News Archives

2008

• Town Wide Yard Sale on June 7. Proceeds raised fund Old Home Days. read more →
• Santa Parade Committee sponsoring Golf on June 14, and a Circus on July 3rd. read more →
• Board of Health currently has two open positions. read more →
• Scheduled Power Outage planned for Wednesday, May 21st at midnight. read more →
• Old Home Days is hosting a fund raiser Tea Party. read more →
• Merrimac Water Department will be flushing hydrants, beginning on April 7, 2008. read more →
• Winter Parking Ban. Motor vehicles are prohibited from parking on any street or highway for more than one hour between 11:00 PM - 6:00 AM from November 15, 2007 through April 1, 2008.
• Merrimac Emergency Management is looking for help. read more →
• Valentine’s Day Dance Party Saturday, February 9th from 7:00 to 10:00 PM at Sweetsir School. Fun for the whole family! Proceeds benefit Merrimac Old Home Days. Details are posted.
• Christmas Trees will be collected at curbside during the month of January on regular trash days. Residents need to be participating in the trash sticker program and have a visible trash sticker attached to trees for pickup.
• Register To Vote. Wednesday January 16, 2008 is the last day to register to vote or change parties for the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary. The Town Clerk's Office will be open for voter registration, absent ballot applications or party changes only on January 16th from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

