MERRIMAC — Town Officials are announcing the creation of an Emergency Management Committee to provide residents with the information and resources they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of the President’s declaration of a National Emergency and the Governor’s declaration of a Statewide Emergency, the Merrimac Police Department has adopted the following changes in protocols to ensure the safety of the public in general as well as the first responders in the community. The police department remains committed to protecting the community at all costs and serving the residents of Merrimac. With that in mind we are requesting your assistance with the following:
Merrimac Police Department
Firearms Licensing
16 East Main Street
Merrimac, MA 01860
We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented event. Hat’s off to our medical personnel. Thoughts to all others who have experienced loss and had to sacrifice so much as a result of this crisis. Try to remain positive as we will get through this together.
Eric M. Shears
Chief of Police
MERRIMAC — Chief Larry Fisher and Chief Eric Shears wish to provide residents of the Town of Merrimac with the latest information regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
At this time, there have been no positive or presumed positive cases of the virus in Merrimac amid the ongoing nationwide novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. At this time, Merrimac Town Offices will be operating normal hours. The town will provide further guidance should this change.
Local officials will be constantly evaluating the health situation in town and will provide frequent updates when necessary.
The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts due to COVID-19. On Friday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced the number of total cases of COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, rose to 108 in Massachusetts as officials banned gatherings of 250 people or more.
The COVID-19 situation is very fluid, and new information and guidelines are being posted by the CDC on a regular basis. The CDC offers the following guidance for how COVID-19 spreads. The virus is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
While the CDC believes people are most contagious when they are most symptomatic (sickest), it is now believed that it is possible to spread the virus before showing symptoms, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Public health officials are urging seniors and those with preexisting health conditions to avoid large gatherings, including sporting events, concerts and conferences.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is providing relief to school districts regarding attendance requirements for the rest of the school year in light of the international novel coronavirus situation, and school districts will not have to extend the school year beyond their scheduled 185th school day as a result of the coronavirus.
If anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not come to work or school and they are advised to contact their primary care physician. According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear 2-14 days of exposure.
The DPH recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:
For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.
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MERRIMAC — Police Chief Eric Shears and Fire Chief Larry Fisher report that officials in Merrimac are investigating after a pontoon boat, delivering chemicals to treat Lake Attitash, capsized shortly after entering the lake from the town boat ramp.
Merrimac Police and Fire responded to the town boat ramp at 3:30 p.m. for a report of a capsized boat with two people in the water. Upon arrival, first responders noted that the two parties were out of the water, having been rescued by a second vessel that was with them.
An on-scene investigation determined that two boats were treating the lake for algae when a 30-foot aluminium pontoon boat capsized about 100 yards off the boat ramp.
The boats were being operated by SOLitude Lake Management, a Virginia company with an office in Shrewsbury that specializes in “lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management programs that include water quality testing and restoration” according to its website.
SOLitude was treating the lake with aluminium solutions to limit the availability of phosphorus in the lake and reduce nuisance algae blooms. The company had been permitted to be on site since April 17 and was scheduled to finish work by May 3.
Upon capsizing, the boat spilled chemical solutions that it was placing into the lake anyway, for the purposes of treating the lake. The company was permitted by the Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Amesbury and Town of Merrimac Conservation Commissions to do that work.
The Massachusetts Environmental police and DEP personnel responded Tuesday evening to assess the water conditions, and the boat was removed from the water.
After assessments, there are no immediate concerns with the spill. The pH of the water also remained neutral and normal after the spill.
Police and fire units cleared the scene 8:33 p.m., but the police and fire chiefs remained on scene until approximately 10:30 p.m.
No one was injured during what appears to be an unfortunate boating accident.
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MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears and the Merrimac Police Department are warning residents of an IRS scam involving an individual impersonating law enforcement officers and threatening victims with arrest for non-payment of taxes.
According to police, the caller reportedly spoofs the police department’s phone number and asks victims to pay money owed on back taxes immediately by loading money onto a Target gift card and providing the card number back to the caller.
The call was followed up by another call in which the scammer claims to be Chief Shears and threatens to arrest call recipients.
“The Merrimac Police Department will never contact a community member regarding their financial status or taxes. Additionally, as the chief, I would never call a resident and threaten to arrest them,” Chief Shears said. “We encourage anyone who receives a suspicious call to contact the police department immediately and never give out their personal information over the phone.”
To avoid becoming a victim of an IRS scam, residents are encouraged to remember the following:
If you receive a call from an IRS scammer, hang up. Do not engage with these callers.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment and if you think you owe money, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
If you get a scam call and do not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation scam” form online at treasury.gov, or call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
The IRS also advises residents to forward scam emails to phishing@irs.gov, and to not open any attachments or click on any links in those emails.
