Haverhill public meetings in 2022
13 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The City Council approved a special election for May 2, 2023, to determine if voters will fund the new Consentino Middle School via a debt exclusion. The Council also approved the discontinuance of several old streets within the Goecke Parking Deck footprint and authorized a multi-year contract for assessment services.
- Approved special election on May 2, 2023, for Consentino Middle School debt exclusion (6-3)
- Approved discontinuance of streets within Goecke Parking Deck footprint (8-0, 1 abstain)
- Authorized contract with Patriot Properties, Inc for assessment services FY 2024-2028 (9-0)
- Approved $750,000 loan for lead water service program, placed on file (9-0)
- Confirmed Tyler Kimball to Rocks Village Historic District Commission (9-0)
- Tabled discontinuance of portion of Hale St to January 10, 2023 (9-0)
- Approved license renewals for Market Basket and GLS Associates coin-ops (All in Favor)
- Approved junk dealer license for Jarrod Billingsley (All in Favor)
License Commission
The License Commission ordered East West Tavern to implement an 11 p.m. closing time for 30 days due to a pattern of disturbances and security failures. The establishment must also repair its security cameras and increase deck security. The 2023 meeting schedule was also approved.
- Ordered East West Tavern to close early at 11pm from Dec 19, 2022, to Jan 18, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Required East West Tavern to repair security cameras by Dec 22, 2022, and provide proof to city clerk (Unanimous)
- Ordered East West Tavern to increase security with staff at both deck entrances (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023 meeting schedule (Unanimous)
City Council
The City Council approved a bond order and a scope and project agreement for the construction of a new Dr. Albert B Consentino Middle School. The council also approved a parking ordinance change and several license renewals.
- Approved $159,944,154 bond for new Dr. Albert B Consentino Middle School (9-0)
- Approved scope and project agreement for Consentino Middle School (9-0)
- Approved ordinance to add handicap parking in front of 124-128 Winter St (9-0)
- Approved drainlayer license renewals for Kaden Connell and Robert Connearney (9-0)
- Approved November 29, 2022 meeting minutes
License Commission
The Board approved an updated Investment Policy Statement and authorized a Request for Proposal for U.S. Investment Grade Fixed Income. Members also approved several warrants, military buybacks, and new member enrollments.
- Approved Investment Policy Statement (4-0)
- Approved Request for Proposal (RFP) for U.S. Grade Fixed Income (4-0)
- Approved November 2022 Warrant #1 1-2022 for $2,490,602.46 (4-0)
- Approved Estimated December 2022 Warrant for $2,600,000.00 (4-0)
- Approved military buybacks for John Barbieri, Samuel Marinez, and Paul Baxter (4-0)
- Approved new member enrollments for various city departments and housing authority (4-0)
- Decided not to participate in Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) VY 2023
- Approved maintaining remote board meetings through March 31, 2023 (4-0)
City Council
The Council voted to reconsider and ultimately approve a special permit for a single-family home development at 188 Lake St. The approved plan was amended to reduce the number of units from 14 to 11 and include additional buffering and a community area. An ordinance regarding Accessory Dwelling Units was referred to the Administration and Finance Committee for further review.
- Approved special permit for 11-unit housing development at 188 Lake St (6-3)
- Referred Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to A&F Committee (9-0)
- Approved request to excavate for underground utilities at 310 East Broadway (9-0)
- Approved 2023 City Council meeting schedule (9-0)
- Approved coin-op license renewal for Crescent Yacht club (9-0)
- Approved minutes from November 15, 2022 (9-0)
- Placed November 2022 abatement report on file (9-0)
License Commission
The Commission approved several new entertainment and common victualler licenses and authorized 2023 renewals for entertainment, common victualler, outdoor dining, alcohol, and motor vehicle licenses upon compliance. A trial change to wristband requirements was approved for Wicked Axe, and a show cause hearing was scheduled for Bradford Liquors.
- Approved entertainment licenses for Village Square Restaurant and Burrito Spice pending zoning approval (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023 renewal applications for all entertainment, common victualler, and motor vehicle licenses upon compliance (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023 outdoor dining renewals pending city engineer approval (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023 Section 12 and 15 alcohol license renewals upon compliance (Unanimous)
- Approved common victualler license for Burrito Spice (Unanimous)
- Approved common victualler transfer for Village Square Restaurant pending business occupancy (Unanimous)
- Approved 6-month trial for Wicked Axe to band only 21+ patrons (Unanimous)
- Scheduled show cause hearing for Bradford Liquors in March 2023 following an intoxication incident (Unanimous)
City Council
The Council rejected a proposal for a flexible zoning development at 188 Lake Street. An ordinance regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) was postponed to December 6, 2022. The Council also approved several fund transfers and a Home Rule Petition for police details.
