Haverhill City Council approves MSBA statement of interest, investment rule and multiple zoning measures; battery storage zoning continued to April 29

The Haverhill City Council on March 18 moved a cluster of administrative, finance and zoning items in a series of unanimous votes while continuing the proposed battery energy storage zoning to April 29 for further legal review.

Key outcomes "Votes at a glance":

- Golden Hill Elementary School: The council approved an order authorizing the mayor to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for Golden Hill Elementary School, 140 Boardman Street. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett said the building’s roof is more than 30 years old and submission is required to seek MSBA funding (the MSBA may cover approximately 70% of eligible roof costs for Priority 5 projects). Roll call: 11 yeas, 0 nays.

- Prudent Investment Rule (G.L. c.44, §54B adoption): The council accepted legislation allowing city trust funds to be invested under the “prudent investor” rule (expanding allowable instruments under G.L. c.203C). Treasurer staff (Eunice) said the change widens options (e.g., ETFs, bonds, CDs) while audit oversight remains; council approved the order on a roll call of 11–0.

- Zoning technical corrections and zone-line adjustments: The council unanimously approved a package of clerical and corrective zoning amendments (updates stemming from prior recodification), a zone-line correction to include a parcel in Waterfront Zone C, and an amendment to allow a defined “mixed-use” building in specified commercial zones (special permit required). Votes were unanimous, with councilors and Planning Director Bill Pillsbury describing the changes as clarifications rather than new density allowances.

- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance updates: Council adopted zoning language to align with recent state changes that provide a by-right ADU up to 900 square feet or half the principal structure’s gross area (whichever is less) and, on lots 10,000 sq ft or less, allow 5-foot side/rear setbacks for qualifying ADUs. Older local ADU special-permit provisions that exceed the state minimum remain available; vote 11–0.

- Battery energy storage systems zoning (new use): The council opened the hearing on a proposed new zoning section for battery energy storage systems and voted to continue that matter to April 29 so staff and the solicitor can complete outstanding legal work and respond to AG/state guidance. Vote to continue: 11–0.

- Routine items and local approvals: The council received the city assessor’s February abatement report (filed), approved a tag day for Cabral High School Softball Boosters (May 3), renewed a coin‑op license for Academy Lanes (12 machines), and added two handicap parking spaces requested by ordinance at 17 Hillside and 459 Washington Street. Most of these items passed by unanimous roll calls.

Why it matters: The MSBA statement preserves Haverhill’s position to seek state aid for an aging school roof; the investment rule could marginally increase trust-fund returns while expanding allowable instruments and retaining treasurer/auditor oversight; zoning and ADU changes bring local code into alignment with state law and correct mapping errors created during prior recodification.

What’s next: City staff will post the MSBA statement of interest in the record as required; the treasurer’s office said it will provide reporting to the council and can produce performance reports; the solicitor will take additional time on battery storage language and return the zoning item on April 29. Planning staff and the solicitor will circulate corrected zoning language and maps as needed.

Ending: All votes noted above passed on roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes, mostly 11–0; the battery-energy-storage proposal was continued for further legal and procedural review.