Haverhill Councilors to Discuss Pedestrian Safety at Monday Meeting

Public meetings this week will address issues like crosswalk beacons, Kimball Tavern renovations, and the 2026 Multicultural Festival lineup.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Haverhill City Council's Planning and Development Committee will meet on Monday night to discuss ideas for making the city's roadways safer for pedestrians, following a fatal accident on River Street in November and several near misses. Among the items councilors plan to discuss are installing pedestrian-activated crosswalk beacons, which Mayor Melinda E. Barrett said can cost around $40,000 per set.

Why it matters

Pedestrian safety has become a growing concern in Haverhill after a recent fatal accident and other close calls. The public meeting allows residents to provide input on potential solutions, as the city looks to address these public safety issues.

The details

The Planning and Development Committee meeting on Monday night will be open to the public, allowing residents to share their thoughts on ways to improve pedestrian safety in Haverhill. In addition to discussing crosswalk beacons, the committee may also consider other infrastructure changes or policy updates to protect walkers on the city's streets.

  • The Planning and Development Committee meeting will take place on Monday, February 9th, starting at 6 p.m.
  • The Moody School's Site Council will meet on Monday, February 9th from 5-5:45 p.m.
  • The Haverhill Retirement Board will meet in a hybrid session on Tuesday, February 10th at 9 a.m.
  • The Bradford Common Historic District Commission will tour the Kimball Tavern on Tuesday, February 10th at 6 p.m.
  • The Haverhill Water/Wastewater Rating Board will meet on Wednesday, February 11th at 6 p.m.

The players

Melinda E. Barrett

The mayor of Haverhill, who previously stated that each set of pedestrian-activated crosswalk beacons can cost around $40,000.

Haverhill City Council

The city council's Planning and Development Committee will be holding the public meeting on pedestrian safety on Monday night.

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What they’re saying

“We must address pedestrian safety concerns to protect residents and make our streets safer for everyone.”

— Melinda E. Barrett, Mayor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This public meeting highlights Haverhill's commitment to improving pedestrian safety and soliciting community input on potential solutions, such as installing crosswalk beacons, to prevent future accidents and protect vulnerable road users.