October 2019

As part of our commitment to keep citizens informed and involved in the community, we hope you find this information to be useful.

Community Development Department

Bow Planning Board
The Bow Planning Board approved a site plan for a 6,800 SF office building on Ryan Road. and another 10,000 SF warehouse building site plan on Thibeault Drive is currently under Planning Board review.

Business Development Commission and Bow Drinking Water Protection Committee
The Business Development Commission and Bow Drinking Water Protection Committee discussed the outcomes of a feasibility study for extending water to Bow Junction prepared by Dubois & King Inc.

Building Department
The Town has made the switch to the 2015 Building Codes effective starting in September 2019. A new building permit was issued for Snow Family Holdings LLC for an office building on Route 3A. A Certificate of Occupancy has been issued to Eversource on their addition to a warehouse.

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

School Bus Safety

Please use caution and know the Rules

Overtaking and Passing School Bus
The driver of a vehicle overtaking, from either direction, any school bus, plainly marked with school bus signs, or other distinguishing identification, which has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children, shall stop his or her vehicle before reaching the school bus at least 25 feet away from the school bus.

The driver shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion, or until the flashing red lights stop.

The driver of a vehicle on a divided highway with separate roadways need not stop when meeting or passing a school bus which is traveling in the opposite direction on the other half of the divided highway, or when upon a controlled access highway if a school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is part of or adjacent to such highway and pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.

Basic Rule and Maximum Limits
In a posted school zone, a speed limit of 10 miles per hour below the usual posted speed limit, from 45 minutes prior to each school opening and from each school closing, and until 45 minutes after each school closing.

Halloween Party Bow Parks and Recreation Department

Bow Parks & Recreation

It is time again for one of our great community events the Annual Community Halloween Party on Friday, October 25th at Bow High School. Also happening at Bow Recreation is our 2nd Scarecrows Around Bow.

Come to the Recreation Office to pick up your scarecrow head to be displayed the month of October. Don’t delay, supplies are limited October is also the time to come in and register for any of our November and December Programs.

Town Buildings and Facilities Update

Chris Andrews, the Town's Building and Facilities Manager, has had a very busy summer with projects focused on the Department of Public Works building.

Three wall sections (between the overhead doors) have been repaired. The process consisted of removing the bottom section of metal siding, securing new concrete block on the original slab, which enabled us to secure the siding to solid material as well as reattaching the supports for the overhead doors to solid metal which had been corroded to the point that the attachments to the slab were no longer supportive. This work was completed by a contractor that had previously worked on other sections.

The front half of the Department of Public Works, which was the former police department, has been renovated to allow for the use of Department of Public Works administrative staff.

Department of Public Works

Welcome Lois Richards

We have a new face at the front desk. Lois Richards is our new Administrative Assistant. Lois may look familiar to you; she transferred to DPW from the Town Clerk's Office,where she served was an Account Clerk. We are very happy to have Lois with us at Public Works.

We have a New Entrance

The Department of Public Works building was recently renovated to create a new main entrance and lobby space for the Department. The new layout allows for a public reception area, private space to sell cemetery plots, an ADA compliant female staff bathroom and a conference/training room. Offices were also renovated to provide new space for Director Tim Sweeney, Superintendent Noel Gourley, Building and Facilities Manager Chris Andrews, and Administrative Assistant Lois Paris. The new setup allows the Department Administration to serve the public in a professional office setting and in a more efficient manner. With the exception of some electrical work, the renovations were completed by Town employees. The School Transportation Office is also located at the main entrance.

Highway Division

The Highway Division has completed the paving project on Colby Lane and the final top course of pavement was applied to Summer Lane.

In preparation for winter, sand and loam were screened at the Allen Road Pit. The brush pile was processed and put through a tub grinder to be recycled into bark mulch. .

Seasonal overhead tree limb cutting has commenced and will continue right up until the first snowfall.

A portion of the drainage project was started at the Municipal Building. Work on the project will resume next spring or summer depending on ground water saturation conditions.

Drainage was installed at the Public Works Facility as part of the Salt Shed area drainage area remedy.

Fleet Maintenance Division

The Public Works Superintendent’s white Dodge Utility truck arrived from the factory in atimely manner and has been set up with all the necessary implements for better efficiency while working on infrastructure projects.

State inspections of the Town Fleet continues and will be wrapped up very soon.

Grounds Division

Tyler Aborn continues with field maintenance and will soon be undertaking fall cleanup and servicing the field equipment for winter storage.

Photo by Eric Anderson

Town Clerk/Tax Collector's Office

Election Information

Listed below are the dates for the 4 elections coming up next year in 2020. All four elections will take place at the Bow Community center from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Presidential Primary – Date To Be Determined –January End Or February
Town Elections – Tuesday March 10, 2020
State Primary - Tuesday September 8, 2020
General Election – Tuesday November 3, 2020

The last day to change party affiliation before the Presidential Primary is Friday, October 25, 2019

Last date for Voter registration before the Presidential Primary will be 10-13 days before the Primary Elections when the supervisors meet to make changes to the Checklist. This date will be announced at a later date once the Presidential Primary date has been set. You can always register to vote on election day at the Community center.

Absentee ballot request forms are available on the Secretary of State website , the Town website or the Town office. Absentee ballot request forms can be mailed, emailed or faxed to the Town office. Overseas and military personnel have to fill out the FPCA voter registration forms to get their ballot by mail or email. The forms are available at https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms.

Please visit the Town Clerk's page periodically on the Town of Bow website for updates as elections gets closer.

Martin Walters Baker Free Library Director

Welcome Library Director
Martin Walters

The Baker Free Library is delighted to introduce to you our new Library Director, Mr. Martin Walters. Martin has been a library director since 2002, most recently at the Bibliothèque de Beaumont Library in Beaumont, Alberta since 2011.

Martin is an innovative leader who you will begin to see regularly throughout the community as Martin works to connect the services that Baker Free Library can provide with the needs of the community.

Martin’s previous library experience has included school libraries, academic libraries, theological libraries, and of course public libraries so he arrives to Bow prepared to apply that experience to a wide range of literacy, social, technology, and other needs.

October 1, 2019 will be Martin’s first day at Baker Free Library. He will be connecting with community organizations and welcomes an invitation to your Bow organization, club, or corporate meetings to introduce himself and introduce Baker Free Library services to you.

Please join the Baker Free Library in welcoming Martin to Bow and please watch the library website for an announcement on an early October reception to come meet Martin at the library.

News from the Baker Free Library

Thank you from the Baker Free Library

We would like to thank all of our amazing patrons who participated in the Summer Reading Program! We had 283 kids participate in our children’s program, “A Universe of Stories.” We also had 130 teens and adults enrolled in our “Bookopoly” program, which means that over 400 people participated this year!

Thank you to our Summer Reading Program Sponsors

Patty Lee's Kitchen and Ice Cream, Uno's Pizzeria, The Pizza Man, Hermano's, Tucker's, Fifty Home, The Common Man, Chuckster's, Live Juice, Gibson's Bookstore, Buffalo Wild Wings, Escape Room Concord and Bow Times.

Other News and Activities

Baby Stay n' Play, Mondays at 11:00 a.m.
A play group for infants from birth to 18 months, in the company of a parent or caregiver. Enjoy rhymes, music and movement with your little one! We’ll end with plenty of open play time, utilizing our collection of toys and manipulatives.

Toddler Story-time, Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
For children from 18 months to 3 years of age, in the company of a parent or caregiver. We’ll share stories, songs, flannels and more, and end with an open play time, allowing parents and their children to socialize and play together.

Preschool Story-time, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
A story time designed for children aged 3-5, in the company of a parent or caregiver. Spark your child's curiosity as we learn about a new topic each week through stories, songs, music and movement! Includes a simple craft at the end of each session.

Adult Book Groups
Monthly book talks are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the library, at both 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month at White Rock (3:30 p.m.). Books are voted on annually by group members, and new members are always welcome. You can borrow a copy of this month's selected title at the circulation desk. This month, we're reading To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.

Love mysteries? Try Whodunits! This mystery-exclusive book group meets at White Rock on the first Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. This month's selection: Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker.

Free Community Yoga Classes
In collaboration with Yoga NH, the library is pleased to offer free 1-hour yoga classes to Bow residents and library cardholders! October’s classes will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019 and Sunday, October 27, 2019. Registration is required.

Bookaneers Book Club, October 17, 2019, 4:00 p.m.
The Bookaneers is a new book club for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students! This group will meet on the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Explore new books and genres, and take part in a craft or project inspired by each book. Copies of each month's selected title will be provided by the library. Registration is required for this event. For more info, contact Juliana at juliana@bakerfreelib.org or call (603) 224-7113

CONSERVATION COMMISSION
(Photo by Eric Anderson)

Natural Resources Inventory (NRI)
is Underway

The Bow Conservation Commission is conducting, with the support of the consultant, Moosewood Ecological LLC, a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) to improve our knowledge of the natural resources in town and provide information to be good stewards of the resources.

What does an NRI do?

An NRI compiles existing information on important, naturally occurring resources such as forests, farmlands, streams, ponds, wetlands, and rocky ridges. New information about the town's natural resources is developed through field surveys. The final NRI is comprised of maps, data, and a report that describes the resources, project goals and recommendations for next steps. The NRI also can be integrated into a master plan, conservation plan or watershed plan.

What is the Benefit of Conducting an NRI?

An NRI provides a strong foundation for informed land-use planning and decision making. NRIs also serve as the basis for identifying conservation priorities and other strategies to protect natural resources. For communities considering techniques for protecting natural resources, either through voluntary or regulatory means, an NRI is necessary for developing priorities.

To complete the field survey task, some landowners have received a letter requesting permission to access their land. If you are one of those landowners, the commission encourages your participation and interest in the study. Information generated from the field surveys will be shared with landowners.

For additional information, please email the commission at: conservation@bownh.gov. The public is always welcome at our monthly conservation commission meetings.

Heritage Commission

We Have a New Meeting Place!
The Bow Heritage Commission will now have their monthly meetings in the upstairs Meeting Room in the Baker Free Library. The Heritage Commission meets the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.. The public is welcome.

Contact Gary Nylen 224-0952 or Faye Johnson 228-0149 if you wish to be on the meeting agenda. Guests are always first.

Household Hazardous Waste Day Information

The Town of Bow is holding its annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Bow residents on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.at the Bow Community Building located at 3 Bow Center Road.

Bow residents should bring their household hazardous waste to the event to safely dispose of harmful materials. Acceptable items to bring include oil based paints and solvents (no latex paint), used motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, swimming pool chemicals, insecticides, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, household chemicals and propane tanks. Please do not bring latex paint, explosives, asbestos products or prescription drugs.

This year again there will be a company collecting electronics and computer items for a modest fee (cash or check only). A list of acceptable and unacceptable materials can be found at https://www.bownh.gov or email bowrecycles@gmail.comwith questions.

Bow is Recycling - Let's Keep It Clean!

From the Town of Bow Solid Waste and Recycling Committee

Similar to many other towns in New Hampshire, Bow was recently forced to reevaluate our recycling program due to increased costs associated with recycling. The Bow Solid Waste and Recycling Committee is pleased to announce that the Selectmen voted at its meeting on May 28, 2019 to continue to fund the recycling program. The annual cost to continue the recycling program is approximately $30,000. This estimate is based on the current market and assuming that our recyclables are designated as “Class A” recyclables. The designation of our recyclables as “Class A” is based on the amount of contamination (less than 5%) in the loads from Bow. In the event we do not receive a “Class A” designation, the cost of recycling will significantly increase and the town will again need to reevaluate its options.
It is imperative to the success of our recycling program that we reduce contaminants in our curbside recycling totes. Many of us are “aspirational recyclers” and will include items in our curbside recycling tote hoping that they can be recycled. If we are throwing away items in the hope that they are recyclable, we are creating more harm than good. Over the last two years, China has imposed strict restrictions over the acceptance of recycling loads that are deemed to be contaminated. With that in mind, Pinard Waste has created a new flyer called “Can I Recycle This? Know When It’s a NO!” The flyer helps identify the types of items that should not be recycled.

The most frequent items that contaminate recycling loads are plastic bags and Styrofoam. Those items should not be placed in the recycling bin, even if they have a recycling number on them. Styrofoam should be placed in the trash. Plastic bags can be recycled at several local supermarkets, and otherwise they should be reused or placed in the trash.

When it comes to plastic, according to Pinard, it is important to only recycle items that are “containers” or “vessels,” such as plastic bottles. Even if an item has a recycling number, it may not be recyclable because there is no market for it. Plastic toys, plastic utensils, straws, clothes hangers and bulky plastic items are considered contamination and should not be placed in the curbside recycling. Colored plastic cups (such as red Solo cups) are also not accepted for recycling. Metal (other than tin, clean aluminum foil and aluminum cans) is also not accepted for recycling.

It is important to empty beverage containers before putting them in the recycling bin. The liquids are not only messy, but can be deemed hazardous waste by recycling workers. While food containers do not need to be laboratory clean before recycling them, it is necessary to rinse containers such as peanut butter and catsup jars to avoid rodents and other pests from being attracted to the recycling load. And the ongoing pizza box question? According to Pinard, the actual box can be recycled unless it is heavily saturated with oil. All food should be scraped and removed from the pizza box. The plastic pizza saver used to protect the pizza from sticking to the box is not recyclable, and should be placed in the trash.

The Solid Waste and Recycling Committee wants to remind residents that the best way to avoid items from entering the waste stream is to reduce the purchase of items in single-use containers and bulky packaging. This can be accomplished in many ways, including the use of reusable shopping bags and beverage containers.

If you have specific questions about whether an item is recyclable, please check out www.recyclesmartma.org, or send an email to the Town of Bow Solid Waste and Recycling Committee at bowrecycles@gmail.com. The new flyer is also posted at the website.