Merrimac

Merrimac Police Take Part in Pink Patch Project to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

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mpdpatchMerrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Merrimac Police Take Part in Pink Patch Project to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

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 Residents Invited to Attend Public Forum On New Police Station Proposal

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mpdpatchMerrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860

 

For Immediate Release

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Merrimac Residents Invited to Attend Public Forum On New Police Station Proposal

MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears and the Public Safety Building Committee would like to invite community members to a public forum to ask questions and learn more about the town’s proposal to build a new police station.

The new facility will allow the Merrimac Police Department to provide quality service to community members in a safe, secure and efficient building. If approved, the building will feature designated space for residents who come in to discuss confidential and sensitive matters with police officers. Residents applying for or renewing firearms permits will be able to complete transactions in an area away from the prisoner booking area, and an Emergency Operations Center will double as a meeting room that will be available to the community for meetings and educational opportunities.

The Merrimac Public Safety Building Committee has been working for seven years on developing a project that will assure the best possible service for residents for many years.

WHEN:

Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Merrimac Fire Department

16 East Main Street

Merrimac, MA 01860

WHAT:

Officials, including members of the Public Safety Building Committee, will outline a proposal for construction of a new 8,375 square foot Merrimac Police Station located on a nine acre parcel of land on West Main Street.

The current Merrimac Police Station, which was constructed in the late 1800s/early 1900s, is in dire need of replacement. After many years of use, the building has multiple structural deficiencies, including a sinking foundation and cracks in the walls and floors, allowing water to leak in during inclement weather. The facility also lacks privacy for employees and residents who come in to discuss or report something sensitive in nature. The dispatch area is undersized and cannot adequately serve the community and the jail cells fail Department of Public Health inspections every year, resulting in continual maintenance (with current repair costs estimated at $12,000). Due to limited space, the garage doubles as an area for records and equipment storage, as well as three banks of lockers, and there currently is not space for an interview room.

The town acquired the building in 1973, and it was first used to house the Merrimac Police and Fire Departments. Three years later, the Merrimac Highway Department moved into the building, and in 1986, a dispatch center was added.

In 2011, Chief Shears received a report from the Board of Health that a building inspection indicated that it was unfit for habitation and conditions were a danger to the health and safety of any occupants. After $45,000 in repairs, town officials formed the Public Safety Building Committee to begin examining eventual replacement of the building.

By 2014, Town Meeting attendees approved an article to fund a feasibility study to determine the needs of the three departments. In 2016, the study was completed and called for more than $25 million in recommended projects, which the town determined to be an excessive expense for residents.

One year later, the Public Safety Building Committee came up with a revised proposal to build a new police facility, highway garage and complete a best efforts renovation of the fire department. While voters did not support the $15 million proposal, officials took it as an opportunity to learn more about the needs of the community.

A recent town-wide survey indicated that 79 percent of residents recognized a need for a new Merrimac Police Station.

Using feedback from constituents, the Public Safety Building Committee reworked its proposal, focusing on a new police facility. With the highway garage and fire station set aside for separate consideration, it allowed the town to cut the cost of the project by more than 50 percent.

Residents are now asked to support the current proposal to build a new code-compliant police station. The town plans to borrow $6.5 million to complete the project, which will be paid back over a period of 25 years. This translates to residents contributing approximately $50 more in taxes for every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. Based on the average assessed home value in Merrimac, this would result in an increase of about $200 per year.

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Merrimac Police Investigating After Suspicious Driver Approaches Child

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mpdpatchMerrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860

 

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 7, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Merrimac Police Investigating After Suspicious Driver Approaches Child

MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears reports that the Merrimac Police Department is investigating after a child reported being approached by a suspicious person yesterday afternoon.

On Thursday, Sept. 6, at approximately 3 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Winter and Pine Streets for a report of suspicious activity.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with a 14-year-old male who reported that, as he was walking home from his bus stop on West Main Street in Merrimac, a man pulled over next to him near the intersection of Winter and Pine Streets and offered him a ride. The boy refused, the vehicle pulled away and the boy continued home safely.

