[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078145,"mediaKeyId","2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8","parentId",2961636,"title","Council votes: continuances, appointments, contracts and budget transfers","audioSeconds",721,"startMs",5028000,"endMs",5749000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8&start=5028&end=5749","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8/thumbnail_5028000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078145/Haverhill-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-votes-continuances-appointments-contracts-and-budget-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078145-a88005d87262d70b702e8f9893c68c1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167510&Signature=Mefw7jK8UthGY32Tr5IBAYvMT92huZrd0gGg6Td5HWwN9sYBVFUz1gyX~6PYTTZLsfnDSVzPLlD22qQLjPrpz1FVA3k1lYMZ8JsPhCTWSjZyaET943kOVhKBJUv2Dd9iOgKAEhgmFmdK6f-iAswaCC8lvv-pd7jMQBIiHbdyn9WYrZt3PYx6R1y29uWEulNLJ98YlhiOi9W1AuBE2qEjRI45smANcnxokfBInkjWoQcN1e1WCO2BpDaDMr~b9whcRWG-sNbbdjae0-f2OIVgU9wkmexw1kaz9r~RhKJLdoJ92GP3SR6o5L4hdjFeWWm-dTKh6~RUfrYQIizqcrzA1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Haverhill City, MA","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Haverhill City Council took multiple formal actions during the meeting, including votes on permits, appointments, contracts, labor agreements and a transfer to a youth and mental-health account.

Votes at a glance

- Continued hearing: Special Permit 25-2 (WP Acquisition Sub LLC request to add a 24-bed geriatric unit at Haverhill Pavilion, 76 Summer Street) — motion to continue to May 6 passed on a roll call of 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent (moved by Councilor Mitchelson; second by Councilor Toohey).

- Appointment confirmed: Francis Lam to the Commission on Disability Issues (term expires April 30, 2028) — confirmed 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent (motion by Vice President Jordan; second by Councilor Rogers). Lam was sworn in at the meeting.

- Contract authorization: Order authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract longer than three years and up to five years with Flock Group, Inc., for cameras and license-plate-monitoring software for the police department — passed on roll call 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent (moved by Councilor Mitchelson; second by Vice President Jordan). The motion cited General Law Chapter 30B, Section 12B as the procurement authority referenced.

- Labor agreements placed on file: Memoranda of agreement for the library Teamsters group and the Superior Officers group were placed on file for 10 days (each placed on file by roll call, 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent).

- Transfer: $500,000 from certified free cash to fund youth activity and mental-health programs for FY2025 — approved 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent (motion by Vice President Jordan; second by Councilor Mitchelson). The council discussed prior ARPA funding and the need to sustain the program beyond ARPA availability.

- Other routine approvals: Revenue and expense reports for March 2025 (accepted, 9 ayes); a pool/billiard license for Wicked Axe at 721 South Main Street (approved, 9 ayes); an order authorizing payment of two prior-year bills totaling $2,019.11 (approved, 9 ayes); various parking/traffic ordinances placed on file for 10 days and acceptance of newly offered public ways (roll calls passed, 9 ayes each).

What the votes mean: Several items were procedural (placing MOAs on file, accepting reports) while the contract authorization and the transfer to youth/mental-health programs carry direct budgetary or operational implications. Councilors asked for follow-up on the youth/mental-health appropriation and how the city will sustain programming beyond one-time federal funds.

