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Council votes: continuances, appointments, contracts and budget transfers
Summary
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.
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.
