Merrill

Merrill is a rural town located in Aroostook County, Maine, sitting at an elevation of 968 feet above sea level. For travelers seeking information about Merrill Maine, the town borders Smyrna directly to the east, Moro Plantation to the west, and Hersey to the south and southwest.

Community Profile

At the 2020 Decennial Census, Merrill had a population of 208 people, down from 273 in 2010 (a decline of 23.8%). The town's municipal website notes an estimated population of approximately 250. According to five-year American Community Survey estimates, the median age is 33.2 years, and there are 125 households (compared to 104 households recorded in the 2010 Census). In the 2010 Census, American Indian and Alaska Native residents comprised 4.4% of the population. ACS 5-year estimates report a median household income of approximately $56,700 and a per capita income of approximately $34,879.

Local Economy and Businesses

Farming, forestry, and trade services operate throughout Merrill. Local agricultural and forestry businesses include Delette Ridge Farm, Dale Boutilier Potato Farm, Gene & Barbara Lawlor Cattle Farm, and Chris Bates Logging. Contracting and trade businesses serving the area include Ora Hardy Construction, Bartman Towing & Upholstery, and Chris Bond Contracting Service.

Town Government and Municipal Services

Merrill operates under a Selectmen/Town Manager/Town Meeting form of government. Municipal leadership and staff include:

• Board of Selectmen and Commissioners: Thomas Goff, Mark Lawlor, and Craig McMannus.
• Town Manager, Tax Collector, Deputy Treasurer, and Clerk: Candis Nevers.
• Treasurer, Deputy Clerk, and Deputy Tax Collector: Alberta McDonald.
• Code Enforcement Officer: Bill Wright, reachable at (207) 757-8556.
• Fire Warden: Randy Rockwell, reachable at (207) 757-8343.
• Animal Control Officer: John Graham, reachable at (207) 757-8152.

Merrill does not operate an independent police department; law enforcement services are provided by the Maine State Police (Troop F) and the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office.

Education

Merrill is part of Regional School Unit No. 50 (RSU 50), which also includes Crystal, Dyer Brook, Hersey, Island Falls, Oakfield, and Smyrna. It is also affiliated with the six-town Southern Aroostook Community School District (CSD #9 / SACS). Local public school students attend Southern Aroostook Community School, a PreK–12 facility. High school students have access to vocational and technical training through Region Two Career and Technical Education programs as well as Southern Aroostook Vocational Education (SAVE). RSU 50 also provides adult education programming. For post-secondary learning, the town notes proximity to the Higher Education Center located less than a half-hour away in Houlton.

Outdoor Recreation and Local Parks

Merrill offers multiple opportunities for outdoor recreation across its forests, waterways, and trails:

• Merrill Millstream Park: Located on the East Branch of the Mattawamkeag River, this community park hosts seasonal events. In the spring, an annual canoe and kayak race has been organized starting from the park along the river. During the winter, the town maintains an outdoor ice skating rink complete with a twenty-foot decorated Christmas tree, and the park hosts an annual "Christmas in the Park" gathering for local families.
• Paddling and Fishing: The East Branch of the Mattawamkeag River and local streams provide options for canoeing, kayaking, and brook trout fishing.
• Hiking: Local hiking spots include Hastings Falls, which is used for hiking and picnicking, and nearby Sholler Mountain. Additionally, the International Appalachian Trail passes through Merrill along Townline Road, featuring a camping lean-to shelter adjacent to Roach Farm.
• Trail Riding: The town maintains a network of groomed snowmobile trails in winter and connected ATV trails in summer.

Transportation

Merrill is situated about 100 miles north of Bangor, Maine. Maine State Route 212 runs through the town, connecting State Route 11 in Moro Plantation to U.S. Route 2 in Smyrna, and passes just a couple of miles from Interstate 95. According to the Maine Department of Transportation, the town contains 18.72 miles of public roads (9.36 miles of State Highway and 9.36 miles of townways). Regional public transit across Aroostook County is administered under Maine DOT Transit Region 1 by the Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS).