The report is an annual publication in response to customers’ need to know more about their drinking water. It contains information about where our drinking water comes from, what contaminants, if any, were detected during the last calendar year and any related health effects.
Monday, May 4, 2026 Merrimac Public Library, 86 West Main Street 7am-8pm
*Nomination Papers available through the Town Clerks Office until Friday, March 6, 2026 *Last Day to Register to Vote for Election Friday, April 25, 2026
MassDOT will host a live, in-person public information meeting to provide community members with an opportunity to become fully acquainted with the construction phase of the replacement of the Private First Class Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge which carries State Route 125, locally Bridge Street over the Merrimac River and the Bradford Rail Trail between downtown Haverhill and the Bradford neighborhood. At the meeting, MassDOT will present construction timing and phasing, measures to help the project be a good neighbor, and developments to the bridge’s appearance that have come through the design-build process. The bridge’s overall look continues to reflect what was developed through a robust public process with the Haverhill community including arches, a central overlook with lighted beacons, and the reuse of the existing ridge’s tower roofs in the Bradford Rail Trail Park, however, the main structural material will be steel, instead of concrete, providing greater constructability and more open sight lines.
How will this affect you?
The proposed project includes the full replacement of the Basiliere Bridge. Staged construction will be used to generally maintain one travel lane going towards Bradford and one lane going towards downtown Haverhill as well as one sidewalk. Night and weekend closures of the bridge with detours may be needed at times to ensure public safety. MassDOT encourages all interested members of the community to attend and learn more about this project.
When
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026
6:00PM
Where
PINNACLE AT HARBOR PLACE
2 MERRIMACK STREET, 3rd FLOOR
HAVERHILL MA 01830
To ensure its meetings are accessible, MassDOT reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services. To request such services, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer at 857-368-8580 or MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. For adequate time to process such request, please make them as early as possible, ideally 10-15 days prior to the event.
Project inquiries may also be emailed to massdotmajorprojects@dot.state.ma.us. Please submit any written statements regarding the proposed undertaking to: Carrie A. Lavallee, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: BRIDGE SECTION PROJECT FILE NO. 605304
“Even with winter weather, several regions in our state are facing below-average precipitation,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “To avoid overtaxing our water systems, we must prioritize indoor water conservation. It’s essential that everyone follows state guidance and local water restrictions to ensure our drinking water stays available for everyone.”
Change your water habits
It takes only a shift in mindset to change your water habits.
In the Bathroom
Don’t run the water while you’re brushing your teeth. Wet your toothbrush and then turn the faucet off until you’re ready to rinse.
Don’t run the water while you’re shaving, either. Fill a small glass with water and just rinse your razor as needed
Extra measures during droughts and dry spells
If it takes awhile for your shower to warm up, put a bucket in to catch the water before you get in. Then use that water for house plants, cleaning floors or hand-washing sweaters or delicates.
In the Kitchen
Instead of letting the water run while washing veggies and fruits, just fill a bowl, dunk them in and wipe them dry
Hand-washing the dishes uses more water than a dishwasher. If you do hand-wash, don’t run the water – fill a large bowl, add water and wash your plates and utensils. Then dump the bowl and fill it with clean water to give them a quick rinse.
If you use a dishwasher, wait until it’s full before you run it.
Chill a pitcher or bottle of water in the fridge instead of letting the water run until it gets cold each time you need a drink.
In the laundry room
Wait until you have a full load of laundry. Don’t wash just a pair of jeans or just a couple of shirts.
Set the load setting (small, medium, large) to match the amount of laundry you’re putting in.
The average American family washes about 300 loads of
MERRIMAC — The Town of Merrimac, Department of Public Works, and Select Board Chair Christopher Manni are pleased to share that Merrimac has been awarded three grants totaling $1,365,000 by the Commonwealth’s Community One Stop Grant Program.
The Community One Stop Grant Program, which was created in 2021 to help cities and towns across the state improve infrastructure and road transit safety, has granted 306 of the state’s 351 municipalities over 1,500 awards totaling more than $750 million.
Merrimac has received at least one grant from the program in each year of its operation. You can find information on grants awarded to the town on its grant page here.
The first of the awards is a $50,000 grant as part of the Real Estate Services Technical Assistance Program to support the Coastal Metals Site Readiness project. Merrimac will use the funding to develop concept plans for affordable housing areas at two locations in town, 2 Littles Court, a former planting facility, and 28 School St., the former location of the Town’s Senior Center. The Town owns both properties and intends to sell them together for affordable housing development.
The second and third grants of $1 million and $350,000 will be used to improve infrastructure around town.
The $1 million grant, awarded as part of the MassWorks program, will be used by the Town to replace the failed Mill Street culvert over Cobblers Brook and reopen the portion of Mill Street to reconnect to the Town’s wastewater treatment facility and light and power department. The Town will construct a new bridge approximately 100 feet north of the existing bridge, while the existing culvert will be removed.
The $315,000 grant, awarded as part of the Rural Development Fund, will be utilized by the Town to replace a six-inch water main at the intersection of Liberty Street and Mechanic Street with a larger eight inch water main. The increase in size will allow for enhanced water flow and better quality for an area of town that is anticipated to have substantial growth and demand for water supply in the coming years.
“The Town of Merrimac will benefit greatly from this funding, which will allow for necessary upgrades to our infrastructure, and will allow us to start the planning process for creating affordable housing opportunities in Merrimac,” said Select Board Chair Manni. “We would like to thank Robert Sinibaldi, DPW Director, Denise McClure, Town Planner and Alyssa Sexton, Administrative Coordinator, as well as the Healey-Driscoll Administration for its support in these projects.”
At Fall Town Meeting October 2024 a by-law was passed to have the following amended:
Any person with a privately-owned well should be aware that it is likely the well has the same or a similar water source as the Public Water System. This means that it is important for persons with privately-owned wells to also be efficient and mindful when it comes to water use. Any water conservation measures recommend for the customers to follow would be extra beneficial to the water supply, if persons who have privately-owned wells considered following the recommendations as well. This is extra important during times of drought.
The Attorney General has certified this to now be part of the Town’s General By-Laws. Article XVIII, Water Use.
The Town of Merrimac is thrilled to announce the Merrimac 150th Celebration Committee.
The new committee serves as the planning and coordination group responsible for the Town’s 150th anniversary celebration.
Join neighbors, friends, and visitors for a year-long celebration filled with history, fostering community, and fun. Together, we will honor our past, showcase the Merrimac of today, and create lasting memories of our future.
To kick off the celebration, the committee will host a Town-wide Photo and Duck Drop Raffle held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Donaghue Field. (Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 19) which will be sponsored by Bucciarelli’s Coffee Shop & Deli. For more information about this event and how you can contribute to the celebration, please visit the Committee’s official website: merrimac150.org
Did you know that all rental units in Merrimac must be inspected prior to renting? You can find the regulations on the town website, under Documents, Board of Health, Regulations: https://townofmerrimac.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Regulations-Governing-Certification-of-Rental-Dwellings-and-Rooming-Units-in-Merrimac.pdf
Rental Inspection application forms can also be found on the town website under Documents, Board of Health, Applications: https://townofmerrimac.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rental-Inspection-Application-1.pdf
Still have questions? Contact the Board of Health at 978-346-4066 or BOH@townofmerrimac.com
