ANDOVER — Newly elected Mayor Melinda Barrett discussed her excitement about leading Haverhill and creating more transparency in city government at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual breakfast meeting.
Local mayors and town managers throughout the Merrimack Valley, including Barrett, met on Jan. 22 to discuss the challenges and accomplishments of 2023 and what’s ahead in the year to come.
“The work of our city continues at a rapid pace,” Barrett said. “Haverhill is open for business.”
Barrett shared with the almost 300 guests that Haverhill’s budget process has begun. “Our goal is to be more transparent and more streamlined,” Barrett said.
Her administration will work with a budget board, which will include City Council representatives, to review projected revenue, current fiscal pressures and departmental budget requests.
“My hope is this process will help us in both our short- and long-term planning and eliminate much of our budget season drama,” Barrett said.
Other projects the new mayor discussed include the redevelopment of the Merrimack Street area, which she said will be a “destination spot” with parking, housing and businesses.
Barrett mentioned another potential manufacturing area off of Rte. 110. The city is also taking steps to update its open space and recreation plan, which will help with zoning as well as finding funding to secure the areas.
She is also hoping to get residents in the city struggling with drug misuse disorders “the help they need.” The mayor also wants to help children avoid going down the same route.
“I look forward to working with everybody and everyone who gets us to where we need to be,” Barrett said, calling herself a “life-long Hillie” who is proud of her city.
Barrett’s term is off to a rocky start as Haverhill has faced severe snowstorms, fires and motor vehicle accidents in the first month of the year.
“Like all mayors have warned me, (this role) has had moments during the last week where it did seem like the fire hose of incidents was on a very high volume,” Barrett said.
Haverhill was the “jackpot winner,” as Barrett called it, for the largest weather-impact event this month. Haverhill saw 18 inches of snow in the first weekend of 2024, according to the National Weather Service.
“And the rain that came on the heals of the snow caused major water damage in our very, very busy public library,” Barrett said, adding the Haverhill Public Library was closed for about a week.
“At the same time we had a large condo fire, which displaced over 36 units,” Barrett said.
A two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment building at a complex at 440 North Ave. during the night of Saturday, Jan. 6.
Most of the 75 displaced residents weathered the storm someplace warm, according to Jeff Hall, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Red Cross. The city put up seven people in a shelter while the rest either found a hotel or stayed with family.
The fire started due to faulty equipment in a bathroom ceiling fan on the first floor, according to Haverhill Fire Chief Robert O’Brien. The fire spread to the first floor, damaging wiring and plumbing.
“The most tragic and infuriating incident was a young boy hit by a car and critically injured while crossing the street with the school bus lights flashing,” Barrett said.
Police charged Tiffany Lynn Zembower, 44, with operating with a suspended license, operating under the influence of liquor causing serious injury and neglect, failure to stop for a school bus, possession of open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle and a second offense of operating under the influence of liquor.
The boy suffered severe trauma to his head and life-threatening injuries after being struck on Main Street, according to the police. He was initially treated on the scene and was then taken to Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill.
He was flown to Boston Children’s Hospital, where he was listed in critical but stable condition the following day.
Zembower was arraigned on the charges Friday, Jan. 5.
“Luckily for me and for our community, we have an incredible team of department heads and employees that continually rise to meet every occasion and meet the demands of all the moments we face,” she said. “We’re very lucky, and I’m truly grateful for their dedication and their professionalism.”
Follow Monica on Twitter at @MonicaSager3
