As the state enacts legislation aimed at giving cannabis shop permits to those most negatively impacted by the, so-called, “War on Drugs,” Haverhill officials are facing a state deadline to decide how the city will support such applicants. According to a draft of Haverhill’s social equity policy, conditions to qualify include that a majority of a business’s owners have previous cannabis-related convictions, live in an “area of disproportionate impact,” meet certain income requirements, or have descendants from particular minority groups. These were specified as “Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino or Native American or indigenous.”
In an email to the City Council’s Administration and Finance Committee workshopping the policy, Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski said the document should make clear belonging to the group prioritized by the state does not “guarantee” an applicant a license. With the state’s Cannabis Control Commission—or CCC—having set a May 1 deadline, councilors and City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead discussed at a Monday meeting whether to include sections on cannabis delivery businesses and community impact fees.
Haverhill’s Public Works Department is adding a few streets to this week’s paving and repair list. Work is set for Carleton Street, from Broadway to Lowell Avenue; Berkeley Avenue, from Mill to Windsor Street; Travers Street, from Kenoza Avenue to Ashland Street; and Sherman Avenue, from Brook to Willie Street. The additional streets and sidewalks join a list WHAV reported earlier this week.
Businesses wondering if they qualify for tax incentives; in need of good employees; trying to access resources available to women, minority or veteran-owned business; or that need capital may find answers during a May business expo in Haverhill. State Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba will provide a keynote address, while Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, a longtime downtown business owner, will also speak. UMass Lowell Innovation Hub in Haverhill is partnering with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, City of Haverhill, Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and Merrimack Valley Planning Commission for the regional business resource fair Thursday, May 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m., at UMass Lowell iHub, 2 Merrimack St., Haverhill.
The Plaistow Public Library and Plaistow Police Department are helping drivers keep their youngest passengers safe. Trained and certified child safety seat technicians from the Plaistow Police Department will staff a checkpoint at the Plaistow Public Library to inspect the safety devices in local operators’ cars. For those having trouble safely installing the seats, the same trained personnel will lend a hand to make sure they are installed properly.