September 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.

A Word from your Selectmen

Even with summer in full swing, the Selectmen and Town officials have been busy attending to the work of Bow.  Some highlights include closing the Town’s books as of June 31, 2018, and again coming in on budget, even with settling a major tax case.  The Town Manager David Stack and our Finance Director Geoff Ruggles deserve credit for meeting our budget goals, and for keeping impeccable records. 
 
Thanks to the efforts of our Community Development Department, the hard work of the Planning Board and our Code Officer, Coastal Forest Products broke ground on their new facility on River Road.  It will be even larger than the Exel  warehouse on 3-A, and we look forward to a long relationship with our newest corporate citizen. 
 
As the Town Manager  reports, one of our long term and highly valued member of the Bow Fire Department, Captain James Beaudoin resigned to accept the position of Fire Chief in another community and Firefighter David Eastman resigned to accept a Fire Inspector position for the Town of Derry.  This is another example of our department being recognized for the excellence of our personnel, which is also evident in the quality of individuals who applied to join the BFD when there was an opening.  We are pleased to have Greg Aucoin and John Bowler join our department and look forward to having them with us for many years. 
 
With the completion of the Public Safety Building, space in the former Police Station was re-purposed to provide a home for the extensive collection of historic artifacts collected by the Bow Heritage Commission.  In addition, thanks to the close working relationship of the Town and the School District, our bus drivers finally have a proper office space and a meeting room in the building.  With the busses parked at the building, and our maintenance facility on site, this was a much needed and long overdue improvement. 
 
Another boy from Bow became a Boy Scout Eagle Scout by completing a service project in Town.  Brian Chagnon designed, constructed and installed a number of purple martins houses at the Hanson Fields and at the Safety Building to enhance the opportunity for our citizens to enjoy these beautiful birds.  Troop 75 continues to provide service to the Town, and to help our boys mature into reliable young men, which is another reminder of how fortunate we are to live in Bow. 
 
Chief Lougee has again qualified Bow to receive a Crime Line Grant to provide even better services to the Town.  Every citizen should be pleased to know that Bow is ranked as one of the safest towns in New Hampshire, with New Hampshire ranked as the safest state in the nation.  This distinction would not exist but for the dedication and hard work of the members of our Police Department, so please take the opportunity to thank them for performing a dangerous job on our behalf. 
 
And while thinking of the Bow Fire Department and the Bow Police, please note that the second round of engraved bricks are now available to purchase for future installation at the Public Safety Building. Information and order form are available at the end of this Bulletin and on the Town’s website.  In addition to being an opportunity to express your views, or honor a loved one, the proceeds will be used for landscaping and other needs at the building.  

With sadness the Selectmen note the passing of Chum Cleverly. Chum was an outstanding Road Agent and Director of Public Works, and took the Department of Public Works to the high level of professionalism we know today.  Chum also created the mutual aid program among surrounding towns and Concord. Whereby we share resources when a community's needs are stressed. This saved Bow considerable money over the years, and also epitomized Chum's commitment to service and a keen eye for saving money. He will be missed by many.

Town Manager's Report

I-89 Exit 1 and Logging Hill Road Road Safety Audit

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has put together a team of  DOT staff and Town representatives to conduct a road safety audit (RSA) at the I-89 southbound exit 1 off ramp.  An RSA is a formal evaluation of a particular location and the goal is to enhance safety for all road users, under all weather conditions. 

The Town's representatives include the Town Manager, Police Chief Margaret Lougee, Fire Chief Mitch Harrington, DPW Director Tim Sweeney, Selectman Matt Poulin, and Emergency Management Director Lee Kimball. 

The team's first meeting was held on September 5. We reviewed existing data on conditions, traffic speed, traffic volume and crash history.  The team also conducted a field visit to observe existing conditions, including geometric attributes and condition of roadway, traffic movements, signs pavement markings, the needs of users and the effect of weather and vegetation on visibility.

With reconstruction planned in the foreseeable future, we’ll be focusing on appropriate lower cost measures that could be implemented quickly. The DOT will be preparing a draft summary report for review by the team. The report will be finalized and the DOT will select recommended action(s) for improvements. 

Twitter: @BowManager

Boston Post Cane

In 1909, the Boston Post newspaper sent gold headed canes to award to each communities oldest resident. The tradition is being carried on today, as the Board of Selectmen searches for the oldest resident in Town.

Nominations will be accepted through December 1, 2018. To qualify, the nominee must be the oldest in Town, based on the information provided. There is no minimum age requirement; however, the recipient must be a domiciled in Bow for at least the previous 12 consecutive years. 

Nominate a neighbor, loved one, or even yourself! 

The Selectmen look forward to bestowing an honorary cane and recognition to our oldest resident.  Nomination forms are available at the Municipal Building, Library and Recreation Department, as well as, here.   Or, you can call (603) 223-3910 to request a form by mail.

Bow Fire Department

Welcome Tom Modini and Greg Aucoin

Town resident Tom Modini started as a call firefighter in August.  He is a registered nurse in the process of credentialing as an EMT.  He enrolled at the NH Fire Academy this month to begin his basic firefighter training. Welcome Tom!

Greg Aucoin began the last week of August to the vacancy created when Captain Beaudoin resigned.  He was a Firefighter/Paramedic in Laconia.  He is also a call Firefighter/Paramedic in Henniker where he resides.  We were very fortunate to hire Greg as there is a statewide shortage in quality candidates. Welcome Greg!

Special Equipment and Tactics Training 

Bow Police and Fire implemented the final phase of the "Warm Zone EMS" grant.   We received nearly $10,000 in grant funding to purchase equipment, training, and payroll reimbursement.  Warm Zone EMS is the use of special equipment and tactics where EMS works in concert with law enforcement providing immediate patient care during mass shootings.  On August 8, 2018, Bow Police and Fire, as well as, neighboring departments participated in practical training at the Bow High School.

Department News

Chief Harrington assisted the Town of Allenstown with their selection of their new Fire Chief.

Bow Police Department 

Officers to be Honored

Training News

Public Works Department

Recreation Division 

The Recreation Division continues to maintain the parks and fields, and have started lining the fields for the upcoming soccer season.  Bids were advertised for a new second irrigation well at Hanson Memorial Recreation Area. 

Looking for the perfect way to say Thank you?

The Heritage Commission has various stationary note cards for purchase at the Town Manager's Office. These note cards are designed with photos of Bow  taken by Eric Anderson. The cards sell for $3.00 each or $16.00 for a set of six cards.

Feel free to stop by the Town Manager's office to see these cards and other merchandise for sale by the Heritage Commission.  Coming Soon Christmas Cards of Bow.  These Christmas cards will feature winter scenes of Christmas in Bow.