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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:
Monday, October 10: Town Office & Library
To View regular Town Office Hours & Contacts, please view the Town Offices Tab.
Official Notices:
To request Town Notices by email, Click Here.
Talbert Hill Road Closures
Talbert Hill will continue to experience closures. The road will be closed Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30am-3pm. Please seek alternative routes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
New Transfer Station Stickers Issued
After July 1, 2014 Green Transfer Station stickers will only be valid with the addition of the yellow update decal. Please obtain this decal at the Town Office.
The yellow sticker MUST be added to a green sticker to be valid, and the green sticker number must be linked with the registered vehicle plate. Failure to do so will result in your sticker being invalid, and you will not be able to use the transfer station until you have a valid sticker.
News:
Click Here to View Town Newletter Archives
NH Drought Information and Relief
The county of Grafton, New Hampshire has recently been added to the areas facing drought. The NH Department of Environmental Services is advising water be reserved for only indoor uses and that careful water conservation be practiced.
You may learn more about drought, water conservation, and financial assistance available to low income households that may need help on the NH DES Website or by reading the NH DES 2016 Drought Guidance for Homeowners on Private Wells Brochure. If you need financial help in replacing your water supply, click here to learn more about possible aid.
Dedication of Reginald E. Barney Depot Park
Depot Park, a lovely treed area, which borders the Indian River, is situated at the end of Depot Street. For almost twenty years, Reggie Barney has been taking care of Depot Park, under the auspices of Friends of Canaan Village. In recent years, when Reggie could no longer mow the park himself, FOCV has paid to have it mowed. Friends are pleased that, beginning this summer, the Town will take over the mowing.
On Sunday, August 7, 2016 a ceremony was held at the park to honor Reggie's long stewardship of this public green space. It was well attended by family, friends, and towns people. Depot Park will now be known as the: Reginald E. Barney Depot Park. A sign with this new name will be installed.
Pew Box Dedication for Bob Reagan
On Sunday, August 7, 2016 a ceremony was held at the Canaan Meeting House to dedicate a pew box in memory of Bob Reagan. About 75 people came together to celebrate and honor all that Bob had done for the community. A plaque will be installed on the wall of the pew box that will read as follows:
Bob Reagan
Selectman from 2004 to 2016. Chairman of the Board 2005-2014.
Cemetery Trustees, Library Trustees, Budget Committee
Bob was a quiet man who took the time to learn what was happening in Town government. He respected the chain of command and the opinions of his colleagues, and worked persistently to make policy changes that significantly improved Canaan town government and the lives of Canaanites. He visited the Town office nearly every week day and many weekends. He consulted with everyone that might be helpful in finding solutions to problems. He knew the people and the history of the Town. While he was fiscally conservative, he understood that there were programs that local residents needed and he advocated for them. Services increased in the Town at the same time that the tax rate dropped. In spite of lower or flat tax rates, employees were paid in the recession when other towns were withholding cost of living adjustments. He had the respect of most voters and all of the Town employees. He was slow to anger, took his time with decisions, and gave people second chances. He was what everyone would want as a Selectman. He will be missed.
Molly was his partner. She would have much preferred to have Bob at home and with his family. While Bob made a point of being home for spaghetti, he still gave freely of his time. The Town owes Molly a great deal of appreciation for sharing Bob with us until he left all of us on August 2, 2016.
Mascoma Renovation
Slide Show
Curious about what's happening on the inside at Mascoma High School? Click this link to watch a slide show put together by the Friends of Mascoma Schools!
Floodproofing in Canaan
Canaan has retained the services Headwaters Hydrology in designing a flood proofing strategy for the Village.
Click here to learn what has been learned and what Canaan is planning.
Racetrack Grandstands Removed
May 23, 2016
Yes, the old grandstand at the fairgrounds has been torn down.
For the past three years, that area has been used by the Town as a public area. Two years ago we used the wooden grandstand for viewing of the 4th of July Fireworks. Ever since Tillman Gerngross purchased the track, we have been working with the track manager, David Delgenio to find a way to restore the grandstand. Ultimately, it was decided that the only reasonable course of action was to remove it and replace it with a new, smaller grandstand that would be similar to the original grandstand at the fairgrounds. The idea would be to provide a performance venue that was safe and blended in with the Fairgrounds motif.
