Town of Merrimac Shares Information on 2024 Annual Town Meeting

The Town of Merrimac shares the following information about the 2024 Annual Town Meeting and encourages all registered voters to take part in this uniquely New England form of democracy.

Town Meeting will convene on Monday, April 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of Sweetsir School, 102 Church St.

Voters will consider a 23-article warrant that includes budgeting for general operations of Merrimac’s town government, and advance programs and capital purchases approved by the Board of Selectmen, other boards and commissions, and the Town administration.

“On behalf of the Merrimac Select Board, I would like thank the Finance and Capital Planning Committees for their work during the last four months to present Town Meeting with a budget that meets the town’s needs within the Proposition 2 ½ requirements,” Select Board Chair Chris Manni said. “There are several important investments in public safety, assessing, and providing tax relief for our veterans. The
Select Board looks forward to a robust discussion and productive Town Meeting on April 29.”

Voters will be asked to approve appropriations from existing free cash to support a variety of projects, including:

• Soil testing at the former Coastal Metals site
• Water quality and weed management at Lake Attitash
• Command vehicles for the Police and Fire Departments
• Repairs to the Parks and Rec garage and Council on Aging building
• A feasibility study for a new Highway Department garage
• Repairs to the heating/ventilation/air conditioning system at Merrimac Public Library
• Work to improve accessibility on town sidewalks and in Town Hall, to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Repair of asbestos tiles at the Donaghue School

Voters will also be asked to consider proposed FY2025 spending for town departments; a bylaw change to synchronize Finance Committee terms with the fiscal year; a bylaw change to prohibit town boards and commissions from meeting on an election day; and an increase to the current property tax abatement for veterans by 50 percent.

Interested voters may click the following links to find additional information: Town Meeting warrant, Finance Committee recommendations, Capital Planning Committee report.