HAVERHILL — If and when the federal government sends out tax refund checks as part of an economic stimulus package, the city's dreamers and visionaries hope people will spend it close to home.
Those same dreamers want to take an active role in creating a recreational trail along both sides of the Merrimack River that would be linked by the Basiliere and Comeau bridges. And they hope to create the trail now, rather than wait for a downtown boardwalk to be built.
These are just a few of the ideas Team Haverhill believes it can make happen this year with the help and support of the community. The group came up with the ideas at a meeting attended by more than 120 people sponsored by Team Haverhill and held in the Technology Center at Northern Essex Community College. It was called the Possible Dreams event.
Citizens, business owners and city and state officials came up with the ideas for making Haverhill a better place to live and work.
The general theme is for Haverhill to improve its image, both to outsiders and to those who live and work here.
Tim Jordan, Team Haverhill co-chairman, said Haverhill can better its image in many ways, such as improving the looks of gateways like the Basiliere Bridge — which could benefit from lights and painting.
"We talked about the Woolworth building and how can we find a suitable use for it," Jordan said of the vacant building at the eastern gateway to downtown. "It's a real asset to the community."
Resident Dave LaBrode has suggested enhancing the city's curbside recycling program.
"Haverhill has curbside recycling of paper only," LaBrode said. "I'd like to see curbside recycling of products that are banned from landfills, such as metal cans and glass bottles. We should do better in our recycling efforts. Haverhill should look into what other communities are doing."
Christine McCarron, who operated the Hungry Lion Boutique on Washington Street, said she'd like to launch a local campaign for residents to spend their tax refunds locally.
"Even if you spent a portion of your refund within the city, it would be a huge boost to the local economy," she said.
Jordan said last week's announcement that Haverhill would get $400,000 to help buy an abandoned railroad bed on the Bradford side of the Merrimack River and turn it into a recreational trail has generated a lot of excitement within the community. Team Haverhill hopes the proposed 2.5-mile trail will eventually grow into a 30-mile trail linking Newburyport to Lowell.
"The rail bed must be purchased first, and getting that $400,000 makes it more of a reality," Jordan said. "Once purchased, you can see Team Haverhill people volunteering to turn the rail bed into a trail."
Team Haverhill's next meeting is Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Pentucket Bank Community Room.
"We'll start to form a game plan as to what projects we want to take on this year," Jordan said. "Then at our March meeting we'll pick the projects we can actually do."
BOX
Possible Dreams 2008 ideas
Rail trail project: Improving the aesthetics of Basiliere Bridge with lighting and paint, and tying the Basiliere and Comeau bridges into a 2.5-mile walking loop that would include the rail trail on the Bradford side of the river.
Asking residents to spend locally: The target is their federal tax stimulus refunds.
Winnekenni Castle recreation: Having boat rides in the pond below the castle and horseback riding on the trails.
Block parties: Sponsored by service clubs and hosted by civic groups.
More curbside recycling: Aimed at reducing litter and bringing the city more money.
A food market: Would be located downtown.
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