Credit Available for Comcast Users

For those of you with Comcast, you may recall a service interruption on November 28th.  Comcast is giving a credit to account holders who experienced this interruption.  Call a local service center to see if you are eligible for a credit.  You must then give your account number for Comcast to verify and to determine the length of time you experienced an outage -- the credit is based on the duration of your outage.  The number to call is (800) 266-2278, or you can go in person to a service center in the area.

Comcast Service Centers in the Area:

Amesbury - 194 Rear Main Street, Amesbury, MA  01913

     Hours:       Monday:         8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Tuesday:         8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Wednesday:   8:30 am -- 6:00 pm

                         Thursday:      8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Friday:            8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Saturday:       9:00 am -- 1:00 pm

Newburyport - 27 Hale Street, Newburyport, MA  01950

     Hours:       Monday:         9:00 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Tuesday:         9:00 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Wednesday:   9:00 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Thursday:      9:00 am -- 5:00 pm (opens at 11 am the 4th Thur. of each month)

                         Friday:            9:00 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Saturday:       9:00 am -- 1:00 pm

Haverhill - 66 Emerson Street, Haverhill, MA  01830

     Hours:       Monday:          8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Tuesday:          8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Wednesday:    8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Thursday:       8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Friday:              8:30 am -- 5:00 pm

                         Saturday:        9:00 am -- 12:00 pm

The Holidays Aren't Just For Turkeys

This season has been filled with holiday parties – and more are on the way!  Here’s a look at some local gatherings.

The Holy Redeemer Christmas Fair in Merrimac.

Several young reindeer were spotted at the  Holy Redeemer Christmas Fair.

Cindy and Doreen of Merrimac enjoy the day.

Monday afternoon, my staff and I again volunteered as guest chefs at the Merrimac Senior Center.  In addition to lunch, there was entertainment by a local tap dancing troupe.

Lasagna and tap dancing at the Merrimac Senior Center.

The tap dance troupe "Stepping Out 4."

Merrimac's seniors enjoyed the show.

 Next I headed to the Rowley Council on Aging's holiday party at the Rowley Country Club.

Reverend Bob Hagopian and table-mates.



Two of Harriett's favorite Rowley residents!



Rowley seniors enjoy a wonderful afternoon.

Bates Bridge Update

So far, so good. We’re 3% done on the Bates Bridge project.  For those of you who are aren't on our mailing list, here is a quick update:

Cianbro removed the abandoned underwater cable in the Merrimack and utility relocations on the Haverhill side are almost completed. (Utility relocation work continues on the Groveland side along Main Street.)

In the water, you will now see two working barges, which have been moved into place for heavy construction activities. Crews are installing cofferdams for piers 3 and 4 of the new bridge from these barges. As mentioned in our last update, Cianbro has already completed installation of the cofferdam for construction of the northwest corner of the bridge. To see MassDOT’s pictures of the barges, go to the Groveland Haverhill Bates Bridge Reconstruction page.

All of us at the State House hope your holidays are coming together nicely. For us, continued progress on the bridge is the best present of all!

Groveland Boy Scout Troop 87 Blood Drive Tomorrow!

On Friday, December 3, Groveland Boy Scout Troop 87 is hosting their second annual blood drive. It will take place at the Groveland Congregational Church from 1 - 6 p.m.

The need for blood donations is very high this time of year. Even though this is an incredibly busy time, please consider making a donation and taking a little time out of your schedule. Last year the Boy Scout blood drive garnered 45 donations and they're going for 50 this year!

Appointments are highly recommended to reduce wait time, but walk-ins are welcome. As a thanks for donating, the Red Cross will be giving donors a beautiful Yankee Candle to help brighten their home during this holiday season. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Blasts From The Past

As you've probably noticed, there are barges in the Merrimack River and cofferdam construction for the Groveland Bridge is well underway.  (Cofferdams are what allow construction work to continue through the winter.)  The elusive underwater cable was removed this week and the bridge is now 3% complete.  

