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Town council OKs low-salt memorandum with NHDOT for stretch of Continental Boulevard
Summary
To protect local drinking-water wells, the council authorized the town manager to sign a memorandum with NHDOT establishing a low-salt route on Industrial Drive and parts of Continental Boulevard and asked DOT and water operators to monitor well sodium levels.
The Merrimack Town Council authorized the town manager Jan. 22 to sign a memorandum of understanding with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation establishing a low-salt route covering Industrial Drive and a segment of Continental Boulevard to protect local drinking-water wells.
Council members and staff described the agreement as unusual because Continental Boulevard carries heavy traffic (staff cited traffic counts far above typical low-salt thresholds) and because the state must involve the attorney general’s office and watershed/well monitors. One councilor asked whether the state would continue to test nearby wells; staff confirmed regular well testing is part of ongoing monitoring.
Town staff explained low-salt routes reduce routine sodium application while preserving salting at the beginning and end of storms; signage will mark the limited-salt area. Councilors discussed liability trade-offs and public-safety considerations and were told DOT continues winter-operations salting at the start and end of storms rather than at every pass.
The council voted 7–0 to authorize the town manager to sign the draft memorandum and to proceed with the required attorney-general review and other steps described by staff.
