Upgrading water system

The Municipal Council's Finance Committee Tuesday is set to take up requests from Mayor Thatcher W. Kezer III to authorize borrowing $22.5 million to upgrade the city's water treatment plant and $5 million to make improvements to its water delivery system. Those improvements involve the installation of new water mains on Elm Street and Route 150, a new pump station on Route 110, and the renovation of an existing water tank on Powow Hill. The state recently awarded Amesbury a $17 million low-interest loan to finance $12 million of the water plant project and all of the system delivery improvements. The 2 percent loan was awarded through the state's revolving fund program for drinking water projects, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. According to Kezer, the city anticipates a second low-interest loan next year covering the $10.5 million balance of the cost of the water plant project. The Finance Committee meets at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. - John Laidler

NO INJURIES IN CVS CRASH - A 20-year-old au pair residing in Boxford crashed her automobile into the front of the CVS Pharmacy on Central Street on Feb. 14. Witnesses told police that it appeared Tatiana Andronic hit the gas instead of the brake, causing a 2007 Hyundai to crash into columns in front of the building. Andronic carried a foreign passport and driver's license but did not have a Massachusetts driver's license. She was cited for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Police and fire officials responded to the accident and immediately evacuated the building pending the building inspector's determination the store was safe for occupancy. No injuries were reported, and the store was reopened for business that day. - David Cogger

JOIN THE FRIENDS - The Friends of the Council on Aging are seeking new members. The group is a fund-raising organization that supplements money from the town and supports programs and activities. The next meeting of the Friends is March 5 at 3 p.m. at the River Pines Community Room, River Pines Road. Those interested in joining can call Valerie Osborne at 978-374-6253. - David Rattigan

SECURING CITY HALL - City Hall employees will be receiving new keys as part of an ongoing review of security procedures that Mayor James J. Fiorentini called for following a Feb. hooting attack that killed several people at a City Council meeting in Kirkwood, Mo. "While there's nothing to suggest any threat, the tragic events in Missouri prompt me to review the security of City Hall for the benefit of our employees and the public at large," Fiorentini said in a Feb. 12 statement. The mayor already has met with Police Chief Alan DeNaro and buildings supervisor Jeff Dill to check out emergency procedures. Andrew Herlihy, the mayor's chief of staff, said Tuesday that city officials were just trying to implement "common-sense" measures to protect Haverhill employees. The new keys at City Hall are part of that effort. "Keys hadn't been changed in three decades," Herlihy said. - Erin Ailworth

KINDERGARTEN SIGN-UPS - Children residing in the Pentucket Regional School District who will be 5 years old before Sept. 1 are eligible to attend kindergarten in their town's elementary school. Parents wishing to preregister their children in Merrimac should call Ann Morrison at the Sweetsir Elementary School at 978-346-8319 or e-mail morrison@prsd.org. A kindergarten parent/guardian orientation will be held at the Sweetsir School cafeteria on April 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. At that time, appointments for screening will be scheduled and an overview of the screening process will be presented. Kindergarten screening will be held at the Sweetsir School on May 5, 6, and 7. - David Cogger

ACADEMY OFFERS LAND FOR POLICE STATION - The Governor's Academy in Byfield has extended an offer to Newbury officials that would allow the town to lease roughly 1 acre of the school's 450-acre spread for 99 years at $1 a year. "There is a real need to find a piece of land that would be suitable for a future police station," said Richard R. Savage, the academy's chief financial officer. Situated on Route 1, the land could be expanded up to 7 acres if needed, Savage said. The school also is working with the state Department of Environmental Protection to discuss options for connecting a future police building to its waste-water treatment plant. "We think town and gown issues are very important," said Savage. According to Newbury Administrative Assistant Kathleen Sirois, residents would have to accept the lease at the annual Town Meeting in the spring. Officials would then have to seek funds for constructing a police station. - Taryn Plumb

HELP SHOVELING OUT - Senior citizens and disabled residents can receive some assistance with the cost of snow shoveling, thanks to a new collaboration between the city and the Howard Benevolent Society, according to Mayor John Moak's office. As part of the initiative, the Council on Aging is asking those who would like to help shovel for a senior citizen or disabled resident in their neighborhood to call the council and register for the program. When the council receives a call for shoveling assistance, it will help match the shoveler with the person needing help. Payment rates will be set between the homeowner and the shoveler, said Council on Aging director Roseann Robillard. However, homeowners will receive a $25 voucher for each storm, she said. The funding comes from the Howard Benevolent Society. For more information, or to register for the program, call Robillard at 978-462-8650. - Kay Lazar

