Haverhill

Appeals Board Sends 2 of 3 Multifamily Projects to Haverhill Council

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Proponents of two new three-family houses, one on North Street and another on Riverside Avenue, were given the green light to seek special permits from the Haverhill City Council after the Board of Appeals approved variance requests Wednesday. A third, four-family to be located at 5 Avon Place was rejected unanimously for failing “to meet dimensional requirements,” according to Haverhill Planning Director Jacki Byerley. Benchmark Property Associates is proposing to build a three-unit building on North Street. The zoning board unanimously approved two variances, one because the lot size is 6,500 square feet where 11,700 square feet is required, and a second as the lot has 50 feet of frontage where 80 feet is required. While the property has not been awarded a formal postal address, Byerley told WHAV the lot, located in a residential urban density zone, is next to 6 North St.

Business Bulletin

Verani Realty Celebrates New Offices in Familiar Haverhill Location

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Verani Realty Thursday celebrated its move across the Merrimack River in Haverhill, opening in a familiar real estate broker venue on Kenoza Avenue. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony overseen by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, officials of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty celebrated with food, beverages and ice cream outside its 40 Kenoza Ave. offices. “We’re just so very excited to find an office and be in a location like this in Haverhill. This is amazing,” said Verani Realty President Giovanni Verani.

Community Spotlight

Crescent Yacht Club Plans Steam Boat Weekend Aug. 28-30

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Haverhill’s Crescent Yacht Club is planning its first Steam Boat Weekend at the end of the month. Boats are in the 16- to 24-foot range and all burn wood to make steam for propulsion, organizers said, noting some are antiques and some reproductions. “Come on over and see what we hope will be an annual event at the Crescent Yacht Club and cheer on the owners of these unique boats, coming from as far away as Pennsylvania showing off their ‘Yachts,’ said Commodore Rick LeBlanc. “Before the shoe industry took over Haverhill, the city was building sailing ships and then steam ships,” he added. Boats begin arriving Friday afternoon and night, Aug.

Haverhill

Northern Essex Women’s Volleyball Looks to go ‘Even Further’ This Season  

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Northern Essex Community College Women’s Volleyball is coming into this season with a newer team. Second year coach Yemayma Molina says there are about three or four players returning to the Knights. Despite the newer look, Molina says they’re “getting along so much better, and quicker than I thought they would’ve,” about two weeks into practice. The team finished last season with a record of 12-8 overall and made it to the region 21 semifinals where the Knights fell to Holyoke Community College. Molina said what she believes the team will need to be successful again.

Haverhill

Wally’s Vegetables Nets Three Tomato Growing Awards in Statewide Contest

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Haverhill’s Wally’s Vegetables came away a big winner Thursday following judging during the 41st Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest, winning in three categories, while West Newbury’s Grant Family Farm also scored in the top five locally. This year’s competition brought together 103 entries from 21 farms across the state, showcasing the variety and quality of locally grown produce in Massachusetts. The 41st Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest was hosted by Boston Public Market and sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association. “Our Annual Tomato Contest highlights the resilience, dedication and skill of our farmers, who work year-round to bring fresh, premium produce to our tables despite all the challenges they face,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ashley Randle. “They are vital to our communities and local economies.

Haverhill

Haverhill Father and Son Push-Assist Duo to Compete in Boston Triathlon

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After completing the Boston Marathon three times together, Haverhill residents Yonatan Quezada and his 20-year-old son, Schoan, are preparing for a new challenge: competing as a push-assist duo at this weekend’s Boston Triathlon. Yonatan says he hopes their participation encourages more fathers to become actively involved in their sons’ lives and stick by their families. He also wants to advocate for children and young adults with disabilities to have opportunities to participate in sports rather than being left on the sidelines. Yonatan told WHAV the coronavirus pandemic was the turning point for him and his son as they were able to spend more time together. “I fell to the ground as a man, realizing how terrible of a dad I was in the sense of not being involved in all those things.

Beacon Hill News

Legislature Votes to Allow Duffy to Take Firefighter Exam for Haverhill

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Sean Duffy of Haverhill is expected to be allowed to take the state civil service examination for firefighter despite being older than the maximum age to take the test. The city’s home rule petition was approved by the state House of Representatives last March and by the Senate this past Monday is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey. As WHAV reported last Sept. 16, the Haverhill City Council, with the support of Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, approved the city’s home rule petition as Duffy was four years older at the time than the 32-year-old maximum age. The Haverhill Fire Department has been in the midst of an historic hiring surge that began in the fall of 2023 with receipt of a $4.1 million federal grant to add 16 positions to fill a second ladder truck and the need to replace retiring firefighters.

Haverhill

Haverhill Police Credit K-9 Officer with Finding Key Evidence at Crash Scene

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Haverhill Police say K-9 Rex, a black German shepherd that joined the force last fall, is being credited for recovering a key piece of evidence early last Friday that may ultimately lead to a hit and run driver. Police said Rex accompanied patrolmen to a crash scene Friday, Aug. 14, around 2 a.m., where the driver appeared to have fled the scene on foot. Officers said they saw “significant damage” and were concerned the driver may have been hurt and in need of medical help. K-9 Rex, wearing his harness and working on a 30-foot leash, set out to investigate.