A New England Snow Covered Road

January 2018 Edition

Happy New Year!

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

Thank You Public Works
I would like to thank our Department of Public Works crew for the excellent work that they have been doing to keep our streets clear of ice and snow and making them safe for our residents and the motoring public. It is not an easy job, particularly when they are pulled away from family and friends during the holidays. They are much appreciated.

Solar Power Project
The Town of Bow recently received proposals for the installation of solar panels at the new Safety Center at 7 Knox Road, and at the old Town landfill on White Rock Hill Road. The Town received four proposals and we are meeting with the proposers to discuss their various approaches to the project. A recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen for consideration.

Holiday Closings

The Municipal Building and Town Offices will be closed on Monday, January 1, for New Year's Day and on Monday, January 15, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day.

Baker Free Library

Thank you for supporting the Library's new Endowment Fund

Thanks to the support of over 45 private donors, the Baker Free Library Foundation raised over $15,000 to start the Baker Free Library Endowment Fund! The Foundation Directors and Library Trustees sincerely appreciate the generosity of all donors this year. The endowment fund has been established to help ensure that our Library meets new and diverse demands of our community throughout the 21st century. All contributions will be invested in a restricted endowment fund to support improvements and enhancements to library services. As with all endowments, the interest income, not the principal, will support these initiatives years down the road. If you would like to make a 2018 contribution, either as a one-time gift or a recurring monthly or bi-monthly gift, please contact Mark Leven, Foundation President, at markhleven11@gmail.com or make your gift through our online donation portal on the Library web site www.bowbakerfreelibrary.org.

SAVE THE DATE: Town Candidate’s Night
The 3rd annual Candidate's Night for those running for an elected office in the Town of Bow will be held on Tuesday, February 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Library's Lower Level (the snow date for the event is Tuesday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m., same location). The filing period for Town offices is Wednesday, January 24 through Wednesday, January 31. The Library will be in contact with all registered candidates to obtain information for our Candidate Info Packets, and to confirm participation on Candidate's Night. Questions? Contact Lori at 224-7113 or lori@bakerfreelib.org.

FREE Yoga classes for Bow residents
Due to a collaboration with YogaNH (Concord, NH), the library 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 January will be Saturday 1/6 and Sunday 1/7 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Due to the size of the yoga teacher trainer group on Sunday, we will be limited to 10 community member participants. Sign up early!! 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 YogaNH for giving back to the Bow community as part of their paid use of our facilities for events and workshops!

Library Holiday Closures
The Library will be CLOSED on Monday, January 1, 2018 New Years Day and Monday, January 15, 2018 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Community Development Department

Current Activities

The Planning Board is currently reviewing a commercial condominium subdivision for a project under construction on Route 3A.

Building and fire officials have been working to streamline the process for building permit approval and to create a “one stop shop” in the Community Development Department.

Staff from the Community Development Department and Whitewater, Inc., the firm that manages the Bow Municipal water and sewer system, met with officials from Hooksett to discuss the potential for sharing utility infrastructure.

Proposed Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District
A proposal for a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District for Bow Junction and Bow Mills was presented to the Board of Selectmen. The goal is to bring needed improvements to this area to attract commercial development without impacting current taxpayers.

Fire Department

Ice Safety Tips

This month members of the Bow Fire Department will be conducting training on ice rescues.

As the lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers throughout New Hampshire freeze during winter months, residents may be eager to start skating, playing hockey, ice fishing, and enjoying other winter activities. However, frozen bodies of water can be dangerous.

Generally, ice that forms on moving water (rivers, streams, and brooks) is never safe. Ice freezes and thaws at different rates and the thickness of ice on ponds and lakes can vary depending on water currents, springs, depth, and natural objects such as tree stumps or rocks. It can be a foot thick in one area and just inches thick a few feet away. Daily changes in temperature also affect its strength.

The Town Pond is available ice skating and the ice thickness is monitored. Please stay off the Town Pond if it is marked closed.

Residential Workshop

Chief Mitch Harrington, along with representatives from Pennichuck Water, conducted a residential sprinkler workshop for the Stone Sled development residents. Topics discussed included system design, functions, and water supply needs.

Bow Fire Department Service Awards

On December 16, 2017, the Fire Department held its annual Service Awards night. The following people were recognized for their service:

John Keller, Completion of Probation
Richard Oberman, Completion of Probation
Scott Stone, Completion of Probation
Craig Beaulac, 10 Years of Service
Maria Koustas, 15 Years of Service
Mark Mattice, 25 Years of Service
Ken Judkins, 45 Years of Service
Ted Bardwell, 55 Years of Service

The Chief's Award, which recognizes outstanding service, commitment and dedication, was awarded to Justin Abbott. Justin began serving with the Fire Department in November of 1995 as a Fire Explorer. As a member of the Bow Fire Department, he has responded to 1,861 incidents and continues annually to be in the top 10% of responders.

Parks & Recreation Department

January-March Recreation Flyer is out! 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

Program Highlight – POUND™ Rockout Workout
Join our Zumba® Instructor, Tracey Beaulieu for this full body cardio and conditioning class that gives you permission to ROCK. You will use lightly weighted exercise drumsticks known as Ripstix (we will provide). This program is offered on Thursday evenings, from 5:45-6:45 pm., at The Bow Community Building. Registration is now open for our January – March session. Please pre-register.

Program Highlight – Dog Obedience Training
Looking to teach your puppy or older dog new tricks? Would you like your dog to be better behaved? Join us for one of our upcoming Dog Obedience Programs. These 6 week sessions are held on Monday Evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm., at The Bow Community Building. We have a January/February Session and a March/April Session that we are registering for now. Please pre-register.

It’s Skating & Sledding Season!

Skating at The Town Pond and Sledding at the Bandstand are open to the public, weather permitting. Please read and obey all signs. We will post the pond Open/Closed for skating as the weather permits or give us a call at 228-2222 or 223-3920 to check the status.

Police Department

Important Snow Removal Ordinances and Statutes

The Police Department would like to remind residents of the following Town Ordinance and State Statutes concerning the removal of snow from your driveway and motor vehicle

Snow Removal (Town Code Chapter 154, Section 154-23.)
No person shall permit or allow snow removed from their driveway or parking lot to be plowed or placed onto or across any road in the Town at any time. No person shall permit or allow snow removed from their driveway, parking lot or property to be plowed or placed or deposited onto any Town property, nor shall any snow removed be placed or deposited in any manner that would hinder access to any Town property. Any person found to be in violation with the provisions of this article may be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) for each violation.

Negligent Driving (NH RSA 265:79-b)
Snow and ice falling from a moving truck/car can create hazardous driving conditions for vehicles travelling around them, and possibly result in fines and/or civil liability for failing to take reasonable steps to remove the snow or ice accumulations. Under New Hampshire State law, a driver can be cited for driving a vehicle in a manner that “endangers” or “is likely to endanger any person or property.” It is also very important for drivers of all vehicles to leave sufficient space when following large trucks to give themselves enough time to react and be able to avoid any snow/ice in the event that it does fall from a large truck or trailer. Per 265:79-b Negligent Driving. "Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle negligently or causes a vehicle to be driven negligently, or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 for a first offense and not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense."

Leadership Greater Concord - Criminal Justice Session Day

Police Chief Margaret Lougee recently participated in a panel discussion consisting of command personnel from various police agencies, including Chief Osgood (Concord PD), Capt. Ferry (NH State Police) and Major Krieger (Merrimack County Sheriff's Office). The discussion revolved around the current challenges facing law enforcement, including the opioid epidemic, mental health issues, and public perception.

RAD Program Graduates

Officer Mike Carpenter, Bow residents Annika Geiben-Lynn and her mom Jessica Geiben-Lynn, and Chief Margaret Lougee recently graduated from the Rape Aggression Defense class held recently in Allenstown.

L-R Officer Mike Carpenter, Annika Geiben-Lynn, Chief Margaret Lougee and Jessica Grieben-Lynn..

Public Works Department

Highway Division
December was one of the windiest that we have had. Multiple trees that were a safety concern were taken down around Town. Some minor roadside maintenance was completed where the possibility of icing might have been a concern. It was a busy month for our snow plows; we had four storms all roads were plowed and sanded for safe traveling.

Parks Division
Repairs were made to all the worn and damaged areas of the athletic fields in town. A second Purple Martin house, which was made by Eagle Scout candidate Brian Chagnon, was installed at the Safety Building Pond.

Fleet Division
With the four storms we have had so far, our mechanics have been busy repairing minor issues and maintaining the snow plows.

Buildings Division
The Buildings Division was busy with the installation of new sidewalk lighting at the Safety Center.

Personnel News
Mike Hague recently achieved the status of Roads Scholar One from the Technology Transfer Center at the University of New Hampshire. Mike has been with the Department for 24 years. Congratulations!

The Department of Public Works would like to welcome Scott Beaulac as the new Fleet Maintenance Manager. Scott will manage the Towns fleet of vehicles, machinery and backup generators. Scott brings with him a vast array of vehicle maintenance knowledge and we look forward to a “Well Tuned” fleet for many years to come. Welcome aboard Scott!

Winter Snow Shoveling and Clearing Tips from
the Public Works Department

• 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.

Recycle your Christmas Tree

Bring your tree to the Department of Public Works, 12 Robinson Road. Look for the sign on the right.

Have a safe winter season
Town of Bow Public Works Department

Photo by Eric Anderson

News from the Town Clerk

Candidate Filing Period for 2018 Town Election
The 2018 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. If you are interested in running for an open position, the filing period for candidates begins on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 and ends Friday, February 2, 2018. Declartions of Candidacy will be accepted during regular business hours - Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The office will be open until 5:00 p.m. on the last day of filing (February 2, 2018).

The following postions will be on the ballot:

Office (# of positions)
Library Trustee (1)
Budget Committee member (2)
Selectman (2)
Trustee of Trust Funds (1)
Supervisor of the Checklist (2)
Town Clerk/Tax Collector (1)
Town Moderator (1)
Town Treasurer (1)

Dog Licensing
The dog tags for 2018 will be available at the Town Clerks office starting January 1st, 2018. You may register your dog anytime between January 1st and April 31st, 2018. We will not be sending out post card reminders this year. We will send out email reminders instead. Please call the Town clerk’s office and update your email and phone number.

There is a job opening for a part-time Deputy Town Clerk / Tax Collector. Click on the link below for details.

Job Openings

Part-time Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector
MORE INFO

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