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Canaan . . .
A friendly Community created by helpful neighbors and willing volunteers. A community that shares in
Community Support
Local Healthcare
A strong community tied together by efficient and responsive
Town Government and civic and community groups.
For Boards, Departments & Town Information, visit our Town Government Page or the Town Offices Tab.
A place of Opportunity that provides the perfect setting for Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs & Craftsmen in the natural beauty that draws visitors to our lakes, trails and mountains. We come from a variety of backgrounds, have diverse talents, hold independent views, and express ourselves in many different ways.
For a closer look at how you might find your perfect niche here, visit our Opportunity Page.
The Heritage of New England still plays a strong role in Canaan. We value our history, meeting places, old ways, and lessons from the past. Our heritage helps us to embrace the future.
For images from our past, understanding of our history and our efforts to retain our traditions, visit our Heritage page.
Closings & Events:
*Upcoming Events: Click Here!
*Upcoming Closings:
Saturday, August 3: Town Office
Wednesday, August 14: Town Office
Saturday, August 31: Transfer Station
Monday, September 2: Town Office, & Library
To View regular Town Office Hours & Contacts, please view the "HOURS/Contacts Tab" above.
Official Notices:
To request Town Notices by email, Click Here.
From the Planning Board
Public Hearing
Proposed Revisions to Master Plan
July 25, 2019, 5:00 PM
Regular Business 6:00 PM
Emergency Operations Center
52 Route 118, Canaan NH
The Planning Board will conduct a Master Plan Public Hearing Thursday July 25, 2019, 5:00 PM at the Emergency Operations Center, 52 NH Route 118, Canaan, NH. This hearing is to solicit testimony and comments on revisions to the Master Plan. This is an advisory nonbinding document updated every decade, which contains a vision for the town’s future. The Master Plan may be viewed at the town office during regular business hours or at http://tinyurl.com/Canaan-Master
News:
Click Here to View Town Newsletter Archives
July 5, 2019
June 28, 2019
June 21, 2019
June 14, 2019
June 7, 2019
May 31, 2019
May 24, 2019
May 17, 2019
May 10, 2019
May 3, 2019
April 26, 2019
April 19, 2019
April 12, 2019
April 5, 2019
March 29, 2019
March 22, 2019
March 15, 2019
March 8, 2019
March 1, 2019
February 22, 2019
February 15, 2019
February 8, 2019
February 1, 2019
January 25, 2019
January 18, 2018
January 11, 2019
Thank You Cardigan Mountain School!
Thank you once again for the student work teams from Cardigan Mountain School that helped clean the Village and take the limbs out of our three largest cemeteries.
Canaan Bird & Garden Club turns 80
Seventeen current and past members of the Canaan Bird & Garden Club met in April to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the club. The first meeting of the club was held April 15, 1939 at the Hinman house on Canaan Street (currently owned by the Goins) with Zepheryn Clark voted in as the first president of the club. Folks enjoyed reminiscing and looking over old minutes/pictures/etc. that Nancy Loomis provided from our archives.
News from Cardigan Mountain Art Association
This spring Cardigan Mountain Art Association will restore and display Canaan's historic stage scenery. CMAA has engaged Curtains Without Borders, Inc., a Vermont-based nonprofit conservation team, to work with volunteers to bring the painted 'drop' curtains back to life and in public view. The four 1890s painted curtains (a grand drape and 3 backdrops used at the Canaan Meeting House when it had an 2nd floor stage) and the 1924 grand drape from the Indian River Grange Hall are part of Canaan's cultural history and great examples of scenic art.
Canaan's historic Meeting House will be the work site from May 29 through June 5. We will celebrate the project with a display of the curtains and a talk by Christine Hadsel, Director of Curtains Without Borders.
Volunteers are essential for the project's success and visitors are welcome to stop by and see work in progress. Please call Judith Kushner at 603 523-4337 (or email judith.kushner@gmail.com) if you would like to help and for more information.
CMAA is grateful for many generous financial contributions to this project and for a grant from NH State Council on the Arts. CMAA is supported in part by a grant from the NH Mooseplate program and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.
Thank You Canaan Bird & Garden Club!!!
On the snowy morning of Nov 27 members of the Canaan Bird & Garden club gathered to make Christmas wreaths for the Canaan Library, Mascoma Health Center, downtown Gazebo plus the 3 historic buildings on Canaan Street. In addition they decorated Christmas Mugs for the tables at the Senior Center. The Club sends Canaan its best wishes for a joyous holiday season.
Changes at Canaan Town Office
After almost 19 years of service, Terri Purcell has retired from her position as Town Tax Assessor on April 27, 2018. She was feted at a going away party with town employees and friends.
On May 29, Sherrill Zani began as the new Town Tax Assessor.
Welcome Sherrill!
Friends of Canaan Village Spring Spruce Up Day
On Saturday, June 2, the Friends of Canaan Village held an amazingly successful Spring Spruce Up Day. Their efforts resulted in cleaned up lots and gardens all over the downtown area. We would like to thank the many people who took time from their Saturday to help sweep, pull weeds, plant flowers, spread mulch, run a bake sale, and give encouragement. It was a great day for friends to meet and work together.
