[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6131208,"mediaKeyId","5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba","parentId",5733672,"title","Council advances increase to disabled-veteran property tax credit to third reading after public support","audioSeconds",223,"startMs",2197000,"endMs",2420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba&start=2197&end=2420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba/thumbnail_2197000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6131208/New-Hampshire/Council-advances-increase-to-disabled-veteran-property-tax-credit-to-third-reading-after-public-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131208-65ef8d64a5580a77ebe6c63f3700d196/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622119&Signature=Bna3frv0FEpCL08KzrJp0Sf5vXRGyg98tTKna74Y~zFpMUR0rHjIHdRkRV8bXPU9aG~w9bhuyqchjAbH14FfbgZW4vTyHbNQTnTPBM3mY1Vk0XNm~-ys95hkAC6QXcy1uxhFcnYkfJ5P4uLW8XV3dpJnOfr3PXBeSdNxKDmjtLf8apKCyNiVOA4ZzisKW1ecctkhQTkBp3tauUqA2YFSQ2WP~qGLcI-Q6WWzq0f9MmaZIjvn5l3b6u3oMlYwz6Zs6uXEL5tHr-QKiuFVOYN1QSmVzskFG~MF6PPOV6JRBm3x~5LVJHx3ma2azsHBqB-AfMW5wyKNQeUmagS6RxAlSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Merrimack, NH","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Merrimack Town Council on July 10 opened a public hearing and moved to advance an ordinance change raising the town’s optional property-tax credit for totally and permanently disabled residents from $4,000 to $5,000 to a third reading.

Mike Drewen, commander of the local VFW, spoke in support of the increase on behalf of veterans and said many 100% disabled homeowners face frequent medical travel and equipment needs. “I’m here on behalf of the VFW … to advocate for all veterans in town, for this credit increase,” Drewen said.

Town staff told the council the state and governor had increased the statutory upper limit from $4,000 to $5,000 and recommended amending Merrimack’s ordinance to match. The town’s finance staff reported about 89 taxpayers currently receive the credit and estimated the change would raise the tax rate by approximately two cents. Councilors moved the measure to a third meeting and placed it on the consent agenda; the motion passed 7–0.

Implementation timing: At the hearing the council noted an effective date in the meeting record; the transcript includes an unclear date that appears to be a transcription error. The council did not adopt a final effective date during the July 10 action; the ordinance will return for formal adoption at the third reading and the council will confirm the correct effective date at that time.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council: July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following a public comment from the local VFW, the Merrimack Town Council moved an ordinance change raising the optional property-tax credit for totally and permanently disabled residents from $4,000 to $5,000 to a third reading; council estimated the change would affect about 89 recipients and increase the tax rate by roughly two cents.","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},6131213,"Council forms town buildings subcommittee to advance renovations and new construction planning",378,3750000,4128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba&start=3750&end=4128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba/thumbnail_3750000.jpg","/articles/6131213/New-Hampshire/Council-forms-town-buildings-subcommittee-to-advance-renovations-and-new-construction-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131213-02303b739fd9894bf92e6ef74be10e95/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622119&Signature=HYIvOiK~52odUl0XiSCgf95Y0gtk0RMkXEQnT5wFI4U-KDBr1rnUDJbiWr~MUNMRXC0eZ9ir95vSQqlRJgDWPrXAT365nBcehgEcmVkeVuejtCT4gvLbg39IOwb-7UOj5YwRXpikFGy83zOXhBe2FCcU0z4x2kRO6eJX2VhgIqIAhfvdfmQktJ9vTGArcLvyzZM~0i8wpW8IyoRIfjZscX9Hij6pJcxEoSNEJ774FWx~mFzxYLoiFZ-bcEeaZepWD-p2~xRtyuMS9alkkyWdmo5283kIYuxGGccVKFKS3~Fhr19zkpqwGwEzcUyrvPM~QtmabFhJqhiGhpr2QIRXPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MERRIMACK, N.H. — At its July 10 meeting the Merrimack Town Council established a town buildings subcommittee to evaluate capital needs and potential renovation or replacement of municipal facilities.

The subcommittee will consist of three town councilors, the town manager and three members of the public; the town manager may designate additional department staff, such as police and fire chiefs or the DPW director, to participate in discussions. The vote to form the committee passed 6–0.

Councilors said the group will pick up work begun at the council retreat and produce a plan to guide future budget and capital-improvement decisions. The subcommittee is expected to meet with department heads, develop cost estimates, and recommend a timeline and financing options for council consideration.

Next steps: The town manager said a press release will solicit public members and the council will take appointments in August so the subcommittee can begin work in September.","The Town Council created a subcommittee of three councilors plus the town manager and three public members to develop a plan for town-owned buildings, including police, fire and town hall facilities.",{"_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},6131217,"Merrimack creates 250th-anniversary committee to plan expanded July 4 and related events",172,3726000,3898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba&start=3726&end=3898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba/thumbnail_3726000.jpg","/articles/6131217/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-creates-250th-anniversary-committee-to-plan-expanded-July-4-and-related-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131217-3c85dd87fdb90cb0f66824de1b8e8abe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622119&Signature=Nqf~3erXYljnsBwBCjcbZwYLLNq1PnAP~~RewsAYJxwcFxsaQ8GYWxvobwTJakHJ0Gvlt~k9LZERIU6BwFisjujw0onD02mSlvIQogg1w5vetusFd5OtaPI3tpLlcGBqE8GS4P1qKOVXcVt3nwpyKg~LZtoqdNketSSAfaCviC2FUihj4bb2nPBO6OivvaD8Df8HKDQ490FS8qno0AZH8S0aEaz40kNZeGrlxD57N2NLORIqA3h4QIyOnCZPfmPHEMPBjOGIb5O6Lgux3c0LWc5pIRH-bRDmk2QbbokM-vcnAPtnmoW1CZafOzy7Zr5RgxbMmvekEBLdFpXIBSs39w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Merrimack Town Council on July 10 established a committee to plan events for the nation’s 250th anniversary and related town observances, including potential coordination with existing local events and organizations.

Councilors said the committee will help scale up the town’s July 4 parade and fireworks and explore additional programming both before and after Independence Day in 2026. The committee’s membership will include one Parks and Recreation director/committee representative, three members of the public, and one police and one fire representative; the council also specified a town council liaison presence. The motion passed 6–0.

Town staff and the parks director discussed the idea of partnering with local businesses and sponsors and noted that some national events tied to the 250th anniversary may already be planned; the committee will evaluate opportunities and potential sponsorships. Parks and Recreation staff expressed relief that additional committee support would help plan a larger-scale event.

Next steps: The town manager said staff will circulate a call for public volunteers and return with appointments at the August meeting so planning can proceed into the fall and winter event season.","The town council approved a committee to plan Merrimack’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, with parks and recreation, public-safety liaisons and public members on the panel.",{"_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},6131223,"Merrimack council forms invasive-species committee to map, educate and treat knotweed and other invaders",583,2883000,3466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba&start=2883&end=3466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba/thumbnail_2883000.jpg","/articles/6131223/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-council-forms-invasive-species-committee-to-map-educate-and-treat-knotweed-and-other-invaders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131223-d5412615c228b8af9589f1890b7e0da3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622119&Signature=IY5mFHPffALqJ~~-FARkW1JWAN6TIL4o9gNAD8fIYiA31buzNLY5uQynlVUtPgsA3tACEGgSIDCRPv26di6yJAwpVIl58421Ut7HNs~zMOQFPrqOu3oMc6V6jnG6HE5KnmJLjV~3PGS5P~1Z3YT-pMaX70fG6yFDBCWMbjpkLrr540lKRIB5neXMbsX3S9GJMl8ikuy5zlguoxkGe1RrMw2eCqrzMKEn4LB4IARg8sXGZxbXk4sm1O8SmxLjoWrDlzB7hAXtYCfUImkOfQVeij9a~0cKyGQtMf7Lv~Uu96CPmzkH2lzUZYxxyd5paTbZeIz~~crGn4vBbA60syndmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Merrimack Town Council on July 10 approved a new committee to address invasive plant species on town-owned and conservation lands, with a primary focus on education, mapping and remediation.

Councilor Jennifer Jelvin said the committee is intended to bring town departments and residents together to tackle aggressive plants such as knotweed and oriental bittersweet that spread along waterways and damage riparian habitat. “Education, education, education,” Jelvin said, describing the group’s early priorities: public identification materials and guidance on correct disposal.

The committee composition approved by the council includes two members of the Merrimack Conservation Commission, one town councilor, the public works director (or designee) and two to three members of the public. The motion carried 7–0.

Conservation members Gage Perry and Carys Welsh were cited by Jelvin as contributors to early outreach; Perry and Welsh had prepared notes for the council describing knotweed’s deep roots, erosion risk on stream banks, and how stem and root fragments can spread downstream and re-root. Councilors and staff also flagged a known knotweed patch near the transfer station compost pile as a priority for rapid removal.

Town staff pointed out an important handling rule: invasive-plant material should not go into the town compost, because fragments can reroot; instead, disposal methods that prevent re-rooting — including incineration or sealed-bag removal — are recommended. The committee will also consult UNH Cooperative Extension and other experts for treatment options and public outreach materials.

