Merrimac Board of Health agrees to sign regional public-health grant and names advisory representatives

The Merrimac Board of Health voted Jan. 14 to authorize the town to sign an intermunicipal grant agreement intended to support shared public‑health services across the Merrimack Valley.

Chairperson Christine Berube moved that “the Board sign the grant,” a motion seconded by member Jason Sargent; the board recorded the vote as “All in favor, 3‑0.” The grant was described in the minutes as the MVPHA Inter‑Municipal Agreement for the Public Health Excellence for Shared Services Grant.

Shortly afterward, the board adopted a related administrative rule for meeting notices. Berube moved that, “in accordance [with] the provisions of 940 CMR 29.03(3) we adopt the Open Meeting Law posting methods specific to Regional or District Public Bodies” using Amesbury’s posting methods for the collaborative’s host community; Sargent seconded and the motion passed 3‑0.

On appointments, member Jason Sargent moved to approve Chair Christine Berube as “a primary voting member to the advisory board of the Merrimack Valley Public Health coalition,” with member Ashlyn Calcagni seconding; the motion passed unanimously. At the next agenda item the board approved Deborah A. Ketchen as “an alternate voting member” after a motion by Chair Berube and a second from Sargent, with a 3‑0 vote.

The minutes do not provide details of the grant amount, the duration of the agreement, or specific deliverables; the record notes only that the Board moved to sign the intermunicipal agreement and to appoint representatives. The Health Agent said she would coordinate with other towns on related items and provide updates at a future meeting.

The board’s actions are procedural approvals to enable Merrimac’s participation in the regional shared‑services grant and to designate local representatives to the advisory board. The town plans further coordination with partner communities and will report back to the Board at a later date.