As Massachusetts experiences extreme heat this week, the Town of Merrimac encourages residents to take precautions to stay safe.
Staying properly hydrated is one of the most important ways to prevent heat-related illness. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration. Instead, drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you are sweating heavily, consider replenishing electrolytes with a sports drink.
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat-related illness, which can become life-threatening if left untreated. Check in on family members, friends and neighbors, especially older adults, young children and those with chronic medical conditions.
If someone experiences symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, a very high body temperature, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin, or excessive sweating, call 911 immediately and stay with them until help arrives.
During periods of extreme heat, fans alone may not be enough to prevent heat-related illness. Take cool showers or baths when possible and spend time in an air-conditioned location. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider visiting a cooling center, public library, shopping mall or another air-conditioned public building.
Stay indoors when possible, and limit exercise and outdoor activities to the mornings and evenings. If you must be outside, be sure to hydrate, rest often in the shade, use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
MERRIMAC – The Town of Merrimac and Health Agent Debbie Ketchen advise residents not to swim in the Merrimack River due to an incident in Haverhill that led to a discharge of untreated wastewater into the river.
On Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, the City of Haverhill identified two breaks in sewer mains near its main pumping stations and confirmed that there was an ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater going into the Merrimack River.
As a result of the discharge of untreated wastewater, Health Agent Ketchen strongly urges residents not to swim or allow pets in the Merrimack River.
While the Town of Merrimac has no public access points to the Merrimack River, a number of private residents do.
Several surrounding towns that offer public access points, including Newburyport, Ipswich, and Newbury, have closed their beaches to swimming. These closures will remain in place until regular testing indicates the water is safe to swim in.
Swimming in bacteria-contaminated water poses serious health risks. Exposure can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatological, eye, and ear symptoms, and in some cases, more serious illnesses. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
The Town urges residents to obey all posted signage if they travel to any beaches in the surrounding area.
While this untreated sewage discharge impacts the Merrimack River and downstream points, there is no impact to the town’s potable water sources. Merrimac’s potable water is drawn from wells, and town water customers can remain confident in the quality and safety of the drinking water.
The Merrimac Public Library is in the process of developing a strategic plan, aimed at providing the very best service to our community. A critical component of the process is gathering information and ideas from the community members to establish priorities and create goals for the library. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and they are due by August 3, 2026. Thank you for your participation.
MERRIMAC – The Town of Merrimac Select Board shares that the Mill Street bridge replacement project has been fully funded through grants and that the project is set to move forward this fall.
💧 Why are we still in a drought despite recent rainfall?
The North Shore remains in a Level 3 Drought. While recent rain has helped, months of below-average precipitation have left groundwater levels below normal. Because groundwater helps replenish streams, wetlands, and drinking water reservoirs, recovery can take weeks or even months.
Swipe through to learn why drought recovery takes time and how you can help conserve water at home.
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.”
