1996 J^nnuaC Report Hit of the T^own of Merrimacl<^ 9{ew Oiampsfdre SpeciaC Anniversary 2S0*'' 'Ecfition -Dates to Remember April 1, 1997 All property, both real and personal, assessed to owner of record this date. Aprils, 1997 Town and School Election Day. April 15. 1997 Last day to file current use applications per RSA 79-A:5. Last day for filing exemptions for elderly, blind, handicapped and tax-exempt properties, and for special assessment of residences in industrial or commercial zone per RSA 75:1 1. Timber Tax Report of Cut due. May 1, 1997 Dog licenses expire. June 30, 1997 Fiscal year ends. July 1, 1997 Fiscal year begins. Last day to pay first installment on 1997 property taxes without interest penalty. December 1, 1997 Last day to pay final installment on 1997 property taxes without interest penalty. March 1, 1998 Last day for veterans to file permanent application for tax exemption (green card). Applies only to those who have not previously applied to Merrimack per RSA 72:33. Last day for filing applications for elderly, blind or handicapped exemptions. April 1, 1998 All property, both real and personal, assessed to owner of record this date. April 15, 1998 Last day to file Current Use applications per RSA 79-A:5. Last day for filing applications for tax-exempt properties and for special assessment of residences in industrial or commercial zone per RSA 75:11. Timber Tax Report of Cut due. Mayl, 1998 Dog licenses expire. Annual Report Town of the Officers of New Merrimack, Hampshire for the fiscal year ending June 1996 30, On the cover: In celebration of Merrimack's 250^^ Anniversary, the townspeople have left a commemorative gift by their generous donations; the Merrimack Community Bandstand in Abbey Griffin Park. This annual report was printed by Bedford Print & Copy Center, Bedford, New Hampshire. Index Page Introduction 1 Dedications 2 Financial Reports and Summaries Auditors Financial Statements and Opinions 41 Bond Principal and Interest Payment Schedules 82 Capital Reserve Funds 86 Form MS-7 8 Minutes of 1996To\A/n Meeting 12 Net Assessed Valuation History 91 Schedule of To\a^ Property 89 Statement of Actual Revenues compared to Estimated Revenues 96 Statement of Appropriations 92 Statement of Expenditures, Encumbrances and Carryovers 94 Summary Inventory of Valuation 91 Tax Rate History 98 Town Clerk/Tax Collector's Report of Collections 77 Treasurer's Financial Reports 81 Trustees of Trust Funds Report 99 Department and Committee Reports & Histories Ambulance Division Report 109 Assessing Department Report 110 Board of Selectmen Report 115 Code Enforcement Division Report 117 Community Development Report 118 Conservation Commission Report 120 Day Camp Advisory Board 123 Emergency Management Report 128 Finance Department Report 131 Fire Department Report 133 Forest Fire Warden and State Forest Ranger Report 144 Health Division Report 145 Historic District Commission Report 146 Library Report 147 Library Board of Trustees Report 152 Nashua Regional Planning Commission 155 Parks and Recreation Department 157 — — — — — — — = Index (cont.) Page Planning Board Report 159 Police Department Report 160 Public Works Department Report 188 Solid Waste Advisory Committee Report 196 ToNA^ Clerk/Tax Collector Report 198 To\A/n Manager's Report 201 Town Officers 103 250th Anniversary Committee Report 203 Welfare Department Report 209 Zoning Board of Adjustment Report 211 Vital Statistics 212 . Introduction This annual report tells of the government happenings during Merrimack's 250th year as a Town. This information has been compiled by your local public officials to serve as a permanent record of the past year. At Town Meeting in May 1995, the voters of Merrimack adopted the provisions of RSA 40:13 which requires official ballot voting on all issues before the Town. Passage of this law has changed the Annual Town Meeting from May to March beginning in 1997. RSA 40:13 mandates a full day in April be dedicated solely to voting on Town business. Because can be amended at the March Town Meeting, the Merrimack Town Warrant it has not been printed in this report. However, to conform with State law, the warrant has been published in local newspapers and posted in public places. After Town Meeting, an accurate warrant will be printed, posted, and distributed prior to voting in April. We hope that you will enjoy this special edition of the annual report which includes a brief history of each department and historical pictures. We welcome your questions and comments regarding any of the information contained in this report. Please contact us or our staff at 424-2331 The Merrimack Board of Selectmen Robert R. Morrill, Chairman Finlay C. Rothhaus, Vice Chairman D.L. Chris Christensen Robert L'Heureux J. Carolyn G. Whitlock iiATICQ0Kt734 Memory In FREDERICK G.AHERNS September 23, 1915 - March 25, 1996 A former resident of New York, he was employed at Kollsman Instruments. He moved to Merrimack in 1975 when Kollsman Instruments built its Merrimack plant. Certified by the American Kennel Club, he became a judge for cocker spaniels. He and his wife, Helen, bred 14 champion cocker spaniels. Fred served as a seven-term New Hampshire House Representative, ending his last term in 1994. He served as vice-chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and as a Merrimack Selectman from March 1979 - May 1983. Fred is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Helen (Wright) Ahrens of Merrimack; and one cousin, Edward Memmen of Merrimack. Memory In JAMES FOGG H. November 948 May 996 1 5, 1 - 3, 1 Born and educated in Dexter, Maine, he came to the Merrimack area in the late 1960's. Jim became employed by the To\A/n of Merrimack on October 15, 1975, serving as an Operator at the Waste Water Treatment Facility. On October 19, 1995, Jim was II publically recognized by the Board of Selectmen for serving 20 years as an employee of the town. His dedication and devotion to duty had a valuable effect of efficiency and morale to this community and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. Jim is survived by his wife, Michelle M. (Chenard) Fogg; four sons and two daughters-in- law; three daughters; six grandchildren; his mother, Idella Fogg of Nashua; brothers; sisters; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memory In MILDRED MORRILL F. 906 996 1 - 1 Born in Candia, she attended Candia schools before moving to Merrimack, where she was graduated from McGaw Normal Institute. Having joined the Rebekah's at age 1 9, she was a past noble grand from 1936-1937 and from 1966-1968 of the former Puritan Rebekah Lodge 85 of Reeds Ferry. She also was a past district deputy president of the New Hampshire Rebekah Assembly where she received the Decoration of Chivalry. Mildred was a member of several organizations, including the American Legion Auxilliary. During World War II, she took a civil service job as an assistant clerk and stenographer in Nashua. She was also employed for the State Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord, and later employed by the Town of Merrimack in various positions: Clerk of Merrimack Municipal Court, Town Treasurer, Deputy Town Clerk and Secretary to the Board of Selectmen. Mildred is survived by her husband of 31 years, Philip R. Morrill of Manchester; a stepson, Robert Morrill; three stepdaughters, Gwen Higgins, Marjory Ridlon, and Louise Petelle; 16 step-grandchildren; 23 step-great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and cousins. Retirement In JOSEPH COMER M. June 1972 -July 1996 Joe started with the Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in June 1 972, and was hired full time in May 1974. Joe was promoted as the departments first full time Fire Inspector in February 1974. in 1979, Joe was Acting Deputy Chief, and in October was appointed as Deputy Chief. Joe served this department and the community as its pnmary Fire Prevention Officer for twenty-two dedicated years. In retirement, Joe is still an asset to the fire service serving as the Town's Code Enforcement Officer.