Region

Groveland Moves its Bylaws Online to Reduce Errors, Increase Access

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You’ll know whether you’re naughty or nice this season because Groveland is putting it in writing online. Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham says the town recently implemented general code online in an effort to update, organize and codify town bylaws. They will now be maintained and managed through an online eCode platform. Groveland worked with General Code, a third-party platform, to transfer documents and bylaws through the codification process. General Code provided a legal analysis, preliminary draft and final drafts throughout the entire process to ensure accuracy.

Region

Plaistow Police Grow ‘Beards for Bucks’ to Support Childcare Advocacy Centers

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The Plaistow Police Department is among those participating in “Beards for Bucks,” a statewide campaign raising money for the Granite State Children’s Alliance. Money raised for the New Hampshire’s Network of Childcare Advocacy Centers is unrestricted, giving the charity the ability to provide a safe, responsive, comfortable and supportive environment for the children and families. Last year, the statewide fundraising campaign raised $285,000. Donations, collected through Dec. 31, may be made online here.

Region

Brothers in Arms Men’s Support Circle Wins $40,000 State Restorative Justice Grant

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Lawrence-based Brothers in Arms Men’s Support Circle was one of 13 community organizations sharing last week in $380,000 in state grants to support restorative justice programming. Brothers in Arms Men’s Support Circle was awarded about $40,000 from the Commonwealth Restorative Justice Community Grant Program. “Restorative Justice practices can help those who have experienced harm and those who have caused it on their journeys toward healing and accountability. This grant program allows us to invest in community-based service providers as they deliver programming tailored to the needs of the communities they serve,” said Gov. Maura Healey. The Lawrence group is described as “volunteer-based” designed to “provide local men with mindful tools, awareness and peer support that help (participants) become the fathers, husbands, brothers, neighbors, friends and leaders our communities need.”

Grants were awarded through a competitive application process.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Area Gains Jobs While State Sees Overall Seasonal Drop in October

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The Merrimack Valley area, including Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence, gained the highest percentage of jobs last month, while there was a slight overall drop statewide. The revised job report shows a statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate decrease of 800 jobs in October, but an over-the-year gain of 77,100 jobs. Of the 15 areas for which employment estimates are published, 13 areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury statistical area at 1.6%; Lawrence-Methuen-Salem, 1.1%, and Peabody-Salem-Beverly, 1%. From October 2022 to October 2023, 14 areas gained jobs.

Region

Lawrence Firefighter Paul King Receives Citation at Firefighter of the Year Awards

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Lawrence Firefighter Paul King was among those honored this week during the 34th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony for his role in rescuing a driver from an overturned car in the Spicket River. Gov. Maura Healey and Public Safety Secretary Terrence M. Reidy joined State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine Tuesday to honor firefighters from across Massachusetts. “Each year, the Firefighter of the Year Awards recognize acts of bravery, heroism and service that are truly remarkable—even by the remarkable standards set by Massachusetts firefighters,” said Healey. “From structure fires to rushing waters, this year’s recipients defied grave danger to protect lives and preserve property. It’s an honor to celebrate them as individuals and teams. They represent the very finest in a tradition of helping others in times of danger and crisis.”

King was awarded the Governor’s Citation for Meritorious Conduct.

Region

DiZoglio Effort to Force Audit of Legislature Advances with Report of Collecting 100,000 Signatures

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Chris Lisinski, State House News Service. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio and her hodgepodge of political allies took a major step toward asking voters for the authority to probe the legislature, announcing they gathered enough signatures to remain on track for a 2024 ballot question. The ballot question campaign backed by the Methuen Democrat said this week it collected signatures from more than 100,000 registered voters, significantly more than the 74,574 certified signatures required to be filed with local election officials by the end of the day Wednesday. “Our campaign resonates with the people of Massachusetts because they want our leaders to fix the numerous, simultaneous crises our Commonwealth is facing—whether that’s in housing, healthcare, transportation, mental health, addiction or others,” DiZoglio said in a statement circulated by the ballot question campaign. “Beacon Hill cannot continue its closed-door, opaque operations with so much at stake.

Haverhill

Winter Parking Rules in Effect in Haverhill and Groveland; Methuen Starts Dec. 1

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Winter parking rules are now, or soon will be, in effect in several area communities, including Haverhill, Methuen and Groveland. Haverhill’s Winter Overnight Parking Ordinance went into effect last week and will remain through next April 1. For the months of November and December, from 6 p.m.-6 a.m., all vehicles must park on the even side of the street. The side of the street will alternate during other months. Those parking on a street where a no parking restriction is in effect must follow the permanent signage.

Region

Essex County Sheriff’s Department’s Ridley, STAR Programs Win Awards

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Essex County Sheriff’s Department’s Sgt. James Ridley and the Supporting Transitions And Re-entry Program—known as STAR—recently received top honors last week from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association. Ridley, a Lynn resident and 19-year veteran of the department, was named Correctional Supervisor of the Year for exhibiting outstanding leadership during critical situations, including performing CPR and directing life-saving efforts for an unresponsive individual, as well as administering Narcan to save another man’s life during a medical emergency. “These are just a few examples of Sgt. Ridley jumping into action to prevent death and serious injury as he frequently does with his quick-thinking and excellent communication and de-escalation skills,” said Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger.