Mayor Fiorentini’s Final School Committee Goodbye Address: Dec. 14, 2023

Thank you.  This is my last school committee meeting, so I wanted to say just a few words. 

Since I announced my retirement, people all over the city have contacted me to thank me.  But the thanks need to go the other way—from me to you, for this wonderful opportunity you have given me.   

I also thank all the school committee members I have worked with over the past two decades for your dedication, your hard work and your commitment to building better schools and a better city.   It has been an honor to have worked with you.   

Twenty years ago, we faced a high school that was on accreditation probation because of a lack of building repairs.  There was no money to fix it.  The public had overwhelmingly voted down a debt exclusion to rehab the high school.  We faced the prospect of being one of only two high schools in the state to be unaccredited.  We also faced a long and sad tradition, that Haverhill always funded education at the minimum required by state law.   

It took many people working together, but we were able to change both things.   

Despite having the Hale debt, we funded a repair project for the high school and restored full accreditation. This meant that there were other things that we couldn’t do, but we decided as a community that having an accredited high school was our number one top priority.   

Then we built a new Hunking School, a beautiful new school that our community should be proud of.  Everyone on the school committee then and everyone on the school committee now supported that school.  Uniting as a community, we were able to pass the first debt exclusion approved in 20 years, after two previous debt exclusions had been voted down by overwhelming margins.   

Then came the Consentino School.  There was a community consensus that we needed two new middle schools, but we were divided on which school to do first.  I tried to gather as much information and input as I could.  My proudest moment in my 20 years was, after listening to all of you, to make the decision that for equity reasons the Consentino had to come first.   

This week we got some wonderful news.  The JG Whittier School has been invited into the pipeline to be the next school to be rebuilt in Haverhill. I was proud to speak for that school at the MSBA meeting yesterday.  If this school is built, and I have every reason to believe it will be, then within a few short years, we will have replaced or totally renovated every middle school in the city.  

 We received some other good news this week.  The MSBA also gave final approval to building a brand-new Whittier Vocational Technical High School.   That new high vocational high school, when it Is approved by the voters, will be a shining light in our city and will show that in Haverhil, we value education.  I was proud to speak for that school at the City Council meeting this Tuesday.   

We should also be proud of the tremendous increases we have made in school funding over the years.  Twenty years ago, we funded schools at the minimum required by the state.  Today, the school operating budget increased by 152%, an increase of 7.65% per year.  No other city budget has had increases of anything approaching this.  Instead of funding at the minimum, today we are nearly $10 million above the minimum required by the state.  

Of course, part of that funding came from the state.  But part of it came from the city, where despite our overwhelming problems we increased funding and paid over the minimum every single year.  We were able to do that because we increased our tax base by building a new downtown and by attracting new industry to fill our industrial parks.   

The new taxes we brought in gave us the funding to build new schools, repair old ones, and dramatically increase school funding.  It enabled us to decrease class size.  Today we have about 500 fewer students in our schools than we did the day I took office.  That’s right. Despite what most people believe, our student population has gone down, not up.  We have fewer students but far more teachers.  Today we have about 200 more teachers than we did the day I started.   

All of this happened, in part, because we increased our tax base with new growth.  New growth doesn’t cost a city, it pays.  New housing is not the enemy of education.  New housing is the key to our future and is the best friend that education can have.   

The new downtown development is attracting some great new young people to our city. Young people, and young families are our future.  The Hunking passed because of young families.  I come from a family of educators and we all know that education changes people.  The corollary is also true, people change education.  The young people we are attracting to our city will settle down, have families, and will push their city to provide a world class education for their children.   That is exactly what we want.   

Our challenge is how do we sustain this, how do we keep them here?  We need housing for families.  That is our future and that is the challenge that leaders will have to solve.   

I have great confidence in our upcoming leaders.  I know that they can meet this challenge and I look forward to seeing it. 

So, for the twenty best years of my life, thank you, thank you, thank you.  I wish all of you the best. 

Mayor Fiorentini Announces Trail Improvements at Riverside, Winnekenni Parks

The city is beginning survey work this week on a new and improved walking and biking trail behind Haverhill Stadium along the Merrimack River, Mayor James J. Fiorentini announced.

The Riverside Park Connector Trail will begin at the back of the park and stretch along the river’s shoreline and through the woods for about a half mile to the Groveland (Bates) Bridge.

The 10-foot wide nature trail will split into two paths at various points, providing a disability-accessible asphalt surface on one stretch and a stone-dust or natural dirt surface on another.

“It’s going to include benches and picnic tables and maybe a boat launch along the river,” said Mayor Fiorentini, who has made improving and expanding Haverhill’s recreational amenities a staple of his administration.  “We’ve wanted to extend and improve this trail for some time, but only recently were we able to obtain an easement behind (River’s Edge Plaza) to run the trail behind the former Building 19 as part of that redevelopment project.”

Construction on the Riverside trail is scheduled to begin next spring and it is expected to open by June 30, 2024.

The new trail also expands a pedestrian and bike network along both banks of the river from the Basiliere Bridge at the entrance to downtown to the Bates Bridge that connects Haverhill to Groveland.

The new Riverside trail as well as trail improvements at Winnekenni and Plug Pond recreation areas are being funded with $556,000 in state grants the city received this past summer. Of those funds, $500,000 is for the Riverside trail project and $56,000 is being used to improve a walking trail at Winnekenni Park that links that park to the Plug Pond park and swimming area. That project includes installing signs, fixing potholes and washouts in low lying areas, and stabilizing the riverbank along the trail.

“This is all part of our long-running commitment to improving all our parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas, and making Haverhill a more walkable community” Mayor Fiorentini said.

The mayor credited the city’s new grants manager Kerry Fitzgerald for her work obtaining the funding and noted that next year’s city budget includes an unprecedented $120,000 to be shared by Fitzgerald and the city’s Washington DC-based federal grant consultants Merchant-McIntyre, which has secured almost $1 million for the city in the past year.

The MassTrails Grant Program is funded through two sources. The first is the Massachusetts DCR capital budget. The second is the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program grants, managed at the state level by MassDOT. DCR administers MassTrails grants.

The inter-agency MassTrails Team, which includes MassDOT, EEA and DCR, and the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board (MARTAB) review all grant applications. The program provides essential funding for project development, design, and construction of shared-use pathways, facilitating connections to where people live, work, and recreate.

Mayor Fiorentini Announces New Electricity Aggregation Program For Haverhill Residents, Businesses

Current program that saved Haverhill customers $14M over eight years expires next month

Mayor James J. Fiorentini has reached agreement with a new electricity supplier aimed at harnessing the buying power of all Haverhill residential and business customers to save them money.

The 36-month contract begins in November with First Point Power electricity supply company at new rate of $0.14377 per kWh.  

Haverhill residents and businesses who are currently enrolled in the expiring City of Haverhill Community Choice Power Supply Program pay $0.10860 per kWh. That rate under the former contract expires with the November 2023 meter reads when the new rate of $0.14377 per kWh takes effect.

The new rate represents an increase of $21 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, it is 21 percent lower than National Grid’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.18213 per kWh.

Residents in the city’s aggregation program can expect to see an average savings of $23 per month for the months of November 2023 through July 2024.

It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. This change will be seen on the December 2023 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will see the new rate under the “Supply Services” section of their monthly bill.

Any customer who wants more information or doesn’t want to be in the program, can “opt out” by visiting colonialpowergroup.com/haverhill or calling (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

“The city is once again bundling all of its residential customers together to try to buy electricity for you at a cheaper rate,” Mayor Fiorentini said. “The purpose is to try to stabilize rates for our residents, prevent big price spikes and hopefully in the long run save money for our residents.  While in the past this has saved our residents more than $14 million when compared to National Grid Basic Service, there is no guarantee of success.”

The city’s electricity aggregation program remains an “opt in” program. That means that if a customer wants to remain in this program, they don’t have to do anything and they will be automatically enrolled.

“I’m glad to see that the Program is able to provide relief to our residents on their electric bills this winter,” Mayor Fiorentini added. “The goal of the Program is to lock in a competitive price that provides savings now and that will provide stability for the next three years.”

Haverhill launched its electricity program in December 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through May 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses more than $14 million in electricity costs when compared to National Grid Basic Service.

The Haverhill Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

National Grid has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs.

Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/haverhill or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Haverhill’s Community Choice Power Supply Program or to opt-in or opt-out.

*Normally, the term would be through April 2024 but this is a transition term. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an Order on September 1, 2023 that requires National Grid to change its residential and small business Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices and differences across electric distribution companies. [See mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates.]

ABOUT COLONIAL POWER GROUP: Based in Marlborough, Mass., Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation-consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.

MassINC to Honor Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini with 2023 Mayor Bill Carpenter Award for Excellence in Gateway City Leadership

Retiring Haverhill Mayor recognized for transit-oriented development over 20 years

MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute is proud to announce that this year’s Mayor Bill Carpenter Award for excellence in Gateway Cities Leadership will be presented to Mayor James J. Fiorentini of Haverhill. The award ceremony will take place at Fitchburg State University on November 14, 2023, during the 11^th Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit.

This prestigious award, inaugurated in 2019 to commemorate the legacy of the late Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter, recognizes an elected official who seeks out new ideas and works collaboratively to advance them, elevating the status of their city and furthering the collective interests of Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth.

Mayor Fiorentini has embodied this definition of a Gateway City mayor for over two decades. He was one of the 11 mayors to sign MassINC’s founding Gateway City Compact in 2007. During his tenure, Mayor Fiorentini stabilized the city’s finances, established a model for how communities could support transit-oriented development (TOD) around commuter rail, cleaned up contaminated “brownfield” properties, and charted a course for renewing an industrial downtown. Most recently, Mayor Fiorentini has championed revitalization efforts through the arts, rezoned for infill housing and business development, and reclaimed residents’ access to the Merrimack Riverfront.

“Through Mayor Fiorentini’s efforts, Haverhill demonstrates how transit-oriented development can contribute to a vibrant live-work-play downtown outside of metro Boston,” said André Leroux, Director of MassINC’s Gateway Hubs Project. “Notable achievements include passing a smart growth zoning district that could accommodate more than 1,000 new housing units—with 362 of them already constructed—as well as transforming acres of downtown parking into a walkable, mixed-use district.”

MassINC CEO Joe Kriesberg added, “The Mayor recently called the housing issue a ‘moral crisis that requires people to re-evaluate their approach to how to treat others.’ By talking explicitly about the need to include people of all nationalities, backgrounds and incomes into the community, the workforce, and city government, he has supported a stronger and more inclusive city.”

“I am so honored and appreciative to be recognized by MassINC. This award is named after my late friend Mayor Bill Carpenter, which makes it even more special,” Mayor Fiorentini said. “I grew up here in Haverhill. All four of my grandparents had businesses downtown. When I became mayor in 2004, one of my first priorities was revitalizing downtown. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish as a city, and I am deeply proud and humbled to receive this award. I accept this award not for me, but for the great team here at city hall that made our downtown renaissance possible.”

Mayor Fiorentini overlooking new public docks along Merrimack River in downtown Haverhill

The award ceremony is a highlight of MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit. In addition to the Bill Carpenter award, MassINC will also present awards to other Gateway City leaders who are demonstrating innovation and leadership. Those awards will be announced in the near future. The annual celebration convenes leaders from across the commonwealth for an in-depth conversation and raises funds to sustain MassINC’s Gateway Cities research, convenings, and policy work. This year’s summit will focus on how Gateway Cities can decarbonize and shape the transition to clean energy technologies. Register here to join us for a day of discussion, reflection, and recognition as we honor those who have gone above and beyond to make Gateway Cities great places to live and work.

ABOUT THE GATEWAY CITIES INNOVATION INSTITUTE

The Gateway Cities Innovation Institute aims to build and sustain collaborative cross-city, cross-sector efforts to advance a common agenda for Gateway City growth and renewal. The Institute provides independent analysis and a neutral table to help communities coalesce around shared priorities and cooperatively implement bold policy innovation. The Institute is a project of MassINC, a non-partisan think tank and civic organization and the publisher of CommonWealth.

Mayor Fiorentini Announces $750K Distributed for Youth Programming, Mental Health Supports

Mayor Fiorentini Announces $750K Distributed for Youth Programming, Mental Health Supports

Mayor James J. Fiorentini welcomed dozens of residents and non-profit youth service providers to City Hall Friday, June 30, to distribute $500,000 to pay for summer activities for children and teens from low-income families and another $250,000 for mental health services and counseling for Haverhill youth.

PHOTO: Jake Cunningham and Karla Flores from The NAN Project (Elliot Community Services) receive their Youth Activity and Mental Health grant program check from ARPA manager Kathleen Lambert while Mayor Fiorentini looks on.

All told, 50 residents, businesses, youth recreation providers, non-profits and health care agencies are sharing $750,000 set aside by the mayor and City Council from the city’s federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. The money, dispersed from the Youth Activities and Mental Health Grant Fund, will pay for kids to go to summer camp, go to the YMCA, the YWCA, the Boys and Girls Club, learn to swim, receive mental health counseling and much more (see list of recipients and program descriptions below). Last year, the city provided $500,000 from the grant program.

The goal of the fund is to support youth activities and youth who traditionally lack similar opportunities as children from more affluent families. Low-income and minority children, and groups that support them, were given priority among applicants. Participation fees, uniforms, equipment, summer camps and other expenses such as transportation are among eligible expenses.

“The social and educational isolation of the COVID years imposed a terrible burden on our kids,” Mayor Fiorentini said. “This funding is a chance to do some very meaningful and necessary things to improve the lives of our children and teens.”

The mayor thanked the volunteer grant screening committee and especially its chairperson Allison Heartquist who spent many hours over several months working with applicants and reviewing and evaluating proposals before making funding recommendations to the mayor. The mayor also credited the city’s ARPA manager Kathleen Lambert for making sure payments were ready for recipients by the end of the June as the mayor promised. Lambert along with the city’s ARPA consultant Anser Advisory and additional city staff worked with applicants navigating the online application process and federally required, often-onerous paperwork.

“Last week’s happy event was made possible by the hard and great work of our Youth Activities Review Committee,” the mayor said, also commending city staff who “really kicked into overdrive to make certain this got done.”

Mayor Fiorentini formed a committee of residents, school and city officials, city councilors, and public health and youth programming professionals to review and evaluate applications and make funding recommendations. This year’s program opened March 1 with a deadline to apply that stretched until the end of April.

The city broadly advertised the program and solicited applications over several months with a focus on community-based organizations, athletic leagues, the faith community, public schools, veterans’ organizations, and individuals including parents and grandparents.

In addition to local media, social media and the city’s website, information and applications were distributed to Haverhill Public Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, Northern Essex Community College and the UMass iHub.

The grant program can be found on the city’s website at https://www.cityofhaverhill.com/news_detail_T30_R81.php

In total, the committee received $1.4 million in requests, eventually funding more than half that amount. Recipients received funding Friday, June 30, after signing agreements and providing tax information. Recipients of larger amounts are required to make regular reports.

Youth Activities and Mental Health Grant Recipients/Descriptions:

21^st Century Jobskills Project: $75,000

Using a systemic approach to inform students and parents on career fields, help student identify a career and career plan development to achieve a true living wage job. This support is provided from middle school age through post-high school early adult age. Mentorship program that will help address a range of needs including but not limited to career exploration, assisting with mental health/ development challenges, help resolve behavioral problems in school, chronic absences, and non-completion of high school. This support is provided from middle school age through post-high school early adult age. Assisting with transportation where required – essentially eliminating transportation as the obstacle to achieving a true living wage job. Examples include helping with transportation to training, education site or workplace.

All Saints Parish: $22,500

Encourage socialization skills, address youth isolation, especially for at-risk youth, and allow for positive peer-to-peer engagement through the Youth Ministry programs and events. Continuation of youth engagement in the monthly youth group social nights for middle and high schoolers, and monthly dinners for high schoolers. Host (4) field trips over the summer: (2) field trips for ages 9 – 11, and (2) field trips for ages 13 – 17. Further fundraising capabilities over the course of the fiscal year to build the sustainability of the Youth Ministry program. Enhance outreach efforts through community advertising and service at Haverhill community events.

Bethany Community Services: $54,000

To implement and manage the Youth Career Development program in partnership with the Gateway Academy/HPS. Introducing students to the career opportunities available in senior housing. Providing students job training, mentorship, and hands on learning experience. Focusing to assist high risk, low-income students in developing the required skills to further their careers post-graduation. Opportunity will be provided to seventeen (17) Gateway Academy students.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill (Campership): $24,000

Provide assistance to low- and moderate-income youth to attend the nine (9) week summer camp experience at Camp Tasker in Newton, NH. Programming supports social-emotional wellness, physical health and the development of self-esteem and leadership skills.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill (Music Program): $10,000

The revitalization and expansion of the Music program requires the hiring of part-time music instructor(s) to facilitate the program for the 2023-2024 school year. The program will offer voice and instrument lessons to low- and moderate-income youth member participants. Improving their mental health and emotional well-being through music education.

Bradford Swim Club (Swim Lessons): $6,000

Providing eight (8) swim lessons to 20 or more local children who would otherwise be excluded from recreational activities for economic reasons. Improving their competency in the water and learning water safety skills. Program will run through the summer.

Bradford Swim Club (Lifeguard Training): $4,900

The American Red Cross lifeguard training and certification program will be provided to fifteen (15) high school students. This will consist of a 27-hour lifeguarding course. Upon successful completion, students will receive their certification, which is valid for two years and is accepted nationwide. Training opportunity for immediate employment.

Creative Haverhill Inc. Tis The Season To Give Tree): $1,720

In December of 2023 a beautifully handcrafted Holiday Tree, created by local artist Jeff Grassie, will be installed outside of Creative Haverhill’s Cogswell Artspace building. Each day from December 1st through 25th a local child from a low-income family who is connected to either the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, or the YWCA will get to come and select a gift containing high-quality art supplies and activities from the tree to brighten up their holiday season.

Creative Haverhill Inc. Craftism Class): $3,000

Expand the “Craftivism Class for Teens” program to two (2) sessions per year. Craftivism is the act of creating through craft (knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc.) and using the craft to make a statement. Teens will gain background knowledge of the craftivism movement, learn new art skills, learn the basics of art criticism, problem solve with peers and use visual art to make a statement. To support Haverhill arts and culture, providing experiences and access at the intersection of art, culture, and community and to develop high-quality spaces as platforms for community and cultural expression.

Creative Haverhill Inc. (Mas Fuertes Unidos): $1,600

In partnership with local Haverhill high school student, will coordinate and execute a call for artists and community art exhibition that celebrates the many cultures that make up Haverhill and Merrimack Valley. Providing local creatives, high school aged and older, the opportunity to celebrate their cultures through art, food, and music. The exhibition will be on display during the Haverhill Art Walk on June 3rd. It will be held on the 2nd floor event space owned by The Tap in Downtown Haverhill.

Creative Haverhill Inc. (Industry Workforce Exposure): $25,000

Development of pilot program to expose young creatives to workforce opportunities within creative industries. This partnership program will provide fifteen (15) young creatives of middle school age a weeklong field trip/ day camp experience. Program will consist of artist studio tours, meeting with a gallery curator, developing a short film, learning video game designer skills, and gaining knowledge of career opportunities in the industry.

Creative Haverhill (Murals Project): $5,000

Installation of up to three (3) major murals throughout Haverhill in the summer of 2023. Utilizing the mural installations to create community events and opportunities for local youth to help implement the murals, and network with professional artists. Providing youth spray paint learning sessions with artists, and field trips. Supporting Haverhill arts and culture by providing experiences and access at the intersection of art, culture, and community, and developing high-quality spaces as platforms for community and cultural expressions.

Dawns Here Health & Wellness: $7,750

Program for teen girls using fitness as the platform to explore physical wellbeing, incorporating tools and teachings to help grow self-esteem and promote mental/emotional well-being. The program will cover basics of strength training, stretching, mobility, some yoga movement and mindset. Teens will be provided with time to reflect and develop peer relationships. Individualized strength, nutritional and journaling goals will be discussed and set with each program participant.

Emmaus Inc: $26,000

Funding to hire a part-time bilingual or trilingual staff member for a 12-month period who can speak English, Haitian Creole, and potentially Spanish. The new hire will act as a community liaison to connect Haitian families with a variety of youth development and healthcare resources in the Merrimack Valley. Assist Haitian families with accessing the tools they need to build community, increase their sense of emotional safety and create opportunities for positive childhood experiences.

Paint Shoe City Project: $6,000

The Paint Shoe City is a summer only public art initiative for low- to moderate-income youth residents. Its primary purpose is to reimagine, through mural art, structurally damaged and visibly poor structures of the city. Proposed program will create a mural for and bring to life, the existing wall structure along Laurel Avenue and Blossom Street. Providing youth with stipend for their time in the program.

Haverhill Downtown Boxing Inc: $20,000

The Community Boxing Club and Three Rounds Commitment program are designed to support and encourage social interaction, physical and mental training, and mentoring. Focused on supporting at-risk, low- to moderate-income youth in the City of Haverhill. Providing free membership to youth who can’t otherwise afford it.

Haverhill Hammers Youth Wrestling Inc: $30,000

Youth wrestling program for boys and girls (K-8 grades). Promotes hard work, accountability, respect, self-confidence, fun and personal growth. Participation numbers have increased, and practices are structured to accommodate any and all kids. Funding will be used towards the purchase of (2) new full-size competition wrestling mats and (10) cases of tape and disinfecting supplies.

Essex County Community Foundation (Haverhill Promise Book Buddies): $8,185

The Haverhill Promise Book Buddies program promotes a positive association with literacy for third grade students and is a safe, indirect way for community members to interact with students. Over the course of the year, each Book Buddy provides (3) books and (3) handwritten letters to their student buddy. Students write return letters for each book in a pen-pal type correspondence. The program creates a fun way to engage in reading and writing activities, and encourages a love of reading, which in turn leads to more time reading at home and an in increase in reading proficiency. 

Essex County Community Foundation (Haverhill Promise Upstart): $15,000

Proposed program will aim to increase Kindergarten readiness for low-income and ELL preschool aged children. Upstart Summer Learning Path will be provided to (25) children of ages 3-5 in Haverhill. Program includes pre- and post- literacy assessment and will provide data that is easily disaggregated by demographics and income level for further insights into program results related to kindergarten readiness. WACS is an adaptive, computerized reading assessment that measures learning gains across (11) key pre-literacy and reading skills.

Haverhill Public Schools Community Outreach (Premier Martial Arts): $21,792

Providing (6) at-risk, low-income students scholarships to enroll with Premier Martial Arts for a one-year membership. Equipment is included. Premier Martial Arts programs positively impact students by helping build self-discipline, confidence, and focus, and develop character all while helping them become physically active and mentally fit.

Haverhill Public Schools Title I Community Outreach (Mr. K’s Auto School): $13,500

Proposed program will assist (15) at-risk, low-income students attending Gateway Academy to enroll in driver education at Mr. K’s Auto School to obtain a driver’s license. Mr. K’s Auto School provides a comprehensive 30-hour drivers education program, teaching students the fundamentals of safe driving and explaining the rules of the road and laws. Supporting students to become self-sufficient.

Haverhill Public Schools Community Outreach (Cedardale Health Center): $5,000

In partnership with Cederdale Health & Fitness, summer memberships will be provided to six to eight Gateway Academy low-income students. Offering them the opportunity to participate in the many programs offered by the club. Improving physical and mental wellbeing.

Haverhill Public Schools (GRIT): $16,230

GRIT is an after-school activity-based program that teaches resiliency and the skills needed to navigate through the daily challenges faced by middle school students. The proposed program will engage students in positive and fun activities that would allow them to develop personal goals, build interpersonal skills, increase feelings of self-worth & self-awareness, and contribute positively to their community. In addition, staff will serve as mentors to the students to help students build positive relationships. Program will be made available to low- to moderate-income families/residents.

