Haverhill City Council approves excavation permits, pays prior‑year bill and continues Winter Street special permit hearing

The Haverhill City Council on Oct. 15 approved a series of routine orders and unanimously continued a special‑permit hearing for a proposed mixed‑use project at 233 Winter Street until Dec. 9.

Attorney Paul Magliochetti, representing 233 Winter Street LLC, told the council the applicant requested a continuance because a city study the council needs had not yet been submitted. Magliochetti described the applicant as a "family business" undergoing financial strain and asked the council to continue the matter; the council voted to continue the hearing. Vice President Jordan moved to continue the hearing to Dec. 9; Councilor Toohey seconded. The motion carried on a roll call vote of 10 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent.

The council approved the municipal election warrant and the clerk's early‑voting schedule. City Clerk Caitlin Emery said all requested mail‑in ballots had been mailed and listed early‑voting times; the council approved the clerk's warrant on a 10‑0 roll call after a motion by Councilor Mitchison and a second by Vice President Jordan.

Councilors also approved three separate orders from City Engineer John H. Pettis authorizing excavation for gas work: permission to excavate at 37 Brockton Ave to address a grade‑2 gas leak; permission to excavate at 23 Crosby Street to install a new gas service; and permission to open 16 Overlook Drive to cut gas at the main. Each order was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously on roll call.

The council authorized payment from current departmental appropriations to satisfy a prior‑year bill from vendor Chemrite in the amount of $18,920; the motion passed unanimously.

All roll calls recorded 10 yeas, 0 nays and 1 absent for the motions noted above. The council did not take final action on the 233 Winter Street special permit application and will reconvene that hearing on Dec. 9.