Merrimac Monitor
Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2005
Annual Town Meeting Scheduled For May 2, 2005
The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2005 at 7:30 PM at the Sweetsir School. An additional date is already being scheduled in case the Annual Town Meeting is not completed with the earliest date available being Monday, May 16th. There are a number of important issues that will be presented in addition to the annual Town Omnibus Budget.
Due to level funding of State Aid, the Fiscal Year 06 spending plan may mean another difficult year. Your participation at town meeting is vital. Mark your calendar.
Election Information
The Annual Town Election will be held on May 9, 2005 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Sweetsir School, Church Street. The deadline to register to vote for both the Election and Annual Town Meeting, is Tuesday, April 12th at the office of the Town Clerk. The office will be open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM for registration. You may register by mail, with a mail in form available at the Library, Senior Center or the Clerk’s Office. Absentee ballots for the election will be available two weeks prior to the election and applications for an absentee ballot are available at the Clerk’s Office at any time.
Council on Aging Waiting for New Van
The Council on Aging was awarded a state grant from the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, under the Mobility Assistance Program for an 8-11 passenger lift-equipped maxivan. The award of $30,210 was made possible thanks to the donations made to the Friends of the COA and The Merrimac Savings Bank who donated $5,000 towards the required matching portion of the grant, which totaled $9,255.
The new van will make it possible for all seniors to have access to transportation to medical appointments, clinics and activities at the Senior Center. The van is expected to be delivered in the Spring.
What’s New from the Board of Assessors
Interim Adjustments - The adjustments of values is now mandatory on a yearly basis if the assessments fall below 90% of the selling prices on an average within each classification.
Supplemental Taxes - This is tax placed on property as of the date of an occupancy permit being issued. In the past, all assessments were based on what was in place as of January 1st of a given year.
Clause 41C exemption changes - All taxpayers who have reached their 70th birthday have an opportunity to have their taxes reduced by $750.00. This exemption is called 41C. The asset and earning requirements have been adjusted upward this year. Those who did not qualify in passed years may now qualify because of the new limits. Please check with the Assessors’ Office at 978-346-9022
Property Tax Work-off Program for Merrimac Seniors
The Merrimac Assessors’ Office and the Merrimac Council on Aging are working with the Board of Selectmen to begin a Property Tax Work-off Program for Merrimac Seniors. The program will begin July 1, 2005 and end before the first actual tax bills are issued for FY 2006. The seniors will work on a reduction of their tax bills up to $750 minus a portion that will be deducted to deal with federal income tax requirements.
This has been a very successful program in other communities and Town officials are very excited to initiate a property tax work-off program for our seniors. Many times seniors who are eligible for an elderly exemption do not want to pursue just an exemption but would rather work to reduce their taxes. They feel that it is their civic duty and a way to give back to the community. It should be emphasized that these senior workers are not meant to replace full or part time employees of the Town but rather to complement them.
Inspectional Services Office Hours
| Mondays | 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Thursdays | NOON to 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Fridays | 8:00 AM to NOON |
Elderly Assistance Fund
On October 30th, 2000 voters approved Chapter 60, Section 3D, to establish an Aid to Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund for the purpose of defraying the real estate taxes of elderly and disabled of low income. This allows a taxpayer to voluntarily donate an amount of not less than one dollar to a special account to be used to assist residents identified by a committee composed of the Principal Assessor, Finance Director and two residents appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Town Of Merrimac Voluntary Contribution To Elder & Disabled Tax Aid Fund
Your contribution is VOLUNTARY and is IN ADDITION TO YOUR TAX. It will be used to assist qualified residents in making tax payments. Thank you for your generosity.
Remit to: Treasurer
Town of Merrimac
2 School Street
Merrimac, MA 01860
Name & Address of Donator:
Total Contribution: $
Separate Check Please.
Dog Tags
Dog tags are due April 1, 2005, all dogs 6 months and older are required to be licensed. Dogs may be licensed at the office of the Town Clerk or by mail. Dogs not registered by June 1st will be subject to a $20.00 late fee, by July 1st $25.00 and by August 1st $35.00 in addition to the cost of the license. Proof of a current rabies shot is necessary to register your dog. When licensing by mail please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and phone number along with the payment and proof of rabies. If you have questions, please call the Town Clerk at 978-346-8013.
Dog Tag Fee Schedule:
- Male or Female $20.00
- Spade or Neutered $10.00
Animal Care And Control Officer Announces Rabies Clinic
Annual Rabies Clinic to be held Wednesday April 27, 2005 from 12 NOON until 2:00 PM at the Merrimac Police Station. Cost is $10.00. To receive a three year vaccination you must bring your certificate of last Rabies vaccination, or the vaccination will only be good for one year. Dog licenses will also be available at the Clinic. (There is a Rabies clinic the same day in West Newbury from 4:00 to 6:00 PM) Questions call: 978-346-0523.
DBA
A reminder to residents with a home business that all unincorporated partnerships or sole proprietorships must be registered with the town (Chapter 110, Section 5, Mass Gen Laws) These Business Certificates are available at the Office of Town Clerk. The filing fee is $20.00 and they are renewable every four years.
Light & Water Commissioners Appoint New Manager
To Merrimac residents, I would like to introduce myself as the new manager of the Merrimac Light and Water Department. My name is Dan Folding and as some of you know I have worked as a 1st class lineman for the Electric department for 17 years. When the manager’s position opened in January 2005 I saw it as an opportunity to advance myself to a new level within the department. I look forward to the challenges that will arise in the future managing a municipal Light and Water Department in a growing community.
