[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6090218,"mediaKeyId","2868575-04e7ad871d8ea25510180099ff5e6ab1","parentId",2868575,"title","Town Council approves Girl Scout troop plan to plant two trees at Frasier Square","audioSeconds",320,"startMs",336000,"endMs",656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2868575-04e7ad871d8ea25510180099ff5e6ab1&start=336&end=656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2868575-04e7ad871d8ea25510180099ff5e6ab1/thumbnail_336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6090218/New-Hampshire/Town-Council-approves-Girl-Scout-troop-plan-to-plant-two-trees-at-Frasier-Square","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6090218-eb0834c5dd0468e741f1276e2c782ad6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969596&Signature=Bn4PwpDwcqstFH0eBySkdN2GNfEsfJySAYdIxIXjwWnntqdSN7XEjZ4tlwtHGYYojknqh5V3M7zKA1DQMBQINFIQoxPNFEzNxmua4M-r-SMJd1mGyc-a2aGovb0nh9vvO68F~cJ92IwdMbn8u8XWR9YhUNxKGcFNtKe1u0Co2q4JvzRbAKv287EZ2ZJRGq-SN5rKckas3Btoaupe8SqOsqbf1fgpUbe2EmlHGD2ElIshlK9X2EThne3c32dgY5I31UFCD3CrjHX7ADMNSSsFvWUyJcThQDa80u52YAbelnR99U-J1u3yD25ud52qpmAxn8i1ufRwBWCfwYvJ0oz3rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Merrimack, NH","date","2025-04-04T00:54:06.577Z","article","The Merrimack Town Council on March 27 approved a request from Girl Scout Troop 62031 to plant two ornamental trees in Frasier Square.

The troop's presentation described plans to plant a Harvester peach and a Centennial Star magnolia, both chosen because they remain relatively small (under about 15 feet tall and wide) and are hardy in USDA Zone 5. The girls said the trees were intended to increase shade and habitat for birds, improve aesthetics, and contribute to local climate resilience.

Councilors asked about placement and logistics; the troop said one tree would be by an existing bench in the square and the other toward the edge along Railroad Avenue near the flower shop. Town staff confirmed the trees are in small containers (two-quart) and that the troop had coordinated with Laurie from the Department of Public Works on placement and a planting date. Councilor Nancy Murphy moved to approve the project and authorized the town manager to sign documents as necessary; the motion passed by voice vote.

The council and staff said they anticipate the planting will occur on a weekend so the Girl Scouts will not miss school; DPW will coordinate placement and provide oversight if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council: March 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Girl Scout Troop 62031 received council approval to plant two small ornamental trees at Frasier Square as part of a climate/climate-change badge project.","taxTitle","Merrimack Town Council, Merrimack, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire","taxId",70551,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6090223,"Town staff warns voters: affidavits no longer allowed and new ballot-processing machines to debut April 8",122,84000,206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2868575-04e7ad871d8ea25510180099ff5e6ab1&start=84&end=206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2868575-04e7ad871d8ea25510180099ff5e6ab1/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6090223/New-Hampshire/Town-staff-warns-voters-affidavits-no-longer-allowed-and-new-ballot-processing-machines-to-debut-April-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6090223-6b1472f2c638942b6059f48ff64cd5a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969596&Signature=QPc4FkrKL28XAJgEbYwl76fNcuz2gLoBalizmEWpt8SRNO4l-EmettpHtQCkQ41WHJGx9Ei7B4zn71X5Gw6jKegwAd2OfmeZFyIuv9BuR0ChmLrVg7wZtmfCBgHR4UPpdVXbQqC7Ab-VH12TNCOPXrtOoOIGtV8NptEZmT3PfYRzmQZJT30M82m7X3O4F4j1ILIrlxGPsMvbazmf1XNznO55k8fbBbgaU1uRZ5WYeZoDG5SlkKbcjBkFBdxHsIN9WotDioxz~IFaTeZkZcuU0YbskjFLbtW~QTSDZ~5jPTRRoTZU~2Hc7bwrC~D-s2MPQycoTNPZfCGubBMtJDGD0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the March 27 Merrimack Town Council that a state-level change that took effect Nov. 11, 2024 ends the use of affidavits for same-day voter registration. Under the new rules, anyone registering at the town clerk's office or at the polls on election day must present documentary proof of age and citizenship (examples cited: birth certificate, naturalization papers, U.S. passport) and a photo ID. Change-of-name documents such as marriage certificates or driver's licenses and proof of domicile (lease or utility bill) were listed as acceptable supporting documents.

Town staff warned that without the required documents registrants will be asked to obtain them and return; they will not be allowed to vote using the former affidavit process. The council asked staff to circulate a clear guidance memo to councilors about handling situations where a voter refuses to show ID; staff said they would follow up with a written answer.

On election procedures, staff said new ballot-processing machines will be used at the April 8 town election and that poll workers were trained on their use. Poll workers are not permitted to handle a voter's ballot; voters must feed their own ballot through the machine and are instructed to ensure the ballot fully enters the device. Town staff encouraged voters to watch that their ballot is fully inserted so it is collected by the tabulator.","Town staff told the council that same-day voter registration now requires documentary proof of age/citizenship and photo ID; new ballot-processing machines will be in use for the April 8 election.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":80,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":83,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6090228,"Votes at a glance: Council approves equipment purchases, road acceptance and personnel changes",2062,2146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2868575-04e7ad871d8ea25510180099ff5e6ab1&start=84&end=2146","/articles/6090228/New-Hampshire/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-equipment-purchases-road-acceptance-and-personnel-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6090228-4169546321feeb50a3709f146c11da92/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969596&Signature=LV96oOZRUMo~VavrXkqpqqMV8IUvxJmUWCuaqIzQQ7obEz9ojHc3Qltqk-PUFocT3uZOEWQiCLQttjwCU2WKtHwFafX85sagxJ7CrR98g-mJplpyEOMIUs5U09cl2w4fzTG7ZYg9T4Tazv57v1T1cTunY9DW097h3s11I1qwjxmY905j-jzlCXO6Y0ZBDQg8DaOYiOTmbJW0u7c7JwsUgmK37ojukxFfGaAMdg0A-5miqvpmnx7KGZQXZi8gMSkTnC2tNhPqmTclIZZCwLv1BdY8yo073MoZUQi0bTijzbtmh1hAaS8KR2jBTKizHdAUT~fHEi-I-tE6k4-EXp~P5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Merrimack Town Council on March 27 approved a series of motions ranging from capital reserve withdrawals for emergency equipment to acceptance of a newly constructed subdivision road, and moved proposed changes to the town's elderly tax-exemption schedule to public hearing.

Votes at a glance

- Girl Scout tree-planting project: Motion to approve the Girl Scout Troop 62031 request to plant two trees in Frasier Square and authorize the town manager to sign any related paperwork. Motion by Nancy Murphy; second by Mackenzie. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

- Resignation of Mark Williams (Planning Board): Motion to accept the resignation and issue a certificate of appreciation. Motion by Nancy Harrington; second by Jennifer. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: accepted.

- Appointments to committees (Heritage Commission alternate, Planning Board full member, Town Center Committee): Motion to approve presented appointments. Motion by Andy; seconded by Jennifer. Vote recorded as: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0 (one councilor temporarily absent). Outcome: approved.

- Withdrawal from Ambulance Capital Reserve Fund: Motion to approve withdrawal of $31,000 to cover increased product/manufacturing costs for an ambulance ordered ~2.5 years earlier, and authorize necessary signatures. Motion by (councilor); second. Vote recorded as: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0 (one councilor stepped out). Outcome: approved.

- Acceptance of Whitetail Ridge (road acceptance, easements, fire cistern): Motion to accept the road, associated sidewalk/slope/drainage easements, and fire cistern, and authorize the town manager to sign related documents. Motion by Nancy Harrington; second by Andy. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

- Withdrawal from Computer Capital Reserve Fund: Motion to withdraw $26,571.30 for replacement of server infrastructure approaching end of warranty; authorize town manager to sign. Motion by (councilor); second. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

- Ambulance equipment (cardiac monitors): Motion to withdraw up to $218,000 from ambulance equipment capital reserve fund to buy three new cardiac monitors, refurbish two older monitors, purchase mounts and training, and authorize town manager to sign. Motion by (councilor); second. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

- Fire equipment (thermal imaging cameras): Motion to withdraw up to $25,000 from fire equipment capital reserve fund to buy three larger thermal-imaging units and eight personal imagers plus mounts, and authorize town manager to sign. Motion by Nancy Murphy; seconded by Jennifer. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

- Personnel policy manual update (comprehensive rewrite and pay plan adjustments): Motion to adopt the updated personnel policy manual (including clarified ADA/pregnancy accommodations, payroll deductions language, call-in pay change, new paid military leave language, transition of personal-leave accruals to fiscal-year timing, a special-award day, and associated appendices). Motion by Nancy Harrington; second by Jennifer. Vote recorded as: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0 (one councilor absence recorded in roll). Outcome: approved.

- Elderly-exemption adjustments: Motion to move proposed changes to Merrimack Town Code Chapter 178 (elderly exemptions) to public hearing and to make any adopted changes retroactive to April 1, 2025. Motion by Nancy Harrington; second by Nancy Murphy. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: moved to public hearing; council directed staff to publish hearing notice.

- Rotary Club project at Wasserman Park (ten changing stalls in junior camp cabin): Motion to approve the Rotary Club of Merrimack's proposed project to build 10 individual changing stalls in the junior camp cabin at Wasserman Park. Motion by Michelle Mackenzie; second by Nancy Harrington. Vote recorded as: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

- Minutes approvals (Feb. 27 as amended; March 12 special session): Motions to approve minutes passed (Feb. 27 approved as amended; March 12 special session approved). Vote tallies recorded in the minutes (Feb. 27: yes 5, no 0, abstain 1; March 12 special: yes 6, no 0, abstain 0). Outcome: approved.

Notes: vote tallies and mover/second attributions are taken from the meeting transcript and reflect council roll calls and spoken tallies recorded during the March 27 meeting.","At its March 27 meeting the Merrimack Town Council approved multiple capital withdrawals and administrative actions, accepted a subdivision road, and advanced a tax-exemption change to public hearing. Key vote tallies and motions are listed below.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town Council approves Girl Scout troop plan to plant two trees at Frasier Square

Town staff warns voters: affidavits no longer allowed and new ballot-processing machines to debut April 8

Votes at a glance: Council approves equipment purchases, road acceptance and personnel changes