October 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

With the autumn the Board of Selectmen began the process for creating the budget that will be presented to Town Meeting in March 2019, yes, the process starts early!  That is because of the detail involved and the continuing effort to maintain a high level of services with the lowest possible property tax burden. 

As part of the early planning for next year’s budget the Board approved the hiring of a full time firefighter to replace the services of a number of part-time employees and enhance the response time for ambulance and fire protection services. 
 
Always a concern when budgeting is the ongoing litigation with EverSource, formerly PSNH.  The company again rejected our offer of settlement discussions, so we already began our case that will go to trial in 2019.  As part of that effort the Board  retained another law firm to represent the Town.  The firm has deep experience with utility assessment cases and will provide a vigorous defense to the efforts of EverSource to pay less than their fair share of taxes.
 
For many years the Board has worked with Town employees to encourage new business investment.  We are delighted that Coastal Forest Products broke ground on a new headquarters on River Road and we encourage all to drive by and see the progress.  This is part of the Board’s ongoing plan to replace the reliance on one, large, taxpayer with diversified investments by many commercial ventures.
 
We hope all have enjoyed the scarecrows around Town!  They are being sponsored by the Recreation Department. 
 
Finally, applications for recognition as the oldest Bow resident can still be submitted to the Town Manager.  The Board hopes to make the award in the very near future.  

Town Manager's Report

A Donor Recognition Ceremony for The Wildcat Habitat at Bow Memorial School was held this week. Principal Adam Osburn explained to the students who the guests were and why they had been invited to attend.The families, organizations, companies and individuals each played a role in the creation of the Habitat, from financial donations and donations of skills and labor. Each donor was presented with a recognition sign. Members of the Early Act Club and the Student Council assisted the donors with mounting the recognition signs on each element that was sponsored. This is just one more example of how the Town's residents, organizations and corporate citizens work cooperatively to make projects like this happen.  
   

Notes from the Baker Free Library Trustees 

With the Lower Level in full use the Library and the Trustees have been able to concentrate on making sure we are meeting the needs of the Bow community to the best of our ability.

We have seen our program attendance increase 20% since last year, and our internet computer usage (patrons using the library computers) rise by over 30%.  Our electronic materials circulation such as Overdrive, Transparent Language Online, and Hoopla has gone up 27%.  To offset some of the costs associated with increased usage, we have directed all of the monies from the library’s Passport Acceptance Program towards the expense of offering Hoopla.
 
The Library has had some unexpected expenditures as the roof over the older part of the Library failed.  You may have noticed some work being done as the roof was replaced, along with some drains, and the trim.  In addition, one of the Library’s four air handlers continues to malfunction regularly, so we are in the process of evaluating both short and long term solutions for this.
 
Also of note, the Baker Free Library Foundation approved two new directors at their last meeting on September 18, 2018, Matt Dodge and Lisa Boyd both join the Foundation for three year terms.  Stepping down as a Foundation Director is Colleen Haggerty, who completed her 3 year term.  Thank you, Colleen, for your service, and welcome to Matt and Lisa!.  The Foundation is a private non-profit 501(c)3 whose sole purpose is to facilitate the long term growth and sustainability of the Baker Free Library.

We welcome feedback from the community.  Please feel free to contact us through the Library with questions or concerns.

Bow Police Department 

ATV's Have Arrived
At the 2018 Town Meeting, voters approved a withdrawal from a capital reserve fund to purchase two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV).  The Police Department and fire Department now share two 2018 Polaris ATVs which replaced two 2004 Yamahas which were traded in. Thank you Town of Bow for allowing this purchase!  
 
Protect Our Town Campaign
Citizens from Bow attended the quarterly meeting on Town Safety.  This meeting covered posted Crimeline signs throughout the town (Thank you Public Works Dept.), Neighborhood Watch start up visit StaySafe.org for more information. Door Knockers, Crime, Speeding, and scam information.

The next meeting is December 16, 2018 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Safety Center.  All residents and businesses are encouraged to attend.   We are working hard at gaining momentum to support multiple Neighborhood Watches. If interested, please contact Chief Lougee by email mlougee@bownh.gov. 
 
Crimeline Grant
Chief Margaret Lougee, with the help of Frank Jones, the Town's representative to the Concord Regional Crimeline, submitted a grant request for $2,500 to be used for a cruiser mobile repeater.  Crimeline awarded the amount requested, plus added an additional  $1,280 to cover the entire cost.  Thank you Crimeline.  Chief Lougee accepted the check at the Annual Crimeline Golf Tournament on 9/13/18. This new repeater will allow for consistent communication between Officers and Dispatch while in remote areas of Town or inside a building.

Important Scam Information You Need to Know
The IRS will never do the following:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.

• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

For more information on tax scams, please see Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts. For more information on scams, please see Suspicious e-Mails and Identity Theft.

E-Cigarettes 
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb declared youth vaping an "epidemic," and said the agency will halt sales of flavored electronic cigarettes if the major manufacturers can't prove they are doing enough to keep them out of the hands of children and teens.

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.