Haverhill Public Schools (Girls Empowered Means Success “GEMS”): $16,700

Program designed to provide guidance and support to 15 female English Language Learning High School students. Program creates a safe, non-judgmental space where they can receive information, participate in discussion forums, receive mentorship to build greater self-awareness and make positive, healthy life decisions. Students will explore different issues today’s youth have to face. The group will meet on a weekly basis, under the leadership of two female support faculty.

Haverhill Public Schools Wellness Committee/Dept: $10,000

The Wellness Committee is a collaboration of community members, school staff, community organizations, professionals and students who are volunteering time to develop positive programs and improve the health and wellness of students. Events proposed will bring families and the community together, increase awareness of mental health concerns particularly disordered eating and substance abuse. These two events will require setting up a ticketing system, organization of police details, school security, counseling services, community organizations for follow up support and transportation to be provided to families around the city in order to provide equitable access to the events.

• The Chris Herren Event: Available to HPS students and families. Programming suggested for middle school age and above. Approximately 950 tickets available. Will be held at Hunking School on May 2nd.
• “Stat Geek in Natick” Play Production: Available to 7th- 12th grade students. All middle school students will need to attend with an accompanying adult. Approximately 350 tickets available. Will be held April 4th at HHS auditorium.

Haverhill Parents Athletic League (Haverhill Youth Soccer): $5,075

Reimbursement assistance for self-described low-income families to cover soccer registration fees and uniform costs, already covered, to allow the youth to participate in soccer program.

Whittier Middle School PTO: $20,000

The John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to build community, as well as support our students, teachers, and administration within the JGW community. Our focus is to strengthen and enhance the educational and social environment of JG Whittier Middle School by providing opportunities for students, parents, and teachers to learn, socialize, communicate, and grow together. The funds will be used towards:
• Purchasing 4-6 commercial outdoor portable metal mesh picnic tables, 25 additional basketballs and 15-20 Wobble Stools for the school.
• Funding future play productions by the JG Whittier Drama Club. Including the purchase of new sound equipment and microphones, replacement of stage lighting, and painting the school stage.

Leaving The Streets Ministries: $50,000

Organization’s mission is to provide resources and assistance to at-risk youth and young adults to find jobs, housing, and opportunity. They offer physical, emotional, and spiritual mentoring for youth and adults. The proposed program will support a continuum of interventions, giving hope and support to at-risk youth through outreach, access to food, hygiene products, resources, emotional support, job training, and mentorship along with mental health support groups and activities. Covering topics such as coping skills, social skills, acceptance, setting boundaries, and developing self-confidence.

Presidential Gardens Neighborhood Association: $9,000

PGNA Youth Council program will serve low-income youth who live in the Section 8 property. Providing arts & crafts lesson, field trips, basketball camp and snacks.The program will promote healthy conversations, positive peer-to-peer and adult interactions, and support physical and mental wellbeing.

Riverside-Bradford Baseball League Inc: $25,000

Dedicated to providing an opportunity for all children of Haverhill to learn and play baseball. Offering baseball at the lowest cost possible and scholarships for low-income families who would otherwise be unable to afford associated costs. Extra funding will allow the league to continue to offer scholarships for spring and summer season and support the Buddy Ball Program for individuals ages 5-21 with various cognitive, physical, and developmental disabilities.

Ruth House Inc: $9,000

Provide assistance to Haverhill youth of low-income families to participate in programs/activities of their choosing, previously unavailable due to finances. These programs/activities will provide opportunities for socialization.

Somebody Cares New England Inc: $55,000

Providing programming that addresses social-emotional wellness and practical life skills, in addition to physical development through sports. The proposed program expansion will provide new opportunities for youth in both 2023 and 2024:
Basketball Program: 10-week, 5-day per week afternoon program including basketball instruction, teamwork and leadership skill development, positive role modeling and physical fitness.

Elliot Community Human Services (The NAN Project): $20,000

The NAN Project (TNP) delivers targeted mental health education, prevention, and intervention strategies to students, educators, and communities, using a peer-to-peer model to reach middle and high school students.
• Partnership Building: TNP will meet with and provide an introductory presentation to Haverhill Public School leadership and staff and engage in ongoing communications, in-person and via email and phone, to gather information about the school and community population in preparation for program delivery.
• Peer-to-Peer Student Programming: TNP’s Peer Mentors will present their Comeback Stories and lead Q&A with at least 450 students at Haverhill High School and/or the Haverhill middle schools.
• Educator Programming: TNP will provide professional development workshops and webinars to 50 school staff.

The Salvations Army: $8,625

Sponsor (25) camp scholarships for students to attend The Salvation Army Camp Wonderland in Sharon, MA. Camp Wonderland is a residential camp established in 1924, that provides a low-cost opportunity for disadvantaged, at-risk children who would otherwise not be able to attend overnight summer camp. For summer 2023, seven sessions of camp are offered where campers stay for five nights. Campers can attend up to two sessions a summer.

Urban Bridges Inc: $6,965

Hacking for Design, a summer 3D printing workshop, tailored to Haverhill high school students. The UMass Lowell Innovation Hub will utilize their 3D printing laboratory and tap into UML resources to provide hands-on activities focused on the STEM field to help students build new skills over an engaging workshop. Campership will be provided to 16 students. This 3-week summer camp will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (10 am -1 pm) in July at the iHub Haverhill location in Downtown Haverhill.

Urban Village Montessori Inc: $29,500

The ACAT program has been providing after-school and summer music, art, and theater educational and enrichment activities to underserved Haverhill youth. To continue and modestly expand the projects, funding will assist in hiring teen mentor/assistants for the Summer Theatre and Academic Year Afterschool programs. Depending on students available, the school year position could take the form of an internship for a junior or senior in high school. Teens mentors will work under the supervision of adult professional educators. Offering individual music lessons for the more advanced ACAT music students or for those students who need individualized attention. Improving their music skills, confidence and experience.

