Haverhill

DiZoglio Achieves Political Milestone with State Auditor Win in Mostly Female State Leadership

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Sen. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen achieved a Merrimack Valley political milestone Tuesday, winning statewide elected office, taking the job of auditor. She triumphed over Republican Anthony Amore in Tuesday’s final election, after beating Democratic party favorite Chris Dempsey in September’s primary. DiZoglio ruffled feathers in the state Senate with her frequent criticisms of the legislature’s secretive processes, extended State House closing during the pandemic and failure to ban non-disclosure agreements among other hot button issues. Apparent fears of such an independent personality sitting in the powerful constitutional position may have cost her early endorsements from sitting Auditor Suzanne M. Bump, Senate President Karen E. Spilka and her predecessor, Sen. Kathleen O’Connor Ives. It remains to see whether belatedly winning Democratic leadership support will weaken DiZoglio’s resolve to audit the legislature itself.

Haverhill

Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Point, Congregation Temple Emanuel Receive Security Grants

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Haverhill’s Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Point and Congregation Temple Emanuel of Andover are among 37 nonprofit, faith-based organizations statewide to receive federal grants to improve physical security and protect against terroristic and hate-fueled attacks. Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Point was awarded $125,000 and Congregation Temple Emanuel, $150,000, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program. In Massachusetts, the money is managed by the state Office of Grants and Research of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. “Protecting our Commonwealth means protecting the organizations that are the pillars of our communities. We are committed to ensuring that these nonprofits and houses of worship are protected and that everyone can feel safe when they gather and worship,” said Gov. Charlie Baker during last week’s fourth Annual Faith-Based Organizations Safety and Security Seminar in Southbridge.

Haverhill

Economic Development Bill Bolsters Haverhill Downtown and Airport Projects, Methuen Youth Center

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A $3.8 billion state economic development bill, sidelined last summer when officials grappled with returning surplus money to taxpayers, won approval last week with earmarks for Haverhill redevelopment projects downtown and at the abandoned Dutton Airport and supporting a Methuen Youth and Community Center as well as other wish list items.

The bill delivers on promises by Rep. Andy X. Vargas, to cover public costs surrounding Lupoli Companies’ downtown redevelopment project and Haverhill’s Dutton Airport Redevelopment, and Sen. Diana DiZoglio, to pay $5 million for the Methuen youth center and downtown projects in Methuen and North Andover as well as other regional projects. “Our cities and towns need every possible resource as they embark on greatly needed projects,” said DiZoglio. “That is why I am so grateful we were able to secure these funds, with unanimous support, toward important projects in our communities that are designed to bolster the local economy and overall quality of living.”

Haverhill plans to create a new business park at the former airport off Route 110 and support a Merrimack Street development project, establishing new residential, commercial and retail space; a parking garage; and other public amenities. “This is the largest one-time investment in Haverhill’s downtown issued during my tenure,” said Vargas. “This funding will aid a transformational project for our downtown, creating sorely needed housing and opportunities for jobs and businesses.

Haverhill

State to ‘Help Pay For’ Privately-Owned Parking Garage in Downtown Haverhill

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A $6.5 million state MassWorks grant will “help pay for” the Lupoli Companies’ planned 616-space parking garage in downtown Haverhill. The grant was hailed Friday by Mayor James J. Fiorentini and appears to come on top of another $750,000 in a state MassWorks grant awarded last year for the design of the garage to replace the Herbert H. Goecke Jr. Memorial Parking Deck. The mayor characterized the grant as helping to pay for the private garage and tied the money to an economic development package also approved by the legislature. (See related story.)

“These projects are vital to Haverhill’s future and continued success, and we are grateful for the leadership and support of our legislative delegation as well as Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito who helped champion these critically important funds.”

A year ago, Fiorentini lobbied for City Council approval of developer Salvatore N. Lupoli’s $160 million redevelopment of a 4.5-acre Merrimack Street parcel. The mayor said then Lupoli is the only one who would pay for the parking garage.

Beacon Hill News

Haverhill Wants Reimbursement For Costly Laws; Michitson Also Seeks Plan for Paying Major Expenses

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A state auditor’s report first released last spring found 29 state laws passed between 2016 and 2020 have imposed significant financial burdens on Massachusetts cities and towns. One Haverhill city councilor is particularly concerned about rising election costs. Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan convinced his colleagues Tuesday night to unanimously ask for the state pay back the money. “One area in particular that I thought was interesting was elections. Elections have expanded.

Haverhill

Officials Celebrate $210,000 in State Assistance for Haverhill Parks and Recreation Areas

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City and state officials celebrated Friday the receipt of $210,000 in budget earmarks for improvements and maintenance at several Haverhill parks. The money was included in the state budget following advocacy by Sen. Barry R. Finegold, whose district is being reconfigured to include Haverhill; Rep. Andy X. Vargas; and Sen. Diana DiZoglio with support by Reps. Linda Dean Campbell, Lenny Mirra and Christina A. Minicucci. Finegold secured $100,000 for an extension of the Riverside Park trail extension and $50,000 for improvements at the park adjacent to Lake Pentucket, more familiarly known as Round Pond. In addition, as WHAV reported first in April, Vargas sought and won approval to set aside $50,000 for Gale Park to help pay for restoration of the park’s World War I monument, damaged viewing plaza and Spanish American war monument name plates; build accessible walkways; and replace the park’s broken water fountain.

Haverhill

State Grant Helps MakeIT Haverhill Hire Its First Employee; Also Pays for New Business Park Signage

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Lisbeth Valdez was welcomed formally Friday as MakeIT Haverhill’s first paid employee. Thanks to state grant, Valdez is beginning work as the nonprofit’s program director. She was welcomed during a reception at the organization’s Washington Street building where a large, ceremonial state check was presented. MakeIT Haverhill founder Keith Boucher said the organization has evolved since first being envisioned in 2017—bringing in sewing machines to train workers for the now-defunct Southwick Clothing factory and, then, completely shifting gears in light of the pandemic. However, he notes, the core mission is unchanged.

Beacon Hill News

Rep. Vargas to Receive La Promesa Award at State of Latino Education Event Wednesday

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Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas is set to receive the La Promesa—or The Promise—award at Wednesday afternoon’s annual State of Latino Education event at the State House. Latinos For Education celebrates its fifth anniversary during the presentation, which features discussion of “progress that Latino students and educators in the Commonwealth have made towards educational equity as well as the challenges that remain ahead.” According to a statement, Vargas is among those Latino educators and policymakers “that have played a critical role in advancing the Educator Diversity Act.” Former Springfield Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Lydia Martinez is recipient of the La Lucha Award. Former House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez serves as master of ceremonies. Other scheduled participants include House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, Education Committee co-chairs Rep. Alice H. Peisch and Sen. Jason M. Lewis, Ways and Means Committee chairs Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues and Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Marta Garcia and former Rep. Juana Matias, who is now a regional administrator in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.