[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6145270,"mediaKeyId","5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f","parentId",5532993,"title","Resident criticizes rising property taxes; town manager says Merrimack Premium Outlets equity case awaits signed judgment","audioSeconds",970,"startMs",163000,"endMs",1133000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f&start=163&end=1133","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f/thumbnail_163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145270/New-Hampshire/Resident-criticizes-rising-property-taxes-town-manager-says-Merrimack-Premium-Outlets-equity-case-awaits-signed-judgment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145270-e13a667099abcbf46a491c65f6e36b6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773621946&Signature=lOk8offAgrjZbRlT707r6qx1ikIfObLWRVk0Kudymx7-8PjuUCgCGM8R2EoiLR6ad4BL9flemNBCc9OnvF4ORGT1IdgI0zI1hd33hFP1~amUrAaSo5HEvYGFkoGYaJAlzlWlqCPYeA85~LS7nV8zFqpw6xlIJaAystiTdegNvAlY5Zd2MgBEGB0HqmIFJVy6KlWyecU-HVjetIsLD4957Bz0XaYx6zMMTYhiXRU~TvRGFRZnp~HbyFCDrBRq3EFP6MErPf3oyOaCIQUUbpeMUagFCwTgge4pkdcwS9isHbc7PtqfPb1tninmhsugBcHpc6-xMGjv4CRsNtdB52aC3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Merrimack, NH","date","2025-08-05T15:42:30Z","article","During public comment at the May 8 Merrimack Town Council meeting, resident Michael (Mike) Malzone of 80s Chamberlain Road criticized rising property taxes, expressed frustration about local development and land‑use changes, and urged the council to prioritize fiscal restraint. Later in the meeting the town manager reported the town is awaiting a signed judgment in an equity/assessment court case involving Merrimack Premium Outlets.
Michael Malzone told the council he has watched his property taxes rise substantially and said, “My property taxes have gone up $3,000 in 3 years.” He criticized conversions of commercial parcels and questioned whether the town is getting value for residents’ tax dollars. Malzone also referenced a lawsuit related to “the malls of Merrimack,” saying, “we lost the lawsuit with the, malls of Merrimack,” and urged the council to “fiscally watch what’s going on.”
In the town manager’s report staff clarified the legal status: the town is waiting on a signed judgment in the Merrimack Premium Outlets (MPO) case and will bring details to the council when the judgment is received. The manager described the legal basis as an equity/assessment case and said the matter rests on statutory language changed in February 2020, when two words—“errors and omissions”—were reinserted into the law; the presenter said the ruling was based on those words being restored. The transcribed update did not state the amount the town may owe or that the case had been finally resolved; staff said they will share the signed judgment and exact costs with the council once it is available.
Why it matters: resident concerns raise broader community questions about property assessments, tax burdens and development choices; the MPO equity/assessment case could have a fiscal impact for the town once the signed judgment is received.
What the council did not do: no formal action or vote on assessments or taxes occurred at the meeting. The town manager limited the update to the case status and declined to present dollar amounts until the signed judgment is available.
Direct quotes in this article are drawn from the public comment and the town manager report in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council: May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told the council he is ‘watching the slow demise’ of Merrimack amid rising property taxes and development; in the town manager’s report staff said the town is awaiting a signed judgment in an equity/assessment case involving Merrimack Premium Outlets and cited a 2020 statutory change referenced in the pending ruling.","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},6145275,"Finance director: Town in sound fiscal position through Dec. 31, 2024; solid‑waste costs remain a concern",516,2086000,2602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f&start=2086&end=2602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f/thumbnail_2086000.jpg","/articles/6145275/New-Hampshire/Finance-director-Town-in-sound-fiscal-position-through-Dec-31-2024-solidwaste-costs-remain-a-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145275-9e16064fbea9c21d09c0e4167b586ea7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773621946&Signature=c3KJnn6zwHCrPopHdiMSAW5rCwgi4LUzhM5JWEY~942QaCntXGLLTGXwvgBEHEBARkMxhRIQMDiLuMi96V3dzsUWdWJfD38CDMGzGBdbUiees~QEtdca70qKM6Xkgzo4-6tHJscbuXJKWhTUBxSAPvvhjXCQwHRCWucMUBUUZUZQfnDxVIsiK7uDXKiThiyDWVzH7KlgZfTmVOQjDr5-aNZgjXL0FLfx2Fff8yDi65DQIzOYi7D0KKzyr9QDglxnzfHS4qODzqNuKNVZMcJhxh87S0XQOnbQRDXCH5ubZKshfUylf0N6N5UhlUAYIoFe1VXUexS0fu4ijVe3RJ3bzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Paul Calabrio reported to the Merrimack Town Council on May 8 that the town’s second‑quarter financial snapshot (period ending Dec. 31, 2024) shows the town in generally good fiscal shape, but noted continuing pressure from solid‑waste disposal costs and a number of large encumbrances in public works.
