Strong, is among 53 community organizations sharing in $9.7 million in state investment tax credits in support of efforts to increase economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income residents. Mill Cities Community Investments was formally awarded $250,000 during a recent ceremony with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy in Revere. “The Commonwealth’s Community Development Corporations are leaders on the ground, creating tailored programing to fill gaps in their own neighborhoods, with financial literacy programs, small business support, first-time homebuyer education and youth services,” said Polito. The Community Investment Tax Credit program allocates tax credits to organizations that have adopted community investment plans outlining their development strategies and goals. The credits are then offered in exchange for qualified donations, incentivizing the investments required to sustain the work of these organizations.

Haverhill

I-495 Construction Update: Bridge Sides Going Up and Paving Begins This Week

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Interstate 495 contractor SPS New England was installing the concrete sides of the new southbound bridge in Haverhill as the week closed. The upcoming week calls for night lane and on- and off-ramp closings as paving begins. Double right lanes close on I-495 south, between exits 108, Route 97 and Broadway, and 106, Ward Hill, Tuesday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct.15, from 9 each night to 5 the following morning. Exits 106, 107 and 108 on-ramps from Route 97 to I-495 south also close Tuesday, Oct.

Haverhill

Haverhill Man, 19, Uninjured After Dump Truck He Was Driving Tips Over in Salem, N.H.

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A 19-year-old Haverhill man escaped injury late this morning when, police said, he lost control of a dump truck he was driving and it tipped over on the exit one on-ramp to Interstate 93 near Rockingham Mall in Salem, N.H.

John McClellan was driving a 2018 International 7400 dump truck, owned by Mayer Tree Service, when the accident occurred just before noon, Friday. Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police Troop B Barracks, Troop G Barracks, Salem Police and Salem Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. State Police said a preliminary investigation suggests “speed as a factor,” but a review continues. As a result of the crash, both the northbound and southbound ramps from exit one were shut down for more than an hour while emergency personnel worked the scene and tow trucks removed the dump truck. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Trooper Malachi Hicks by email at [email protected] or by calling 603-223-8836.