Circumstances changed in 2015. The grandstand was deemed unsafe by Tillman's insurance company and our insurance company. We closed it to viewers for fireworks but people still sat in the unsafe grandstand. Circumstances changed again this spring. When David climbed the front of the grandstand, the entire structure swayed on the edge of collapse.
The life of the old grandstand was over. Over the past twenty years, the old grandstand had been modified in ways that weakened the structure. Rafters were cut. Floor joists were removed. Footings had dropped and were no longer supporting any part of the grandstand.
Ultimately, Tillman Gerngross purchased the track at a time when there were no other buyers and the track was losing $140,000 a year. He owns the track and all of the improvements. As noted in a recent Valley News story, he invested $2 million dollars in making the track an excellent facility. He donated the use of Canaan Hall and the grandstand area for public gatherings and he continues to work with the Town. At the end of the day, Tillman can do as he chooses with his property. His actions have been helpful to the Town. His action on the grandstand is the only reasonable action due to the safety concerns. Similar insurance issues with safety (fencing and under-seat protection) impacted the metal grandstands.
The future plan is to create a higher berm where the grandstand was. This high area will be open to the public for viewing from lawn chairs and blankets. There is no admission charge for this area.
Garden Program
Canaan Elementary School Garden Kick-Off Workday on April 23rd brought the community together with parents, teachers, students, community members, and D Acres, to prepare the garden for spring planting, summer learning, and fall harvesting.
Accomplishments included:
- Finishing raised garden beds.
- Planting donated apple tree and two blueberry bushes.
- Installing the garden fence.
- Painting a birdhouse.
- Decorating wooden edges of garden beds.
- Building the shed.
Special Thanks to Friends of Mascoma, The Wellborn Ecology Fund, Hammond Lumber, Vital Communities, and Canaan Hardware for helping us with this project!
Autoware No Longer With Us
The Water and Sewer Department as well as the Highway Department removed all of the trash and chemicals from Autoware during the last two weeks of January. In the first week of February, Highway tore down the building ad removed all of the concrete including the vaults where the mechanic's pit was located. Trees were removed and later this spring parking areas will be established on the lot and behind the Senior Center.
Canaan Police Welcome New Administrative Assistant
Canaan Police Department welcomes Christine Day as the new daytime dispatcher and administrative assistant for the Police Department. Christine comes from Newport and has a lot of valuable experience in logistics and event planning where self direction was a requirement.
Recyling Streamlined
The new recycling area is open.
You can drop off all acceptable recyclables. Click here for a flyer.
WARNING! Do NOT dump household trash at this location. Zero sort doesn't mean that coffee grounds and diapers can be mixed with paper and plastic. There are fines for illegal dumping in the recycling area. Mixing trash in with recyclables will cost the Town more than $500 per truckload.
Police Department Adds Service
In the past unwanted and unused drugs were received at the Police Department during their bi-annual "Take Back Drugs" Events. Now they are equipped to collect these drugs at any time the station is open with their new Med Drop Box. Bring all unused and unwanted drugs to the station for safe disposal.
Christmas in Canaan Photos are Posted!
Click here to view more photos, and the lists of winners!
If you have photos to share, email them to: sduffy@canaannh.org
You Can Get There from Here!
There is a new directional sign in front of the Canaan Library. Thanks to many people who helped through the sponsorship of the Friends of Canaan Village, the directional sign returned to Route 4 after decades of being absent.
Dale and Bobbi Barney contributed the sign that had been in storage. Dimitri Gerakaris undertook the task of restoring the sign. Ken Lary and Gary Wood were instrumental in getting the sign project organized and seeing it through. Bob Scott and the Canaan Highway Department installed the sign this past week. See if the mileage has changed over the past sixty years.
And Speaking of Signs...
Noyes Academy was recently recognized with a New Hampshire heritage sign at the location of Union Academy. This is a reminder of the many facets of our Town history. The sign was orchestrated by the Canaan Historical Society.
Wind Turbines?
Local opponents of industrial wind turbines presented a very informative program explaining their opposition to the large scale turbines on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Canaan Hall. The organizers of the meeting supported Article 25 on the Town Meeting Warrant which would oppose the industrial wind projects. The meeting was well intended and was reflected in the vote on Article 25.
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: Closed
Tuesday: 2-6
Wednesday: 10-2
Thursday: 2-6
Friday: 10-2
Saturday: 8-2
The Transfer Station is closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Independence Day, 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:
Sharon Duffy
For Fast Facts on Canaan,
visit our NH Economic & Labor Market
Community Profile
Pay Online
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