Groveland Drinking Water Likely Does Not Comply with Upcoming PFAS Contamination Regs

Drinking water from Groveland wells appears unlikely to meet tightened and expanded state and federal regulations on so-called “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl—or PFAS—chemicals. Superintendent Colin Stokes, Groveland Water and Sewer Department and the Groveland Board of Water Commissioner say in a statement Groveland currently complies with six PFAS contaminant regulations with levels of 4.1075 parts per trillion at Well 1 and 4.392 parts per trillion at Well 3. However, proposed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation would add four additional PFAS compounds and drop the allowed maximum level to 4 parts per trillion. Once the new regulations are accepted by the state, officials say, Groveland is expected to take “immediate action.” The Groveland Board of Water Commissioners says it is looking at a variety of options to meet new regulations with “the least impact on residents and ratepayers.” Options include building a water treatment/filtration plant in Groveland, finding sufficient new water sources that comply with the upcoming PFAS regulations or purchasing water from a neighboring community

The new regulations are expected to be adopted by the end of 2024 or early 2025 and the deadline for compliance is not yet known.

Area Legislators Honor Dominican Contributions, Recognize a Founder of Haverhill Latino Coalition

Merrimack Valley’s legislative delegation this week hosted Gov. Maura Healey, a number of honorees including a founder of the Haverhill Latino Coalition and others for the unveiling of a bust of Juan Pablo Duarte—known as the “Father of the Dominican Republic”—at the State House. Sen. Pavel M. Payano, representing Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence, hosted the event along with Haverhill state Rep. Andy X. Vargas and Lawrence Reps. Frank Moran and Estela Reyes, Methuen Rep. Francisco Paulino, Salem Rep. Manny Cruz and Dr. Berta Isabel Jimenez president of the Duartiano Institute of Massachusetts. Officials presented citations to members of the Dominican community, including Haverhill’s Fermin De La Cruz, who embody the revolutionary spirit of Juan Pablo Duarte through their acts of public and community service. Vargas nominated De La Cruz, calling him “an exemplary Dominican at home and abroad, and he embodies the best of Haverhill and the immigrant story.

Methuen Mayor Perry Plans Citywide Listening Tours, Starting Tonight

Methuen Mayor Neil Perry is launching, what he calls, his citywide listening tour starting tonight. Perry and various departments heads will meet with residents to hear their concerns, ideas and expectations for the city as part of his “commitment to inclusivity, transparency and responsive governance.”

“I am excited to hear from residents and have an open dialogue with them about the challenges the city faces as well as areas of opportunity,” he said. The first listening tour is tonight, March 20, from 6:30-8 p.m., at Borrelli’s Deli, 322 Merrimack St., Methuen. There is also one next week, Tuesday, March 26, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Merrimack Valley Golf Club, 210 Howe St., Methuen. Other dates and locations will be announced.

Secretary Hao to Speak During Merrimack Valley Chamber’s Spring Business Expo Lunch

To submit Business Bulletin announcements, click on image.Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao addresses business leaders during lunch at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming Spring Business Expo, Health and Wellness Fair. Hao, who was appointed last year by Gov. Maura Healey, will join a local panel of area leaders. The lunch takes place Wednesday, April 3, from noon- 1:15 p.m., at Phoenician Restaurant, 12 Alpha St., off Routes 110-113, Haverhill. Attendance is $35 each for members or $50 for non-members and registration may be made online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Groveland Secures Nearly $1 Million Federal Grant to Replace and Improve Water Mains

Groveland is receiving nearly $1 million from the federal government to pay for repairs and improvements to nearly century old water mains. Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham and Water and Sewer Superintendent Colin Stokes said Monday in a joint statement that Congressman Seth Moulton helped win the infrastructure investment. “This funding will play a pivotal role in modernizing our water distribution system and providing the town with increased access to better quality water,” said Oldham. “These necessary updates will provide many benefits to the community.”

Groveland Water received $959,752 to repair mains on Washington and Wood Streets and Balch Avenue. The statement said the water mains are “significantly undersized” and replacing them will “improve water quality and quantity and create another water line to the town’s nearest water tower.”

Moulton secured $13.5 million to disperse between 15 different community improvement projects in fiscal year 2024 regulations.

Merrimack Valley Credit Union Celebrate 𝜋 Day with Pie

Merrimack Valley Credit Union celebrated Pi Day with members and the community by handing out individual Table Talk pies at its 19 retail branches and delivering pies to some of the credit union’s Select Employer Group partners. Pi Day, first celebrated in 1988, honors the mathematical constant, 𝜋, commonly written as the numerals 3.14. The credit union joined in on the fun by ordering more than 3,100 assorted flavors of pies—the edible kind—and distributing them at retail branches. Members were welcomed with pie displays and were able to pick their favorite flavor of pie to take with them. “Celebrating Pi Day with our members is something we look forward to each year,” says Mike Davis, the credit union’s community relations officer.

Pentucket Regional ‘High Performance Training’ Open to Area Students This Summer

Rock band practice, video game development and strength and agility training are among the summer program classes available to students both living in and outside of the Pentucket Regional School District. Pentucket schools have opened registration for “High Performance Training,” focusing on both traditional sports and athletics, as well as digital technologies such as video production and computer programming. Classes start as early as June 11. “Our goal is to develop programs that enable our students to acquire the skills that they need to pursue their interests and career aspirations,” Executive Director of Operations Jonathan Seymour said. “Team sports, strength and conditioning and even robotics and programming: it’s all there to cater to diverse interests.”

Students may register for individual training, focusing on either agility or strength, or for team training, which includes tennis, soccer, baseball, cheering, football, volleyball, basketball and field hockey.

FEMA to Reimburse Lawrence General Hospital Nearly $1.2 Million for Pandemic Staffing

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reimbursing Lawrence General Hospital almost $1.2 million for the cost of paying staff for additional hours worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Assistance grant will reimburse the 189-bed general hospital for the cost of paying staff for additional hours worked to respond to the surge in patents caused by pandemic between March and July 2020. Lawrence General Hospital paid 759 medical personnel, including registered nurses, certified medical assistants, lab technicians, surgical technicians, paramedics and pharmacy technicians for a total of 42,010 hours worked treating confirmed or suspected COVID patients. “FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Lawrence General Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county and municipal governments—as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities—for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.8 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.