Calabrio said health insurance and New Hampshire retirement accounts each had roughly 53% of their budgets remaining as of Dec. 31, attributed largely to open positions in several departments. He told the council overtime overruns in the fire and police departments have been, or are being, addressed by staffing changes and that open positions are expected to offset overtime by year end.
Key figures presented:
- Health insurance: ~53% of budget remaining as of 12/31/2024.
- New Hampshire retirement: ~53% remaining as of 12/31/2024.
- Pooled cash: $1,290,000 on an $800,000 budget as of 12/31/2024; presenter noted this level is not expected to persist.
- Solid waste: a $658,000 purchase order was shown on the slides; rising per‑ton costs for demo and recyclables continue to pressure the solid‑waste budget.
- Highway: about $3,000,000 in purchase orders encumbered for the year; those encumbrances explain apparent overspending though the operating budget position remains manageable.
Calabrio said welfare spending had been front‑loaded for health agencies (roughly $77,000 paid in July) and that welfare cases had declined versus the prior year, but he cautioned that seasonal patterns and tax/utility cycles could change that trend.
Council discussion and next steps: Councilors asked follow‑ups about communications overtime (a temporary vacancy explained higher overtime) and sought a timely presentation of third‑quarter numbers. Calabrio and staff said they expect to present the third‑quarter report in about two weeks and will return to the regular quarterly schedule thereafter.
No formal council action was taken; the presentation was informational.","Finance Director Paul Calabrio told the council the town had healthy reserves and unspent benefits accounts as of Dec. 31, 2024, but highlighted increasing solid‑waste costs and large encumbrances in highway spending; the council scheduled a third‑quarter presentation within two weeks.",{"_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},6145280,"Council approves Merrimack Youth Association sponsor signs at Bishop and Reeds Ferry fields",665,1454000,2119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f&start=1454&end=2119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f/thumbnail_1454000.jpg","/articles/6145280/New-Hampshire/Council-approves-Merrimack-Youth-Association-sponsor-signs-at-Bishop-and-Reeds-Ferry-fields","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145280-ceeb95a15457a14ae2ba28c7295da4da/orig.mp4?Expires=1773621946&Signature=TuVGkI~HAQSdI5KwE4MT1ZXUAtDLisvnCF5XtLgvORWnPR9FN5j807uzyiJuFq7A~aH9Q0hBaLfJGgZqfSLUFOzIMFTceYtFPcdgs1r6fBIRv1Ny06xIgEZI8B~OEAwJKi9t2C93tzxLJNfC6HuxrPhoB2n50wCn4~1eMKgBl8PmMYF35vmSQd9Df5w-nEkpqrlh9hZAgP0JtfWn87FWFBP7ky5f9bh957maPGwf93FRAg83Q3Pra6v3DOqHFt3jQpX~oJJZfscOzatV72GFqADnDBVZi~uT7DF3tz7uld2VhKAi9jsvbP8B8SKCxgJKImAtkorNDwLecwJDXhwqrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Merrimack Town Council voted unanimously on May 8 to approve a request from the Merrimack Youth Association to install sponsor signage at Bishop Field and Reeds Ferry Field. The motion passed 7–0.
MYA representatives showed photos of proposed placements and told the council the signage program is intended to help the association stabilize its budget and keep youth program registration costs low. The council packet included pictures of signs mounted on backstops, batting‑cage fences and a shed at Gibson Field; presenters said the signs are primarily white with company logos and that most do not include phone numbers or discount advertising.
Councilors questioned sight lines and safety. Councilor Nancy asked whether signs near the street would interfere with law enforcement sight lines and whether any signs blocked player visibility. MYA representatives responded that the images addressed the concerns, that most signs are 2x4 or 3x5 feet under a tiered fee schedule, and that the association has avoided advertising such as alcohol promotions or price discounts.
Motion and outcome: Chair Tom moved approval of the signage additions; Councilor Peter seconded. The council voted 7–0 in favor.
Why it matters: the sponsorship signs provide local fundraising revenue used to lower fees for participants and support field maintenance and equipment; council review focused on public safety and visual impact along busy streets adjacent to the fields.