YMCA of the North Shore: $52,162

Provide assistance to enable economically disadvantaged children to attend summer camp at reduced or no cost. Camp programming will offer positive developmental experiences that build confidence, character, and structure for youth. Youth will receive social-emotional support from trained, caring staff members who will serve as positive role models. Camp Tricklin’ Falls will offer campers the opportunity of kayaking, swimming, sports, nature exploration and much more.

YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts Inc: $14,456

Provide meaningful opportunities for the youth to compensate secluded time. The school age youth will participate in an 8-week themed curriculum that will culminate with a field trip centered on the current week’s theme. Themes include Sports Week, Adventure Week, STEM Week, Movement Week, Outdoors Week, Film Week, Art Week and Culinary Week. All activities are age appropriate and focus on social, emotional and academic development.

TOTAL: 749,995

Mayor Announces Opening Of Youth Grant Application Period

$750,000 Available To Support Haverhill Youth, Provide Mental Health Services, Substance Counseling

The city is accepting applications from Haverhill parents, community-based organizations, civic groups, education providers and businesses for a second year of Youth Activities & Mental Health grants, Mayor James J. Fiorentini announced.

The program, funded primarily with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA), has been budgeted at $750,000 this year, including $500,000 for youth programming and support, and $250,000 for direct mental health services and substance abuse counseling for youth.

The city encourages applications that will serve disadvantaged youth who traditionally lack access to activities and services due to economic barriers. Participation fees, uniforms, equipment, summer camps and other expenses such as transportation are among eligible expenses.

The online application portal including rules and instructions as well as a Power Point Presentation on last year’s program can be found on the city of Haverhill website or by visiting https://www.cityofhaverhill.com/news_detail_T30_R81.php. There are separate applications for individuals (called “beneficiaries”) and nonprofits and other groups (called “subrecipients”).

The Mayor’s Office also created a customer service email address (youthgranthelp@cityofhaverhill.com) and phone number (978-241-7375 x3717) for anyone with questions or who needs help completing the application. The customer service resources are being managed by Anser Advisory, which is helping the city administer this year’s youth grant program. Paper applications are available at the Mayor’s Office for anyone who does not have access to a computer.

This year’s program opened March 1 and the deadline to apply is April 14 at 3 p.m.

Mayor Fiorentini has formed a committee of residents, school and city officials, city councilors, and public health and youth programming professionals to review applications and make funding recommendations. Decisions can be expected in late May to early June with checks going out mid to late June.

Last year, the city distributed $500,000 to 36 recipients out of more than 60 applicants. Awards ranged from a low of $500 to $2,5000 for low-income children and teens to attend summer camps to $30,000 for the local YMCA and $50,000 for a school program that provides student mentoring and job training. The full list of last year’s grant recipients can be found on the city website in the 2022 Youth Grant overview presentation.

Mayor Fiorentini intends to provide a minimum of $250,000 for direct mental health and substance abuse counseling for Haverhill youth and encourages any organizations or programs that provides those services to apply for funding.

A sampling of applications funded last year included:

• Youth Development: Academic learning, camperships, violence intervention initiatives, 3-D printing, and design thinking
• Mental health and substance abuse: Direct counseling providers
• Career Development: System-wide career awareness and career development programs, an initiative that connected youth to local companies, city government, and cultural programs
• Education: Partnerships between the Haverhill Public Schools and community-based sports programs to link sports with the importance of academic skills development
• Music & Arts: Music production, voice training, and painting projects tied to downtown beautification.

Applicants will be required to identify a negative impact the pandemic has created for the youth, and how the proposed activity will reasonably and proportionally respond to that impact.

Purchases, such as sports equipment, classroom and educational supplies, art supplies, and safety clothing, are allowed to the degree that these investments are required for the activity outlined in the grant application, or making them available to children in families who, for economic reasons, could not normally take advantage of the activity.

Mayor Fiorentini’s ARPA Plan Proposes Historic Investments in Public Infrastructure, Youth, Health Programming

Mayor James J. Fiorentini will present Tuesday, March 14 his historic $37.5 million plan to rebuild city infrastructure, expand public health services and address negative economic impacts caused by the COVID pandemic.

The mayor’s plan, which is funded by the $1.9 trillion federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is the result of public meetings and debate in conjunction with ongoing review by city department heads, outside consultants and Mayor’s Office.

“ARPA presents us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to rebuild our infrastructure,” Mayor Fiorentini said. “Cities have not seen an opportunity like this since Franklin Roosevelt made the WPA available in 1933. This gives us a unique opportunity to fix our roads, our bridges, our sidewalks and our sewers.  We are using these funds to invest in streets and sidewalks, and to improve our water/wastewater infrastructure.”

The proposed ARPA spending plan will be presented to the public by Mayor Fiorentini and the city’s Anser Advisory consultants at the March 14 City Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

The largest proposed ARPA expenditures are $10.2 million for a variety of public infrastructure projects including paving roads, building sidewalks, modernizing drinking water, stormwater and sewer systems to remove pollutants from the Merrimack River, expanding broadband internet service to underserved parts of the community, remaking the intersection of Hilldale and Rosemont Avenue, and replacing the Rosemont Street Bridge. Under the mayor’s plan, major repairs and upgrades would be made to the city’s drinking water and sewer plants.

Under federal rules, ARPA funds can be spent on public health, addressing the negative economic impacts of COVID, replacing public sector revenue caused by the pandemic, improving and modernizing public drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expanding broadband internet. The city must allocate all the money by December 2024 and spend it by December 2026.

Mayor Fiorentini noted the city received more than $400 million in requests for ARPA funds, and that even with historic funding available, hard decisions will have to be made.

“We wish we could fund every one of them and whenever possible, and with only a few exceptions to meet immediate needs, we prioritized requests with broad, long-term impacts for the city and our residents,” he said.

The second largest ARPA spending category looks to provide compensation for areas most impacted by the pandemic, including money for affordable housing, food insecurity, small business assistance, parks and recreation, workforce development, childcare assistance, and schools and education.  Some specifics include repairs to the Goecke Parking Garage, new fire and police vehicles, and repairs and improvements to Winnekenni Park and City Hall.

