Business Bulletin

In Visit, Michlewitz Calls State Economy Strong, Recognizes Housing, Food Concerns

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Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, tackled concerns about housing, hunger and energy affordability Monday when addressing members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. Michlewitz noted the state can do better and has places where it has to be more competitive, but gave the state an overall thumbs up. He said the “numbers don’t lie,” the state still has a “strong economy.”

“Considering all the chaos that you’re seeing across the country and in the global markets and everything like that, Massachusetts has continued to stay pretty steady in its growth and in its consistency,” he said. Introduced by Second Assistant Majority Leader Frank A. Moran of Lawrence, Methuen and Andover, the chairman said a lack of housing is the state’s biggest challenge in keeping people in Massachusetts, “young people in particular.” He pointed out Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas has championed the “Yes in God’s Back Yard,” or YIGBY, bill that would loosen zoning rules to allow religious organizations to develop housing by right. While Michlewitz said the House put some restrictions on it, the proposal is advancing.

Region

Plaistow Police to Hear from Public on National Coffee with a Cop Day

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Plaistow Police are inviting residents to talk with officers during Wednesday’s National Coffee with a Cop Day. The Plaistow Police Department said it is partnering with Best Bagel. Residents may have coffee and/or their favorite breakfast sandwich on a bagel with Master Patrol Officer Anthony LaRosa and Officer Carson Geha. The officers will chat with the public and field any questions or concerns Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Best Bagel, 37 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, N.H.

Community Spotlight

Urban Bridges Offers Free E-Bike and Scooter Workshop Thursday

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Haverhill’s Urban Bridges plans a free E-Bike and Scooter Educational Workshop tomorrow, emphasizing safety and giving away free helmets for the first 30 registrants. The safety workshop is sponsored by Rep. Andy X. Vargas, AAA Northeast, Cedar’s Foods and Merrimack Health. “We’ve had way too many e-scooter tragedies and injuries in our neighborhoods,” said Vargas. “I’m proud to partner with Urban Bridges and all the event sponsors to give kids the tools and knowledge they need to ride safely and responsibly in Haverhill. As more young people use scooters and e-bikes to get around, we need both education and clear safety standards to make sure they can do so safely,” said Vargas.

Haverhill

Joseph’s Trattoria Breaks Ground on New Ward Hill Restaurant and Complex

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Joseph’s Trattoria restaurant plans to return to Ward Hill by late next spring—starting a $5 million portion of what will be “Oxford Crossing,” a new neighborhood village with retail spaces and 220 apartments. Owner Deanna Faro Gaiero and her family participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking Monday morning at the site off Route 125. She explained the project has been in the works longer than most realize. “We started talking about this back before COVID actually, so six years in the plans,” she said. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett offered her congratulations.

Business Bulletin

Essex District Attorney Tucker Rules Out Third Term

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Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said Friday he will not seek a third, four-year term, presuming he is re-elected during the November general election. Tucker, who was first elected to the county’s top law enforcement post in the November 2021 general election following a lengthy career in law enforcement and as a state representative, is running unopposed for his second term this November. “I am wrapping up my fourth year. And I’ll have one more term and, as long as my wife and I both vote for me, I’m unopposed. I will be back on the job for four more years.

Haverhill

Haverhill Council to Consider Marshland Street Condo Plan; E-Bike Rules

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Haverhill city councilors are expected to consider a request Tuesday night to demolish a single-family house at 27 Marshland St. and replace it with three, attached three-bedroom townhouses. Deliberations on the proposal, called “Marshland Commons,” from Matt Silva for Sterling Commonwealth Builders were postponed from last month. According to plans, each unit of about 1,700 square feet would have three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and an attached two-car garage. The site is located in a high-density residential zone.

Community Spotlight

Pentucket Regional High Club Plans Community Clothing Swap for the Public Oct. 17

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A new club at Pentucket Regional High School is having a free Community Clothing Swap to help the public save money, connect with their community and reduce consumption and textile waste. Founder Henry Smith, a senior from Groveland, said the Neighbors United Social Action Club will also be sponsoring other community events also seeks volunteer opportunities where club members can take part. Its first big project is the free Community Clothing Swap, open to residents in all surrounding communities. “If someone doesn’t have items to swap, we invite them to come anyway and take what they need. We want this to be inclusive and help people,” Smith said.

Education

Northern Essex’s McCarthy Joins New Small Business Advisory Council

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Michael McCarthy, executive vice president and chief financial and operating officer at Northern Essex Community College, was recently appointed to the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center statewide Advisory Council, a new group of business, government, economic development and community leaders helping guide the future of small business support in the state. The Advisory Council was established as part of the Council’s five-year strategic plan, which is focused on strengthening the organization’s ability to help entrepreneurs build and grow sustainable businesses that drive economic growth and innovation across Massachusetts. “I’m honored to have been asked to join this amazing group of leaders to help our small businesses and local economies while creating opportunities for students,” said McCarthy. As a member of the Advisory Council, McCarthy will bring his experience in higher education, budgeting and workforce development to discussions surrounding emerging issues affecting small businesses, opportunities for statewide collaboration and initiatives designed to strengthen Massachusetts’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. “Community colleges are an integral part of economic development at all levels,” said Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn.