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.