By Ryan O’Connor
Staff Writer

After debating the location of the rebuilt town snowroller, Bow selectmen decided to place the antique artifact next to the old Bow Center School House.

“There, it can be properly lighted and it’s as close to a historic district as we have in town,” said Chairman Thomas Fagan. “It’s also been agreed upon to build a shelter over it and the supplies used will be mostly by the donation of others.”

The decision was made at the board’s meeting on Oct. 10, after selectmen debated the issue at length at their previous meeting.

When the subject was first discussed at the Sept. 26 meeting, Dick Welch, who rebuilt the snowroller, was in attendance, along with members of the heritage commission, to provide input on its placement.

Residents Janet Shaw and Marge Welch, speaking on behalf of the heritage commission, suggested the snowroller be placed near the old Bow Center School House so the town could have several historical artifacts in one place, including an antique water pump.

Selectman Harry Judd, however, said he is concerned that the snowroller would be an attractive nuisance, which could result in a child climbing on it, falling off and possibly getting hurt ­ a liability he did not want the town to assume.

He suggested a better spot might be near the municipal building, where it could be better monitored.

Selectman Eric Anderson, however, said if Judd is concerned with kids climbing on it, placing it next to a park and playground may not be the best solution.

Fagan and board member Jack Crisp both expressed concern over possible vandalism and suggested placing the snowroller somewhere where it can be frequently monitored by police.

Other areas discussed included Rotary Park across from the fire station, the high school, town hall and the town garages, which many in attendance said wouldn’t be readily accessible to the public.

Anderson said Rotary Park was intended for drive-by appreciation and thus would serve as a reasonable location for the snowroller. He also said there has been no vandalism at Bow Center School, thus deducting the snowroller would be safe there as well.

After Police Chief Jeff Jaran suggested the snowroller could get water damaged if placed near the old school house because of frequent water buildup, Dick Welch said if it is placed on crushed stone rather than cement, the airflow and drainage under the object would most likely prevent such damage.

The board eventually came to a stalemate with the heritage commission and decided to table discussion for two weeks.

Now that the board has decided to locate the snowroller at the school house, it also agreed to follow Welch’s suggestion and place the object on crushed gravel.

According to Town Manager Jim Pitts, the public works department will most likely build a sidewalk to the snowroller, although he said no date has been set for its placement.