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Information about the 2021 Town Meeting


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Notice of Public Hearing



To Consider Adoption of Zoning Ordinance in Canaan Historic District
Monday, January 25, 2021, 10:00 AM
Meeting will be held via Zoom.

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing via Zoom on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM to receive testimony and comments on a proposed Zoning Ordinance, which may then be voted upon at the upcoming 2021 March town meeting. This ordinance will create a single zoning district that will be coterminous with the already existing Canaan Historic District. The proposed zoning seeks to regulate within that single zoning district permissible uses, dimensional requirements, nonconforming uses and structures, signage, special exceptions, and includes definitions for key terms. This is a continuation of the January 11, 2021 public hearing.
The proposed ordinance and Zoom instructions to participate in the public hearing may be viewed at this link:
https://tinyurl.com/ADU-HDC or at the town office.



Official Notices:


To request Town Notices by email, Click Here.

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Notice of Public Hearings for the Planning Board



To Consider Adoption of Zoning Ordinance in Canaan Historic District


Monday, January 25, 2021, 10:00 AM
Meeting will be held via Zoom.

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing via Zoom on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM to receive testimony and comments on a proposed Zoning Ordinance, which may then be voted upon at the upcoming 2021 March town meeting. This ordinance will create a single zoning district that will be coterminous with the already existing Canaan Historic District. The proposed zoning seeks to regulate within that single zoning district permissible uses, dimensional requirements, nonconforming uses and structures, signage, special exceptions, and includes definitions for key terms. This is a continuation of the January 11, 2021 public hearing.
The proposed ordinance and Zoom instructions to participate in the public hearing may be viewed at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ADU-HDC or at the town office.

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect Nov 1-Apr 16

winter parking ban sign

There is no street or public parking lot parking between 11pm and 6am during the months from November 1 until April 16
Violators may be fined and towed.

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Reminder- Dec 1 (or first snow fall)-May 1:

Cemeteries are open to pedestrian traffic only. Burials are not permitted during this time. See the Cemetery Page for more info.

wells cemetery

Until the first snow fall, not all gates will be unlocked but every cemetery will have a gate open. After the first storm, the gates will be closed.

Closings & Events:


 *Upcoming Events: Click Here!

Notice: Holiday Closings

Monday, January 18:
Closed: Town Office, Library

Monday, February 15, Presidents Day:
Closed: Town Office, Library



News:



MEETINGS:


These meetings are open to the public. 

Board of Selectman Meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the conference room on the lower level of the Library at 5:00 pm.  

Canaan Conservation Commission:  Will meet at 7:00 pm the first Monday of the month, as a Zoom Meeting.  Please click on the CCC link above to access further Zoom login information.

The Trustees of the Library will meet the third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Library.  Attendance at these meetings require a mask.


Meeting of the Planning Board shall be the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Meeting of the  Historic District Commission, shall be held the third Monday of the month at 7:15 pm via Zoom.

The Friends of Canaan Village will not be meeting in January or February.

 

Meeting of the Budget Committee will meet by ZOOM only on Wednesday, January 13th at 7:30 pm (please note time change) and again on Thursday, January 14th at 7:30pm for a public hearing to present the budget and warrant articles to the public and allow response time.To attend by Zoom, please click on the Budget Committee link above.




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rural broadband sign

A dream – High speed internet for everyone in Canaan with little or no cost increase!

The Grafton County Commissioners have formed a Broadband Committee to explore the possibilities of a county-wide initiative for broadband. Brigitte Codling, Town Manager of Haverhill, Carina Park, Town Administrator of Campton, Nicholas Coates, Town Administrator of Bristol, Andrew Dorsett, Town Manager of Littleton and Canaan’s Mike Samson are the members of the working group. Bonnie Labrie of Canaan is working with Samson to provide technical assistance at the meetings.

 

The goal is to assure that every resident has access to high speed internet service in Grafton County.  This service is critical for remote education and people working remotely from their homes. The access will increase the value for all homes currently without internet access.

 

Canaan started work on a project for the Town of Canaan about six months ago. We have been exploring the financial viability of implementing a plan for Canaan and have looked to the progress of other communities for examples. Canaan will be following two paths; implementation within Canaan without outside help or implementation through a county initiative.

 

We need your help!!!

We have received 91 responses so far. We only need 1,664 more to create a complete map!

THE FIRST STEP IS TO TEST EXISTING SPEEDS - We’d like you to use a free computer app that is sponsored by the National Association of Counties to test your internet speed. This app is risk free and only takes a few moments. We would like everyone to test your speed on your computer at home and on your smart phone.

THIS APP IS FOR SMART PHONES.


broadband testing info

GOOGLE ANY APP ON YOUR DESKTOP THAT TESTS INTERNET SPEED AND SEND THE UP-LOAD AND DOWN LOAD SPEEDS TO US IN AN E-MAIL - townadmin@canaannh.org.
Thank you for your help!

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Canaan Town Library



The library is now open by appointment.

library entrance

LIBRARY BY APPOINTMENT:  Mondays 4-8pm (new), Tuesday 1-5 pm, Wednesday 5-8 pm, Friday 9-12

The library will be open by appointment three days a week. You will be able to schedule a 30 minute appointment for you and members of your household (up to a total of 8 people, infants and toddlers count!) to use the library.  Appointments must be booked prior to arriving at the library. Please call or email and we will schedule your specific 30 minute time slot.

LIBRARY TAKE OUT AVAILABLE AS SCHEDULED:  Monday 5-7 pm, Thursday 1-3 pm, Saturday 10-12 pm

You can:
• browse the stacks
• check out materials
• use a computer
• send a fax
• make photocopies

For folks who would like to grab their library materials and go -- Library Take Out is a great option!

Please call 523-9650 or email circulationdesk@canaanlibrary.org to learn more and schedule your appointment. Please remember that we are excited to see you and your families, but currently, there will not be time to visit or linger. We will be happy to assist you in finding materials and answering reference questions. To make appointments available for a larger group of patrons, we ask that you be prepared to check out materials that can last you and your family 3 weeks. If you need to supplement these materials, feel free to use our Library Take Out program. For more information please visit our website: https://www.canaanlibrary.org/



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A Moose Plate Grant was Received to Stabilize the Freight House at the end of Depot Street.


freight shed volunteers
From left to right: Alv Elvestad, Linda Jones, Judith Kushner, Sue Jukosky, Jamie Jukosky, Melissa Allen, Andrew Cushing, William Mackey, Alton Hennessy.

Great job by the volunteers who submitted the application!

Mascoma Valley Preservation (MVP) spent a day cleaning up around Canaan's B&M freight shed in August 2020. Thanks to all who chipped in and to the Town of Canaan for chipping all the brush!



freight house with brush freight house without brush
side freight house freight house side without brush

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

Blues Brother playing harmonica on car hood. north pole sign


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Canaan . . .

A friendly Community created by helpful neighbors and willing volunteers. A community that shares in

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.

job opportunity collage

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.

historic places collage

Local Events:





American Red Cross
Canaan, NH Blood Drives

Noon - 5:00 pm
By appointment only: Appointments must be made by 3pm on the Friday previous to the blood draw.
St. Mary's Dates:

  • January 27, 2021
  • February 15, 2021
  • April 12, 2021
  • June 14, 2021
  • August 9, 2021
  • October 18, 2021
  • December 13, 2021

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    Yoga


    yoga

    Indoor yoga classes in December are being offered at the Mascoma Community Health Center (MCHC), and a once a month online Zoom yoga class. Click here for more info about Yoga!

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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.

    New Year's Day
    Civil Rights Day
    President's Day
    Memorial Day
    Independence Day
    Labor Day
    Columbus Day
    Veteran's Day
    Thanksgiving Day
    Day after Thanksgiving
    Last work day before Christmas
    Christmas Day
    Administrators Hours: Mon-Fri: 8-4 If front door is locked, please use back door.
    Mon-Wed-Fri: 9-12 & 1-4
    Tues-Thurs-Sat; 9-12 Wed; 6-8
    523-4850, Non-Emergencies
    523-8808, Non-Emergencies
    Winter: 7-3:30 Mon-Fri
    Summer: 6-4:30 Mon-Thurs
    Water & Sewer Department
    W&S Operator: 304-9380
    Town Administrator: 707-9349
    Tours available upon request.
    Library: 523-9650
    Library is currently open by appointment only.
    Sunday: Center Closed
    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.
    Tax Assessor 523-4501 x 103
    Mon-Fri: 8-4
    Building Inspector: 523-4501 x 103
    Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm
    Human Services: 523-9901
    Mon-Fri; 9-12
    Town Finance Office: 523-4501 x 107
    Mon-Thurs; 8-3
    Recreation Coordinator: 523-4501 x 111
    By Appointment
    Website Manager: 523-4501 x 108
    By Appointment

    Town Government Links:


    town seal
    For all Boards, Departments & Town Information please visit the
    Town Government Page

    Email the Town Administrator:
    Mike Samson

    Email the Website Manager:
    Laura Bicknell

    For Fast Facts on Canaan,
    visit our NH Economic & Labor Market
    Community Profile



    Pay Online





    Search CanaanNH.org