Business Bulletin

Carbone’s CiderFeast Boston Opens Nov. 14

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Haverhill’s Jimmy Carbone is bringing CiderFeast to the South Boston Lithuanian Citizens’ Association for its fifth year, the final stop of the 2026 CiderFeast East Coast Tour. This year’s lineup of hard cider with cideries from Massachusetts and beyond brings together Cape Cod’s Sandy Neck Cider Co., Long View Ciderhouse from Rogers Orchards, Absolem Cider Company, Citizen Cider and others. Attendees can compare pours; meet participating cidermakers; and learn how fruit varieties, growing regions and production methods shape each cider. They can also pair their pours with foods from Mei Mei Dumplings, Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, Craic Sauce and Tipsy Scoop, plus cider doughnuts from Hilltop Orchards. CiderFeast Boston takes place Saturday, Nov.

Community Spotlight

Sixth Annual Pentucket Kiwanis Club Wine Tasting Nov. 5

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The Sixth Annual Pentucket Kiwanis Club Wine Tasting brings out French and Italian wines and returns the Nate Perry and Connor Milligan Duo to entertain. There will also be light appetizers and a buffet. The wine is uncorked Thursday, Nov. 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Maria’s Galleria Banquet Room, 81 Essex St., Haverhill. Admission is $50 per person or a table of eight for $375.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Set to Decide Ward Hill Housing, Battery Storage Site Plans

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Haverhill city councilors are scheduled to decide two hot-button zoning questions—housing in Ward Hill and a possible future home for Battery Energy Storage Systems—when they meet Tuesday night. The Haverhill Planning Board recommended two weeks ago the Haverhill City Council amend city zoning to create a Special Permit Planned Development District. This would allow plans by Pentucket North Development to build six duplexes and two single-family homes, for a total of 14 residences, on a portion of land owned by Cedardale, 931 Boston Road, if other conditions are met. A summary by Planning Director Jacki Byerley reported Planning Board members recommend improvements to I Street, which connects with Boston Road, for safe access. She said the developer agreed to milling and overlaying of I Street, placing additional fire hydrants within the site, installing sprinklers in all units and working with the water department on the hydraulic analysis to confirm adequate water supply prior to construction.

Haverhill

Habitat for Humanity Extends Deadline to Buy New Curtis St. Home

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Essex County Habitat for Humanity extending the deadline for families to explore purchasing the a new, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with garage at 41 Curtis St. in Haverhill. The home is selling for a below-market price of $245,000 and applications will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 10, on a first-come, first-served basis.  The first applicant to meet all qualifications will be given the opportunity to buy the home. To be eligible, families must have a total household income between 40% and 60% of the area median income, depending on household size, as well as a credit score of at least 640.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Members to Network at The Beck

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Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce plans a Business Networking Mixer at The Beck, the new 290-unit housing complex on the Merrimack River in Bradford. Besides networking, the event, co-hosted by Studios 15, gives Chamber members and guests time to gather for complimentary appetizers and drinks and opportunities to win door prizes. The Business Networking Mixer at The Beck takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 5-7 p.m., at 39 Railroad Ave., Haverhill. Registration takes place at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Education

Haverhill High School Admin Shows Marked Student Gains

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Haverhill High School Principal Michael Downs detailed for the School Committee last week how the school has “come a long way in the last four years.”

The principal documented chronic absenteeism is down while daily attendance is up, averaging in the 90% range, compared to the 80s. He noted, however, students at the high school are in a category by themselves. “It’s a lot different at the high school than the lower levels. They have licenses and jobs, and sometimes that takes the priority, but we do the best we can,” he explained. The dropout rate before Downs took over as principal was 4% of 2,000 pupils, but recent data shows 1.3% and still improving.

Haverhill

Officials Laud $400K for Haverhill Disaster Pay, Train Noise Suppression, School Athletics

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City and state officials gathered Friday at three Haverhill locations to demonstrate how $500,000 from the current state budget and voter-approved Fair Share Amendment—often called the “millionaire’s tax,” was secured by legislators to help cover emergency overtime pay, reduce noise from idling trains in Bradford and bolster school physical education. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, Sens. Barry R. Finegold and Pavel M. Payano and Reps. Andy X. Vargas and Ryan M. Hamilton touted state investments during presentations at the Braford commuter rail station, Haverhill’s Water Street Fire Station and Haverhill High School. A portion of $175,000 goes to cover overtime pay for Haverhill firefighters and police officers who responded to an April 28 fire that destroyed the Stevens Street mill and subsequent round-the-clock coverage.