- Denied flexible zoning for single family home development at 188 Lake st (5-4)
- Postponed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to Dec 6, 2022 (8-1)
- Approved Home Rule Petition to appoint Retired Police Officers as Detail Police Officers (9-0)
- Approved request to excavate 25 Essex st for underground utilities (9-1)
- Approved request to discontinue several ways within Goecke Parking Deck footprint (8-0)
- Waived right of first refusal for 0.45 acre parcel on Crystal st (7-0)
- Approved transfer of $197,743.49 to the Opioid Stabilization Fund (8-0)
- Approved $7,000 transfer for Winnekenni Castle survey analysis (8-0)
License Commission
The Board voted to adopt a one-time additional 2% increase on top of a previously passed 3% COLA, totaling 5% for FY23. The Board also decided to obtain a cost estimate from the actuary regarding this increase.
- Approved 5% COLA for FY23 (3-2)
- Approved request for actuary cost estimate on additional 2% COLA (5-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 11:07AM (5-0)
City Council
The City Council voted to keep the residential tax factor at 165, rejecting the Mayor's recommendation to increase it. The Council also approved a $1.82 million appropriation for the School Department to fund a teachers' union agreement.
- Maintained FY 2023 residential tax rate at 165 (5-3)
- Approved $1.82M appropriation for Teacher’s Union collective bargaining agreement (8-0)
- Approved 7.0% CPI increase for FY 2023 exemptions (8-0)
- Approved additional real estate exemption for certain blind persons, veterans, surviving spouses and seniors (8-0)
- Postponed Consentino Middle School scope and project agreement to 11/29/22 (8-0)
- Approved 58th Annual VFW Santa Parade permit and fee waiver (All in Favor)
- Approved new drainlayer licenses for Ben Perez and Ron Concotta (8-0)
- Approved Memorandum of Agreement and salary ordinance for Superior Officers Group (8-0)
License Commission
The Board approved the October 2022 warrant and estimated November 2022 warrant. It also accepted new member enrollments, service buybacks, refunds, and rollovers. The Board extended the GTI 8 agreement through July 3, 2026.
- Approved October 2022 Warrant for $2,770,863.90 (3-0)
- Approved Estimated November 2022 Warrant of $2,600,000.00 (3-0)
- Approved GTI 8 agreement extension to July 3, 2026 (3-0)
- Accepted new member enrollments for various city departments (3-0)
- Approved service buybacks for Robert Pistone ($2,238.75) and Matthew Ferguson ($6,613.34) (3-0)
- Approved refunds for Cynthia Rwabuhinga ($1,904.64) and Saralyn Hernandez ($2,174.72) (3-0)
- Approved rollovers for Jennifer Calnan ($45,320.44) and Jennifer Taft ($21,720.07) (3-0)
- Denied membership information request from Mass Retirees (3-0)
License Commission
The Commission approved a new MV II car dealer license for Mercedes & sons automotive and several alcohol license amendments. A show cause hearing regarding an alleged violation at the American Legion resulted in no action. One common victualler transfer was continued to December 2022.
- Approved October 6, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Placed Plaza Food Market and Restaurant Inc. applications on file (unanimous)
- Continued Village Square Restaurant transfer application to December 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved manager change for Circle K at 32 Knipe Road (unanimous)
- Approved officer change for Circle K at 32 Knipe Road (unanimous)
- Approved officer change for American Legion at 1314 Main Street (unanimous)
- Approved license transfer and pledge of collateral for Academy Liquors (unanimous)
- Approved new MV II car dealer license for Mercedes & sons automotive with provision regarding landlord relationship (unanimous)
City Council
The City Council approved the Oxford Crossing Planned Residential Development District and the discontinuance of a portion of Oxford Avenue. The council also appropriated funds for the Moody School roof replacement and approved a holiday light show application.
- Appropriated $832,335.00 for Moody School roof replacement (9-0)
- Approved Oxford Crossing Planned Residential Development District with city department conditions (8-0, 1 abstain)
- Denied requirement for nine affordable units at Oxford Crossing (2-6, 1 abstain)
- Approved 'no right on red' at proposed Oxford Avenue light (8-0, 1 abstain)
- Approved discontinuance of Oxford Avenue as a public way from Cross Road to 125 (8-0, 1 abstain)
- Accepted resignation of Helen D Sheehan from Cultural Council (7-0, 2 absent)
- Approved Drive Thru Holiday Light Show at 1058 Boston rd (9-0)
- Filed salary ordinance for Superior Officers Group for 10 days (9-0)
City Council
The City Council approved a request for the Mayor to provide a 5-10 year funding plan for schools, roads, and infrastructure. The Council also approved a utility request for new power poles on Tenadel Avenue and scheduled a tax classification hearing for November 15, 2022.
- Approved joint pole locations on Tenadel av for National Grid (9-0)
- Requested 5-10 year funding plan from Mayor for schools, roads, and fire station (9-0)
- Approved sending tasking to Planning & Development Committee regarding sustainable developer incentives (9-0)
- Approved letter to legislator delegation regarding State Auditor’s report on unfunded mandates (9-0)
- Scheduled Tax Classification Hearing for FY2023 for November 15, 2022 (9-0)
- Postponed hearing for 188 Lake st flexible development to November 1 (9-0)
- Postponed public way discontinuation of Eagle av and Willow av to February 7, 2023 (9-0)
- Approved new drainlayer license for John Pandelena (All in Favor)