Project Votes are Open!
Vote for your favorite projects using ranked choice voting and help us decide which project to fund this year.
What is Electrify Merrimac?
The state of Massachusetts requires us to spend designated funding towards improving energy efficiency in Merrimac. Instead of selecting the projects ourselves, in 2023 we launched a program to provide an opportunity for others to submit proposals to enhance energy efficiency or improve illumination for various projects throughout the town.
We’ve been very pleased with the results! The clock tower project was a great way to bring our community together during our 150th anniversary, and updates to lighting at the senior center and historical museum are put to good use every day, in a way that our whole community can enjoy.
Who can submit an idea?
Town Departments and Non-profits can submit proposals to enhance energy efficiency or improve illumination for various projects throughout Merrimac.
Funding Limit
Our funding limit has increased from $5,000 to
Voting Deadline
Voting closes on September 25th, 2026 and the winner will be announced during Public Power Week in October.
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This Year’s Project Submissions
Below are the submissions sent to us this year.
Senior Center Lighting Update
The Town of Merrimac Council on Aging and Senior Center is requesting funds to continue the replacement project of the outdated florescent lighting at the Senior Center.
New ADA Compliant Playground at the Sweetsir School
The Commission on Disabilities is asking the light department to consider contributing $20,000.00 towards the cost of a new playground at the Sweetsir School that will be ADA compliant. Cost of the new playground is $180,000.00, and this dosen’t include the cost of site work, which the highway department will be doing for us, saving us money.
The playground at the Dr. F.N. Sweetsir School is over 30 years old. The structures are outdated and unsafe. Metal components of the structure become too hot in the sunshine for sage handling. The playground flooring is a concrete base that is covered with sand. Children with mobility issues struggle to navigate the playground and if students fall, they can become injured. Currently there are drainage issues due to the sand so children are restricted from playing when there are extensive puddles. Ground bees have also been an issue due to the sand, necessitating playground closure while the playground is treated.
The Pentucket School District preschool programs are all housed at the Sweetsir School beginning in Sptember 2026 and the children need a safe and accessible playground. Early Intervention referrals for children with disabilities have increased and with the additional preschool classes there will be more children with disabilities that require access. The Sweetsir School also houses the Pentucket Regional School District’s ABA based programs for children with autism. A more sensory-friendly, safe playground is needed.
The new playground will provide a safe space for all of the children in Merrimac.
Replace Compact Florescent Downlighting at the Library
The Merrimac Public Library is requesting funds to replace the old compact fluorescent downlights with new LED trim lights. Not only would the new LED lights be more energy saving and efficient, but they would also improve the overall lighting conditions in the library for patrons browsing, staff and volunteers shelving books and for task lighting.
Update the Young Adult & Teen Space at the Library
The Young Adult/Teen room hasn’t been updated since the new library opened in 2004, and there is only one wall outlet and two in the floor, from previous PC’s, which we no longer have. The Youth Services staff would like to have more outlets installed within the space so teens can have access to charge their Chromebooks, phones and other technology. We would also like to install a Flat Screen TV in the newly remodeled Young Adult room, that can be used to promote teen programming,
We would also like to install a Flat Screen TV in the newly remodeled Young Adult room, that can be used to promote teen programming, and also be used by staff for teen programs like video gaming, movies, technology, instruction, etc.
Vote for your favorite Idea!
Vote using the form below, or request a paper ballot at the Merrimac Light office. We’re using the Ranked Choice Voting system.
Please number the choices from 1 through 4, in order of most to least favorable.
1 being your favorite
then 2nd favorite
then 3rd favorite
and 4 being your least favorite.
- Please use your contact information so we can verify your vote. Anonymous entries will not be counted.
- Duplicate entries will not be counted
- Entries that assign the same number to multiple choices will not be counted