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

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.