[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",6146168,"mediaKeyId","5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9","parentId",5527951,"title","Merrimack council approves Boy Scout plan to install three Little Free lending libraries in town parks","audioSeconds",536,"startMs",176000,"endMs",712000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9&start=176&end=712","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9/thumbnail_176000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146168/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-council-approves-Boy-Scout-plan-to-install-three-Little-Free-lending-libraries-in-town-parks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146168-833e43c501dd25d707952d21841189bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575854&Signature=iLsjhdk6mCaIWABkdUvzAv3nEw8kskFzPoxvpE64Mu1x4-1QsCFRrAEQK7NMqa~sHjk5rtHacXpmLYPTFCm6bbf8XofXEGlXYns6POVZjSHZ4UUVw2aivM31sNjuNrX8rcU5vFw0dkEWZqPpheJfBqWU~TrsZo~k~7entbr6~QQ6pA9aRHJhYIT4aAEMw0ybssMvQ4q7aT1qg~-xPMhjH4BGkQUO33v9tlh95FzQFGbcwmDdUwuI91~eSbwu4VBOC~030c1bCzmyyiWz8we5C55GG9waatgqjEzdELzOnF2T6NDPrkWmEUArdoC0cnDTacHrN-wTRjMuuSi8h7dx~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Merrimack, NH","date","2025-08-05T04:02:57.337Z","article","Life Scout Ryan Marone presented his Eagle Scout project on April 24 and the Town Council voted 6-0 to approve the installation of three Little Free lending libraries in town parks.

\"My Eagle project is to construct 3 little lending libraries in Watson Park, Veterans Park, and Abbey Griffin Park,\" Ryan said. He described locations he recommends—near the Watson Park entry sign, two possible spots at Veterans Park (one across from a baseball field near bathrooms or near an electrical pole at an entry), and near the walkway by Town Hall at Abbey Griffin Park.

Ryan provided drawings and a materials list and said power tools would be used only by scouts age 14 and older and by adults, in accordance with Boy Scout safety guidelines. He presented a project budget of $436, which he told the council included a contingency and food and water for volunteers.

Installation details presented included setting each library post in a 2-foot hole, supporting posts with concrete (forming tube) and allowing concrete to set 24 hours before covering. Ryan said he had already received approvals from his troop committee and Parks and Recreation and that, if the council approved, he would proceed to the Eagle board. He said he and the United Way would maintain the boxes with periodic checks — \"I was thinking every couple months or so, like, every 2 months,\" he said.

Councilors and staff offered practical advice: a councilor suggested consulting the town library director for stocking and maintenance advice; a DPW representative warned that excavation at Watson Park should not exceed 2 feet and recommended working with DPW and calling DigSafe before digging near utilities. Councilors also suggested optimal placement at Veterans Park away from restrooms and closer to an electrical pole.

Action: The council approved a motion by Councilor Nancy Harrington, seconded by Councilor Jennifer Paul, to accept Ryan Marone's proposal; the vote was 6-0 in favor.

Ending: Ryan said he would begin fundraising (three bake sales) and hold three workdays if approvals are finalized; he will return to the Eagle board once the council approval is recorded.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council: April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Life Scout Ryan Marone of Troop 424 received council approval to build and install three Little Free Lending Libraries in Watson, Veterans and Abbey Griffin parks; the project is estimated to cost $436 and will be maintained by the scout and United Way.","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},6146174,"Merrimack parks committee outlines waterfront ADA work, camp growth and volunteer-led projects",1430,900000,2330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9&start=900&end=2330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9/thumbnail_900000.jpg","/articles/6146174/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-parks-committee-outlines-waterfront-ADA-work-camp-growth-and-volunteer-led-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146174-80a6c7182f1e6c98d15b54b7fae7efca/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575854&Signature=biSFjFuwI3TGFxnJlWzA7ik231oODLLe1CTVkZvVMY5u9LECxRJ-Wnr19b2HoiLrXvBHVAyy1TWfoCG-g5EoaWt1vklcPfei23bgLuueBSdbsZFBjuOvU8D8szh88dm86sgDqqz6LfJrJMDHAe7awxeYXH3eiJzXC-fJrPSp~BlP381pOODzv5x3yV9OLrIXXyhWJH9R8RTkaTm46axMrsDx5CH~BWJ8bLIf2QQ8q2g0LXjMrAgfhCwklzdjJ~1R-7efMWVwPIZVQMoNz-u4nndpC4nGW1rAIgFyFNLO5sfET6CUa-GetwMxEgBYEIpStuGMtxQgxzmX1Q1Sw9V8oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tracy McGraw, chair of the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Committee, presented the committee’s annual review to the Town Council on April 24, outlining ongoing projects, volunteer contributions and staffing needs for summer programs.

McGraw said the waterfront project is nearly finished but that the committee will seek an extension to complete the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements. \"We are trying to get the ADA portion of the waterfront done and we're going to file for an extension and get that done hopefully within the next year or 2,\" McGraw said.

She described other facilities and programs in regular operation: the tennis courts (striped and painted to accommodate pickleball), an active dog park that now attracts residents from neighboring communities, and multiple community events including a winter carnival, Easter egg hunt, summer concert series, Fourth of July celebration and holiday parade and tree lighting.

The committee reported several volunteer-led Eagle Scout projects: theater renovations at Wasserman by a Scout from Troop 10731 and a lean-to shelter in the dog park completed by a Courier from Troop 401. McGraw said the community garden will reopen and that Natakuk day camp registrations were higher than the previous year; she urged residents to apply for open camp-counselor, lifeguard and summer-maintenance positions (all must be at least 18 years old).

McGraw also highlighted organizational supports: local civic groups including the Lions Club, Rotary Club and Merrimack Friends and Family provide volunteers and fundraising. She praised Parks and Recreation Director Matt Kasparius, announcing that he received the Wink Tapley award for professional leadership in New Hampshire parks and recreation.

Councilors asked how the committee would complete ADA work and whether reservations or signage changes were needed for high-use areas. McGraw and Parks and Rec staff said Parks and Rec would coordinate with the Department of Public Works and will seek the required approvals before construction starts.

Ending: McGraw closed by thanking volunteers, department staff and the council for support and asked whether councilors had questions; none requested new action at that time.

","Tracy McGraw, chair of the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Committee, told the Town Council the committee will seek an extension to finish the ADA portion of the waterfront project, highlighted growing use of the dog park and summer programs, and announced director Matt Kasparius received the Wink Tapley award.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6146178,"Merrimack council adopts $2.06 million in cuts to meet default budget after April vote",2906,2730000,5636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9&start=2730&end=5636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527951-21927c12033eedc93e8672a4d58a05f9/thumbnail_2730000.jpg","/articles/6146178/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-council-adopts-206-million-in-cuts-to-meet-default-budget-after-April-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146178-73c27d574a85665db4ab9bb394f4c15c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575854&Signature=F3AWvywVL1DTKoUdARVEqkinIcHEoCMoONgbl8~fFlkXElNxOHzOBjR19Eg9hBKvtHqSLPbsSXGk~oC1OQIZzmuWl1OcHOKsTtNzYRbeu~zt99r-aYbIM1LpJJGAXS26eIQzj~ttQlIelVnUJQSAbVvEzdi343JOIWocAGr79FFeKI8XzRrpUZXnAnCCy1sZBokB6PUD-PoP3rC7vSZCW-x-3eDB-A5qQS7GaA~WtlJU-AktxI25pUMYgUnwRZOwzILa2s1~Z76cje1GlmPygMkspRzCIrU~YGWiH0dzvjIwSoaGZFrahqUj1DFycBwBpSq0Hh~3WEgIIVZJ8dAVmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Merrimack Town Council voted 6-0 on April 24 to adopt a package of budget adjustments proposed by the town manager that together reduce the council’s recommended 2025–26 appropriations by $2,055,003.74 and bring the town to the default budget of $40,808,242.

Town Manager Paul presented the proposed cuts after residents voted at the April 8 election to reject the council’s proposed budget and leave the town at the default level. \"The magic number for everybody to remember tonight is $2,055,003.74,\" Paul said in presenting the changes.

The proposal grouped reductions into four categories: self-supporting funds, capital projects, personnel changes and other operating costs. Major elements include deferred capital work (including a postponement of community-development master-plan work and pavement projects), targeted reductions to part-time hours across multiple departments, delayed hires and a reorganization in community development. Paul said the adjustments were developed with department heads over several multi-day meetings and that the cuts were intended to preserve full-time positions where possible.

Specific items the town manager identified in discussion included flatlining the library’s budget, delaying purchase of certain highway and equipment items, reducing part-time and summer-help hours, delaying some paving and community-development work (a cited $1,013,623 capital postponement), and adjusting overtime and hiring schedules in the police and fire departments. Paul also described $292,604 of adjustments tied to the wastewater/user-fee fund, including reduced part-time hours and a proposal to pre-purchase bulking agent for composting to save costs next year. He said the town must also begin to pay debt-service tied to a roughly $32,000,000 wastewater treatment bond next year.

Council members asked clarifying questions on paving, crossing-guard reductions and how the cuts would be communicated to residents. Councilor Nancy Harrington and Councilor Peter both praised department heads’ work in producing the plan; Councilor Jennifer Paul asked whether cuts to parade bands or other events had been considered. Paul, the town manager, said some items that might appear to be low-cost ‘‘easy’’ cuts — such as Thursday evening hours at the transfer station or certain event line items — were weighed against service and safety consequences.

The council’s action directs staff to implement the listed adjustments and submit the revised appropriation package to the DRA for the next budget cycle. \"I couldn't have done this without the support of my department heads,\" Paul said after the vote.

What the action means: the town will proceed in fiscal 2025–26 with the default appropriation of $40,808,242 and the line-item reductions described by the town manager. Council members and staff said they will prepare more public communications next fiscal year to explain where tax dollars are assigned and the trade-offs made in this round of cuts.

Ending: The council approved the town manager’s adjustments by voice vote, 6-0. Paul and department heads said they would return with any necessary follow-up changes if a line-item or capital situation requires further council action.

","After residents voted to adopt the default budget, the Merrimack Town Council voted 6-0 to accept the town manager’s proposed $2,055,003.74 in reductions and rework the fiscal 2025–26 budget to the default appropriation of $40,808,242.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Merrimack council approves Boy Scout plan to install three Little Free lending libraries in town parks

Merrimack parks committee outlines waterfront ADA work, camp growth and volunteer-led projects

Merrimack council adopts $2.06 million in cuts to meet default budget after April vote