Implementation details: the approved plan includes a placeholder image in the agreement so the MYA can update sponsor names year to year; if the program expands beyond the two fields, the MYA will notify the council. The council also asked staff to watch for any signs that materially block sight lines or encroach on play areas.","The town council approved adding sponsor signage at Bishop Field and Reeds Ferry Field for the Merrimack Youth Association to help fund youth programs after staff and council reviewed sight‑line and size concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6145284,"Merrimack council approves sidewalk maintenance and work‑zone agreements with NHDOT for F.E. Everett Turnpike bridge work",216,1052000,1268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f&start=1052&end=1268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532993-9f040b130c1bcc6612c69c6619efa97f/thumbnail_1052000.jpg","/articles/6145284/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-council-approves-sidewalk-maintenance-and-workzone-agreements-with-NHDOT-for-FE-Everett-Turnpike-bridge-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145284-c00712948ed16203e9dd795d1fd58d38/orig.mp4?Expires=1773621946&Signature=ZSo~HOBAsvjzycE-n8cTDfgETzs6rbmwRkXqbAqfifRs1X-5NQh~GKgbSIW6jd7o51VCwvUbIDh8PnAF4Nq7opQ4YdjTldJnc1tUyIomkX91D0u5m0BPB6mq1-uFolQjGfDFiCIW27iyij9AiZSdxJ9ofBhvIK9bA5zObB169t9QrUAVHQDaReYDCBBM4J8POkXqqPXpZmeduKZ8whc8lz6AEKYL4hWTzRp1SPmNzfGY41-AQe7qdHiGpOJ8J~vAf1RVqKh4LQjw8LI8FK-hKGb9d2lrLVISw9kdjC83e2Yt8-Qun-dQSIGKQT5iJmFIr7ZFN2czG3vrmB0aZs06Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Merrimack Town Council on May 8 authorized the town manager to sign two agreements with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation covering sidewalk maintenance and work‑zone traffic control for bridge work tied to the F.E. Everett Turnpike widening. The council approved the motion 6–0.
The vote covered a sidewalk maintenance agreement and a work‑zone agreement for the bridges carrying Baboosic Lake Road and Wire Road where the DOT is widening the F.E. Everett Turnpike between Exit 8 and Exit 13. The agreements were described to the council as “boilerplate” items required before the state proceeds with bridge replacements and related roadway work.
These agreements split responsibilities: the town must sign a sidewalk maintenance agreement committing to maintain any sidewalk sections that fall outside the state right‑of‑way, and the DOT will remain responsible for repair and maintenance on bridge sections or within the state right‑of‑way. Under the work‑zone agreement the DOT will control on‑site traffic control (flaggers, alternating traffic, or police officers if needed), though DOT officials said they will coordinate timing with the town for sensitive periods such as school hours and peak traffic.
Council discussion noted the DOT will bid the work in mid‑June; the presentation to the council indicated a June 21 letting date (bid opening) for associated contracts. The council was also told both agreements are similar to prior agreements the town has signed for other DOT projects in the area.
Motion and outcome: a motion to authorize the signing of both documents was moved by Councilor Nancy (name not fully specified in the meeting record) and seconded by Chair Tom; the council chair called the question and the motion passed with all members present voting in favor (6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). The council’s action gives the town manager authority to execute the two DOT agreements so the project can proceed to construction.
Why it matters: the agreements clarify long‑term maintenance obligations for new sidewalks and who controls traffic in active work zones for a multi‑exit highway widening project that will affect local access on Wire Road and Baboosic Lake Road.
What the council did not decide: the vote authorized signing the two agreements only; the council did not adopt new policy language or change maintenance‑funding sources. The presentation made clear that if sidewalks are located within town right‑of‑way beyond the state boundary, the town will be responsible for clearing and repairing those sections under the town’s sidewalk maintenance standards.
Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting record and include the presenter who summarized the DOT request and the council members who moved and seconded the motion. The presentation noted the agreements are standard and that the DOT will control work‑zone traffic; no separate ordinance or additional funding allocation was approved at the meeting.","The town council authorized two standard agreements with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation covering sidewalk maintenance and work‑zone control for bridge replacements connected to the F.E. Everett Turnpike widening; the town will maintain sidewalks outside state right‑of‑way and the DOT will control traffic in work zones.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident criticizes rising property taxes; town manager says Merrimack Premium Outlets equity case awaits signed judgment

Finance director: Town in sound fiscal position through Dec. 31, 2024; solid‑waste costs remain a concern

Council approves Merrimack Youth Association sponsor signs at Bishop and Reeds Ferry fields

Merrimack council approves sidewalk maintenance and work‑zone agreements with NHDOT for F.E. Everett Turnpike bridge work