Provenance: Each item is on the meeting record and was taken in roll-call votes noted in the transcript. Items placed on file will return as required by the city’s ordinance schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Haverhill City Council Meeting – April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Haverhill City Council approved a continuance for a special permit hearing, confirmed a Commission on Disability appointment, authorized a police license-plate camera contract, placed two library memoranda of agreement on file, and approved a $500,000 transfer to youth activity and mental health funding, among other routine actions.","taxTitle","Haverhill City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",64850,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078150,"Haverhill limits most outdoor water use under drought emergency; limited exceptions outlined",1098,3235000,4333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8&start=3235&end=4333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8/thumbnail_3235000.jpg","/articles/6078150/Haverhill-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Haverhill-limits-most-outdoor-water-use-under-drought-emergency-limited-exceptions-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078150-ede426e8bbf61df59e8501af32835368/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167510&Signature=FXjC53JSjuKKcX-ice4KONDej-yO3p6ybTaDpwt9XDbqOSmrkA-ce1Sun8--9d8iV-CILQny7ESd8MMZs2QFxUWe3pwx97PqnknVqxj-PVrusHF36tboFVydk5t48F19NB45cin65t2rwPB1Lm5MI4hwADon4zOmjUbo55MkfRIDa6Dtcj1HI~44JhjqmH~kx9GAOEP0pdcELi685XDzKHDdCisxTSvfa2WlmBRL6rjq2uImPY0QckBfV8WeyKdve2AT6WrQ62ItRmMGvgKnOYAZBv7HqCS5G8r9TAIYVZ45IuQruagkDKzc~1mZtGb-gLIH3IHPhk2ra6vD79~BzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Public Works Director Robert Ward told the Haverhill City Council that reservoir levels remain below long-term averages and outlined tiered outdoor water restrictions after the city declared a drought emergency March 19.

Ward said monitoring shows the reservoir remains well below its 35‑year average and that the city must restrict most outdoor uses to preserve drinking supply. \"Currently we're at 106.4 feet,\" Ward said when describing the most recent lake-level reading.

Why it matters: The restrictions affect residential and commercial outdoor watering practices across Haverhill and could include enforcement measures. Ward and councilors discussed notification, rebate programs and enforcement options such as inspectional letters and possible police detail for persistent violations.

Allowed and prohibited uses: The city described a first tier of allowable outdoor uses that residents may perform before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.: watering edible plants and vegetable gardens by watering can or hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle, drip irrigation for edible gardens, filling tree-watering bags, and limited watering of newly planted trees/shrubs/perennials.

Prohibited uses include routine lawn irrigation by sprinkler systems (except for limited public park/playfield allowances to be determined later), washing vehicles outside a commercial car wash, washing sidewalks or driveways, operating decorative fountains or water features that are not essential for aquatic life, use of outdoor misting systems and filling or topping off pools and spas.

Rebates and outreach: The city will offer a $25 rebate as a credit on the water bill for residents who buy a rain barrel through the city’s program; Ward said homeowners who purchase through the city system will not need to take additional steps to receive the rebate. The city plans to notify residents via the upcoming May 1 bill, Everbridge robocalls, sign boards and targeted letters to property owners with automatic sprinkler systems and meter deductions.

Enforcement and timeline: Ward said enforcement options range from inspectional-service notices and fines to dispatching police details for repeat or widespread violations. Several councilors asked whether the restrictions would be eased if rainfall and reservoir levels improve; Ward said the city will monitor lake levels and may relax restrictions as conditions change.

Councilors asked for continued updates. Ward and Mayor Barrett said the city will return with regular status reports on reservoir levels and the effects of conservation measures.","Public Works Director Robert Ward updated the council on low reservoir levels and presented a drought response plan that bans routine lawn irrigation and other nonessential outdoor water uses while allowing limited, timed watering for edible gardens, newly planted trees and certain business/agricultural uses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078155,"Haverhill leaders, Whittier Tech and Northern Essex outline plan for shared vocational campus",2007,1227000,3234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8&start=1227&end=3234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2961636-03f1a78e325180f8c36cefc2c7c885e8/thumbnail_1227000.jpg","/articles/6078155/Haverhill-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Haverhill-leaders-Whittier-Tech-and-Northern-Essex-outline-plan-for-shared-vocational-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078155-bf56704b07ca9b3aa131c1fcad5a31e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167510&Signature=EO0ycvFmKnodWumalLMa231YfU1Th5OeOitOnY24-3OsOrJh5THcXtDzK~00jZ9X2krOEmaxM-sXNRp-J9wFpHtvaAWKGyZhddhCwvQFSbbh1o~8GbE1KL1~WvneRPB1K5BvyiIcPsZ8RCaAlHCm78cY3NYvtU3~e84bA1ik4992mwd-tZWsCqm8uWCiFLXXgDAymf3eHSShu5-boD26MoKnfTfuZtfH-KlRnAZu2dbPqoNKpLVJeXrrgH0PZViJYicw-fQanxGmeB95f8sKsLNuBYikwUyS2Yd0Rv135ltWfHZW808epYOpF3QTeiAU7yZChgC4VJbKpqh4xXIkeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Maureen Lynch and Northern Essex presenters described a developing plan to locate Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School on shared campus space at Northern Essex Community College, saying the model could expand seats and early-college options while lowering per-community capital costs.

