Bow Open Spaces, Inc.

Hammond Nature Preserve: Now is a perfect time to explore the Hammond Nature Preserve and its beautiful field.  See the new trail map.  Never been there? Park on Dunbarton Center Road (between Woodhill and Brown Hill Roads).  It’s an easy and short walk from the kiosk to a beautiful field.  You can also reach the field by walking or mountain biking up the Eagle Trail (a very long hill) from Branch Londonderry Turnpike.  Spectacular in the late afternoon when the sun shines on the fall foliage!  Bring a picnic to enjoy on the Boy Scouts’ tables at the far end of the field.  While you’re there, notice the special care taken by several people to keep the area mowed so you can enjoy the beauty without fear of ticks. Our friends at the Department of Public Works mow the parking area monthly, Rick Nylen mows the field once each summer AND, most amazingly, neighbor and Trails Committee member Charly Lagasse uses his lawn tractor every 2 weeks to keep the parking and kiosk areas tidy. He also mows a path around the perimeter of the field and mows the upper Eagle Trail. Thank you, thank you!

Get Out and Walk Day:  Join Bow and Dunbarton School District Wellness Committee in collaboration with Bow Parks and Rec for this fun family event.  This is a great opportunity to get to know the trails around Bow High School.  The 2 mile trail route will start and end at the BHS track.  Sunday, November 5, check in is at 1:30 and the eventstarts at 2:00.  Thanks to Sarah Dolcino and Trish Ramsey for getting the Trails Committee involved in this.

Update on Town Forest rules: The Selectmen hosted a meeting on October 3 to discuss the issues we brought up about conflicting signs and regulations (specifically dogs and wheeled vehicles) in the Town Forests.  The meeting was well attended by the Bow Conservation Commission, Bow Open Spaces, and the Bow Pioneers.  The Selectmen clarified and confirmed that ATVs and dirt bikes are not allowed on any trails that are on town property- this includes under power lines and on snowmobile trails.  There was considerable support expressed for mountain bicycles and the contribution by mountain bicyclists to trail development and maintenance was acknowledged.  Since the meeting, the town has added info to its website about motorized vehicles on trails.  The Police Chief agreed to step up enforcement, the town is going to rewrite its official signs so they are clear, and Bow Open Spaces plans to put up “No ATV/dirt bikes” signs in key areas.  The Selectmen also clarified that while dogs do not have to be on a leash, the law requires that they are under control (which means under voice command or on a leash).  To report illegal use of ATVs and dirt bikes or to report dog behavior that you feel is threatening, call 228-0511 (Bow Police dispatch-non emergency). 

Trail Care Day:  Thanks to the efforts of 11 volunteers, the Walker/Hammond Forest is one step closer to having a user friendly trail network.  On September 17 we blazed the Esker and Webelos Trails, improved the lower entrance with some fancy work (“trail hardening”) and cleared brush on the Webelos Trail, and extended the Hampshire Hills Spur to the Esker Trail with a goal of making a shorter loop for residents of the Hampshire Hills and Van Ger Drive area.

No Motorized Vehicles on Bow Trails

Although OHRVs (Off Highway Recreation Vehicles) such as dirt bikes and ATVs, are not permitted on trails on town property, we are fortunate to have 26 miles of trails available at the Hopkinton-Everett Multi-Use Trail System located in Dunbarton.  Visit the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation site for more OHRVing info.

Explore trails and outdoor recreation in Bow.

Free Yoga Classes for Bow Residents in November
The Library and YogaNH are pleased to offer FREE one-hour yoga classes for Bow residents! The November classes will be held on Sat 11/3 and Sun 11/4, from 9 am to 10 am. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, either through MindBody app (search for YogaNH under the Yoga category) or contacting Lori Fisher at 224-7113 or lori@bakerfreelib.org.  These classes are suitable for all levels of yoga ability. Classes are held in the Library’s Merrimack County Savings Bank Room in the Lower Level, so participants will need to enter through the Lower Level door near the handicapped parking and ramp. Bring your yoga mat! 

Library Closures in November
The Library will be CLOSED on Saturday 11/11 in observance of Veteran’s Day.  The Library will CLOSE EARLY at 4 pm on Wednesday 11/22, and remain CLOSED on Thursday 11/23 and Friday 11/24 in observance of Thanksgiving. The Library will re-open for regular hours on Saturday 11/25.  Please remember to use our book and CD/DVD drop to return items, and log into the catalog through the Library website www.bowbakerfreelibrary.org to reserve or renew any items.

Library Class/Event Highlights
Change Direction-Know the 5 Signs with Justice Broderick: Wednesday 11/8 at 6:30 pm.  
In partnership with Bow High School, we are pleased to have Justice Broderick speak about recognizing the five signs of mental illness and depression, particularly in our students.  He will speak to students during the day on Wednesday 11/8, and then speak to parents at the Library in the Merrimack County Savings Bank Room in the evening. Doors open at 6 pm for seating.  Open to the public with no registration. Questions? Contact Betsy at 224-7113 or betsy@bakerfreelib.org.

Movie of the Month – Baby Driver: Monday 11/13, 6:30 pm
Baby (ANSEL ELGORT), a talented, young getaway driver, relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. When he meets the girl of his dreams (LILY JAMES), Baby sees a chance to ditch his criminal life and make a clean getaway. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss (KEVIN SPACEY), he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom. Rated R.

Community Development Department

Town Master Plan 2017 
The Planning Board held a public hearing on 10/05/17 to review the Master Plan and after discussion voted unanimously to adopt it.  

