Planning Board
Meetings
- 3rd Tuesday of the Month @ 7:00 P.M. (Other meetings as posted)
- Town Hall, Sargent Auditorium (Upper Level)
- 2 School Street
- Merrimac, MA 01860
- Unless otherwise posted.
Master Plan Update
Merrimac is updating its town-wide Master Plan for the first time since 2002 . A Master Plan is a long-term plan that lasts for 10 to 15 years. The plan will examine existing conditions in Merrimac across several topic areas such as economic development, transportation, and natural resources, among others. The plan will also include an overarching vision statement and set of goals developed in cooperation with members of the Merrimac community, as well as recommended actions designed to help the Town meet those goals. The public is invited to participate in the yearlong planning process and help shape Merrimac’s future by providing your input.
Community Meetings were held on November 15th and May 15th, where attendees saw a presentations of work to date then broke out in small groups to brainstorm idea for the Master Plan’s Goals and Objectives. A survey was also widely distributed, yielding about 500 responses.
Master Plan Documents
- Community Meeting November 15th, 2023 Slides
- Community Meeting May 15th, 2024 Slides
- Survey Full Results February 2024
- DRAFT Master Plan (Latest Version September 17th, 2024)
- FINAL Master Plan (December 4th, 2024)
2002 Master Plan
Cannabis Social Equity
Permitting Process:
The Planning Board is the Department for marijuana permitting in the Town of Merrimac and can assist applicants in obtaining additional information about the applications and procedures below.
1. Host Community Agreement – Contact the Select Board to inquire about a Host Community Agreement. If available, you may apply by submitting a one-page summary of the request that includes the Company name, ownership information, proposed location of the facility, description of the building, type of facility and any proof of social equity or economic empowerment applicant status (please see Policy for more details on types of applicants given priority consideration).
2. Before requesting a host community agreement with the Town, the Applicant should consider the Town’s zoning requirements to determine whether the proposed location is suitable for the facility. To determine location eligibility, please review the Merrimac Zoning Map and Marijuana Zoning Bylaws.
3. If you are awarded an HCA with the Town, you will be required to fill out the following applications, which will require notice to abutters and a public hearing; Application for Special Permit and Application for Site Plan Review.
4. Once all other approvals have been granted, you will be required to apply for a building permit.
