Region

Eliminate NH Council on Arts Proposal Passes House Panel; Eliminate State Library Pending

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by PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org, InDepthNH.org
March 24, 2025
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – A move is underfoot in the Republican-led legislature to defund the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the State Library to save about $6 million in the next two years. On Monday, the House Finance Committee Division I voted 5-4 along party lines to accept an amendment to the budget bill (HB 2) brought by Rep. Joe Sweeney, R-Salem, to defund the arts council. The vote on the Library, which Sweeney also brought under the same amendment, was divided and is expected to be discussed on Tuesday. Republican Rep. Gerald Griffin, R-Mont Vernon, said he could support the elimination of arts funding for a few years “I know we’re in a crisis” but said he would not support eliminating the state library and its statewide functions to support local libraries. That led to a discussion about splitting the votes into two.

Region

North Andover School Plight Compels Parent to Seek School Seat in Write-In Campaign

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After about 40 North Andover public school teachers were handed layoff notices last Friday due to an anticipated $3.5 million budget shortfall next year, a disgruntled parent of a third grader decided to mount a three-day write-in campaign for a seat on the North Andover School Committee. Shannon Gately said she knows it is unlikely she will beat incumbent Joseph Hicks in Tuesday’s election, but she said she is hoping her long-shot campaign will bring further attention to what she calls a misguided decision by the North Andover School Committee to fire teachers as well as close of one of North Andover’s five elementary schools next year. All this, she said, despite the town having taxing capacity to raise more money and as well as a healthy free cash account. She said she was also “offended” that the School Department delivered the layoff notices while students were still in school. “Even if I lose I am going to consider it a win because I feel like it is sending a message back to the School Committee that it is time to start listening to the people of this town,” Gately said.

Region

Groveland Hydrant Flushing Runs April 1-16; Schedule and Streets Detail Here

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Groveland Water and Sewer plans to begin annual hydrant flushing Tuesday, April 1. During flushing, officials said, residents may experience low pressure and/or temporary discoloration. They added, Water pressure should return to normal once flushing is complete. The process is conducted twice a year to help ensure sustained water quality and support the longevity of the system’s infrastructure. Hydrant flushing will continue through April 16 and is subject to change.

Business Bulletin

It’s Official, Merrimack Valley Credit Union Now Known as BrightBridge Credit Union

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Merrimack Valley Credit Union and its Bridgewater Credit Union became known as BrightBridge Credit Union on Monday. As WHAV reported last September, President and CEO John J. Howard said, “The Merrimack Valley Credit Union name, while strong, is very specific to one region, one part of our history. It does not reflect the many communities our family tree has served, and we continue to serve.” Officials said Monday the new name unifies a branch network that spans from southern New Hampshire through the South Shore of Massachusetts. “The name BrightBridge Credit Union embodies our dedication to supporting our members through life’s biggest milestones and challenges,” said Howard. The new branding is reflected in redesigned branches and new signage, along with updated digital banking platforms. “We may look a little bit different, but the wonderful people our members work with in our branches, over the phone and online will not change,” he added.

Region

New Hampshire State Police Mourns Loss of K-9 Wyatt After 10 Years of Service

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New Hampshire State Police are mourning the loss of 10-year-old K-9 Wyatt who died last Tuesday after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that spread throughout his chest and lungs. Wyatt, along with his handler, Trooper First Class Kevin Devlin, began their canine career on March 2, 2015, according to State Police. At eight weeks old, Wyatt, a Plott Hound, a breed known for its abilities to hunt bears in the mountains of North Carolina, who stood no taller than his handler’s knee, began training and became certified through the New England State Police Administrators Conference, specializing in search and rescue. “At just six months old, K-9 Wyatt and Trooper First Class Devlin became an invaluable resource to the State of New Hampshire as they began bringing relief to so many families whose loved ones had gone missing,” police said in a release. At just 10 months, Wyatt and Devlin took on greater responsibility when they began their training to become a team specializing in the recovery of human remains.

Region

YouthBuild Coalition Honors Sen. Payano During 30th Annual Advocacy Day at the State House

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State Sen. Pavel M. Payano, who represents Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen, was recently honored with the YouthBuild Champion Award during the 30th Annual YouthBuild Advocacy Day at the State House. Payano was honored by the Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition in recognition of his leadership and commitment to expanding opportunities for young people across the Commonwealth. The award follows passage of Payano’s budget amendment that doubled funding for YouthBuild from $1.75 million to $3 million. “YouthBuild doesn’t just give young people a second chance, it gives them the power to define their own future,” said Payano. “This is about more than education and job training.

Haverhill

Lawrence General/Holy Family Names New Temporary CEO Following Leadership Tumult

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A state official that played a role in Massachusetts’ response to the bankruptcy of the parent of Holy Family Hospital has been named interim CEO of the hospitals in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. Former Tufts Medical Center President Diana L. Richardson becomes interim president and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital and its Holy Family Hospital April 14. She succeeds acting CEO Robin Hynds, a registered nurse who served as Lawrence General’s chief operating officer, who filled in following the abrupt resignation last month of President and CEO Abha Agrawal. “Her collaborative approach, thoughtful decision-making, and commitment to strong employee engagement will be essential as we continue to unify Lawrence General and Holy Family Hospitals into a regional health system that serves the Merrimack Valley,” Rosemarie Day, hospital board chair, said of Richardson in a press release. Richardson left Tufts Medical Center a year ago and, according to the release, was a “senior transition liaison with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health where she played a key role in the state’s incident command response to the Steward Health Care bankruptcy crisis.”

She previously was vice president of operations at UF Health—Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.

Business Bulletin

Safe Deposit Box Holders Have Until June 5 to Retrieve Items at TD Bank Bradford, Methuen

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The TD Bank branch in Bradford at 860 S. Main St., as well as one location in Methuen is closing June 5 as part of the nationwide restructuring of the Toronto-based financial services company. In all, 38 branches will close in the U.S. with four other Massachusetts locations on the list. They are in East Longmeadow, Framingham, Holyoke and Tewksbury. The Methuen location is a 547 Broadway. The company currently operates 125 branches in the state.