Next steps: The council directed staff to run a 30-day public application period for committee volunteers and return with candidate appointments at an August meeting. The committee is expected to prioritize identification of infestation sites, public education on handling and disposal, and coordination with parks and public works for removal and follow-up treatment.","The town council approved a new invasive-species committee to coordinate education, identification and treatment of aggressive nonnative plants on town and conservation properties; membership and next steps were set at the July 10 meeting.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6131227,"State DOT agrees to use only its trucks for limited-salt zone on Continental Boulevard; school signature still required",1782,388000,2170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba&start=388&end=2170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733672-569f2fafdd0422e9e8dc4ae0d17154ba/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6131227/New-Hampshire/State-DOT-agrees-to-use-only-its-trucks-for-limited-salt-zone-on-Continental-Boulevard-school-signature-still-required","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131227-7f9ccb2e6a9ea85232869f0f56ee5286/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622119&Signature=dZBYrR2uzjVtsGVqua90escHdYUu0bTUBd1mcN0YVhkM2QPbWDikUtNCJycniqTZTJahqU8pCaO~CxNdny-7VotK8jDa2HsmPwWAL2mnEztTOY8jYUBzFTLkoEJfoQzd27xUKzSCf4mDctcGIyWWmycn4vUtZd9EjylNB51PUND8vaBEnIbENHt2TVk~1jEmogI48l65fxPoFTEISSg~DKCdOup3u8o2upsgZN5yzlvjvy7R52CNhffxC6jrKxuz0T--KXcTz6EaGZEAk2-9M~vdSk3QYp2LDHasxqJ7DBMN8UN2cZm~Co~u-Emq6z~KnOrSu~rl17q7PsFoBX4OyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MERRIMACK, N.H. — New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials told the Merrimack Town Council on July 10 that, if the state proceeds with a proposed low-salt (limited-salt) route on Continental Boulevard, only DOT trucks will apply salt there and applications will be limited to the beginning and end of storms.

The change matters because the Merrimack Village District and town officials have sought to reduce salt applications near wellhead protection areas that provide drinking water in the Industrial Drive–Continental Boulevard corridor.

Alan Hanscomb, state maintenance engineer, described operational details: “We'll probably only be salting once at beginning of storm and after the storm,” and said the state will use ground-speed-controlled spreaders and automatic vehicle locator systems to record and report salt application. Hanscomb also told the council the DOT plans a minimum application of about 250 pounds per lane mile when it spreads salt, and that heavy snow can leave packed snow on the roadway for days under a limited-salt regime.

John Corcoran, representing the Bureau of Turnpike, said the DOT is already working with the town and the Merrimack Village District on pretreating and brine applications and that the DOT will not permit rental trucks to spread salt on the route. Corcoran listed the route limits discussed with town officials as running from the Exit 10 off-ramp/Premium Outlets intersection down Continental Boulevard to Industrial Drive.

Councilors and residents asked several practical questions about emergency response, signage and public notice. Nancy Harrington, a councilor, praised the DOT’s commitment to use only state trucks, saying it addressed a long-standing local concern about contractor-applied salt reaching wells. Councilors and department representatives discussed adding black-and-yellow “low-salt area” warning signs at either end of the corridor and using message boards and the town website to notify transient drivers.

Tom Provencher, chair of the Merrimack Village District board, reiterated that the school board must sign a requested letter before the low-salt designation can take effect. Provencher said the DOT “has committed to only using their trucks to spread salt,” but he explicitly told the council the measure “won’t happen” without the school’s signature. Town staff and MVD representatives agreed to continue outreach with the school board; MVD and the town said they would ask the school to reconsider citing liability concerns.

Officials cautioned that a limited-salt approach will make the road more likely to develop snow pack and hard pack during and after storms, and that the town will continue to receive citizen calls about road conditions. Hanscomb said the DOT’s equipment records vehicle speed and salt volume so the amount of salt applied can be quantified for the water precinct’s consultant calculations.

What happens next: MVD and town officials said they will approach the school board again, with the intention of obtaining the requested signature. The DOT’s operational commitments (use of DOT trucks, pretreating, brine, ground-speed-controlled spreaders and AVL monitoring) were stated at the meeting but the low-salt designation will not take effect until the school board signs the request letter.","The New Hampshire Department of Transportation told the Merrimack Town Council it will limit salt spreading on a proposed low-salt/limited-salt zone on Continental Boulevard to DOT trucks, but the change will not take effect until the local school board signs a requested letter of support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances increase to disabled-veteran property tax credit to third reading after public support

Council forms town buildings subcommittee to advance renovations and new construction planning

Merrimack creates 250th-anniversary committee to plan expanded July 4 and related events

Merrimack council forms invasive-species committee to map, educate and treat knotweed and other invaders

State DOT agrees to use only its trucks for limited-salt zone on Continental Boulevard; school signature still required