As local government meetings go, the first week of fall is a relatively quiet one for officials with the exception of the Haverhill City Council and School Committee. While not quite a meeting, officials invite residents to take part in Haverhill’s second annual Merrimack River Shoreline Cleanup, Saturday, Sept. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Merrimack River Park, 1318 River St., Haverhill. Residents are asked to help to protect wildlife and keep the river healthy by removing one bag of trash at a time. Volunteers are advised to wear sturdy, close-toe shoes; long pants; and thick gloves and bring a reusable water bottle.
Aroma Joe’s Plaistow Road and South Main Street locations in Haverhill are taking part in National Coffee Day next Tuesday with free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee while supplies last. Those who are AJ’s Rewards members are eligible to receive a free 24-ounce size anytime from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5. “National Coffee Day gives us the opportunity to highlight our amazing beans and celebrate our awesome communities,” said Aroma Joe’s Chief Marketing Officer Carrie Riley.
Haverhill is moving ahead with regulations on e-bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility devices with a newly revised proposed ordinance formally appear on city councilors’ desk Tuesday. A draft ordinance by City Solictor Lisa L. Mead recognizes certain existing provisions in state law that allow, but also limit, city regulation of the vehicles. Mead told Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and City Council President Timothy J. Jordan in a Sept.11, memorandum that city authority is expected to expand if the legislature passes Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed “Ride Safe Act.”
“The draft revised ordinance…mimics the applicable statutes which require operators to use a helmet and follow traffic safety laws and imposing fines and operational restrictions, and adds language specific to your requests restricting use of such vehicles on public sidewalks, bike paths, bikeways and trails, playgrounds and public property,” she wrote. Mead pointed out areas where city authority is currently limited, citing, for example, “Driving under the influence and impoundment of vehicles cannot be addressed by ordinance as these areas are preempted by statute and specific to motor vehicles.” Further, she said, under current state law, “The city may not, however, prohibit their operation on public ways.”
Mead also noted proposed state legislation would allow further city regulation depending on speed tier classifications, but the current bill doesn’t allow those provisions to become effective until Jan. 1, 2028.
One could say Haverhill’s Woofstock was unleashed Saturday as an extended community took part in demonstrations, contests, dog fun and games, shopping on behalf of beloved pets and more. This year, Woofstock also celebrated seven-year-old Pax Harris of Rhode Island with its first Youth Entrepreneur Spotlight. Founder and Producer Cyndie Morgan explained Pax’s mom reached out to her. “She says, ‘My son is seven years old. He has started his own dog treat business called Pax’s Barkery and he would like to come in as a vendor.’ And, that mom in me and producer in me said, ‘Oh, no, no, no.
Members of Haverhill High School’s Class of 1976 plan to reunite early next month. The class, known as “The Spirit of 1976,” in recognition of the nation’s bicentennial the same year, is noting many milestones during its time that still resonate with the community today. A year before graduation, classmates were among the first to enjoy the high school’s expansion and dedication of new named wings with then-Sen. Edward M. Kennedy serving as guest speaker. On June 14, 1975, the library was named for School Committee member Manuel L. Epstein; academic wing, former Superintendent Donald C. Freeman; Natatorium, Charles C. White; student lounge, Edward Kimball; cafeteria, John Coppola; and study center, Alice Garland. In a yearbook statement, then-Haverhill High Principal Sotiris Katsaros formally declares the Class of 1976 as “the Bicentennial Class of Haverhill High School.”
Class President Mark Anderson will serve as master of ceremonies.
Mayor Melinda E. Barrett made official Friday afternoon the appointment of Meaghan Paré as deputy of the Haverhill police department, the first woman to hold the job. Then-Capt. Paré was named acting deputy last October as Barrett ordered an investigation into “operations, policies and practices” after the Haverhill Police Patrolmen’s Association and the Haverhill Superior and Executive Officers Union raised concerns. She is scheduled to be formally sworn in Tuesday morning. “Deputy Chief Paré has been an exceptional leader during her distinguished career with Haverhill Police. In the last year she and Chief Wayne Tracy have led the Police Department, during its most challenging time, with integrity and transparency while exhibiting a calm demeanor that was desperately needed. I look forward to working with them and the Haverhill Police Department towards continued advancements and improvements in modern policing, transparency and building public trust,” Barrett said.
Haverhill Police say a coyote that approached at two-year-old and bit an adult defender Friday night is likely dead, but a search using a drone was unable to confirm the animal’s state and officials continue to urge caution. Police issued a warning via social media Friday night and update Saturday that a “rogue coyote” was in the area of Forest Street and Broadway, Route 97. “The coyote was initially observed approaching and closely watching a two-year-old child when a neighbor intervened. During the intervention, the coyote bit the neighbor on the arm. The neighbor was able to fend off the attack using a shovel, and the coyote went down,” a police statement said.
Haverhill city councilors this past Tuesday moved ahead with plans to designate a Hilldale Avenue site as the best place to allow a battery energy storage system—or BESS—should any developers propose one. The Haverhill City Council gave a tacit greenlight to creating a special zoning district as the least environmentally objectionable as a subcommittee proposed last month. On a unanimous vote, councilors agreed to continue its public hearing on the matter until its Tuesday, Oct. 27, meeting with the intention of promoting the Hilldale Avenue location. The land is currently owned by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and is also being considered as a layover location for MBTA commuter rail trains.
