Winter scene with sun peaking through the trees.

Winter scene with sun peeking through the trees.
(Photo by Eric Anderson)

December 2017 Edition

Welcome to the monthly bulletin from the Town of Bow. As part of our commitment to keep citizens informed and involved in the community, we hope you find this information to be useful. View the Town of Bow's Community Calendar. Send us your event information, so we can add it to the calendar. Follow the public meeting schedule. Sign up for text and email notifications through NotifyMe®. Follow Bow Police, Recreation, and Library on social media.

David Stack, Town Manager Photo © Eric Anderson.

Town Manager's Report

Budget Process
The Board of Selectmen has completed its review of the proposed FY2018-19 Town budget. The Board's budget will now be submitted to the Budget Committee for it's review beginning in January to February. The Committee will be reviewing both the Town and School District budgets. The Committee has not finalized the schedule. Meetings will be posted on the Town website.

Property Tax rate and Eversource
As you all are now aware, the Town’s property tax rate has increased 5.6% over the 2016 rate. When the Town and School budgets were approved at last March’s Town and School Meetings, the projected 2017 tax rate was $26.27, which would have represented a two cent drop from the 2016 tax rate. The 2017 tax rate is $27.77. So, what happened?

There are two reasons why the rate is higher than anticipated and both are related to a drop in the assessed value of the Merrimack Station power plant. Approximately one-quarter of the increase can be attributed to a decision made by the Board of Selectmen to lower the assessment of the plant to equal the $75 million sale price that was recently approved by the Public Utilities Commission. This equates to a $20.5 million drop in value. The remainder of the increase was caused by a $1.2 million increase in the amount of funds raised for potential property tax abatements. Both of these actions were taken by the Board of Selectmen to help to alleviate the total financial impact of the plant’s value change.

In spring, 2016, the Superior Court heard an appeal from Eversource contesting the Town’s 2012 and 2013 assessed values for all of the company's properties located in Bow. The Court issued its ruling in October, 2016 and it was in favor of Eversource. The Town filed an appeal of that decision with the State Supreme Court, and the appeal was heard on October 12, 2017. Any amount to be refunded will not be certain until the court case is concluded. The 2014 through 2017 tax years are not covered by the case. That being said, the Town’s liability for the 2012 and 2013 tax years could exceed $14 million.

Lighting and engraved bricks at Safety Center
The sidewalk lights were installed on Monday, 11/20. Since it is late in the season, DPW is recommending that the installation of bricks is best done next spring. The trench that was dug to run electricity to each light was re-filled and needs to settle.

Board of Selectmen Appointments
Madhumita Chatterjee was recently appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve a three year term on the Drinking Water Protection Committee. Established by the Board in 2006, the Committee's role is to ensure clean water for all Bow residents and employees. Welcome, Madhumita.

Holiday Closings
The Municipal Building and Town Offices will be closed on the following days and times:

Thursday, December 21, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.- Town Offices employee gathering
Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26 - Christmas
Monday, January 1, New Year's Day

A New Face and a Familiar One

Tammy Martin, Account Clerk

Tammy Martin (left) recently joined our team as Account Clerk in the Town Clerk/Tax Collector's office. She has replaced Tonia Lindquist (right) who has been named as Administrative Assistant to the Town Manager./Board of Selectmen. We look forward to working with them in their new positions.

Tonia Lindquist, Administrative Assistant to Town Manager/Board of Selectmen

Baker Free Library

Library Endowment Fund Campaign & Giving Tree through 12/31
The Library Trustees and Foundation directors launched a new annual endowment fund campaign that will benefit Bow taxpayers and help sustain the library for the future. An endowment fund is an investment fund where the Foundation would make regular withdrawals of capital to fund specific library initiatives. Our goal between Giving Tuesday and 12/31/17 is to raise $10,000, with all monies to be invested in an endowment fund by the Foundation. Eventually, this should help off-set the tax burden of library services on Bow residents. Questions? Email Lori Fisher at lori@bakerfreelib.org.

To make a donation, visit https://givingtools.com/bakerfreelib

In addition, the Library also has its 9th annual Giving Tree available! All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. We have tags for collections support, Summer Reading event support, and the Friends of Baker Free Library's Museum pass program. Please consider donating to the Library between now and Saturday 12/30. All donors will be recognized on the tree with an ornament (which can be labeled "anonymous"), and donors of over $50 will receive a letter of acknowledgment. Thank you in advance for your support of the library! Questions? Contact Lori Fisher, 224-7113 or lori@bakerfreelib.org

FREE Yoga classes for Bow residents
As part of a facility rental agreement approved by the Library Trustees, YogaNH (owned by Maureen Miller of Concord, NH), is pleased to offer FREE 1-hour yoga classes each month to Bow residents and library card holders! These classes are suitable for all levels, and the classes for December will be Saturday 12/2 and Sunday 12/3 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Classes will be held in the Library's Merrimack County Savings Bank Room in the Lower Level. Because these classes are being held outside of library operating hours, participants will need to enter through the Lower Level door near the handicapped parking and ramp. Please register in advance through the MindBody app (search under Yoga for YogaNH) or contact Lori Fisher at 224-7113 or lori@bakerfreelib.org. Thank you to Maureen Miller and YogaNH for giving back to the Bow community as part of their paid use of our facilities for events and workshops!

