The Planning Board thanks townspeople for supporting its articles at Annual Town Meeting last Saturday. We will be re-introducing the modifications to Section 125-1: Purposes, and hope that we will see residents at the hearings. We are especially pleased to have almost unanimous support for the homerule petition, which will proceed to the Board of Selectmen and then to the legislature.
And now the plea for help: as reported in February, Planning Board member Bill Ashe, a long-time contributor to town government, resigned from the board. Since the town elections, when associate member Peter Brooks was elected to the board, we have a full board, but we do need an associate member.
An associate cannot vote on all matters, but is a voting member when required on any special permit applications, and, historically, participates as an active member of the board in all other respects. The associate is especially important as we prepare for this new year and try to find the resources needed to meet our many goals.
Membership on the Planning Board offers a fascinating look into the infrastructure that has created and protects our town, as well as an opportunity to help preserve what is important to us, even in the midst of a changing environment. We have a great group of members, with a range of skill sets and interests that I believe enable us to operate effectively, efficiently, and with a great respect for differing perspectives.
No specific background is required to be a member, other than a willingness to learn and an ability to attend meetings twice a month on Monday evenings—and, of course, a great love for the town of Harvard.
I encourage anyone interested to contact Liz Allard, our administrative assistant, at (978) 456-4106 or to contact me directly at (978) 456-8543; I would be happy to answer any questions.
Mary Essary, chairwoman,
Harvard Planning Board