The man was described as a clean shaven white male in his 50s with shoulder length, graying hair. The man was further described by the teen as missing a few of his teeth. He was reported to be driving a white Honda SUV with Massachusetts or New Hampshire plates, with a sticker on the left side of the rear window.

“The young man in this case did the right thing by refusing a ride from a stranger and immediately reporting what happened,” Chief Shears said. “This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering the possible risks posed by strangers, and I encourage parents to remind their children to avoid talking to strangers and to never accept rides from someone they don’t know.”

This incident remains under investigation by the Merrimac Police Department.

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Residents Invited to Attend Information Session On New Merrimac Police Station Proposal

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mpdpatchMerrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Residents Invited to Attend Information Session On New Merrimac Police Station Proposal

MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears and the Public Safety Building Committee would like to invite community members to a public forum next month to learn more about the town’s proposal to build a new police station.

The new facility will allow the Merrimac Police Department to provide quality service to community members in a safe, secure and efficient building. If approved, the building will feature designated space for residents who come in to discuss confidential and sensitive matters with police officers. Residents applying for or renewing firearms permits will be able to complete transactions in an area away from the prisoner booking area, and an Emergency Operations Center will double as a meeting room that will be available to the community for meetings and educational opportunities.

“This new police station was designed to improve our service to the community while increasing safety for members of department,” Chief Shears said. “Over the last seven years, the Public Safety Building Committee has worked hard with the Board of Selectmen and constituents to create a project that will assure we can provide the best service to residents now and many years into the future.”

WHEN:

Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Merrimac Fire Department

16 East Main Street

Merrimac, MA 01860

WHAT:

Officials, including members of the Public Safety Building Committee, will outline a proposal for construction of a new 8,375 square foot Merrimac Police Station located on a nine acre parcel of land on West Main Street.

The current Merrimac Police Station, which was constructed in the late 1800s/early 1900s, is in dire need of replacement. After many years of use, the building has multiple structural deficiencies, including a sinking foundation and cracks in the walls and floors, allowing water to leak in during inclement weather. The facility also lacks privacy for employees and residents who come in to discuss or report something sensitive in nature. The dispatch area is undersized and cannot adequately serve the community and the jail cells fail Department of Public Health inspections every year, resulting in continual maintenance (with current repair costs estimated at $12,000). Due to limited space, the garage doubles as an area for records and equipment storage, as well as three banks of lockers, and there currently is not space for an interview room.

The town acquired the building in 1973, and it was first used to house the Merrimac Police and Fire Departments. Three years later, the Merrimac Highway Department moved into the building, and in 1986, a dispatch center was added.

In 2011, Chief Shears received a report from the Board of Health that a building inspection indicated that it was unfit for habitation and conditions were a danger to the health and safety of any occupants. After $45,000 in repairs, town officials formed the Public Safety Building Committee to begin examining eventual replacement of the building.

By 2014, Town Meeting attendees approved an article to fund a feasibility study to determine the needs of the three departments. In 2016, the study was completed and called for more than $25 million in recommended projects, which the town determined to be an excessive expense for residents.

One year later, the Public Safety Building Committee came up with a revised proposal to build a new police facility, highway garage and complete a best efforts renovation of the fire department. While voters did not support the $15 million proposal, officials took it as an opportunity to learn more about the needs of the community.

A recent town-wide survey indicated that 79 percent of residents recognized a need for a new Merrimac Police Station.

Using feedback from constituents, the Public Safety Building Committee reworked its proposal, focusing on a new police facility. With the highway garage and fire station set aside for separate consideration, it allowed the town to cut the cost of the project by more than 50 percent.

Residents are now asked to support the current proposal to build a new code-compliant police station. The town plans to borrow $6.5 million to complete the project, which will be paid back over a period of 25 years. This translates to residents contributing approximately $50 more in taxes for every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. Based on the average assessed home value in Merrimac, this would result in an increase of about $200 per year.

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