Public health spending, under the mayor’s ARPA plan, includes funding for the second round of the Youth Activities and Mental Health grant program, crisis intervention and mental health clinicians, and new fitness, nutrition, elderly, and vaccination programs run out of the Haverhill Citizen’s Center. Money is also set aside in the public health category for additional health department staff and to purchase air-cleaning systems for public buildings.

The mayor’s Youth Activities and Mental Health Program, which was launched online March 1, includes $750,000. That’s $250,000 more than last year in which 36 low-income residents and nonprofits shared $500,000 for youth programming that ranged from summer camps, youth sports leagues, and art and music projects for individuals and families to larger grants for Haverhill nonprofits to provide youth programming on a larger scale. The additional $250,000 this year is earmarked for direct mental health services and substance abuse treatment for youth.

The city held public meetings and received over 400 online surveys from residents on how they would like to see the ARPA money spent.

Proposed ARPA funding includes:

Infrastructure: $10.2 million (27%)

Negative Economic Impacts: $7.8 million (21%)

Revenue Replacement: $7 million (19%)

Water, Sewer, Broadband: $6.8 million (18%)

Public Health: $3.9 million (10%)

Unallocated: $1 million (3%)

Administrative: $575,000 (2%)

Public Sector Capacity: $293,000 (1%)

Total: $37.5 million

Mayor Fiorentini Addresses City Council On Housing Crisis While Pitching Latest Proposal Requiring Developers Build 10% Affordable Housing in New Projects

Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Latest In Package Of Measures To Address Housing Shortage and Rising Rental Prices Including New Rules Making It Easier For Home Owners to Make Accessory/In-Law Apartments; Free Legal Help Program Launching Today (March 8) at the Haverhill Citizen’s Center; And Creation Of Local Housing Trust To Raise Funds For New Affordable Units or Releated Needs

Here are Mayor Fiorentini’s remarks to City Council last night (March 7)

Members of the city council, thank you and good evening.   

Yesterday, the Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, Kim Driscoll, tweeted “Housing is arguably the greatest crisis we face as a state.”   

I agree with that.   

The Lt. Governor went on to say: “Far, far too many people are struggling to keep a roof over their head.”  I agree with that also and that has been our experience here in Haverhill.  Scarcely a day goes by that I do not get a call, or a visit, or an email from someone desperate to find a place to live.  My heart breaks that I am all too often unable to help them.   

Housing Crisis is Two Fold 

This crisis in housing is two-fold.  First, there just are not enough places for people to live. Former Governor Baker spoke many times about the decline in housing production and estimated that the state produces about 200,000 units less each year than we need.   

On a local level where the demand for housing far outstrips the number of units being built.  The upscale and very expensive downtown units are rented out at 100% occupancy almost as soon as they come on the market.  There is a shortage of housing and I think everyone here in this room is aware of it.    

The shortage has taken its toll in two different ways   Some people are forced to pay more in rent than they can afford and have to sacrifice other essentials.  But second, some people cannot find any place to live at all that is anywhere near in their price range.  They are either becoming homeless, doubling up with family or moving out of the state and out of the city.  

Population Statistics 

This housing crisis is happening all over the state.  For several years, Massachusetts was the fastest growing New England state.  But over the past three years Massachusetts lost 110,000 people, the first population drop in decades.   

Our city also had a population increase, at a healthy and sustainable rate, over the past thirty years, and especially in the past ten years. But two years ago, for the first time in decades, we lost population, we lost about 400 people.  We do not have the final numbers yet for 2022 but federal formulas indicate that we also lost population again in 2022.  Again, this is the first time in many decades.  Losing population is extremely troubling if that becomes a long term trend.   

We also lost school population.  Contrary to what I know is a popular opinion in the city, the school department also lost population as have the school departments of most of our adjoining cities and the state.   

Massachusetts and Haverhill lost population for one primary reason—we do not have enough places for people to live.  This is the crisis that the Lt. Governor spoke about.  People can’t find a place to live and they are moving out.   

Proud of the steps we have taken. 

Tonight, I propose a new step, a new took we can put into our tool-box to help address this crisis, not enough housing and not enough of the housing we do have is affordable. 

But before I get to it, let me first review some of the steps we have already taken, because Haverhill has been a leader and should be proud of that.  

Transit Oriented Development 

Haverhill was first with transit-oriented development.  We had the first downtown transit-oriented development district in the state.  The state program for transit-oriented development, now called Chapter 40R, was put into place by former Governor Mitt Romney.  We did the Cordovan project downtown before the state did chapter 40R, and then we were one of the first in the state, the first city in the state, to adopt a downtown transit-oriented development district.   

Reduced parking requirements. 

IF you follow planning blogs or magazines you see that the rage today in planning is reducing parking requirements. We did this 19 years ago and was a key factor in our redevelopment.   

Multifamily housing as a matter or right 

Today, this year and next, as part of the new MBTA district housing law, the state is demanding that we designate certain areas of the city near MBTA stops where multifamily housing can be built as a matter of right, without  a special permit.  Many towns around us are panicking over the requirement. But we already did this and, again we were one of the first in the state.  We did it over a decade ago and have expanded that several times since.  

ADU Ordinance 

The steps which we led the way on have revitalized our downtown, brought in over 1,000 new residents and $5 million a year in new tax revenue.  It has brought us what Yahoo.com Realty said a few years ago that we had a restaurant zone that could match those of capital cities and rated us as one of the best real estate buys in the entire country. 

It has not brought us an influx of children. We have had a lot of studio and one bedroom units so contrary to popular belief, the downtown development has not brought in many children.  It’s brought in some, but not many. Today we have 500 fewer kids in the Haverhill public schools than we had the day I took office.  There are 1,200 fewer kids in our schools than there were in 2019.     

Other steps 

We have taken other steps we should be proud of. Only last week, the City adopted a new ordinance making it easier to obtain accessory dwelling units.   We are using ARPA money to expand the legal services program so that people being evicted because they cannot pay a rent increase know their rights. We expanded our emergency housing program for fire victims.   We used CDBG money to fund a special position at Community Action to assist people in finding a home.  There is much more that I do not want to take up all of your time on this, but this is a problem we have been actively working on   

The Challenge—Keeping our city affordable. 

