From left: Scott Swain, Kenneth Swain, Nancy-Linn Swain, Dorry Swain, Dave Swain, Rick Dickson, Josh Gould, and Ken Harrod celebrate David Swain’s service to Harvard. (Courtesy photo)

As residents walk from the library toward Bare Hill Pond, and look into the woods on the right, they will now see a new wooden sign with a gracefully curved top. The sign is adjacent to the two wells that supply water for all users in the town center. It says simply, “David Swain Well Head Protection Area”—a short message that honors, but doesn’t explain the dedication of 33 years of volunteer service.

David Swain’s family and friends gathered to dedicate the well head area to his memory on June 20. Swain served as a water commissioner for Harvard from 1975 until shortly before his death in 2008.

Those who attended the ceremony shared memories of Swain’s hands-on work for the commission—reading meters and making repairs—as well as his no-nonsense style. Swain’s eldest son, also named Dave, remembers, “We grew up with him being the water commissioner, and the calls at all hours of the night.” When one town center resident complained about flecks of dirt in his ice cubes, the younger Swain recalls, “My father just told him to have his drink straight up.”

Current Water Commission Chairman Rick Dickson noted that Duane Barber took the lead in asking the commission to recognize Swain’s years of service with a formal tribute. Opening the dedication, Dickson said of Swain, “Dave was one of those people who was just rock solid—down to earth.” He credited Swain’s contribution to the excellent town water Harvard has today, as well as to planning system improvements.

Similar sentiments were echoed in written tributes from Barber and Ron Ricci, who served with Swain on the commission but were unable to attend the dedication. Both men emphasized the “hands-on” work that Swain had done to keep the water system up and running, while at the same time keeping expenses at a minimum.

Barber recalled, “On many occasions I replaced water meters and readers with him in house basements throughout our system. He was no-nonsense, up-front, [committed to] leading by good example on all occasions ... [a] good man in every sense of the word and a dedicated public servant.”

Ken Harrod, who also served with Swain on the Water Commission, created the sign. He noted that the memorial was done completely by volunteer work, a fact that Swain would have appreciated. “I built it to last,” Harrod said of the sign as he reflected on Swain’s “Yankee” values.

In addition to Swain’s son, Dave, who lives in Shirley, and Dave’s wife, Dorry, and son Kenneth; David’s daughter, Nancy-Linn Swain of Reading; and David’s son, Scott Swain of Groton, were present. Another son, Clark Swain, was unable to attend. David’s wife, Linn, died suddenly on April 5, 2009.

Looking at the town wells, one son remarked, “I’ve been down in that well.” The other son laughed, “So have I. That was our family vacation.”

Swain was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1931. He moved to Harvard with his family in 1964. He also served as pantry director and board member for Loaves & Fishes.