Special thanks go out to the following for their contributions that made the day an outstanding success:
- Evans Mart
- Canaan Hardware
- Matt Dow of MTD Property Maintenance
- Boy Scout Troop 44
- Duck Soup Catering
- You’re Beautiful Salon & Day Spa
- F C Hammond
- American Legion
- Friends of the Canaan Town Library
- Friends of Mascoma
- Jeff Majewski, owner of the Laundromat Building
Museum Windows Restoration Project
As part of the museum window restoration project, temporary window covers have been installed with period silhouettes visible. This is on the north side, or parking lot side. These will remain in place for several months.
Canaan Library Dedicates Little Free Library!
April 17, 2018, Canaan Town Library
Canaan’s Little Free Library is waiting for you!
On Saturday, April 7 we celebrated the addition of our first Little Free Library with a dedication in memory of Canaan resident and library lover, Steven Therriault.
Our Little Free Library is an opportunity for us to share our love of reading, build community, and encourage others to do the same.
Everyone is welcome to take a book out of the Little Free Library at anytime. Go ahead, it’s all right, it’s what it’s there for. After you’ve finished the book, you can bring it back to the Little Free Library, or pass it on to someone else – it’s that easy! Our motto for the Little Free Library is “Take it. Read it. Share it.” If you are so inclined, you may also add a book or two that you think someone else might discover and love.
Thank you to the United Methodist Church of Canaan, NH for hosting the site of our Little Free Library, Jonathan and Walker Garthwaite for preparing the site and sinking the post, Peter Jopek for building and installing the Library, and Maxine and Nelson Therriault and their family for helping us honor Steven in this amazing way.
Our Little Free Library is located at 1150 US RT 4, Canaan, NH 03741.
Special Find!
Check out the "Photos" Tab on the Meeting House Page to find out about a special historic find related to Canaan's dramatic past!
Crazy Weather!
In December and January Canaan was pummeled by repeat snow and ice storms as well as extended periods of below zero temperatures. The Town of Canaan spent more money on road salt in 2017 than had been spent in any of the 10 previous years.
Town of Orange Joins Canaan Transfer Station
In January, the Town of Orange decided to accept a standing offer from Canaan to provide transfer station services to the Town of Orange. Orange will be paying the proportional cost of the station based on household count. This agreement helps Canaan since Orange will be picking up some of our fixed operational cost including wages. Orange will save about 60% of what they were paying for trash and recycling.
October 30-31, 2017 Flood
The Village and many other areas in Canaan saw floodwaters that reached levels that were nearly as bad as the Hurricane Irene floodwaters. The downtown area flooded along Route 4 from the west end of the common to the bridge by Canaan Village Pizza. Many roads were washed out. At one point South Road was only accessible by Ball Park Road. Wind increased the damage by leveling trees across roads. Orange Brook had more than ten “dams” that were created by whole trees washing down the stream. One bright spot was the volunteer effort that sand bagged three commercial businesses.
Fire Chief Bill Bellion Wins Award!
Learn more on the Fire Department Page!
Flood Mitigation in Canaan
Click here to see photos of the October 30, 2017 Flood
The flood mitigation effort is moving forward. We have retained the services of HEB Engineers to prepare a funding request foe installing spillways on the rail trail.
A preliminary presentation was made to five State agencies and two community groups that mange the rail trail. The proposed improvements are all on State property and will require permission. In addition, we are looking for State and Federal funding.
After the presentation, a task force of the agencies will be working to prepare a plan of action with the assistance of our engineers.
Map of Mitigation Strategies
July 2017 Rain Damage
Heavy summer rains in 2017 resulted in 12 damaged roads in Canaan. The Town applied for a FEMA Grant to make repairs.
Thank You Recreation Department
Thanks to the Recreation Department, many people have enjoyed a safe and fun summer at the Canaan Street Beach!
Canaan Receives Grant Money
Thanks to a one-time grant from the State of NH for $135,000, additional paving work will be done on Jones Hill Road in 2017 and a new precast concrete culvert will be installed on Prospect Hill Road in 2018.
And. . . .
Don't forget to check out the Old Home Day Photos on the Old Home Days Page and the Christmas in Canaan Galleries on the Christmas in Canaan Page
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Office Hours & Contacts:
For all Fire/Health/Police Emergencies
Call 911
These are the standard Holiday Observances. Please watch the News & Alerts Tab for other closings or changes in this schedule.
Civil Rights Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Last work day before Christmas
Christmas Day
Tues-Thurs-Sat; 9-12 Wed; 6-8
Summer: 6-4:30 Mon-Thurs
Tues; 1-8
Wed; 1-8
Thurs; 1-5
Fri; 9-12
Sat; 9-3
Monday: Center Closed
Tuesday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
Thursday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Transfer Station is closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Independence Day, the Saturday before Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Town Government Links:
For all Boards, Departments & Town Information please visit the
Town Government Page
Email the Town Administrator:
Mike Samson
Email the Website Manager:
Cathy Stark
For Fast Facts on Canaan,
visit our NH Economic & Labor Market
Community Profile
Pay Online
Search CanaanNH.org
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