2007

• Santa's 2007 Christmas Eve Route posted under Santa Committee. Start time is at 4:15 PM this year.
• Curbside trash, recycling and bulk item collections will delayed by one day due to the Christmas and New Year holidays.
• American Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by the Merrimac Fire Department on Friday, December 28th from 2:00 - 7:00 PM at the Merrimac Public Library. Every presenting donor will receive a New England Patriots t-shirt. To make an appointment please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Walk-ins are always welcome.
• Merrimack Valley Concert Band has openings for musicians.
• Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) bus information added in the home section. See MVRTA buses link in left menu.
• Newton Man Diagnosed With EEE Massachusetts Department of Public Health posting.
• Board of Health has posted mosquito control information, Lake Attitash water tests, and a collection of applications and regulations.
• The ValleyWorks Career Center has been added to the links page. They offer a comprehensive menu of services to meet employer's workforce needs. Merrimac businesses have paid into this state funded system through the unemployment tax. The Business Service Representative contact is Susan Ingham at 978-469-7821.
• Board of Assessors received preliminary certification.
• Lawrence Boys and Girls Club Toy Drive for the Middle School Community service program is now running. Boxes are at the library and the Middle School for new toy donations until December 10th.
• Yard Waste Site fall leaf collection extended through Saturday, November 24, 2007, due to resident's requests.
• Merrimac PTO Is Sponsoring A Fall Craft Fair on Friday November 16, 2007 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at the Sweetsir School. Details are posted.
• Auto Etching Day To Reduce Car Theft The Governor’s Auto Theft Strike (a unit of the Massachusetts State Police) and the Merrimac Police and Fire Departments are sponsoring an “Auto Etching Day” at the Merrimac Fire and Police Complex on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• Fall Special Town Meeting Postponed Due To Lack Of Quorum The postponed meeting will be held in Sweetsir Elementary School at 7:30 PM on October 22, 2007. 150 voters are needed to conduct town business. Items on warrant include zero quorum question for town meeting. Articles now posted.
• Brush Collection The yard waste site will be accepting brush on September 8 and October 13.
• Register to Vote The last date to register to vote for the Special Town Meeting to be held October 15th is on Friday October 5, 2007. The Town Clerk’s office will be open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM for that purpose.
• Recent Break Ins Recently there have been some break ins in Merrimac and the surrounding towns. Merrimac police would like to remind residents to lock your doors and windows. Also, don't hesitate to call the police at 978-346-8321 if you see suspicious activity. It's better to call right away, than it is to wait.
• EEE virus isolation found in Newton, NH. Read the full story.
• Merrimac Library’s Fall Schedule The Merrimac Public Library has begun its regular schedule and is now open Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• Dog tags are available at the Office of Town Clerk.
• Merrimac Soccer Sign-up—Last Chance! Sign up now for Merrimac Soccer U8 and U10 teams. Registration for the Fall 2007 season ends August 27. Applications at Towne Market or on-line at www.merrimacsoccer.com.
• Mosquito Control Truck Spraying will be conducted on Monday August 6 and Wednesday August 8, between 8:30 PM and 5:00 AM. Rain dates will be Tuesday and Thursday. Mosquito control information is posted.
• Openings and Opportunities now have their own web page. See Openings link in left menu.
• Mosquito Control Truck Spraying, Thursday, July 26, 2007 between 9:00 PM Thursday and 5:00 AM Friday. Board of Health has posted mosquito control information. This is a new spraying date. Due to inclement weather on the 19th, the original spraying was backlogged.
• Board of Selectmen are looking to appoint a new member of the School Board Committee, to fill the vacancy left by a resignation. This position will serve until the next scheduled election in the spring. Please send letters of interest to Board of Selectmen, 4 School Street, Merrimac, MA 01860, by June 15, 2007.
• Senior Center is seeking a part time cook. Qualifications and job description are available at Senior Center. Send resumes to Senior Center, 100 East Main St., Merrimac, MA 01860. Deadline: June 22, 2007.
• Fire Department is seeking to hire a Fulltime Firefighter/EMT. Qualifications & applications are available at the Fire Station or Selectmen’s Office, Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Deadline: June 15, 2007.
• In an effort to reduce costs, the Finance Committee has decided not to mail to Finance Committee Recommendation Booklet to residents. The booklets are available at the Town Hall, Senior Center, Library and as a PDF download. Additional copies will be available at Town Meeting. Please contact Carol McLeod at 978-346-0524 or cmcleod@townofmerrimac.com to have a copy mailed out.
• Merrimac Board of Health has posted a public health flu fact sheet and a list of Avian Flu FAQs.
• Cemetery Department has an opening for a part time Ground Maintenance person. Applicants must be able to work independently, be physically able, have a valid driver's license and be at least eighteen years of age. Pay rate is $10.40 per hour. 30 hours per week until November 2007. Applications available from Trustee of Cemeteries, 2 Locust Grove Road. Phone 978-346-9389.
• The Open Space Committee is sponsoring a Clean Up Day on Saturday May 12, 2007 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We're meeting in the lot behind the police and fire station, 16 East Main Street, Merrimac. We plan to clean along Cobblers Brook Greenway, Marshview Trail, McLaren Trail, Town Forest, Merrimack River, River Road, Indian Head Park and select main roads. For more information, contact: Donna Tierney 978-346 7815 or Michelle Carley 978-346 0091.
• The Merrimac Public Library calls for Submissions to the 2007 Wadleigh Award.
• Absentee Ballots are available at the office of the Town Clerk for the May 7, 2007 Annual Town Election.
• Board of Health has an opportunity for an interested candidate to run for election to a three-year term on the Board of Health on May 7, 2007 as a “write-in” candidate or as a “sticker” candidate.
• Town of Merrimac has an opening for Secretary to support Selectmen. Requires excellent communication and organizational skills, working with the public in an active office environment. MS Office and web proficiency required; 25 – 30 hours weekly including night meetings. Pay range $16-$18 per hour. Send resumes to Selectmen, 4 School Street, Merrimac, MA 01860.
• The Senior Center does not accept clothes for donation. A clothing drop off bin is located behind the Nativity Church.
• Census Forms will be mailed to all residents the week of January 8, 2007.
• The Merrimac Fire Department will be sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, April 9, 2007 from 2:00 - 7:00 PM, at the Merrimac Public Library. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-448-3543. Walk-ins are always welcome.
• The last day to take out Nomination Papers is March 16, 2007, to be on the ballot in May. Complete 2007 Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election information and dates are posted.
• Job Opening for Town of Merrimac Town Accountant. The Town of Merrimac is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Town Accountant.
• The Selectmen are looking for pictures of an animal, person, building, or area in Merrimac for the annual report. Submissions can be emailed to selectmen@townofmerrimac.com. The Selectmen will choose a picture during their meeting on February 26, 2007.
• Valentine's Day Dance Party presented by Merrimac Old Home Days to be held Saturday, February 10, 2007 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM at the Sweetsir School on Church Street.

2006

• Annual Town Meeting Articles, Special Town Meeting Articles and Fiscal Year 2007 Report are posted in the Town Meetings section. PDF versions are available for download.
• Regional Information Session for Individuals and Businesses Impacted by 2006 Flood.
• Town Election Results from May 8, 2006.
• How Your Taxes Are Spent - a letter from the Board of Selectmen.
• Capital Planning Committee reports posted.
• Church Street road work: letter to local businesses from Board of Selectmen.
• Santa's Christmas Eve Route listed street by street.
• A reminder from the Board of Selectmen. Merrimac residents should remove basketball hoops and any other street obstructions for plowing by the first snow fall or December 10th.
• The Merrimac Fire Department will be sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, December 29th at the Merrimac Public Library from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. Donors may make an appointment at www.givelife.org or by calling 1-800-448-3543. Walk-ins are also welcome. Contact Captain Brian Peavey, Jr. at 978-346-9511 with any questions regarding the drive.
• Luminaries are on sale in front of Merrimac Savings Bank on Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM during December. Proceeds fund next year's Old Home Days events.
• Mother’s Day Flood of 2006 the Town of Merrimac has applied to FEMA for expenses.
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Merrimac.
• State Primary Elections will be held at the Merrimac Public Library on West Main Street from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM on September 19, 2006. Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk's office. August 30th from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM is the last day to register to vote or change your party for the primary at the Town Clerk's office. Town Clerk phone 978-346-8013.
• MMA holds 4th annual photo contest, “Destination: Massachusetts”
• Merrimac Historical Museum located at 34 West Main Street will open on September 10th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM, and also be open on Sundays through October 15th. Open dates are listed on the calendar.
• The Board of Selectmen and the Board of Assessors for the Town of Merrimac will hold a Classification Hearing on Monday, November 27 at 7:00 PM in the Selectmen's meeting room in Town Hall. The hearing is to determine the percentage of the Fiscal Year 2007 levy for each class of property.
• The Board of Selectmen are seeking interested candidates for the vacated school committee position. The term for this position would be through the May 2007 election. Interested candidates need to send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectman either via email at selectmen@townofmerrimac.com , or via regular mail at 2 School Street, Merrimac, MA 01860. The Selectmen would like to fill this position ASAP.
• Old Home Days celebration was a great success ...
• Water testing results for Lake Attitash at Indian Head Park are being posted for the 2006 swiming season.
• Special Town Meeting – September 25, 2006: warrant and articles posted. 150 people needed for the quorum! Come out and make a difference!
• Selective Mosquito Barrier Spraying, Friday afternoon, September 15, 2006 at the two recreation fields.
• Mosquito Truck Spraying by Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control between 8:00 PM and midnight on Tuesday, August 30, 2006.
• Mosquito Truck Spraying by Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control between 9:00 PM and midnight on Tuesday, August 22, 2006.
• 2006 Merrimac Recycling & Trash Collection Calendar PDF posted.
• Yard Waste Site opens for the season on April 15th. Open dates will be posted on the calendar.
• Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control will be conducting limited mosquito truck spraying on Tuesday August 8, from 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Rain date is Wednesday August 8.
• Mosquito Truck Spraying by Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control between 9:00 PM and midnight on Tuesday, July 18, 2006.
• MEMA announces opening of State Disaster Recovery Offices.
• Merrimac Public Library calls for submissions to the 2006 Wadleigh Award
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held July 22 at Sweetsir School.

Message from the Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen would like to remind all registered voters in the Town of Merrimac to attend Annual Town Meeting, rescheduled to Monday June 12, 2006 and Monday June 19, 2006 at the Sweetsir School at 7:30 P.M.

It is extremely important to get a quorum and vote on a budget for FY2007. If there is not a budget approved by July 1, 2006, there is no authorization to spend any money for the Town's business. This includes all salaries, trash collection invoices and school invoices. We would not be authorized to incur any expenses until a budget is passed.

We need 150 registered voters to be present at the Annual Town Meeting. Please attend to have a say in how your tax dollars are spent.

