Haverhill

Developer Seeks to Build 24 Homes Under ‘Flexible Development’ Law Where 18 Typically Allowed

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Asking for a special permit to build 24 single-family homes on Emma Rose Circle, the developer will make his case using a relatively new zoning law at a Haverhill City Council hearing Tuesday night. JR Builders President Larry R. Palmisano’s plans show rectangular, uniform lots, each sharing a border with its neighbor, on both sides of Emma Rose Circle. A few appear to be larger and more irregularly shaped, particularly those on the cul-de-sac at the end of the road. With the houses sharing 20 acres, 30 acres of surrounding woodlands remain untouched. Emma Rose Circle, which feeds into Broadway west of Interstate 495, is to be extended because Palmisano built a subdivision filling the space around the existing stretch six years ago.

Education

Powell Joins Haverhill Police Following NECC Police Academy Graduation Friday

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Haverhill welcomes an additional patrolman following Friday’s police recruit graduation at Northern Essex Community College

Haverhill Officer Samuel Powell was one of 51 to graduate from the Fifth Recruit Officer Class at Municipal Police Training Committee and Northern Essex Police Academy. Powell formerly served the city as an animal control officer. There were also graduates from 28 other communities, including Groveland, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover. “The latest MPTC graduating class represents our investment in the future generation of public safety leaders who are well-prepared to protect and serve their communities and advance public safety across the Commonwealth,” said MPTC Executive Director Robert J. Ferullo, who was joined by NECC Academy Director Joshua Stokel. “I commend their commitment to meeting our statewide professional training standards, which has prepared these officers to provide communities with exceptional policing services by putting into practice the advanced skills, values and principles engrained throughout their training.”

Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr. and Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn were among those on hand to congratulate Powell.

Haverhill

MBTA Hears Concerns Over Downtown Haverhill Train Station Closing; Could Allow Some Service

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The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority—or MBTA, responding to public outcry over the planned closing of the downtown Haverhill train station, could allow some commuter rail trips or provide busing to the Bradford stop. As WHAV reported first two weeks ago, MBTA officials confirmed plans to shutter the Haverhill station for 10 to 12 months to commuter rail passengers as part of replacement of the South Elm Street bridge across the river. They did not explain why it would remain open only for freight service and Amtrak Downeaster service between Boston and Maine. Haverhill mayoral Deputy Chief of Staff Josselyn De León-Estrada said this week a meeting with city officials helped spur reconsideration and officials expect a report back in about a week. “They are looking at alternative service over the original self-diversion plan.

Education

With More English Learners Than Ever, Haverhill Schools Brought on More Staff in Recent Years

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With the growing number of non-native English speakers in Haverhill Public Schools, director of multilingual learning Heidi Perez says her department has increased in size to meet the greater need. She told School Committee members last week, “It’s been a change [for] the teachers and the school community, so we’ve been trying to stay up-to-date, to give our students what they deserve.”

In her six years at the helm, Perez said the proportion of ML students grew from 9.5% to 13%, while the state average went from 10.5% to 13.1%. The surge accelerated particularly in the last three years, according to slides Perez shared. As of last September, 1,037 of 7,882 students were English learners. In the same period, the district increased the number of ML teachers from 19 to 38, bilingual parent liaisons from two to 16 and testers to assess incoming ML students from two to four.

Haverhill

After 40 Years of No New Properties, Housing Authority Has Plans For Hilldale Avenue, Groveland Street

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After 40 years of no new properties, the Haverhill Housing Authority aims to bring 34 apartments to Hilldale Avenue by 2028. Although in the earliest stage, the quasi-public agency plans to spend $28 million on land it owns at 230 Hilldale Ave. Executive Director Clara Ruiz Vargas detailed the plans recently for WHAV. There are preliminary “plans that have been drawn up, of the idea of what we would like to have done in that area.”

The site held the authority’s offices decades prior and currently has a daycare run by Community Action. Vargas said the daycare will remain and plans to include a community room as well.

Cannabis

Councilors Approve Policy Aiding Some Cannabis Applicants, Confirm Deliveries Possible in Haverhill

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Last night, Haverhill city councilors approved their version of a state-mandated policy that aims to get cannabis store licenses in the hands of business owners incarcerated due to the federal government’s so-called “War on Drugs” or otherwise negatively impacted by it. People who fall into this category do not automatically get permits and must still go through an application process. Assistant City Solicitor Matthew D. Provencher informed councilors Haverhill previously opted in to cannabis delivery services, answering a question raised at a subcommittee meeting where the final policy was drafted, as WHAV reported. Brick-and-mortar businesses operating in Haverhill—there are currently four and none of them deliver—must renegotiate their licensing agreements with the city if they want to start. Council Vice President Timothy J. Jordan protested that cities do not receive tax revenue from deliveries brought in from outside.

Haverhill

Haverhill Mayor and Council Will Share Official Authority to Appoint Outside Lawyer

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After city councilors expressed concern a new ordinance would reduce their powers, the mayor agreed to share the authority to appoint outside legal counsel with the body. Councilor Colin F. LePage and Council Vice President Timothy J. Jordan requested the ability be explicitly granted at a subcommittee meeting last week, while councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski said the change was unnecessary because the ordinance already grants the council sufficient rights, which she also raised earlier this month, as WHAV reported. City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead, who drafted the ordinance and Mayor Melinda E. Barrett made similar points. Jordan said, “In my six plus years on the council, I was always led to believe that it was the mayor [who] had all of that authority and the rule we’re looking to change, makes it read like the council actually had the authority to get outside council. At least on a couple occasions when I was on the council, myself and others wished to get an outside opinion and we were told we could not.”

Councilor Shaun P. Toohey noting a precaution against potential mayoral overreach, reassured the mayor, “I don’t think it’s about you.”

Barrett responded, “I know.

Cannabis

City Lawyer: State Law Allows Cannabis Deliveries to Haverhill Homes from Out-of-Town Outfits

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Delivery of cannabis to Haverhill homes from out-of-town is allowed under state law, the city solicitor says, but local stores may not make such deliveries until they first negotiate terms in their host community agreements with the city. At least that appears to be the opinion of City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead in a letter to the Haverhill City Council dated last Thursday. Councilors will formally hear the view during talks tonight on a state-mandated “social equity” policy that promises added benefits for shop applicants “disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.” The state requires the city to have a policy in place by May 1 or face penalties. Councilors are expected to hear recommendations from its Administration and Finance Committee that suggested changes to a draft policy during a meeting last week. One of the provisions, that qualifying applicants have “exclusive access” to delivery licenses for three years, brought concern by Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski.