Atkinson Congregational Church Plans Holy Week and Easter Services, Easter Egg Hunt

Atkinson Congregational Church continues Holy Week and Easter celebrations. “Hope, gratitude and renewal—Holy Week can elevate these feelings in very personal ways. It’s one of the most meaningful times of the year,” said church Pastor Jim Thomas. On Maundy Thursday, March 28, church deacons wll lead a short, inspirational program in the sanctuary to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus with the apostles. For those joining online, viewers are advised to have bread and juice or wine ready as communion will be part of the service.

State Sets Local Information Sessions in April on Plans to Replace Six I-495 Bridges

The public has two upcoming opportunities to learn about the state’s plans to replace six highway bridges carrying Interstate 495 traffic over the next four years. Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Andover-Lawrence Bridge Replacement Project involves four bridges carrying traffic over Route 28 while the other two carry the interstate over the MBTA Haverhill Commuter Rail Line. Work is scheduled to begin later this spring. Construction will be staged to keep traffic flowing on I-495. Officials say steps will be taken to maintain local access and generally reduce project impacts, particularly on residents with homes clustered around the I-495/Route 28 interchange.

41st Annual YWCA Tribute to Women Set to Honor 23 at Awards Lunch in May

YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts will honor 23 women during its annual Tribute to Women awards lunch this spring. The 41st annual Tribute to Women honorees are Teri Almquist. Nancy Carace, Bria Day, Lisa Fabbri-Lopez, Jessica Gordon, Jeanette Isabella, Dee Jacobs O’Neil, Suzanne Korschun, Meaghan Lally-McGurl, Alvania Lopez, Eva Montibello, Eva Moscat, Carina Pappalardo, Janice Phillips, Alethea Raybeck, Susan Riccio, Maria Santos, Michelle Shea, Helen Sheehan, Diana Teel, Dawne Warren, Sarah Weiser and Antoinette Whitney. “Every year this is one of our most exciting, inspiring, and empowering events,” YWCA CEO Susan Staples said in a release. “It is such a privilege to bring the community together to celebrate some of the most powerful and committed women in the Merrimack Valley.”

The annual Tribute to Women awards is slated for Thursday, May 16, from noon to 2 p.m., at Andover Country Club.

Finegold Praises Senate Passage of ‘Revenge Porn’ Legislation; Bill Would Increase Penalties

Sen. Barry R. Finegold is hailing the state Senate’s passage of legislation that would criminalize the sharing of sexually explicit images or videos without consent and launch an educational program for adolescents to demonstrate the consequences of posting indecent visual depictions online. The so-called “Revenge Porn” law unanimously passed the Massachusetts Senate last Thursday. “Our digital reality is rapidly evolving, and I am proud to support this legislation that will help protect individuals from harm caused by the dissemination of illegal and inappropriate images online. It is critical that we recognize the growing number of ways individuals can be abused and coerced through online platforms, which is why I am grateful for the educational component that will ensure our youth understand the gravity of these actions from an early age,” said Finegold, whose district includes Haverhill and North Andover. The bill increases the allowable fine for unlawful distribution of indecent images, proponents say, rein in coercive control of abusers.

Haverhill, Other Merrimack Valley Communities to Use $50K State Grant to Protect River

Haverhill, Methuen and other member communities of the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative will use a $50,000 state grant to beef up monitoring of stormwater discharges and illegal releases into the Merrimack River. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded the amount to the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative, comprised of the 15 communities of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, to help communities meet the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit and reduce pollution in stormwater discharges. “These grants are incredibly important to ensure collaboration between cities and towns to manage the harmful pollutants that can get mixed in with our stormwater,” said state Rep. Andy X. Vargas, adding, “As we address the long-term problem of CSOs and more, this grant will allow Haverhill and the rest of the Merrimack Valley to update inspection program software, so that we can continue to keep our city’s water clean and safe.”

Similar accolades came from Sen. Barry R. Finegold and Rep. Ryan M. Hamilton. Specifically, according to the state, “the grant will be used to transition and upgrade the region’s stormwater inspection program software. This program aids in stormwater asset management, illicit discharge detection and elimination and general stormwater system operation and maintenance.”

Communities are required to develop stormwater management programs that include public education and outreach, public participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, management of construction site runoff, management of post-construction site runoff and good housekeeping measures to reduce pollution.

Road Race on Sunday at HHS to Benefit Michelle Benedetti Scholarships

A 5K or 10-Mile Road Race to benefit Michelle Benedetti scholarships at Haverhill and North Andover High Schools takes place Sunday. The 10-miler begins at 10, while the 5K starts at 10:30, Sunday, March 24, at Haverhill High School, 137 Monument St., Haverhill. A t-shirt and race medal will be given to registered runners and there will be prizes for the top three finishers in each age bracket. There will also be raffle, swag for sale and an after party at Maria’s Restaurant, 81 Essex St., Haverhill. Entry fees are $35 for the 5K and $45 for the 10-mile race and may be paid online at mishstrong.org.

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.