Board of Selectmen approves two Girl Scout Silver Award projects, awards intersection contract and several routine items

The Bow Town Board of Selectmen on May 13 endorsed two Girl Scout Silver Award projects, approved a revised construction contract for a local intersection, signed off on road closures for Memorial Day and an annual neighborhood event, and moved several routine consent items as part of a short agenda.

Three Girl Scouts — Elizabeth (15 Knox Road), Kaylee (3 Ridgewood Drive) and Zoe (199 Kimball Pond Road) — told the board they plan to build a pollinator garden on the grounds around the Old Town Hall on Bobo Road this summer. The students said the project will meet the Silver Award requirement of roughly 50 hours of research, planning and construction, and that they have raised money from cookie sales to cover supplies. Board members advised them to consult with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Heritage Commission on placement and plant selection; a motion to endorse the project contingent on coordination with DPW and the Heritage Commission carried by voice vote.

A second Girl Scout speaker, Bella Archer (16 Rand Road; Cadet Troop 58502), proposed a donation-driven community “tackle box” to be placed near Towne Pond to lend fishing gear to children. Board members recommended the scout speak with DPW and the fire department about siting and suggested securing the box near the Coffin Building to avoid wind and snow-plow impacts. Bella said her estimated materials total is $176.10 from troop funds. The board approved the Silver Award tackle-box proposal pending confirmation from DPW and fire personnel.

On capital work, staff described negotiations that reduced the high bid for the White Rock Falcon Way intersection project so it would fit within the board’s appropriation. The board authorized town staff to sign a contract with Michelle Belangeron Construction Services LLC for project #24045 in the revised amount of $305,801.04; the motion passed by voice vote.

The board also approved routine business items by voice vote: the consent agenda, corrections to prior minutes (noting a name correction to vice chair Brennan), tax liens (packet pages 14–21), and deed waivers (packet pages 22–32). The board authorized two road closures: Knox Road for the town’s Memorial Day ceremony and Ridgewood Drive for an annual neighborhood party. No opposition was recorded for these motions.

In the manager’s report, staff said the school district has proposed June 3 for a joint meeting on polling location logistics and that planning has begun for Oktoberfest, with early coordination among police and fire. The manager also described an effort to recognize a late-19th-century police officer, Justice Farmer, on national and state memorial lists. Cheryl presented an end-of-year expenditures forecast showing remaining department appropriations, highlighted expected high-cost items (voting machines, IT expenses, and an anticipated prosecutor bill for police), and noted the town may consider purchasing certain items before year-end to reduce next year’s operating needs; the board asked staff to update the figures over the next month to inform decisions.

Board members also heard a Heritage Commission update noting developer interest in preserving an old mill site near the Ballard Truck Center and the potential for a trail and picnic area to preserve access to historic remains.

The meeting closed with brief “bottom lines”: member praise for the Girl Scouts, mention of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, a Memorial Day ceremony scheduled for May 26 at the gazebo, and a welcome to a new fire department canine. The board adjourned after completing the evening’s business.