Haverhill council places minutes on file as Commission on Disability awards scholarships to local students

Haverhill councilors approved placement of the previous meeting minutes on file and heard the Commission on Disability Issues present scholarship awards to two local students.

Councilor Hobbes Everett moved to place the minutes on file after saying he had reviewed them; the motion was seconded by Vice President Jordan and passed on a voice vote. Councilor Mitchinson acknowledged the acceptance and thanked the media for coverage.

Mayor Barrett then invited the reconstituted Commission on Disability Issues to the microphone to recognize students and present scholarships and citations. Frances Lam, identified in the meeting as chairperson of the commission, introduced Commission members and described the group’s mission: to assist the city in adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act, to advise on making public programs and events accessible, and to promote equal treatment at public events.

A scholarship coordinator (identified alternately in the transcript as Anne Doughty and Ann Dowdy) said the commission had activated scholarship funds to support students with disabilities moving on to two- or four-year colleges and announced awards to two students. The transcript contains inconsistent name spellings: earlier it lists "Leonard Arevella" and "Catherine Rose Dolphin" as the students to be formally recognized; later the coordinator announced the scholarships are going to "Catherine Douthin." The record available in the meeting audio or the city clerk’s official minutes should be consulted for definitive spellings and recipient confirmation.

The council then continued with other routine business.