Haverhill council approves easement and $15.5 million loan order boost for Lock Street CSO project

The Haverhill City Council on July 22 authorized the mayor to acquire a permanent easement from Massachusetts Electric Company near 134 Hill Street and approved a $15.5 million amendment to a loan order for phase 1 of the Lock Street combined sewer overflow (CSO) separation and associated water system improvements.

City staff said the easement is adjacent to previously acquired MBTA easements and is needed to place and maintain two 48‑inch drain pipes that will connect the project to the Little River. Bob Wood, the city presenter, said the easement agreement is “much less onerous than MBTA’s agreement” and will allow the city to install and maintain the required pipes.

Wood told councilors that competitive bids submitted for the project came in roughly $3 million higher than the engineer’s estimate, largely because the 48‑inch drain pipe item exceeded expectations. He said the city must execute a construction contract by August to preserve eligibility for State Revolving Fund principal forgiveness (staff estimated principal forgiveness at about 6.6%).

Councilors moved and approved the easement acquisition and the amended loan order on roll call votes that were 11–0. The loan increase was described by staff as necessary to cover the bid results and maintain access to low‑interest SRF financing; staff also said roughly $2.5 million of the appropriation covers water‑system work that is not SRF‑eligible.

The council’s votes were procedural approvals to allow the mayor to acquire property rights and to appropriate funds; no construction contract award was recorded during the meeting. The council did not amend project scope at the meeting; staff said they will return with contract documents and additional details as procurement proceeds.