Photo by E Anderson

December 2018 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. Follow the public meeting schedule. Sign up for text and email notifications through NotifyMe®. Follow Bow Police, Recreation, and Library on social media.

Photo by Eric Anderson

Town Manager's Report

Road Safety Audit - I89 SB Exit 1 / Logging Hill Rd.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation put together a team to conduct a safety audit of this exit and intersection to develop recommendations for safety improvements that may be made. A meeting and site walk was conducted in September and the DOT has prepared a draft report, which is currently under review by the team. Team members, include Fire Chief Mitch Harrington, Police Chief Margaret Lougee, DPW Director Tim Sweeney, and representatives from CNHRPC, Federal Highway Commission, and other NH DOT divisions.The final report will be available in January.

Community Building ADA compliant bathrooms: The bathrooms at the building are being renovated to make them compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The Town put together a compliance plan about five years ago, and we have been taking on these projects in priority order. This will make the building acceptable for moving the Town, School, State and Federal elections back to the Community Building.

Dunklee/Route 3A Intersection and Dunklee Bridge Project: The construction administration agreement with Dubois & King has been submitted to NH DOT for review and concurrence. Once that happens, the project will be for advertising for bids in January.
Plans call for the project to begin in Spring, 2019.

Photo by Eric Anderson

Notes from the Baker Free Library Trustees

This past September a librarian was speaking to a group of 600 elementary school children in a rural, disadvantaged area of Australia. The librarian asked the group of children, “How much does it cost to borrow 1,000 books a year from the library?” One small boy answered, “$500?” One smaller girl answer, “$1000!?” When the librarian joyously announced back, “It’s free!,” the 600 children first gasped, then cheered.

In our own town, a child new to Bow this year joined the Baker Free Library after-school reading program called Eager Readers, a program for 3^rd and 4^th graders hosted by two Baker Free Library librarians at the Bow Elementary School. Because of this child’s wonderful experience with Eager Readers, she asked her father to take her to get her own library card. Her father agreed, planning to only get a card for his daughter, but both father and daughter each left the library that day with their very own library cards.

This past month our library received a gracious note from a Bow resident and frequent patron at Baker Free Library. The note read, “Of all the libraries that I have frequented from 1944 to 2018, Bow’s Library is my favorite. You are the best on this or any other planet.”

This father and daughter are now sharing trips to our library, and this thank you note from a grateful patron make us feel like cheering with the 600 children, in awe that together, as a community, we have pulled together to create a library that supports our families, supports our school children, provides that sense of community, and that each of us, every single one of us, have access to this magical place and all of the resources and services it provides to our community. Please join us at the Baker Free Library explore all of the possibilities for you!

Happy Retirement, Art!

Sgt. Arthur Merrigan retired from the Police Department at the end of November. A gathering was held at the Safety Center to recognize his retirement and his dedication to the Town.

He was recognized with speeches and gifts in honor of him, by his peers, Town Manager David Stack, members of the Board of Selectmen, Bow Men's Club, Bow Emergency Management, Bow Public Safety Supporters and Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard.

Sgt. Merrigan served the Town of Bow from 2003 until 2018.Thank you, Art, for protecting the Town and residents of Bow. Best of luck to you.

Gale Kenison presenting Sgt. Merrigan with a gift from the Bow Police Department. Photo by Eric Anderson

Chief Lougee, Sgt. Merrigan and Town Manager David Stack photo by Eric Anderson

Chief Lougee and Sgt. Merrigan, photo by Eric Anderson

Life Saving Award

Master Patrol Officer Matt Pratte and School Resource Officer Mike Carpenter received the Bow Police Department's Life Saving Award, given out by the Chief Margaret Lougee. They also received a McDonalds Community Police Award for their dedication to Bow citizens in keeping them alive.

School Resource Officer Mike Carpenter and Master Patrol Officer Matt Pratte photo by Eric Anderson

Santa and Mrs. Claus reading Polar Express at the Baker Free Library Photos by Eric Anderson

Welcome to the Polar Express!

Baker Free Library’s first annual Polar Express Holiday Party on December 8, 2018 included Santa and Mrs. Claus reading the Polar Express book to Bow families. Children had a chance to drink hot chocolate while waiting to meet Santa in person, as well as complete a craft to take home. Over 100 people attended the event. Photo credit: Eric Anderson.

Photo by Eric Anderson

Baker Free Library

2018 Giving Tuesday and Library Endowment Fund campaign The Library Trustees and Foundation directors are launching their 2018 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. This year we will begin the campaign starting on Giving Tuesday. This is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and marks the beginning of the season of charitable giving. Our goal between Giving Tuesday and December 31, 2018. is to raise $10,000, with all monies to be invested in an endowment fund by the Foundation. Eventually, this should help off-set a portion of the tax burden of library services on Bow residents. Questions? Email Lori Fisher at lori@bakerfreelib.org.

10th Annual Holiday Giving Tree
Are you looking for a unique and meaningful way to give back to the Bow community this holiday season, or are you interested in making a small cash donation before the end of 2018, for a tax deduction? Please consider helping the Library in their 2018/19 fiscal year through our 10th Annual Holiday Giving Tree, beginning on Monday, November 26, 2018, and continuing through Monday, December 31, 2018. White tags with red on the tree indicate specific items we'd like for the circulating collection, or list cash donation amounts that would support this year's classes and events. White tags with blue dots indicate monies for the Baker Free Library Foundation Endowment Fund. This year we have also included white tags with green dots to help support the Friends of Baker Free Library Museum Pass program. All donors will be recognized on the tree with a red tag ornament (which can be labelled "anonymous), and cash donors will receive a letter of acknowledgement if the amount is over $50. Thank you in advance for your generous support of our 2018/19 resources, classes, and events! Contact Lori Fisher at 224-7113 or lori@bakerfreelib.org. with questions.

Photo Eric Anderson

Bow Fire Department

October Fire Prevention Month

The Bow Fire Department participated in several Fire Prevention activities throughout the month of October. The Fire Department worked with the Bow Schools and gave presentations and talked to the students about fire safety.

Grants

The Fire Department was awarded a $2,000 grant for pagers, radio chest harnesses and forestry pants from the NH Volunteer Firefighter Forestry Assistance Fund. The Department has also applied for a $10,000 grant through NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management, for an ATV trailer, winter tracks for the ATVs, and other equipment.

Training and education

The Bow Fire Department participated in Forcible Entry training and Emergency Medical Services Safety and Culture training that was held at the Public Safety Center.

Captain Brandon Skoglund, with the Bow Fire Department completed the Fire Officer I training at the NH Fire Academy. Congratulations Captain Skoglund!

Community Outreach

The Bow Fire Department handed out glow necklaces in various neighborhood on Halloween and participated in the community Halloween Party at Bow High School.
The Department also assisted the Bow Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with "Scouting for Food" and with teaching First Aid Class to the Scouts.

Photo by Eric Anderson

Bow Parks & Recreation

Winter Brochure
Check out all we have offered in the new year! Registration for all programs is first come/first served.

How To Register
In order to register for a Bow Recreation Program, you need to submit a current registration form and payment at the Parks and Recreation Office, 3 Bow Center Road, Bow, NH 03304. 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).

The Annual Bow Community Tree Lighting and Santa Celebration
Thank you to all the departments, organizations, groups, schools, businesses and individuals who assisted with our Annual Tree Lighting and Santa Visit! The efforts that go into these events from so many is truly what makes Bow such a special community. It was a great night! Thank you for joining us! A very special thank you to Santa for joining us once again and to Jason St. George for all the hard work and amazing job decorating the Rotary Park and the Gazebo. The lights were amazing!

Pat’s Peak Ski & Snowboard Program
It’s not too late to join in the fun! Children grades 1-12 are invited to join our program. Lessons, Lift tickets and/or rentals are available. Beginner and experienced skiers and boarders are welcome to join. Bus transportation is full. Information is available here or stop in.

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 for skating as the weather permits or give us a call to check the status.

Like our Facebook Page ”Bow Parks & Recreation” This page is updated regularly to keep you informed of Parks & Recreation Happenings here in Bow.

Contact us 603-223-3920

Photo by Eric Anderson

Bow Police Department

Protect our Town

Protect our Town Quarterly meeting will be held at the Safety Center on December 16 at 2:00 p.m. This is a group of concerned citizens from Bow who want to be informed of Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS and Emergency Management issues and resolutions. We will be discussing Crimeline, Neighborhood Watch and current trends. Please join this dedicated group.

Mailboxes and House Numbering

Mailboxes may be installed pursuant to US Postal Service regulations, as long as the mailbox or any part of its structure does not project into the traveled roadway or interfere with travel, road maintenance, and snow removal.

In situations in which a mailbox is placed on the side of the traveled roadway opposite the primary structure, the numbers must be displayed on a separate post at the driveway or access to the primary structure. To eliminate confusion for emergency services and others, the street number shall be displayed only on the side of the traveled roadway on which the primary structure is located.

All property owners are responsible to maintain their street numbers so as to be visible year round. All numbers shall be placed so as to be visible and legible from both directions of travel. All numbers shall be displayed in Arabic form (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). All numbers shall be at least 4 inches high, with the exception of numbers affixed to a mailbox, which shall be at least 3” high. Numbers shall be reflective or shall be visible at all hours of the day and in all weather conditions throughout the year. All existing numbers shall be changed to conform to the provisions of this Chapter. No person shall display any number that may be confused with or conflict with the number assigned by the Board of Selectmen

Town Clerk/Tax Collector

Property Taxes

The due date for the 2018 2nd issue Property Tax is Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.. Interest will be charged at 12% after December 20. If paying after the due date , please call the Tax Collector's office to get the exact amounts with the interest.

Dog Registrations

New dog tags for the year 2019 will be available the first week of January. You can stop by and register your dogs starting January 1^st.
The Town Clerk/ Tax Collector's office is wishing everyone HAPPY Holidays and a wonderful New year.

Heritage Commission

Baker Heritage Room.
Bow Heritage Commission members Gary Nylen, Dave Lindquist and Jim Dimick have sorted, labeled, and arranged the display case for recently received Bow Native American Artifacts now on display in the Baker Heritage Room on the lower level of the Baker Free Library.

This will be of particular interest to anyone interested in archeology or students considering it as a career choice. Come touch a piece of the past. The Baker Room will be open Thursday December 13, 2018 and Saturday December 22, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The Baker Room Schedule for 2019 is open the second Thursday of the month and the third Saturday of the month from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and by appointment. Contact Faye Johnson at 228-8149, or Gary Nylen at 496-5239

Bow Center School House
Bow Heritage member Jim Dimick has completed the desk security project so that visitors can now sit with confidence. Bow Heritage Commission wishes to thank Phytek Industries on River Rd. for donating the materials for this project.

Holiday Cards
We wish to thank all of you who participated in the initial launch of Holiday cards of Bow scenes taken and printed by Eric Anderson, “helping to preserve Bow’s history today for tomorrow”.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Don't Miss the Opportunity to Leave your Mark in Bow

The Bow Public Safety Supporters are once again having a brick fundraiser for continued landscaping at the Bow Safety Center. You can have your name or business engraved on a brick that will be permanently displayed at the front of the building. What a great way to leave a lasting impression.

Bricks are available in two sizes, 4” X 8” for $ 75.00 and 8” X 8” for $ 125.00. The bricks, engraved with your message, will be installed in Spring of 2019 (weather permitting). If you have any questions, please email Tonia Lindquist or you can call her at 223-3910. Please place your order by December 31, 2018.

Click here for an order form. To view more photos of what the bricks look like and the landscaping that has been done, please go to the Town of Bow's website and it is right on the homepage.

Photo by Eric Anderson

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