Town Manager’s Update
January 26, 2012

Announcements 

• 2012 dog licenses are now available at the Town Clerk’s office. Per NH state law, all dogs 4 months and older are required to be licensed annually by May 1^st. Licenses not renewed by May 1^st will be subject to late fees, and owners may receive fines and potential court action. If you no longer have your dog, please contact the Town Clerk’s office. For more information, please see “Dog Licenses” in the Town Clerk’s section of the website. 
  
  Filing Period for Town offices will be held February 22^nd to March 2^nd.
  
  

• The 17^th Citizen’s Academy has started with 24 participants attending each Wednesday for the next 10 weeks
  
  Anyone interested in the Police Department’s “Neighborhood Watch” program should contact Officer Robert Kelleher at 424-3774
  
  Now that winter is here, don’t forget to clear all snow and ice off of your vehicle so that it doesn’t become a hazard for other motorists
  
  *Save the Date* The 3^rd annual P.A.C.T. / Police Department Basketball game at JMUES will be April 11^th this year, all proceeds go to support the Police Department’s Police And Children Together program
  
  
• The Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a day trip to the “Boston Flower and Garden Show” on Thursday, March 15. The motor coach will depart at 9:00 am and will return to Town Hall at approximately 5:00 pm. The cost of $39.95 per person includes round trip motor coach transportation, ticket to the Boston Garden and Flower Show and driver gratuity. For more information, or to register for this trip, please call the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department.
  
  Planning is underway for the 20^th Annual Winter Carnival at Wasserman Park. The Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Committee are proud to host this event scheduled for Saturday, February 25^th from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Enjoy a day of FREE family entertainment. Activities are planned for "snow" or "no-snow" conditions.  Call the Parks & Recreation if you would like to offer a refreshment or participate in hosting an activity or game.
  
  
  
  

Town Manager’s Report 

·         Community Development Department staff (along with Fire and Police) has begun working with the new General Manager of the Merrimack Premium Outlets, particularly relating to the anticipated opening weekend. With large crowds expected for the opening, coupled with the Rotary’s annual Rib-Fest on the same weekend, staff expects a large influx of traffic and visitors to Merrimack. Staff is establishing contacts with other local businesses and properties that may have available overflow parking for the opening.

February should prove to be another busy month for the Planning Board. On the agenda for February 7 are Atrium Medical, the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, and a preliminary discussion of the Old Blood Subdivision “yield plan.”

We welcome the approval of 2 new projects by the Planning Board in January. Arenco, Inc received conditional approval for a multi-building, multi-tenant, commercial office project at the corner of Crosswoods Path Blvd and DW Highway, totaling approximately 12,600 square feet. Additionally, Inland Diversified Real Estate Services received conditional approval for a new Thai restaurant (Sweet Ginger) to locate next to the NH Liquor Store at the corner of Continental Blvd and Camp Sargent Road (additionally, the staff at Inland extend their thanks to staff members Jeff Morrissette and Nancy Larson for their assistance and guidance through the review process).

CD Director Tim Thompson attended the 1/20 Merrimack Chamber of Commerce AM Networking event held at the Merrimack Police Department. He reached out to those in attendance about the Business Visitation program, and hopes to be able to make new connections to the local business community and continue with economic development efforts to retain and expand our local businesses.

Lastly, Tim met recently with Merrimack business owner Melissa Koerner of “Friend Your Body.” Melissa’s business is home based, and provides total lifestyle, fitness, nutrition, and wellness training, coaching, and challenges to her clients on site at their homes and businesses. Tim first met Melissa at the NH Economic Development Summit, held in December in Meredith, where she led all the conference participants in some stretching and exercise activities before the panel discussions started. Tim discussed the business with Melissa, and provided her with some resources and contacts to help expand her reach and become more involved in the local business community. Visit Melissa’s website at www.friendyourbody.com. 

·         The Parks and Recreation Committee will be forming two sub-committees to help with the development of Watson Park. Working with the Parks and Recreation Department, they will address the questions and needs of the community. The first sub-committee is needed to help plan for a dog park within Watson Park. The second sub-committee will help develop a plan for the pavilion. The goal is to have a plan for development and funding by the end of 2012.
If you are interested in joining a subcommittee to work on ideas for the Dog Park or Pavilion at Watson Park, please send a note of interest to the Parks and Recreation Department at 6 Baboosic Lake Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054, or via email to skalish@merrimacknh.gov by Friday, February 10th.