Merrimac 150th committee approves minutes and advances fundraising, merchandise and parade plans

The Merrimac 150th Celebration Committee on Nov. 20 approved minutes from its Nov. 6 meeting and progressed planning for the town's 150th anniversary, adopting several fundraising and event steps and assigning members to follow up on logistics.

A motion to approve the Nov. 6, 2025 minutes was made by Robert L. Gustison II, a committee member, and seconded by Julie Fisher; the motion passed unanimously, with Gustison II, Larry Fisher, Michelle Gustison, Julie Fisher and Gretchen Fuhr recorded as ayes.

Committee members reviewed a series of new and ongoing fundraising efforts. The Light Department's Holiday Light Contest will charge a $15 registration fee and award the winner $150 off their electric bill; the contest includes three categories (door decorating, commercial and home light display), registration is open through Dec. 15, and town residents will begin voting Dec. 16. Organizers said flyers were distributed with a recent light bill and information is posted on the town website; members were asked to help publicize the contest.

The committee also approved sales of new 150th merchandise: Christmas ornaments priced at $10 (the American Legion agreed to purchase 150 units to support fundraising), lawn signs priced at $10, and additional clothing inventory (t-shirts, sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts) to obtain more competitive pricing.

Parade planning was advanced: the Santa Parade float will use a trailer-type platform featuring a locally made sleigh, with the Selectboard scheduled to ride on the float. A driver for the float remains to be confirmed; volunteers will assemble and decorate the float at the fire station the day before the parade.

Members brainstormed additional potential events and fundraisers, assigning research tasks: a winter kickoff dinner (Lauren Santagate was asked to contact The New Old Oak and review silent-auction items), a food-truck party and possible carnival (Larry Fisher will contact Fiesta Shows and research Waterhouse Field), restaurant fundraisers with local eateries, commemorative coins and town-wide photo printing, youth engagement activities (essay contests or school/library curriculum), history installations and a museum-style display at the library.

The committee recorded a set of action items assigning responsibilities and dates. Robert L. Gustison II will post acknowledgements for Northeast Ink and the American Legion on the website and email volunteers about selling merchandise at the town tree lighting (Dec. 7) and the Santa Visit (Dec. 13); he will also solicit volunteers to decorate the Santa float on Dec. 6 and to walk with the float. Gretchen Fuhr will update the sponsorship listing to include individual contributors and lower-level options; Julie Fisher will coordinate a library history display in January; Larry Fisher will obtain coin pricing, digitize a 100-year-old photo and explore carnival/food-truck logistics; Lauren Santagate, Kira and Danielle will reach out to restaurants about fundraisers; Michelle Gustison will complete a merchandise reconciliation and send results to Larry Fisher.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the Nov. 6, 2025 minutes (mover: Robert L. Gustison II; seconder: Julie Fisher; vote: unanimous, 5-0) and later approved a motion to adjourn (mover: Robert L. Gustison II; seconder: Julie Fisher; vote: unanimous, 5-0).

The committee scheduled its next meeting for Dec. 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Merrimac Police Department Conference Room to review follow-up reports and finalize event plans.