Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Kill Plan for 3 Condo Homes on Marshland St.

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Haverhill city councilors Tuesday night killed a developer’s request to replace a single-family house on Marshland Street with three condominium units, with most members saying the plan would upset the character of the neighborhood. The “Marshland Commons” proposal from Matt Silva of Sterling Commonwealth Builders called for demolishing a single-family house at 27 Marshland St. and replacing it with three, three-bedroom townhouses—each with separate driveways to the street. Mark Dickinson, who said he has owned the nearby 30 Marshland St. property, was among those who spoke against the plan.

Haverhill

Holmes Joins Northern Essex Knights as Baseball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director

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Mitchell Holmes is the new baseball coach and assistant athletic director of the Northern Essex Community College Knights. Holmes most recently spent the previous two seasons as lead assistant coach at Babson College where he oversaw hitting and catching and helped lead the recruiting efforts for the Beavers who captured the 2026 NEWMAC championship and earned the third seed in NCAA Division III Southern Maine regional. Prior to his time at Babson, Holmes spent three seasons on the staff at Holy Cross. Athletics Director Dan Blair said Tuesday Holmes officially begins his duties next Monday. “I’m pleased to welcome Mitch to Northern Essex.

Beacon Hill News

State Awards Methuen $50,000 Grant to Identify Lead Pipe in Drinking Water Lines

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Methuen was formally awarded a $50,000 state grant Tuesday to help the city to identify and verify the existence of lead-based pipes to comply with federal environmental regulations. The grant, one of four to a gateway city, comes from the state Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program and helps communities better compete for federal money. “This $50,000 investment will help Methuen take an important step toward identifying potential lead risks in its drinking water infrastructure. Knowing where these risks exist is essential to addressing them and protecting the health of our residents,” said Sen. Pavel M. Payano, who represents, Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill. Gov. Maura Healey explained, “Our administration has made it a priority to pursue every federal dollar available, and these grants will enable more communities to do so.”

Methuen will use the money to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 order on Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which requires drinking water systems to replace lead and certain galvanized service lines and take other steps to improve public health protection and simplify rules.

Business Bulletin

Anna Jaques Hospital Plans to Break Ground on Expanded Breast Care Center

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An expansion of Anna Jaques Hospital’s Gerrish Breast Care Center is expected to begin next year to enable a larger number of patients to access to life-saving screening, diagnostic and supportive services. Construction plans for the 8,000-square-foot center at the Newburyport Medical Center were revealed last week during Anna Jaques Hospital’s SHINE at Night annual fundraiser for breast care services. “This investment reflects our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community. By expanding our capabilities and bringing services together in one integrated center, we can create a more seamless experience for every patient who walks through our doors and make care more connected, convenient and supportive close to home,” said Anna Jaques Hospital President and Chief Operating Officer Megan Gray. The hospital said patient care will continue uninterrupted throughout construction, expected to be complete next summer, and the current breast care center will remain fully operational.

Community Spotlight

Greater Haverhill Arts Association Plans Holiday Show Nov. 13-15

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The annual Greater Haverhill Arts Association Holiday Show opens this year in the heart of downtown Haverhill. The exhibition takes place Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13 through 15, in collaboration with Creative Haverhill in the Cogswell Artspace Incubator gallery at Creative Haverhill, 43 Washington St. Greater Haverhill Arts Association members are invited to exhibit up to two framed works and up to 24 additional, smaller and unframed items. Organizers suggest smaller, reasonably priced work, including prints, notecards, ornaments, calendars and magnets. Other criteria, fees and registration are online at haverhillartassociation.org.

Haverhill

Pre-Season Poll Puts Northern Essex Knights’ Basketball on Top

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Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team was selected Monday as the number one team in the national pre-season poll as announced by the NJCAA Basketball Committee. The Knights, who captured the program’s first-ever national championship back in March, are coming off a 33-3 season and will have a fresh look for the 2026-27 under head coach Darren Stratton who enters his 24th season with a record of 384-213. With four starters from last year’s national championship game moving onto to the four-year scholarship level, the Knights say they will rely heavily on sophomores Jay’von Depina and Jacob Mercedes, who both played significant roles a season ago. Xavier Rivera, who was a member of the Knights program in in 2024-25, returns to the program after taking a year off. Expected to make an immediate impact on the court this season, the team adds, are newcomers Rolky BreaArias, Isaiah Bean Britain and Martin Drejaj who will all provide significant minutes in the frontcourt.

Haverhill

Haverhill Readies for Veterans Day with a Month of Events

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Haverhill plans a variety of observances and ceremonies as the nation gets ready to honor veterans before, on and after the Wednesday, Nov. 11, holiday. Patrick Menzie addresses Haverhill city councilors Tuesday night, inviting the public to the annual pre-election Veterans Alliance of Greater Haverhill breakfast Nov. 1. The breakfast was inaugurated in 2017, taking over a standing, pre-election breakfast former Rep. Brian S. Dempsey held for years.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Scores $136K Workforce Training Grant

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Northern Essex Community College’s Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician programs are getting a boost thanks to a $136,142 state grant to support workforce training. Northern Essex was awarded the most among all 15 state community colleges that received Training Resources and Internships Network—or TRAIN—grants during this round. Gov. Maura Healey distributed $1.5 million in grants as part of Massachusetts STEM Week. “Every Massachusetts student deserves the opportunity to build a career and earn a good living,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “That’s why we made community college tuition and fee-free and why we’re continuing to invest in workforce training across the state.