If you are ever unsure about a potential scam, contact the Merrimac Police Department at 978-346-8321.
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A pink version of the Merrimac Police Department patch will adorn officers’ uniforms throughout the month of October. (Courtesy Photo)
MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears is pleased to announce that the Merrimac Police Department is participating in the Pink Patch Project this month.
The Pink Patch Project is a collaborative effort between public safety agencies nationwide to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support cancer research organizations.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Merrimac Police officers will have the option to wear the pink patches purchased by the Merrimac Police Association in order to show support for all those who have battled – or still are battling — breast cancer.
The department’s participation also serves as a show of support for Newburyport Police Officer Meg Tierney, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
“Meg has been an inspiration with her openness throughout her fight, and we’re honored to support her and everyone impacted by this invasive cancer,” Sgt. Richard Holcroft said. “It is very important that we bring awareness for early detection and work to make sure that people who are fighting know they are not alone.”
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MERRIMAC — Fire Chief Ralph Spencer and Police Chief Eric M. Shears report that a major fire destroyed an apartment building Friday morning.
Police officers and firefighters responded at 8:43 a.m. to the Greenleaf Park apartments, located at 1 Greenleaf Drive for an activated fire alarm. Fire was evident immediately upon arrival, and Working Fire, Second Alarm, and Third Alarm responses were requested in rapid succession, sending additional units and mutual aid to the scene.
One woman was trapped inside a second floor unit and jumped at the urging of Merrimac Police Officer Robert Coppola into his arms and was brought to safety. She was taken to Anna Jaques Hospital for evaluation.
The four-unit apartment building is considered a total loss. High winds fed the fire and necessitated a large response of personnel and apparatus. Chief Spencer praised the professionalism of the firefighters and other first responders at the scene, and is pleased to report that no civilians were seriously injured. The fire was contained to the original building and did not damage any other buildings in the complex.
Five people were displaced in the fire. Chief Spencer estimated the damage at $1 million.
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Merrimac Fire Department, Merrimac Police Department, and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey’s office.
The building did not have sprinklers, as it was built before they were required.
The Merrimac Fire Department received extensive mutual aid from neighboring agencies and the Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District, which send firefighters from throughout the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Seacoast to assist. Mutual aid was received from: Amesbury, Salisbury, West Newbury, Newburyport, Newton (New Hampshire) and East Kingston (New Hampshire) while fire units from Groveland, Georgetown, and Plaistow (New Hampshire) covered the Merrimac Fire Department during the incident. The State Fire Marshal’s Office rebab unit also responded.
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MERRIMAC — Chief Ralph Spencer is pleased to announce that the Merrimac Fire Department has purchased a new life-saving automated CPR device.
Merrimac Fire recently purchased the LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System, which performs consistent, accurate chest compressions without experiencing fatigue, as humans do when performing CPR.
The device costs $15,000 and was purchased through generous donations from local businesses and fundraising efforts by the department. Salter Bus Company, Rick and Eric Fournier of 1st Payroll and Haverhill Bank all contributed funds toward the life-saving device. Merrimac Fire personnel Will Howard, Shane Sevigny, Nichole Richard, Kris Smith, Brandon Cox and Jay Fournier spent a month fundraising the rest of the money to purchase the machine.
“During my 30 years in the fire service, I have always been impressed by the ability of members of the fire service to see a need and get things done to meet that need,” Deputy Chief Greg Habgood said.
Firefighters were trained on how to use the device on July 25 at the Merrimac Fire Department.
“I am very proud of the job this committee did to raise funds to purchase the LUCAS device and am thankful for the generous donations from our local businesses,” Chief Spencer said. “While we hope that we never have to use this machine, we have added a modern, state-of-the-art tool as a resource to keep our community safe.”
The LUCAS device will be stored on Merrimac Fire’s front-line ambulance, which is the primary ambulance that responds to medical calls.
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The Merrimac Fire Department, as part of Fire Prevention Week, are reminding residents to check and change their smoke alarms, which are the first line of defense in the event of a home fire.
Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 9-15. This year’s focus is to remind residents to replace smoke alarms every 10 years, through the “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years” campaign.
According to data from the National Fire Protection Association and the United States Fire Administration, the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at an increased risk in the event of a house fire. Here are three key messages residents should know regarding smoke alarms:
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
• Make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home.
• To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm. The alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of death in half in reported home fires. When a smoke alarm fails to operate, it is usually because the batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
According to the United States Fire Administration, three out of five home fire deaths in the United States were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms between 2009-2013.
There are two types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Each type of technology is designed to alert you to fire or smoke conditions. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to fast, flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to slower, smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that, on average, seven people die in U.S. homes fires per day. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment. Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths. Most fatal fires kill one or two people, however in 2014, 15 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 88 deaths.
For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.
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