Our Water Management Act permit defines the following:
Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictionsinclude:
irrigation of lawns via sprinkler or automatic irrigation systems;
filling of swimming pools;
washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and
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.
No establishing new lawns regardless of the time of year until ban is removed.
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).
This conservation measure will be strictly enforced. Violators will be issued a written warning for the first offense. A second offense will be fined $50.00 and $100 for each subsequent offense.
Please call the office with any questions or concerns…978-346-8407
Pedestrian improvements on Locust Street begin May 26th. Please use caution and avoid the area if possible. Work will take place from West Main Street to Green Street, which includes repaving, installation of vertical granite curbing, replacement of sidewalks, pavement markings including shared bike and drive lanes, transition to a shared used path sidewalk for bikes and pedestrians, signage, crosswalk and curb cuts at intersections. This project is funded through a MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program grant.
Any questions please reach out to the Highway Department, asexton@townofmerrimac.com.
The Merrimac Board of Health will be holding a Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, June 27th, 2026 from 8 AM to 12 PM. The event will be held at the Sweetsir School located at 104 Church St. The event will be held rain or shine, and contractors are not able to use this event to dispose of materials.
This even is open to residents of Merrimac, Groveland, West Newbury, Amesbury, Rowley, Georgetown and Newbury ONLY; all other residents will be turned away.
Residents are allowed to bring oil-based paints (not latex paint), varnishes, pesticides, pool chemicals, gasoline, and other household hazardous chemicals. Residents should expect to be charged by the size of the container, not the approximation of the chemicals remaining in the container. Cash and checks (made payable to the Town of Merrimac) will be accepted. No credit cards.
What Hazardous Products Can I Bring?
General Household Materials
Acids (corrosives)
Aerosol cans (excluding empty cans)
Art supplies
Batteries – Alkaline batteries manufactured before 1994 and all NiCad, button, zinc, and lithium batteries
The Town of Merrimac awards Robert ‘Bob’ Eastman, who turns 102 on Saturday, May 9, with the Boston Post Cane, in recognition of being the oldest resident of Merrimac. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
Community members and family gather to wish Bob Eastman a happy 102nd birthday. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
Town of Merrimac Council on Aging Director Brienne Walsh presents Bob Eastman, who turns 102 on Saturday, with the commemorative Boston Post Cane signifying Bob as the oldest living resident in Merrimac. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
Bob with his granddaughter, Donna Kolifrath after reciving the Boston Post Cane recognition. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
Merrimac Select Board Clerk Janet Bruno presents Bob with a certificate for being the oldest living resident in Merrimac during a ceremony on Friday. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
Community members and family gather to wish Bob Eastman a happy 102nd birthday. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
Representative from State Representative Dawne Shand’s (D-Newburyport) Office, awarding Bob Eastman with state recognition for being the oldest resident of Merrimac. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac)
MERRIMAC — In 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games were held, and the Ford Motor Company manufactured the first Model T vehicle. It was also the year that the U.S. Army Air Service carried out the first round-the-world flight.
1924 is also the year that Robert “Bob” Eastman was born.
Bob, who was born and raised in Haverhill but has lived in Merrimac since 1962, is the Town’s oldest resident. He turned 102 on Saturday, May 9.
He served in the Coast Guard from August 1942 to November 1945 during World War II. During his time in the Coast Guard, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Wakefield, a transport ship, and spent the majority of his time off the coasts of Europe and Africa. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard at the rank of Seaman 1st Class.
Bob resides at MerriVillage. He and his late wife were parents to five children, one of whom has passed away. They are also grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents to many.
When Bob turned 100, his family wanted to commemorate the special occasion with a party. But after a brief time in the hospital, the party had to be canceled. However, Merrimac residents, friends, and neighbors joined forces to make sure Bob was properly celebrated. A parade of public safety personnel, town officials, state representatives, local community partners, veterans alliances, students, and more came to wish Bob a very happy birthday.
This year, to celebrate Bob’s 102nd birthday, he is being recognized on a larger scale. On Friday, May 8, Bob was presented with the Boston Post Cane. The cane recognizes the lives of the oldest residents in communities across New England. This is a long-standing tradition that began in 1909.
During the event, held at his home in Merrimac, Bob was presented with the cane and a certificate of recognition from the Merrimac Select Board and a certificate from state Rep. Dawne Shand.
While it was a bit too cold for Bob, who sat at his door waving to onlookers, the cool breeze didn’t stop his friends, family, and community members from stopping by to drop off cards and shake his hand to celebrate his birthday.
Bob’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, community members, including officers from the Police Department, Select Board, the Senior Center, and the Veterans Alliance, were in attendance.
When asked how it feels to be 102, Bob’s response was, “I feel normal. It’s just nice to see all of the people. I didn’t know we had that many friends.”
“This is just such a great accomplishment and recognition for him. I think he has a few more years left in him”, said Bob’s granddaughter, Donna Kolifrath. “It is truly amazing to see him still so independent, living on his own, cooking his own meals. He’s just amazing. He’s just my hero in every sense.”
“The Merrimac COA was honored to celebrate not only Bob Eastman’s 102nd birthday but also his place as the ‘Oldest Living Resident’ of Merrimac. Not many residents receive the Boston Post Cane, and being able to bring this momentous and long-standing tradition to Bob’s door was a wonderful way to commemorate his place in Merrimac history,” said COA Director Brienne Walsh. “Bob is a testament to aging in place in his community with supportive resources and family assistance, and I am thrilled to have been able to participate in a wonderful morning with Bob, his family, friends, and neighbors.”
The ongoing question Bob got throughout the day was ‘how do you make it to 102 years old’, to which Bob replied, “Keep moving… and whiskey.”
About the Boston Post Cane
The Boston Post Cane originated in 1909. The Boston Post newspaper distributed about 700 canes throughout New England so that towns could recognize their oldest resident in a ceremony.
The cane is topped with a 14-karat gold head with the inscription, “Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of (name of town) — To Be Transmitted.”
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.
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!
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.
The Merrimac Affordable Housing Board of Trustees is seeking proposals to develop and operate the Merrimac Rental Assistance Program. The program will assist eligible households with upfront costs when entering into new rental agreements. See full request for proposals here.
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.
