Meeting Date: July 17, 2026
Presiding: President Tanya Frost
Greeter: Matt Dodge
President Dick opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Matt shared some inspiration.
Attendance:
|
27
|
Live
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| 7 |
Zoom
|
|
0
|
Visiting Rotarians
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| 2 |
Guests
|
| 1 |
Guest Speakers
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| 37 |
Total
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Guest Names: Stacy McDonnell, Cantrell Johansen
Announcements:
- Peter Imse reported that the Mr. Aaron Concert went well with about 198 attendees. Weather was a close call but it all worked out with only a few drops of rain. Everyone who worked got a creamsicle. The Club received $96 from the 50/50 raffle. – next week Chair is Katie Minihan.
- Dunbarton old home day Saturday Aug 15th – Ryan Anastasi mentioned that it may be a great way for the Club to get exposure to Dunbarton – anyone available to set up a Rotary table? Contact Tanya.
- Vanessa Palange was recognized for her great submissions of articles to the Bow Times and Eric was recognized for creating the great photos used.
- Board Zoom meeting starts early at 6:00 pm next Monday
Sergeant at Arms: Barb Griffin
Birthdays:
Bob Couch announced that he had experienced 28,105 “morning wake ups” and looking for a few more. Bob was in his happy place up North. Life is good
Michelle Olivier: On Tuesday Michelle returned from a week in Wyoming, her 1st time visiting National Parks and white-water rafting. Challenging year – health and work. Daughter is 18 now and a graduate of HS. Michelle is looking forward to next year.
Melissa Howard is 45! – it’s been a good year. Melissa’s son is now a freshman in Bow Hight. He is at summer camp currently in week 3 and doing well. He sent home a “hostage video” “Hi Mom and Dad – I love you! – Owin was also on video on Instagram attached to a zip line from camp having a good time – VNA going well – thankful to be in club – appreciates the fellowship
Fines:
Matt Dodge – no pin
David Gazaway wanted Ryan to have a fine for saying that our President Tanya was “Lovely”!!
Happy Bucks:
Durwood Sargent was happy for the creamsicles at the concert.
On Zoom – Chris Parkinson paid 5 Happy Bucks – He is on a Cruise in Norway – He is in the middle of Artic Ocean now – Had a make-up meeting with 5 Rotarians that are on the ship – On to Iceland.
Dave Farr– Made his First sale – long time in legal – signed off yesterday – Dave is also doing some networking events – 18 people showed up in Newton and 11 in Manchester at Brewery –His boss is happy. Dave’s son is coming back from camp – good week
Ryan Anatasi – A fine for “Lovely???” Happy to pay fine!! – Honeymoon $10 he rated the ceremony a 10 – Wedding Day was very hot but they were in an air conditioned space so all went well. On their honeymoon they spent 2 weeks in France and Italy. In France, there was a heat wave in the North, but they had travelled South – Florence was their favorite city – Favorite seaside was Positano which is built into the hillside so a lot of walking – Ryan Sang at the their wedding: “The Vow” by Ed Sheeran
Matt Gatzke – After intensive training, he’s been renewed as a Frank Loyd Right house guide(2) at the Currier Museum in Manchester.
Ken Moulton Took a trip to Canada’s Mount Blanc Tennis Tournament. He won his tennis match – Ken also shared that his grandson visited for his 10th birthday Ken took him to Zealand hut.
Linda Bliss – was ill and missed last week – she apologized for not helping with breakfast cleanup but hoped someone filled in for her.
Peter Imse – The concert crew was just amazing – Thank You!
Rob Warner– Completed a Monadnock hike with alumni friend - dodged smoke – Dublin trail – on way down – smoke coming in – made it before it got too bad
Program: Brant Stevener introduced our speaker, Town Manager David Stack who presented his Annual Town Updates.
Topic: Last fiscal year goals
- Dave began with the Community Building. – Trying to keep it going waiting for direction from voters. Been a while – Board Of Selectman moved voting to mem school – worked well
- Funds have been set aside for renovations for the past few years $500K in budget + $150K from Rec Revolving Fund – currently $2M in Fund.
- Town 300 Year Anniversary planning in process – a committee is in place – taking on plans for a celebration – Currently scheduled for May 2027 with programs in between – Rotary is being asked to participate – email ideas to community. One idea is a town anniversary license plate.
- Available at the Library from the Bicentennial Celebration are a few Pewter coins for $15 and some silver coins for $90.
- Bow mixed use study – near exit 1 – timber cut – 12 storage building – temp sign – Grant form northern Borders commission - $75K study – funds to spark new develop areas –
- Beginning soon – water sewer connect with Hooksett being discussed – South Bow has excess amount of water.
- In design stages is the Bow Junction water project - $1.5M grant and $300K loan to install piping in Bow Junction – stalled in Concord due to new council members – need to reeducate new Concord City Councilors
- Town Solar Field project with a Kearsarge Solar Partnership – Proposal at the Old Land Fill next to BHS – and at the brush dump – ongoing agreements are in progress – DES is holding up application – landfill site study needs updating– permit needs to be adjusted to add solar field to that field.
- Page Rd. Bridge replacement also known as the “Imse Bridge” now completed – David mentioned that costs are amazingly high! – Dunklee and Birchdale bridges are done – one bridge left on red list – River Road bridge – out to bid at end of year – costs increase during process that takes over 1 year =
- Finally the Recreation Center addition is now completed - $175K.
Rob Werner asked about the Bow capacity of solar 6 Mega Watt array– in Concord 2 5MW are in progress – Bow is a small town – who is using power besides local homes – David responded, it’s not known yet. Per Dick Swett about 6K homes could be served with 6 MW. Dave Stack also reported that the RFP for adding school arrays is in progress as well.
Dave Farr asked – “As Town Manager, what does Dave Stack oversee?” Dave Stack responded that he is responsible for: Town Meeting sets budget – Dave sets budget with all departments except the schools - Works with Selectman to create policy – As Town Manager, he is the implementor of projects approved by the Town – Department heads report to Dave – operation oversight – Public Works, Fire, Police and Parks Commission are the departments that Dave oversees.
Ben Kiniry asked about – sewer and water project progress? Dave explained that Bow sends funds and pays for improvements to Concord – Bow own a percentage of the system capacity as part of improvement funds. Sewer currently pays for itself – water is another issue – capacity is OK
A book was presented to Dave to sign for the Baker Free Library.
President Tanya closed the meeting with a toast to Rotary the world over.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gerry Carrier
