As post cards about changes to polling places have gone out in the mail, I’ve received a number of questions and concerns about the reasoning behind some seemingly illogical or arbitrary changes.

Here is a reprint of the explanation given to me by the chairman of the precinct redistricting committee.

“ This was bound to happen, and we will no doubt receive more complaints. You might gain some needed information at the web site we created to explain the changes:

http://civiczone.net/havrp/

Be aware that some changes to where people vote were made because we had to, due to population size changes in the existing precincts. In other cases the polling places themselves are changing, for other reasons, always to make the average voter experience better.

We have always had a few hundred voters who had to cross the Merrimack River to vote. The Mayor really wanted to eliminate that, but the only legally compliant way to do it is to drop from 21 to 18 precincts, which would have many people voting someplace different. It has to do with the percentage of the population on each side of the river, and I have a document that shows the math behind the calculations. We decided not to go to 18 precincts, especially since we probably would need yet another major change after the next census to maintain that policy. The 18 precinct plan is mentioned on slide 2 of http://civiczone.net/havrp/Hav2011_precinct_plans.pdf.

Niagara Street was right next to the small area of people who had to cross the river to vote. That area had to shift and now Niagara Street is in it. You can call if you need to know more. The key thing to know about the precinct line changes is that we had to make them to comply with laws about balancing the population of each precinct within 5% of the average. If there had been no population shifts in the last 10 years nothing would have to change.”

I hope this helps to shed some light on the situation. If anyone, after reading this and the aforementioned links, still has questions, please contact me and I will be happy to try to help further.

In the coming weeks, the council will be considering the very contentious issue of the arbitrator’s decision on the firefighters contract settlement. I will personally review every document that is presented to me in order to make the best and most equitable decision for Haverhill and it’s residents.

In the meantime, I will occasionally make available public information that has been given to me. I am happy to answer questions and listen to any arguments regarding this subject.

PDF file:
Local 1011, International Association of Fire Fighters and the City of Haverhill

Additional info can be found in this Eagle Tribune article:
http://www.eagletribune.com/haverhill/x584482069/City-braces-to-pay-big-fire-award