Photo by Eric Anderson

September 2020

School is Back in Session

A little girl standing behind encyclopedia books that reads never stop learning

Bow Schools are open! Be patient with the new COVID-19 restrictions, it's all new for everyone.

Please use caution while driving in and around the schools. As a reminder, School Reduced Speed Zones are in effect 45 minutes before school starts and 45 min after school ends. The allowable speed in these zones is reduced by 10 mph.

Adhere to the red flashing lights and stop sign that the school buses display when picking up and dropping off students. Here’s to a safe school year!

National Drug Back Day is Saturday October 24, 2020 and Bow Police will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) nineteenth nationwide, one-day collaborative prescription drug take-back initiative to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s homes.

This national initiative will provide an opportunity for the public to surrender pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. Expired, unused, or unwanted controlled substances in our homes are a potential source of supply for the increasing abuse of pharmaceutical drugs in the United States and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety every day.

Status of Town Government Operations

Health and Safety Guidelines

Please remember that COVID-19 is still in the community as Town buildings and facilities 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.

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

General Election Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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.

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 note only one postage stamp is required to return the absentee ballot.

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

Check the Town website for updates when ballots come and get mailed out.

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.

Community Development Activities

Planning Board

The Bow Planning Board has had a very busy spring and summer reviewing multiple subdivision and site plan applications.

One two lot subdivision on Woodhill Hooksett Turnpike/Clinton Street has been approved. So far six wetlands CUPs were approved two of which are for Eversource to do utility pole replacement work within the ROW and the others are for residential lots and Bow Pioneers Club bridge replacement.

Site plan applications have been approved for Grappone overflow parking on Dunklee Road, RRG Holdings warehouse on River Road, and Rhonda Realty warehouse addition and mini storage building on Tallwood Drive. Site Plan modifications were approved for several businesses in Town that include Fieldhouse Sports for a drive-in movie/concert venue, Bow Recycling Center site clean up and rebuilding after the fire, Extreme Machines for a culvert replacement; Keller properties for outside equipment storage; and RRG Holdings for a modification of an approved warehouse site plan on River Road. Planning Board meetings are conducted via Zoom with the public being able to watch wither via YouTube or participate via Zoom meeting software.

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Zoning Board reviewed several administrative appeals and granted a special exception to Keller Properties for a small excavation off Gordon Road. Meetings also take place via Zoom allowing the public participation.

Business Development

The Bow Business Development Commission has been meeting via Zoom to discuss the impacts of the pandemic on the business operations in Town and look for new ways to boost economic development. Meetings take place every first Wednesday of the month.

Building Construction

The building department has been very busy with a very active construction season. There are several new subdivisions that are underway.

Drinking Water Protection

The Bow Drinking Water Protection Committee
(BDWPC) held a water testing event (with all the social distancing guidelines) and collected over 50 samples in June. Results were discussed in July during a water well information session which can be found here

Farrington Corner Recreational Trail

ATV/OHRV/Vehicle use on Farmington Corner Road (dead end of Evergreen Drive to the left and right) is not allowed. This road's designation was changed from a Class VI road to a Class A Recreational Trail at the March 2020 Town Meeting. Please adhere to the posted signs by NH Fish & Game and the Town. The trail may only be used for walking, mountain biking and snowmobile use.

Library Happenings

Need a computer? Public Computers are now available at the Baker Freee Library by appointment only. No walk-ins at this time Beginning September 1st, we will offer public computer services. Please contact the Library to make an appointment. We will limit patrons to 1 hour of computer access. Our schedule will be Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to -3:00 p.m. For more information, call (603) 224-7113.

New! Creative Kits for Kids, Monthly Take Home Activity Bundles
Beginning in September 2020, these kits will be available to registered families of children aged 3-7 and 8-12, and include a month's worth of crafts, science experiments, and reading recommendations designed for each age group. All instructions and many project materials will be included, along with a full calendar of suggested activities.
Throughout the month, we'll delve into each kit's contents with virtual read-alouds and book club meetings, hosted by the library! Creative Kits will be available during the first week of each month, until the library is able to resume its schedule of in-person programs. We hope that these projects will support and inspire our school-aged patrons, wherever they're reading and learning from this year.

Supplies are limited and registration is required. To reserve a kit for your child, please sign-up with the appropriate age group using our online calendar. Registrations do not carry forward; you will need to sign-up for each month you plan to participate. Reserved kits can be picked up anytime during the first week of the month.

Virtual Read Aloud Interested in participating in the weekly Virtual Read-Aloud every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.? Contact Juliana at juliana@bakerfreelib.org to get the link!

Coming Soon! Adult Craft Kits
Monthly Take Home Crafts for Teens & Adults
Stay tuned for more information in the upcoming weeks. Registration will be required to reserve your kit. For more information, contact Betsy at betsy@bakerfreelib.org

Adult Book Clubs
At this time, the in-person Adult Book Groups and White Rock Whodunits for the month of September have been canceled. Please contact Amy at amy@bakerfreelib.org with any questions.

Election information and resources available on our website
The Library website has compiled information and resources to best help voters during the upcoming elections. Feel free to visit the website to learn more. Information will be updated as needed.

Need a Passport?

The Baker Free Library can help you with that.

As of September 1, 2020, we will be accepting passport applications by Appointment ONLY No walk-ins at this time. Please contact the Library to make an appointment. Our schedule will be Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m.-
3:00 p.m. For more information, visit our website or call (603) 224-7113.

Job Opportunities

Police Officer Bow Police has an opening for a Full Time Police Officer. For more information on application process and requirements please go to www.Policeapp.com for further information.

Seasonal Temporary Driver/Laborer the Department of Public Works has opening for a Full Time Seasonal Temporary Driver Laborer. For a complete job description and application please visit www.bownh.gov.

Heavy Equipment Operator the Department of Public Works has an opening for a Full Time Heavy Equipment Operator for the Department of Public Works. For a complete job description and application please visit www.bownh.gov.

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
Read the latest meeting minutes for all the Town boards here: https://nh-bow.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/