Our challenge today is to build more housing and at the same time, keep the city affordable.    While we are proud of our downtown developments which bring a lot of disposable income to downtown and have kept our downtown vibrant, we also know for most people, they will never be able to afford one of these units, nor will their children.  We cannot have that. 

Ordinance Summary 

The ordinance which I introduce tonight is called an inclusionary zoning ordinance.  It follows what many other cities in Massachusetts and throughout the country have done, it requires that a certain number of units be set aside for affordable housing—not low-income housing, affordable housing.  We have set the percentage at 10% of the units be set aside as affordable. This will keep us in line with the dictates of chapter 40B that 10% of our housing stock count as affordable housing. 

This new ordinance requires, as many laws do, a balancing of competing interests.  I believe that this ordinance strikes a fair and reasonable balance of those competing interests, but I certainly welcome a detailed discussion of this either here or at the committee level. 

Pros and Cons 

Now we have spent a good deal of time in internal discussions about these competing interests.  This ordinance will allow for some units to be set aside so that the people who live here now will be able to afford them.   

But we do not want to be so onerous that developers do not build anything, then we do not get more affordable housing, we get less.  So, we ameliorated the impact in three ways. First, we provide a density bonus, so that if affordable units are built, the developer can get more density, something which they will want.   

Second, we allow them to buy out the affordability requirements, and I hope that they do not, by making a contribution to the affordable housing trust fund, which we are setting up.  

And third, in the event, and I hope it is a rare event, that the city council becomes convinced that the development is going to fail unless relief is granted and the developer has done other things to benefit the community, the city council can waive the requirement.   

I believe that with those provisions we will get what we want, which is more housing and more housing where some of the units are reserved for the middle-class families who built the city. 

Mayor Fiorentini Promotes Haverhill Native Kaitlin Wright to City Clerk

Mayor James J. Fiorentini has promoted Kaitlin M. Wright to City Clerk, succeeding Linda Koutoulas, who is retiring this month after leading the Clerk’s Office since January 2014.

Wright, Assistant City Clerk since October 2021 and before that Chief of Staff for a state representative, will take over Jan. 23 following Koutoulas’ last day Jan. 20.

A Haverhill native and Whittier Tech graduate, Wright holds dual bachelor’s degrees in political science & public policy and history from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, and a master’s degree in applied politics from Suffolk University.

She is a member of the Haverhill Historical Commission, the Brigadier General James Brickett Old Newbury Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Pentucket Pacers Running Club, and serves on the board for the Second Chance for Sight Foundation. She formerly served on the Haverhill Cultural Council.

“It is a true honor to be appointed City Clerk,” Wright said. “I love working with the public and have enjoyed every minute of my time as the Assistant City Clerk. I am very much looking forward to serving my hometown in a greater capacity. I am extremely grateful to Mayor Fiorentini for this opportunity and am humbled that I was chosen. I also want to thank City Clerk Linda Koutoulas for her steadfast guidance and excellent training along the way — I could not have asked for a better teacher. I am eager to get to work serving our residents and businesses and look forward to working with the Mayor and City Council.”

As Assistant City Clerk, Wright worked closely with Koutoulas in running the Clerk’s Office and assisting the public, and she also served as Elections Director, playing a leading role in recent elections as well as the yearly city census and voter registrations. Wright also took the lead in implementing new technology in the Clerk’s Office and overseeing all aspects of census records maintenance as well as preparation of City Council documents.

Some prominent duties of the City Clerk include: 

• Keeper of city records, including birth, death, and marriage records
• Prepares agenda for City Council and serves as Clerk of the Council
• Administers all elections
• Conducts annual city census
• Issues licenses and certificates such as dog licenses, liquor and common victualler licenses, inflammable permits, and business certificates

Mayor Fiorentini Announces Public Outreach Meeting For Raise Grant To remake Water Street

Residents of the city’s Riverside neighborhoods will get their first chance to see and ask questions about a potential project to remake and add transportation and recreational amenities along a mile-long stretch of Water Street from the busy Mill Street intersection to Riverside Avenue.    

Mayor James J. Fiorentini and the city’s Engineering Department will host the community meeting Monday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the community room in the basement of St. John the Baptist Church, 100 Lincoln Ave. The church is up the street from the Water Street stretch to be redeveloped and across from the river.   

At the meeting, the mayor and city officials will outline a federal Raise Grant proposal to redo Water Street to provide new river outlooks and trails, bike lanes, and open the Merrimack River for better viewing.  The meeting will include visuals and an opportunity to ask questions.  

Prior to submitting the grant application, the city is asking the public for input on what they would like the application to include.  Mayor Fiorentini stressed that applying for the grant is no guarantee that the grant will be funded and that, in fact, only a fraction of grant applications such as this are successful.

“This project is part of plan to modernize and beautify the major gateways into Haverhill and take advantage of our greatest natural asset, the Merrimack River,” Mayor Fiorentini said.  

Work would also include improvements to roadway drainage and pavement, lighting and streetscape amenities, and improvements to the busy signalized intersection at Mill Street.  

The city is hoping to get the project on the state’s Transportation Improvement Project list for funding, but in an effort to speed it up by several years, the city is in the process of submitting for a federal Raise Grant (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) to fund the project.  

“This is a very competitive grant, and we aren’t assured of anything, but if we have neighborhood and community support and get a good turnout for this meeting, it will bolster our chances,” Mayor Fiorentini said.  

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced funding of $1.5 billion for the 2023 Raise Grant Program, which is designated for transportation projects with significant local or regional impacts that are harder to obtain funding for through other transportation grant programs.  

In 2022, RAISE grants funded 166 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  

RAISE projects are rigorously reviewed and evaluated on statutory criteria of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation, according to the US Department of Transportation website.  

Haverhill’s Washington DC-based consultants Merchant McIntyre Associates are assisting in the development of the grant proposal as part of Mayor Fiorentini’s effort to go after more federal and Congressional funding for local projects. The firm recently worked closely with Congresswoman Lori Trahan’s Office and other Congressional representatives to win $700,000 for improvements to Haverhill’s Winnekenni Park Recreational Area.  

More info here:  https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants