As a selectman just a few short years ago, I found it was not unusual for our board of five to disagree on an issue, and on many issues we did just that. Whether it was the future of Devens in relation to Harvard, the downtown four-way crossing, or even the emergence of Dunkin’ Donuts, we always had healthy and very public discussions. Although we often disagreed, I never doubted that my fellow BOS members put what they thought was our town’s best interest first.
It is for that reason I was so disheartened to read about our present BOS decision to go ahead with billing for ambulance services without a full town-wide discussion and vote. I believe that when the BOS and the HAS decided awhile back to withhold billing, it was with the full knowledge of the sensitivity it carries with the town’s residents. I do believe after speaking with people that support for the HAS is as strong now as ever.
It was never proven to me that billing for the ambulance service would provide any meaningful savings for the town, especially considering the cost of billing itself. Rather, look at what it offers our young people—put a price on that.
As with most things, especially in government, there always seem to be cycles. Years back, the BOS seemed to be in a cycle of acting alone and not really listening to the town. Public forum at these meetings was a joke, so we changed how things were done in Harvard for the better. I smile now when I see the BOS meetings, full of people stating their cases. The BOS needs to hear the HAS members, past and present, and their supporters, of which I am one: no billing without town-wide support and vote.
Scott Kimball
Ayer Road
