Sunset at Turee Pond Photo by Eric Anderson

August 2020

Status of Town Government Operations

Health and Safety Guidelines

Please remember that COVID-19 is still in the community as facilities reopen; your cooperation maintaining social distancing and appropriate hygiene measures is appreciated. For your health, and the health of others, we recommend that you use hand sanitizer and wear a cloth face mask while in a Town building. If you do not have a face covering, masks and hand sanitizer they will be available at building entrances. Also, remember to follow CDC social distancing guidelines and stay 6’ apart as much as possible. We want all Town employees and visitors to feel as safe as possible.

Bow Municipal Building

The Municipal Building was opened to the public on Monday, July 13, 2020.

On-line Services

Please continue to use on-line Services when possible. This will help us to minimize foot traffic in the building, maximize social distancing and reduce the risk of exposure to both residents and employees.

Our online services may be accessed at any time via our website at www.bownh.gov Simply navigate to the applicable Department page for a complete list of services and on-line transactions that are available.

Contact Us

You may call individual offices with any questions that you may have.

Town Clerk/Tax Collector - 603-223-3980
Town Manager’s Office - 603-223-3910
Finance Department - 603-223-3915
Community Development Department - 603-223-3970

Entrances

The entrance for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office, Town Manager’s Office and Finance Department is located on the east side of the Municipal Building, where the ramp is located.

The entrance for the Community Development Office is located at the front of the building on the lower level. This entrance is accessible.

Community Building

Open for walk in business. Exercise classes are being held with a restricted number of participants in order to maintain 8’ to 10’ of separation as called for in the State Guidelines.

Bow Safety Center

The Police Department, Fire Department and Emergency Management are open for walk-in business.

Department of Public Works

Open for walk-in business only

Public Building Use and Rentals

The Community Building, Old Town Hall and the Municipal Building remain closed for use by organizations, individuals, and public gatherings. This is subject to change depending on many factors, including State Guidelines, liability issues, and maintenance and sanitation requirements.

Public Meetings

Executive Order #12 as issued by Governor Sununu remains in effect, which allows Board, Committee and Commission members to participate virtually. Please note that Town board, committee and commission meetings will continue virtually via Zoom. See meeting agendas on our website for instructions on how to access each individual meeting. The Town will continue to provide remote participation for citizens via Zoom for the foreseeable future.

Election News and Information

Dates to Remember

State Primary Election Tuesday, September 8, 2020
General Election Tuesday, November 3, 2020

All voting will take place at the Bow Community Center, 3 Bow Center Road, Bow, NH

Voter Registration Information

Any Bow resident who is at least 18 years old, or who will be 18 on or before the next election day, may register to vote in person at the Town Clerk's Office at 10 Grandview Road, during regular office hours, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday up until the Supervisors meet which is 6-13 days before the election. Eligible voters may also register to vote with the Supervisors of the Checklist at the Polling Place on Election Day. You must bring a photo ID and if you do not have proof of residency and/or citizenship you can sign either a Domicile Affidavit or Qualified Voter Affidavit. Please call the Town Clerk's Office if you have any questions on the type of documentation required at 603-223-3980 or email mnaik@bownh.gov.

Last day to register to vote before the State Primary is September 1, 2020, at the Town Clerk's Office.

Voter Registration by Absentee (by Mail)

Due to COVID-19 you may request absentee voter registration forms and instructions from your clerk before requesting an absentee ballot. Supervisors of the Checklist must review and approve your application before you will be considered registered to vote.

College Students

If you are a college student away from home, who is not registered to vote, contact the Town Clerk's Office for an Absentee Voter's Registration Packet. You can call the office at 603-223-3980 or email mnaik@bownh.gov.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Request your absentee ballot from your Town as early as possible. Absentee ballot request forms can also be found on the Town of Bow website on the Elections page or use the link here http://bownh.gov/747/Vote-by-Absentee-Ballot or at the NH Secretary of State website at http://sos.nh.gov/.

New rules allow any NH voter with COVID-19 concerns to request an absentee ballot for the 2020 elections. On the ballot return affidavit envelope sign under Physical Disability. If you want you can hand write” COVID”. Please pick a party for the Primary Elections if you are Undeclared. If you have already declared a party you cannot change it now. The deadline to change party was June 2^nd, 2020.

You can use one absentee request form to request an absentee ballot for both the Primary and the General Election.

Only one Postage Stamp required to return the Absentee Ballot

Ballots can be returned at the Town Clerk's Office or at the Polling place on Election day. The Town Clerk's Office will be open on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2020 for Absentee Ballot only. It is the voter's responsibility to have the ballot back to the Bow Town Clerk's office in time for your vote to be counted. To increase the likelihood the absentee ballot arrives on time and to assist with an expected high volume of absentee ballots, we recommend mailing it at least two weeks before the election. Check the voter information lookup, absentee ballot link, to see if your clerk has received the request and mailed the ballot.

Track your ballot at: http://app.sos.nh.gov

Overseas Citizens and Armed Forces Registration

Generally, all U.S. citizens 18 years or older who are or will be residing outside the United States during an election period are eligible to vote absentee in any election for Federal office. In addition, all members of the Uniformed Services, their family members, and members of the Merchant Marine and their family members, who are U.S. citizens, may vote absentee in Federal, state and local elections. The Federal Voting Assistance Program's website is a good source of information for citizens covered by this program. For an armed service voter, "legal voting residence" can be the state or territory where you last resided prior to entering military service or the state or territory that you have since claimed as your legal residence. For overseas citizens, "legal state of residence" for voting purposes is the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. For more specifics on determining voting residency please consult the Voting Assistance Guide Covid-19 related voting instructions from the Secretary of State at http://bownh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4824/COVID-RELATED-VOTING-INSTRUCTIONS

Don't forget to review the Election protocols that have been put in place for the upcoming elections. If you have any questions, please contact the Town Clerk's Office 603-223-3980.

Stay Connected

The greater the involvement of our citizens, the stronger our community will be. Here are some of the ways you can stay connected with the Town of Bow:

Find ways to get involved and see the latest news on our website
Sign Up for the "Town Bulletin" E-Newsletter
Visit us at the Bow Municipal Building, 10 Grandview Road
Call (603) 223-3910, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m