Thank you, Board of Selectmen

• Pizzeria Uno 3rd Annual Fundraiser to support Merrimac Old Home Days, June 22. Download the PDF coupon and bring it to Unos, Rt 125 South (on Plaistow Line), Haverhill, MA. Phone 978-556-9595.
• Town Meeting postponed again until June 12 and 19 at 7:30 PM. Please attend Town Meeting. It is vital that we get a quorum of 150 in order to hold Town Meeting. Merrimac cannot conduct business without a budget in place. Thank you from the Board of Selectmen.
• Roy Keiser Golf Tournament. The Santa Committee is sponsoring the 3nd annual golf tournament to benefit the parade on June 17, 2006.
• Merrimac Old Home Days presents a Town-Wide Yard Sale Fund Raiser on Saturday, June 10. Maps will be available at the Merrimac Savings Bank (on Saturday), Towne Market and the Library.
• Merrimac Economic Development Task Force is researching consumer opinions regarding attitudes towards Merrimac businesses and business development. Please take their online survey at: www.merrimactownsurvey.com
• The Groveland / Haverhill Bridge is now open to traffic for vehicles weighing less than 6 tons. Details and a list of Haverhill's closed roads on the Haverhill web site.
• Open Space and Parks & Recreation Commitees are sponsoring a Spring Clean Up on May 6th. Download the Spring Clean Up PDF flyer.
• Merrimac Board of Health has filled the two open positions.
• Census forms for the annual street listing have been mailed to all residents.
• Read volume 7 of the Merrimac Monitor.
• Finance Committee results from the May town meeting now available.
• Finance Committee FY2006 report now available.
• Finance Committee FY2006 maturing debt document now available.
• Dog tags and town stickers are now on sale.
• The Merrimac Fire Department will be sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, April 7th from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Merrimac Public Library. Anyone interested in donating blood can call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.givelife.org. Anyone interested in volunteering at the drive can contact Brian Peavey, Jr. at 978-346-9511.
• Recycling Committee: electronics and hazardous waste disposal, yardwaste site, white goods, trash program, and recycling program information.
• Donaghue Fourth Graders Win Green Team Grand Prize.
• Trash collection and recycling remain on regular schedule for the week of January 1st. Christmas trees with a trash sticker attached can be left at curbside for pick up on your trash day - or - brought to the Yard Waste Site on January 7 and 14 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. A municipal sticker is required to enter the Yard Waste Site. 2005 stickers will be honored for Christmas tree drop offs. 2006 stickers are now on sale at the Selectmen's Office.

2005

• Light The Way For Santa's Sleigh On Christmas Eve - Merrimac Old Home Days Committee is selling Luminaries online and in Merrimac center.
• Merrimack Valley Concert Band will be hosting its Annual FREE Christmas Concert Concert at the Pentucket Regional Middle School Auditorium on Sunday, December 18th at 2:00 PM.
• Special Town Meeting on November 21, 2005 at 7:30 PM in the Sweetsir School. A quorom of 150 is needed to conduct business. Download the warrants PDF.
• Thursday, November 10, 2005 is the last day to register to vote for the special town meeting being held on Monday, November 21, 2005. The town clerk's office will be open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM for voter registrations.
• Special Town Meeting will be held at Sweetsir School at 7:30 on October 24th. The last day to register to vote for this meeting will be October 14th. The clerk's office will be open for voter registrations from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM on October 14th. PDFs of materials for the meeting are available for download: Articles PDF and Handouts PDF
• Lake Attitash water testing results posted.

• Merrimac Citizens for a Strong Community is now listed on the calendar and links page.
• Super Summer Blood Drive - Thank You.
• Public Service Announcement - Affordable Rental Opportunity.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day - Saturday, July 9th.
• Friends of the Merrimac Parks - a new town organization, meets on Monday June 20th.
• Santa Parade Committee Golf Tournament - June 18th.
• Merrimac Day at the Lake at Indian Head Park on the beach of Lake Attitash on May 21st from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
• Town election results from May 9, 2005.
• Town meeting continuation will be held on May 23rd at 7:30 PM at Sweetsir School.
• Absentee voting is open until May 7, 2005. Ballots are available in the Town Clerk's office. Applications are also available to have a ballot mailed to voters (Example: A parent for a child away at college). Voters may also send a written request with their signature to have a ballot mailed.
• Winter’s Here!: safety information by firefighter Michael McLeieer.
• Town Office Elections: Nomination papers must be signed by at least 25 registered voters from Merimac and must be returned to the town clerk by 5:00 PM Monday, April 4, 2005.
• Town departments office hours are now posted in the town hall section.
• Two options for Christmas tree collection:
  • January 10 - Curbside pickup. Each tree must have a trash sticker attached.
  • January 8 & 15 - Drop off trees at the town Yard Waste Site.

2004

• American Red Cross blood drive, sponsored by the Merrimac Fire Department, December 31, 2004 from 9:00AM - 2:00PM. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-Give-Life or at www.givelife.org. Questions can be directed to Capt. Brian Peavey, Jr. at 978-346-9511.
• Conservation Commission information.
• Read excerpts from the Neighbors of Seabrook Station Calendar.
• FEMA has declared Essex County a disaster area for the flooding in March