Cookie Swap on Saturday 12/16
Get into the holiday spirit and go home with a variety of holiday treats on Saturday 12/16 between 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bring 1 dozen cookies to swap for samples, or bring 4 dozen cookies to swap for 4 dozen others! A family-friendly holiday movie will be playing in the MCSB Meeting Room to keep kids of all ages entertained. Registration is REQUIRED. Please contact Betsy at betsy@bakerfreelib.org by December 13th.

Community Development Department

Bow Water Treatment Facility tour

Members of the Bow Drinking Water Protection Committee and the Business Development Commission recently toured the Town’s water treatment facility located on River Road. Erik Burkett, from WhiteWater, led the group provided much information on the inner workings of the facility. WhiteWater is the Town's system operator.

Bow Drinking Water Protection Committee Water Plant Tour

Water Plant Tour
Pictured from left to right: Wendy Waskin, Dick Kraybill, Larry Haynes, Eric Burkett, Noel Gourley

Fire Department

Stay Safe this Winter Holiday Season

Each year, thousands of deaths are caused by fires, burns and other fire-related injuries. The National Fire Protection Association reports that the Increased use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the use of combustible seasonal decorations, means more risk for fire during the holidays..

Top Ten Tips

Keep tree stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.
Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.
Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.Use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord.
Do not run cords under rugs, around furniture legs or across doorways.
Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
Unplug extension cords when not in use.
Never leave burning candles unattended or sleep in a room with a lit candle; make sure candles are on stable surfaces.
Keep candles out of reach of children
Don't burn candles near trees, curtains or any other flammable items
Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace

Parks & Recreation Department

January-March Recreation Flyer is out with registration beginning the first week in December. Registration for all our programs is first come/first served and many will fill up! Check it out on the town website www.bownh.gov

Thank You! We would like to thank all the Town Departments, The Bow School District, the many Bow Community Groups, Businesses and Individuals who helped to once again make the Annual Halloween Party and the Tree Lighting/Santa Visit such wonderful events once again! The efforts that go into these events from so many is truly what makes Bow such a special community. Thank you!

Program Highlight -Cross Country Skiing
We are excited to offer our first Cross County Skiing Program with Buffy Buffinga. Buffy is currently our Boot Camp Instructor and the BHS Assistant Nordic Coach. The class will involve skill development and games, no experience needed. This 3 week class will be held on Thursdays Jan. 25^th, Feb. 1^st & Feb. 8th afterschool until 4:30 pm at The BES Cross Country Trails for a fee of $41.00. Participants will need to supply their own equipment.

Program Highlight - Strings Musical Lessons
Accomplished Musician Muriel Orcutt is back with us teaching String Lessons. Children can choose violin, viola or cello lessons. Information for equipment rental will be provided. Half hour Classes are held at The Bow Elementary at 3:35 pm or 4:05 pm, Jan. 9^th-Feb. 13^th and/or Mar. 6^th-April 17^th. Please contact us for more information.

How To Register - In order to register for a Parks and Recreation Program, we need a current registration form and payment at the Parks and Recreation Office, 3 Bow Center Road, Bow. We have a secure drop slot to the right of the front door, should you come when we are not open. At this time, we accept cash or checks (payable to The Town of Bow).

Continuing Education
Parks & Recreation Director Cindy Rose attended a Professional Development Workshop on Hiring and Employment Law put on by Health Trust with the NH Parks and Recreation Association.

Police Department

RAD Training Program

The Bow and Allenstown Police Departments recently sponsored a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training program. Twenty-five women from surrounding towns attended four training sessions. This was a huge success. Bow PD will be sponsoring the same training this Fall. Please contact either Detective Sergeant Stacey Blanchette at sblanchette@bownh.gov or Officer Michael Carpenter at mcarpenter@bownh.gov.

Continuing Education
Chief Margaret Lougee, School Resource Officer Michael Carpenter, and Officer Phil Goodacre attended the “Early Childhood Symposium for Law Enforcement” at NH Police Standards and Training.

Lieutenant Scott Hayes attended a three day Primex seminar on Investigating Citizen Complaints and Officer Misconduct for Supervisors.

The Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Matt LeBlanc has successfully completed his Field Training and will be serving the Bow community.

Bow Police Association

The Bow Police Association donated a “cruiser full of food” to Scouting for Food. The Association also donated a basket full of food for the Human Services Thanksgiving baskets and hosted the Annual Turkey Trot 5K in memory of retired K-9 Osci.

Officer Phil Goodacre and Sgt. Phil Lamy with some scouts.

Public Works Department

Snow Plowing and Winter Safety

Please help us keep our roads clear

At the road side, pile snow on the side of your driveway, on the downstream-flow of traffic. This reduces the amount of snow the plow truck puts in your driveway.
Don’t throw snow into the street; it creates a driving hazard and eliminates the plows from pushing the snow in front of your driveway.

Keep your mailbox safe

Maintain a sturdy mail box; perform repairs every fall season.
Add reflectors to mailboxes; Christmas lights work great too!
Keep snow cleaned away from mailboxes; each winter event, accumulation becomes a block of ice and added plow pressure can cause damage.
The most common contributing factor is the location, post too close to the road, or maybe it is located on a sharp curve and needs to be relocated.

If your mailbox seems to always be a target, contact us at Public Works and ask what can be done to prevent further strikes!

Winter snow shoveling and clearing tricks and tips

• Prevent back injuries by using small shovel loads and shoveling in layers,
starting from the top.
• Shovel in time intervals, every hour or two, to reduce the amount of snow
accumulation.

Have a safe winter season
and remember the plow trucks
are here to help!

Job Openings

Part-time Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector
MORE INFO

Fleet Maintenance Manager (DPW)
MORE INFO

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