News

Town of Merrimac Department of Public Works Provides Update on Donaghue Field Drainage Project

MERRIMAC — Department of Public Works Director Robert Sinibaldi and the Town of Merrimac wish to share the following update about the ongoing Donaghue Field drainage project.

Flooding on Donaghue Field has been a long-standing issue, affecting community use, including youth sports, making it difficult to use the field for recreational activities and town events. 

The DPW proceeded in phases, which included manually pumping water off the field, and integrating the field’s drainage system into the town’s drainage system to mitigate flooding potential.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of August, after the town’s annual Old Home Days event. The field is currently in good standing for the event.

The Town will monitor the field and remove any additional excess water through the rest of the year to ensure that the field is in good structural standing for spring sports.

Director Sinibaldi and the DPW thank the Highway Department for their collaboration and support during this project. The DPW also thanks Merrimac Baseball as well as the Jamaco River Run, which donated funding from its annual race. 

For more information or additional questions please contact DPW Director Robert Sinibaldi at 978-346-0612 or dpwdir@townofmerrimac.com.

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Town of Merrimac Receives $24,933 State Grant to Enhance Cybersecurity

The Town of Merrimac is pleased to announce that Merrimac has received a state grant that will help the town enhance its ability to respond to a cybersecurity attack.

The town will receive $24,933 from the Commonwealth’s Municipal Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. This grant allows city and school departments to create and update incident response plans and materials needed to ensure operational continuity following a cyberattack.

“This is the third grant we have received to support our information technology needs and are grateful to the Commonwealth for its continued support,” said Town Accountant Anne Jim. “This grant will be instrumental in implementing and enhancing security protections.”


The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $7 million in cybersecurity grants to 132 state and regional agencies and municipalities this week. 

“It’s vital that our communities have access to the resources, tools, and guidance necessary to protect against increasingly frequent and sophisticated cybersecurity threats,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a release. “Through these programs, our administration has undertaken a collaborative approach to equip state agencies and local communities with funding to help prevent, prepare for and recover from attacks on our digital infrastructure.”

Funding came from the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program offered to states by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Electrify Merrimac 2024 – Merrimac Light Department

Back by Popular demand. Last year Merrimac Light Department launched a new program to fund proposed electrical projects in Merrimac. The customers of Merrimac Light voted which projects should be funded. In an effort to make a more robust ballot of choices, we are expanding the program to any non-profit organization or municipal department to submit requests. Please go to this link for more information or submittal. Last year, there were two winners Senior Center and the Historical Museum. The ballot for selecting the 2024 Electrify Merrimac winners will be available during old home day on August 10 and until September 15th. Winners will be announced in October during our 120th Anniversary Safety Fair. Details to follow. Please feel free to either submit a proposal or share with your favorite non-profit. Thank you in advance for your submittals.

https://merrimaclight.com/electrify-merrimac-2024/

Town of Merrimac Shares Information on 2024 Annual Town Meeting

The Town of Merrimac shares the following information about the 2024 Annual Town Meeting and encourages all registered voters to take part in this uniquely New England form of democracy.

Town Meeting will convene on Monday, April 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of Sweetsir School, 102 Church St.

Voters will consider a 23-article warrant that includes budgeting for general operations of Merrimac’s town government, and advance programs and capital purchases approved by the Board of Selectmen, other boards and commissions, and the Town administration.

“On behalf of the Merrimac Select Board, I would like thank the Finance and Capital Planning Committees for their work during the last four months to present Town Meeting with a budget that meets the town’s needs within the Proposition 2 ½ requirements,” Select Board Chair Chris Manni said. “There are several important investments in public safety, assessing, and providing tax relief for our veterans. The
Select Board looks forward to a robust discussion and productive Town Meeting on April 29.”

Voters will be asked to approve appropriations from existing free cash to support a variety of projects, including:

  • Soil testing at the former Coastal Metals site
  • Water quality and weed management at Lake Attitash
  • Command vehicles for the Police and Fire Departments
  • Repairs to the Parks and Rec garage and Council on Aging building
  • A feasibility study for a new Highway Department garage
  • Repairs to the heating/ventilation/air conditioning system at Merrimac Public Library
  • Work to improve accessibility on town sidewalks and in Town Hall, to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Repair of asbestos tiles at the Donaghue School

Voters will also be asked to consider proposed FY2025 spending for town departments; a bylaw change to synchronize Finance Committee terms with the fiscal year; a bylaw change to prohibit town boards and commissions from meeting on an election day; and an increase to the current property tax abatement for veterans by 50 percent.

Interested voters may click the following links to find additional information: Town Meeting warrant, Finance Committee recommendationsCapital Planning Committee report.