Sincerely,
Daniel Folding, Manager
Merrimac Light and Water Department
Office Hours: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
To Merrimac Water and Merrimac Sewer Customers
The Merrimac Water and Merrimac Sewer Department is notifying you that as of July 1st, 2005 all unpaid water balances of 30 days or more will be charged an interest charge to be accrued monthly. The interest rate has not yet been decided. If you have any questions please feel free to call the Water Department at 1-978-346-8311 or the Sewer Department at 1-978-346-9988.
Are You (We) Ready?
This question is haunting everyone charged with readying their community to meet current bio-terrorism and emergency preparedness expectations. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect when I became the Town Nurse for Merrimac 34 years ago that I would be responsible for building the infectious disease response plan for this town. This emergency plan must unify the existing public services, police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS), health and government to deliver competent, skilled service and care to the community within a prescribed time framework. This response is constructed to be effective during any type of event or disaster—natural, accidental, biologic, chemical or terrorist.
Prior to 9/11/2001, health departments were never included in emergency planning or training. However, anthrax exposures made it clear that public health was the missing partner in the response plan. In small towns, limited personnel or total lack thereof has slowed the creation of the needed infectious disease-emergency preparedness plans.
Across the country, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) have been created to fill this void of health care professionals capable and trained to deliver public health services at the local level. These MRC’s generally serve a large metropolitan area and several towns in the immediate area. There are two in the Upper Merrimack Valley area that have received federal grant funding.
In the Lower Merrimack Valley, the Northeast Public Health Coalition comprised of 14 communities does not have this luxury. The majority of the communities have only limited contracted public health nursing services and no current ability to muster people skilled in the delivery of emergency infectious disease services. Merrimac is fortunate in having their public health nurse reside in the community and be generally available when needed.
However, emergency medication dispensing plans for exposure to anthrax or smallpox must be carried out within 48 hours for an entire community. Obviously, one person cannot do this alone. Hence, the need to create our own MRC by surveying licensed health care professionals who reside in Merrimac and enlist their volunteer participation in the event of an emergency. I will be sending a letter to all of Merrimac’s licensed health care professionals in the near future that will seek their support in creating a trained response team for Merrimac.
Allied health personnel will also be needed as part of the emergency response team. This includes experienced laboratory, clerical and mental health personnel. Contact the Board of Health at 978-346-4066 if interested in participating.
Charlotte Eileen Stepanian, BS, MSN, RNC
Merrimac Public Health Nurse
Information From The Merrimac Conservation Commission
The article that follows has been edited. Read the full unedited version.
The primary function of the Conservation Commission is to protect and preserve wetland resource areas as defined in the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act and the Merrimac Wetland Protection Bylaw. Since Colonial times, Massachusetts has lost nearly one third of its wetlands to development. The loss of wetlands means the loss of the vital benefits they provide. These benefits include the protection of water quality for Merrimac’s surface and groundwater, stormwater and flood damage protection, and the protection of wildlife and plant habitat.
The Commission works to protect the Town’s natural resources in accordance with the Act and the Town Bylaw. The Conservation Commission is composed of seven members who serve as unpaid volunteers, who are assisted by a part-time Wetland Agent. The Commission generally meets once a month on the second Wednesday of the month to conduct regular business and public hearings on proposed projects under the Commissions jurisdiction. When necessary, the Commission schedules special meetings and site visits to review projects. In addition to reviewing proposed projects submitted by property owners, the Commission addresses work that affects wetlands conducted without the required permits through issuance of enforcement orders to property owners regarding work undertaken in violation of the Act.
This year the Commission initiated efforts to provide increased protection to the Town’s wetland resources. In response to the continued reductions in assistance available from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in administering the Wetland Protection Act and the pace of development in town, the Commission drafted and implemented a Merrimac Wetland Protection Bylaw. The Bylaw was adopted at Town Meeting in the fall of 2003, and it became effective in late 2003 following approval by the Massachusetts Attorney General. During 2004, the Commission expended considerable effort in drafting the Merrimac Wetlands Protection Regulations to implement the requirements of the Wetland Bylaw. Following review of several drafts of the regulations, the Commission held two public hearings on the proposed regulations to obtain comments from the public, and the regulations were subsequently adopted in August, 2004.
The Commission is now applying the requirements of the new regulations to any project in town. If you are contemplating any work within 100 feet of a wetland or within 200 feet of any river or stream that flows year-round (such as the Merrimack River and Cobblers Brook), you need to consult with the Commission prior to undertaking any work.
Wetlands are an important resource to Merrimac. They protect, filter, and provide the high quality of water in our wells. They protect and support fish and wildlife in Lake Attitash, the Merrimack River, and other water bodies in town. They provide habitat and food sources for the birds and other animals that make Merrimac a unique place to live. They provide large tracts of open and undeveloped land that make up the quality of life we all enjoy in Merrimac. The Commission is eager to assist landowners in their decisions about whether and how to proceed with a project near wetlands. We encourage all residents to contact us regarding any questions or concerns related to the Towns wetland resources. The Commission is always looking for interested citizens that may want to become involved in working to protect the valuable wetland resources we all share in Merrimac. If you have an interest or expertise in protecting wetlands, please contact any of the Commission members, or just attend one of the meetings to get involved.