Staff News
Alvina Snegach from Bow Community Development participated in the 2017 NHMA Municipal Law Lecture Series. 2017 lectures include Land Use and Water Protection, Telecommunications and Land Use Boards, and Land Use Board Procedures.

Business Development Commission  
Held a Business to Business event was held on October 25th in the newly constructed Bow Safety Center. Owners or representatives from over 30 local businesses were in attendance along with representatives from the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. The event also included a guided tour of the facility.  

Parks & Recreation Department

The Annual Bow Community Tree Lighting/Santa Celebration will be on Sunday, November 26th at the Town Bandstand from 5:00-6:30 PM.  The evening will begin at 5:00 as we turn on the lights to make the gazebo area a winter wonderland.  Join us in chorus as we await the visit of jolly ole’ Santa!  Children will be invited to visit Santa and parents are welcome to take photos.  Throughout the evening we will have s’more making, chili, hot cocoa, cookies, holiday crafts and more.  Overflow parking will be held at the Bow Memorial School with bus transportation to and from the school to the Community Building throughout the event. 

November/December Recreation Flyer is out with registration in full swing.  Registration for all of our programs is on a first come/first serve basis and many will fill up!  Check it out on the town website – www.bownh.gov

Program Highlight – Snap Happy Beginner DSLR Photography Class
How to get your DSLR camera off auto and on to better pictures!  Instructor Mary Noce will be on hand for this two class session where you will learn the What, How and Why behind your camera settings, as well as tips and tricks for taking better pictures.  Classes will be held on Nov. 1 & 15.  Choose the 10:00-11:30AM class or the 6:00-7:30PM class.  The fee is $55.00.

Program Highlight – Gnome Workshop
Craft your very own Christmas Gnome or “Tomte” from recycled sweaters and materials. According to Scandinavian legend, these jolly whimsical creatures worked through the night, bringing toys and other gifts to good girls and boys.  Karen Krause will be leading these classes.  Grades 1-4 will be Nov. 27th from 2:30-4:30.  Teens & Adults will be Nov. 16th from 7:00-8:30 PM.  The fee is $15.00 per person.  Register now.

Program Highlight – Nottingcook Hike
Join us for a trail hike to Great View (South Bow Rd) on Friday, November 10th,  where we will enjoy the most spectacular views of Belknap Range, White Mountains, Mount Kearsarge, Crotched Mountain and the Monadnock Mountains.  Come prepared, dressed for the weather, bring a snack and water.  This hike is not stroller accessible and children must be accompanied by a parent.  We will meet at the Nottingcook Trail Head parking lot at 10:45 for an 11:00 start.  Register with us at The Bow Community Building, 228-2222.

Public Works Department

Miscellaneous

• Numerous trash toters were repaired and many distributed.  

Highways Division 

• The Highway crew cut numerous hazardous overhead branches on the roads throughout town.  They also repaired potholes on many town roads.
• Fallen trees from wind and rain the past months were picked up and removed and a hazardous tree on Red Pine Drive was removed.
• Our newest employee, Chip Craig, along with Michael Aborn assisted with Construction Career day in New Boston.
• Chip attended a Green Snow Pro refresher course and now all employees are certified.
• The crew stock piled sand for the upcoming winter months.
• In between the above, the crew kept busy ditching and started prepping their trucks for the upcoming winter months.
• The employees built an earthen berm at the new Safety Complex and planted shrubbery.

Cemeteries & Grounds Division

• During the month we continued with general maintenance of turf areas throughout Town. The electrical work at Gergler field was completed and a new backstop installed.   Applications of lime, fertilizer and broadleaf weed control were completed.  Brush hog mowing continues throughout areas of town.  Shrubs donated by the bow Garden Club were planted at the Safety Complex and landscaping of the complex continues throughout the fall.  Gas and Diesel powered equipment and other combustibles were moved to the Coffin Building from the Community Building.
• The Cemetery remains busy. A couple lots were sold and three new markers were installed by Perry Brothers Monument Company.  There were a couple of burials.  Rick Nylen and Lynn LaBontee attended the NH Cemetery Association’s Fall Meeting.  There were lots of vendors attending with all the latest cemetery mowing equipment and burial information

Public Buildings Division

• DPW employees helped move tables and cabinets and the old dispatch equipment to the new Safety Complex.
• The Community building's furnace needed repairs as there was a report of no heat.
• The ladies room at the Municipal building needed an overhead light replaced and stink bugs were removed and cleaned out of the kitchen area.

Fleet Maintenance Division

• All the Town’s vehicles were required to go through the yearly required  state inspection .  The mechanics are working on the vehicles to have them ready for the upcoming winter months.
• The Police Department’s new vehicle, car 6 was put into service.  The new DPW 10 wheel truck came in and the dump body and plow gear is being installed at H.P Fairfield in Pembroke. 

Town Clerk Tax Collector's Office

The Vision database upgrade performed by the NH Department of Motor Vehicles went off smoothly. The November renewal notices are going out at the end of this week. If you are renewing by mail or online, give yourself enough time to receive it by back by mail.  Our turnaround time is 24 hours.  Remember  we are closed on Friday, November 10th for Veterans day and November 23rd and 24th for Thanksgiving. 

The NH Department of Revenue has not set our tax rates yet. Once we get our tax rates, bills will be sent out. We are hoping to get the tax bills out by the end of October or the beginning of November. Taxes will be due 30 days from the date of the tax bill. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Job Opening

Applications for Administrative Assistant to the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen are being accepted through November 7th.  MORE INFO

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© Town of Bow, 2017