News

HYDRANT FLUSHING – THURSDAY 4/23

Today we will resume with the Wednesday schedule that got interrupted by water main breaks yesterday.

HARRIMAN, HIGHLAND, HANSOM AND LANDAU TODAY . LATE START: @10:00-2:00

Town of Merrimac, MA Town Seal

Town of Merrimac to Host Pre-Town Meeting Information Session Ahead of Annual Town Meeting

MERRIMAC – The Town of Merrimac will be hosting a pre-Town Meeting information session ahead of its annual Town Meeting on Monday, April 27, and encourages residents to learn more about the important issues facing the community.

The pre-Town Meeting informational session will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 2 School St. 

The purpose of this session is to share information on warrant articles, promote transparency and increase civic participation. Town officials will be present at the session to present details, explain budget impacts and answer any questions from residents. 

The annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. at Sweetsir School, 104 Church St.

Voters will consider 23 articles on the Town Warrant

  • Article 1: Appropriate funds from Free Cash for FY2026 for snow and ice deficit, Lake Attitash invasive weeds, OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) actuarial study, poll pad upgrade and replacement, OPEB trust funding, facility repairs for the Council on Aging, health insurance consultant, employee retirement funding, police patrol vehicle, tasers, ADA compliance for town sidewalks and public meetings, and asbestos tile repairs at Pentucket Regional Elementary Schools.
  • Article 2: Appropriate funds from Water Retained Earnings for FY2026 for water meter replacement, water infrastructure, Ford Maverick truck and planning development for interconnect with Haverhill.
  • Article 3: Appropriate funds from Water Retained Earnings for FY2026 for building and road maintenance at the Wallace Way Treatment Plant.
  • Article 4: Transfer funds from Wastewater Retained Earnings for FY2026 for various replacements and repairs. 
  • Article 5: Authorize the Select Board to enter lease agreement to procure tasers for the Police Department for a five-year period. 
  • Article 6: Transfer funds from Inspectional Services Resolving Account to Town General Fund for FY2026. 
  • Article 7: Appropriate funds for demolition of 28 School St. 
  • Article 8: Appropriate funds for IT server and upgrades at Fire Department, and transfer additional funds. 
  • Article 9: Appropriate funds for salary and compensation of all elected officers of the Town. 
  • Article 10: Raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to operate the Wastewater Department Enterprise for FY2027. 
  • Article 11: Raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to operate the Water Department Enterprise for FY2027. 
  • Article 12: Raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money from the Electric Light Operating Balance to be used by Assessors to reduce tax rate for FY2027. 
  • Article 13: Appropriate or otherwise provide funds to be expended under Cemetery Trustees for care, improvement and embellishment of cemeteries. 
  • Article 14: Raise and appropriate funds to make necessary repairs to town roadways.
  • Article 15: Accept State Grant of Chapter 90 Highway Funds and authorize Select Board to use said funds for highway purposes. 
  • Article 16: Raise and appropriate funds to be used for necessary tree maintenance. 
  • Article 17: Raise and appropriate funds for solid waste collection and disposal and recycling collection. 
  • Article 18: Amend Town of Merrimac General Bylaws Section “Authorized Revolving Funds” to add funds for Hazardous Waste Collections and Rent Control Board.
  • Article 19: Amend Town of Merrimac General Bylaws Sections 94-1, 94-3(A), 94-3(C) to change the start time of Town Meeting from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
  • Article 20: Vote to accept M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 100B.
  • Article 21: Affirm Notice of Landfill in accordance with 310 CMR 19,000. 
  • Article 22: Amend Merrimac Zoning Bylaw Zoning Map to include the MBTA Overlay District
  • Article 23: Authorize Merrimac Municipal Light Department to sell land and buildings located at 10 West Main St. 

The Capital Planning Committee and the Finance Committee will also each present their FY2027 recommendations. 

SPRING HYDRANT FLUSHING SCHEDULE -START DATE WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH

The Town of Merrimac will begin flushing the town’s water system on

April 15th, 2026 and will continue for two weeks, or when complete. Flushing will take place between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 11 P.M., Sunday through Thursday nights, weather permitting. We will also flush during the day from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Please check the schedule.

Hydrant flushing helps ensure water quality and removes sediment in the water main. It also verifies ample water flow for firefighting. Low water pressure, discolored/milky water, air in pipes and at times, no water, may be experienced during flushing. When flushing in your area do not use your water to prevent it getting pulled into your home. When flushing is complete in your area, or in the morning, running your cold and hot water faucets for 5-10 minutes should alleviate this problem.

Thank you for your patience,

MERRIMAC WATER DEPARTMENT

978-346-8407

tjourneay@townofmerrimac.com

DROUGHT STATUS UPDATE – LEVEL 1 Mild Drought

“Spring has brought much-needed snow melt, rain and relief to Massachusetts. While that’s a positive step, we are still recovering from a prolonged drought,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As the growing season starts, it is important that we all be conscious of both our indoor and outdoor water use and continue to follow state guidance and local water restrictions.”  

The current drought, which began in 2024, has had impacts on the natural environment and declining groundwater but with recent increases in precipitation and snow melt, drought indices are improving all around. Although local water supplies are currently stable, as the drought continues to persist and with the growing season and higher water demand season is before us, it is prudent for all to continue to be very conservative and save water whenever possible.  

Under the Level 1 Water Use Restriction:

Our Water Management Act permit defines the following:

Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:

  • NO MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK: irrigation of lawns via sprinkler or automatic irrigation systems;
  • NO MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK: washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and
  • NO MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK: washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks except as necessary to apply surface treatment such as paint, preservatives, stucco, cement or pavement. 
  • YES: NO MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK: Watering ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand hold hose or watering cans may be permitted during non-peak hours (after 5 pm and before 9 am)

Water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:

  • for health or safety reasons;
  • by regulation;
  • for production of food and fiber;
  • for the maintenance of livestock; or
  •  to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation of a golf course as necessary to maintain tees, greens, and limited fairway watering, or irrigation by a plant nursery to maintain stock).

Merrimac’s 150th Birthday Celebration

Join the Merrimac Light Department for a birthday bash to celebrate Merrimac’s 150th Anniversary! April 11th, 2026, 6PM-8PM at Town Hall. Followed by the Town Hall Clock Tower lighting!

Job Opportunity- Highway Junior Equipment Operator/Laborer

Town of Merrimac seeks qualified candidates for full time (40hr/wk) Highway Junior Equipment Operator/Laborer at $27.42/hour for the DPW. Responsibilities include: general road maintenance, catch basin install & repair, snow plowing, removal and sanding. Minimum Qualifications Class B CDL & Medical Certificate.

Click here for full job posting and application.

Submit resume and application to Alyssa Sexton, asexton@townofmerrimac.com.