MERRIMAC — The planned merger between the Merrimac and West Newbury Councils on Aging is moving forward, Council on Aging Executive Director Laura Dillingham-Mailman told selectmen last week.

Dillingham-Mailman said negotiations are continuing. She said that she met with West Newbury's selectmen and that the collaboration has the support of West Newbury's COA Director Theresa Poore and West Newbury's Finance Director Tracy Blais.

However, at the June 24 West Newbury selectman's meeting, Chairman Glenn Kemper issued a public statement saying he would not support the merger. The other selectmen indicated they would continue to explore the proposal. The West Newbury Council on Aging also voted unanimously against the idea.

Merrimac selectmen Chairman Earl Baumgardner said the coalition is "a great idea."

Dillingham-Mailman conceded that cost savings in the first year are "not as strong as I would personally like." But she expects it will improve, adding, "There are opportunities for grants which do not present themselves unless you are a regional cooperative — two or more towns."

The initial plan called for a 5-year commitment and a $45,000 annual assessment from West Newbury to Merrimac that could increase by only 21âÑ2 percent per year. The move would save Merrimac about $5,000 and West Newbury $15,000 annually.

West Newbury voters approved spending $42,960 for elder services next year. Merrimac's budget for its COA is $191,000, not including grants, funding from its Friends group or private donations in its Gift Account.

In other business, selectmen met with consulting engineer John Riordan and Light and Water Department manager Dan Folding to continue discussions about a water main issue on Hillside Avenue. Four houses currently feed off this 68-year-old pipe, including one house that is slated to be demolished, Folding said. The house to be torn down is on a lot that has approval to be subdivided into two lots and is for sale.

The primary issue, which has been under discussion for months, is that the water pipe is located on private property, but there is no public access to repair or replace it. If the pipe were to break, Town Counsel Ashod Amirian said he and Folding "felt we had an obligation to service those houses."

But with no easement to access the line, Amirian asked, "What are we going to do?"

Folding said he had tried to obtain easements from the abutters, but many had essentially said, "We don't want any part of it."

"Can the town force an easement?" Riordan asked.

Amirian said he needs to research that option.

An additional concern is that water pressure in that area is not up to par for firefighting, Riordan said. Upgrading the water system in that area is not an immediate option because it would be an expensive project. Selectman Carol Traynor suggested using nearby Amesbury's fire hydrants for backup in the meantime.

Amirian recommended the building inspector meet with Riordan and then report back to the Board of Selectmen.