FARMING OUT LAND USE - The Bradstreet Land Use Committee will present its final plan for the reuse of the former Bradstreet farm property at a public meeting at 7 p.m. on March 4 on the second floor of Town Hall. The nine-member panel was formed by the Board of Selectmen last summer in the wake of the town's $2.75 million purchase of the 28.5-acre Main Street site. The panel was asked to come up with recommendations on which portions of the site should be used for various purposes intended by the town. According to committee chairwoman Susan Moses, the plan calls for 10.5 acres of the property to be preserved as open space, including a small plot of land that will be set aside for a community garden. A 7-acre portion that includes a farmhouse and barn will be sold after restrictions are placed on the deed precluding the two structures from being razed. The intent is to find a buyer interested in living in the farmhouse and using the grounds as some type of farm. Another 2 acres would be set aside for development of four affordable housing units. The remaining 9 acres, adjacent to the Pine Grove Elementary School, would be set aside for athletic fields, one for soccer and one for baseball. Until the fields are built, the land would be available for passive recreation. - John Laidler

OUTDOOR RINK DEBUTS - The town recently constructed a public outdoor skating rink on the outfield of the former Memorial School playground on Maple Street. According to Town Manager Neil J. Harrington, the idea for the rink came from the PTO of the Salisbury Elementary School, which is down the street. Until now, the town has not had a public skating area. "We thought it was a great idea and we were happy to assist," Harrington said. With the help of the PTO, the Public Works Department erected the rink the week before last, placing sideboard fencing around an area that was filled with water. Because of warmer temperatures, the water had not yet turned to ice as of earlier this week. Harrington noted that the adjacent playground parking lot has enough lighting to allow for skating in the evening. Harrington said the town will remove the rink during the summer and reerect it next winter. - John Laidler

PROPERTY BUY ON HOLD - Selectmen have opted to waive the town's right of first refusal on the 37.5-acre Sullivan property, which officials have been eyeing for affordable housing or open space. Selectmen chose to take no action because the property's owner, Mary Sullivan, plans to carve off a minimal parcel and sell it to family member Susan Richard. The decision was a consensus of the selectmen, Planning Board, Open Space Committee, and Board of Assessors. For several months, town officials have explored the possibility of purchasing the Sullivan property, which is on the market for $3.95 million. Officials are currently mulling options for the property's use and plan to exercise their right of first refusal when the first formal offer is made on the remaining property. - Taryn Plumb

A TOUGH WINTER - Potholes are beginning to appear and the brick crosswalks installed on Main Street last year are beginning to settle, creating a dip in the trip across the street. The settling was not unexpected. Brick laid in gravel and stone dust often settles in the first year, particularly in high traffic areas. The crosswalks will be repaired in mid-May when the weather warms up. - Tom Long

TERRY LEAVES SCHOOL BOARD - Kathy Terry resigned from the school board last week. Terry, who had one year left on her term, said she was leaving the board to devote more time to her family and her business, Dream Dinners of North Hampton. - Tom Long

MILL REDEVELOPMENT PLAN DENIED - The Zoning Board of Adjustment has denied a variance for the redevelopment of the former mill building on the Lamprey River along the northern end of Main Street. The Newmarket Community Development Corp. had asked for the variance to allow the redevelopment of the mill into retail space and as many as 151 residential units. The board of adjustment voted, 4-1, to deny the variance last week after several members expressed concerns about traffic congestion in the area. - Tom Long

CLEARING THE WAY - Crews have begun trimming and removing trees along Route 33. The work from Griffin Road to Peverly Hill Road is being done to make way for the relocation of overhead wires in preparation for the replacement of the Route 33 railroad bridge in May. The trimming is expected to take about three weeks. - Tom Long

STREAMLINING DONATIONS - The Board of Selectmen is considering including a line item on residents' property tax bills that will allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to various town causes, such as the schools, scholarships, senior citizens, or the disabled. Wenham has a similar line item. The move would require approval at Town Meeting, which is scheduled for May 5. "It's a tempting possibility," said Town Administrator Candace Wheeler. Some administrative changes would be required, including the processing of the donations separately from taxes. - David Rattigan

PAY AS YOU THROW TOSSED AROUND - The Board of Selectmen is considering putting an article for a "pay as you throw" trash program on the ballot for the May 3 Town Meeting. Currently, trash collection requires no additional fee for residents. As part of the program, the town would increase its efforts to encourage recycling, according to board chairman John Clemenzi. - David Rattigan