This month, a lot of Bates Bridge memorabilia has come my way.  The first postcard came from a flea market, with a 1913 postmark.  The message addresses the new bridge built that year.  In 1871, the first Groveland Bridge was built to replace the chain ferry but collapsed 10 years later.  In 1887, a fire destroyed 8 buildings in the square and the bridge suffered damage as well.  It was reconstructed a second time and completed in 1913.  The bridge that stands today was completed in the mid-20th Century.  (Click on an image to enlarge.)



"The Merrimac River from Groveland Bridge, Groveland, Mass."



Before there was a Groveland Bridge, there was a chain ferry that carried horse carts and passengers between Groveland and Haverhill beginning in 1829.

"Miliken's Chain Ferry, 1870; Ran from behind Groveland's present post office until the Groveland Bridge was built in 1871."

As you may recall, the Elm Park Renovation Project was completed in 2004 thanks to the Groveland Historical Society's efforts and funding from a state grant.  Here is a shot of what Elm Park looked like a hundred years earlier--and no doubt what it can look like again someday.

"Beautiful Elm Park, Groveland, 1900; Looking toward the Merrimack River and Groveland Bridge."

The Groveland workforce of the late 19th Century relied chiefly on manufacturing for jobs.  Pictured below is the third of the woolen mills E. J. M. Hale built.  This woolen mill was later owned by Benjamin Parker Hale and Arthur D. Veasey.  That's the same Veasey Family that the former Nun's Hill is named after.

"Groveland Woolen Mills (no. 3 of 3 mills); Built in 1859 and operated until 1927, it was a major source of employment.  Owned and operated by the Hale family, and later the Veasey family."

Byfield Does Halloween

I discovered one of the scariest neighborhoods in the world.  It was right down the street from my house!

Selectman Joe Story wasn't scaring any of his constituents on Halloween afternoon!

Tyler takes time out for the photographer.

A Weekend in Rowley

The Mighills anchor their Halloween decoration on Central Street.

The visiting crane stopped Route #1 traffic in Rowley all weekend.  Experienced birders told Rep. Stanley that it was likely a Sand Hill Crane on its way south for the winter.

Autumn on the Lower Green

Cooper-the-Lab and his families ran a pumpkin patch in Newbury over the weekend.

Whittier Advisory Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, I attended a Whittier Advisory Board Meeting. These meetings give the superintendent (Bill DeRosa) a chance to discuss with the members current issues, future plans, and the educational direction Whittier is heading in.

The Whittier Advisory Board meets for breakfast at the school's Poet's Inn.

Bill DeRosa, Whittier Superintendent, describes Whittier's MCAS success.

Advisory Board Member Ann Ormond listens to Beverly DeSalvo, Whittier's Vocational/Technical Coordinator.

Advisory Board Member Joe Bevilacqua and Rep. Harriett Stanley.

Carol Doyle, long-time special education teacher at Whitter, listens to an update.

Whittier's Principal, Maureen Lynch; Coordinator of Data & Assessment, Katrina Jensen; and Advisory Board Member, Ed Mahoney.

Rowley Chamber Event

Last night Harriett attended a Rowley Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the Rowley Chamber pose after a lengthy discussion with Rep. Stanley.

Some Like it Hot!

Can anything be better than hot chili on a cool night?

Chuck Umanita dishes it up while Marc Maravelli (behind) takes a taste.

Supplies ran out fast...catch Congressional candidate Bill Hudak in the back?

Crystal serving the judges table.

Judge Christine Kneeland of Pine Grove School contemplates a score.

Judge Richard Cummings gets some help from Mary-Beth Dalzell.

Crystal and Harriett.

Senator Tarr wants a bigger portion?

This year's cook-off "went green."

Everyone is full!



Chuck Umanita and Marc Maravelli.

Chili