The presentation to the Haverhill City Council on the proposal stressed that Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) rules require sign-off from all 11 sending communities for the district to advance into eligibility. \"If we don't get those things and all 11 cities and towns don't sign on to that, then we will not be able to move forward into eligibility,\" Lynch said.

Why it matters: Councilors and city officials said the plan could preserve Whittier Tech's future, add seats for Haverhill students and respond to local workforce shortages for plumbers, electricians and other skilled trades. Presenters said the shared-campus model also opens new funding avenues — higher-education capital, foundation support, federal earmarks and a proposed state BRIGHT Act bond bill — that would be harder for the vocational school to access on its own.

Lynch said Haverhill enrollment at Whittier currently represents a significant share of the school: \"There are 856 students from Haverhill among the 1,285 who attend Whittier Tech,\" and the district offers 24 CTE areas, three of which were recently cut for low enrollment. Northern Essex President Lane Glenn described the college as \"an eager partner\" and said a shared campus could let both institutions use existing facilities, expand early-college seats and reduce duplicate infrastructure costs.

Presenters showed three development scenarios: separate adjacent campuses (limited savings), two schools sharing services and space (moderate savings), and a highly integrated ‘‘polytechnic’’ identity with shared branding, programs and operations (largest potential savings and programmatic integration). They cited an outside scan that found limited U.S. examples and referenced the Sturm Collaborative Campus in Colorado as a partial analog.

Key details and next steps: MSBA requires all 11 communities to formally sign on for the district to enter the eligibility period; presenters said the deadline to get required municipal sign-offs is July 1 and that eligibility would begin August 1 if sign-offs are complete. The feasibility study cost will be borne by the district; presenters said the feasibility and schematic design steps would follow MSBA processes if the district secures eligibility.

Council reaction and questions: Councilors broadly praised the proposal and urged student-focused planning. Councilor Mitchelson said he supported moving forward and asked about timeline; presenters said the MSBA window gives the district a roughly 270‑day eligibility period to proceed. Councilor Baszler asked about land ownership on the Northern Essex campus; Glenn and Lynch said approximately 14 of the nearly 30 acres in the area shown are state-owned and that the original project had been contemplated on roughly 8 acres. Councilor Tui asked whether a larger regional agreement would change admissions or create a lottery; Lynch called that a \"loaded question\" and said the regional agreement and seat apportionment rules remain to be worked out.

Unresolved items and risks: Presenters and councilors repeatedly noted the complexity of securing unanimous municipal support and the budget pressure facing some sending communities. Glenn and Lynch said securing multi-source funding would be crucial to reduce per-community cost and to make the plan attractive to municipal leaders. The presenters also noted possible need to coordinate with the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAM) because Northern Essex property is state-owned.

Background: Whittier Tech’s most recent standalone building project failed last year; the MSBA gave the district permission in December to advance certain next steps. The presenters said their research, supported by the Donahue Institute and other consulting partners, suggests a shared campus could be innovative in Massachusetts.

Council President Sullivan closed by encouraging the project team and the participating communities to continue their work and return with more detailed plans.","Superintendent Maureen Lynch and Northern Essex officials presented a plan to combine Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College on a shared campus, saying the model could increase seats, lower per-community costs and expand early-college access if all 11 sending communities sign on by MSBA’s deadline.","actionData","errors"]

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Council votes: continuances, appointments, contracts and budget transfers

Haverhill limits most outdoor water use under drought emergency; limited exceptions outlined

Haverhill leaders, Whittier Tech and Northern Essex outline plan for shared vocational campus