Sen. Kerry to hold office hours in Harvard
Senator John Kerry will hold office hours at Town Hall Wednesday, June 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. Members of the community, including local business owners, employees, and students, are urged to drop by if they are having problems with federal agencies or are unsure whether they are eligible for federal assistance programs, grants, or loans. A press release issued this week by Kerry’s office stated that Kerry’s staff may be able to expedite the “bureaucratic process and bring attention to individual cases that may have fallen through the cracks.” Staff members will also be available to discuss federal legislation and important local issues and concerns. No appointment is necessary. Kerry will also hold office hours in other cities and towns across the state. Visit www.kerry.senate.gov to see the schedule.
Planning Board seeks associate member
The Harvard Planning Board has an opening for an associate member and is seeking volunteers who are interested in serving in this appointed capacity. Appointments are for a one-year term. The board meets the first and third Monday evenings of each month. Anyone interested should contact Liz Allard, land use administrator, at 978-456-4106 for more information.
EMT classes coming
Harvard Ambulance Service is seeking Harvard residents who are interested in becoming emergency medical technicians. Free classes start soon. For more information call 978-456-4110 or visit harvardems.org.
Volunteers needed to pull weeds at pond
Residents are invited to help in the annual Water Chestnut Weed Harvest Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the first of three weed pulls sponsored by the Bare Hill Pond Management Committee. The remaining two are scheduled for July 18 and Aug. 8.
The target is the water chestnut, a non-native invasive species of plant that threatens swimming, boating and fishing by crowding the shorelines with a mass of underwater vegetation. The weed pulls are designed to curb the spread of the weeds through removal of as many as possible from shallow areas of the pond. The weeds can be easily eradicated by volunteers who are willing to help out for a couple of hours.
The June 13 weed pull will focus on the area of the pond near Clapp’s Brook, where the significant weed growth can be removed by pulling the plants out of the water from a canoe or small boat. Volunteers should bring their own canoe, boat, or kayak to the town beach. Buckets will be provided, along with instructions on how to remove the weeds. Some town canoes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. (State law requires all boaters to have safety gear, which includes life jackets and a whistle or other auditory warning device.)
Road race association announces annual race
The Harvard Road Race Association has announced the 32nd running of the Great Harvard Fourth of July Road Race. The 5-mile race will be held Saturday, July 4, at 8:45 a.m., starting and ending at the Bromfield School. The 1-mile Fun Run for children will start at 9:45 a.m. Refreshments and the Fourth of July Parade and Festival will follow the races.
Online registration is available through www.harvardraces.org. Race day registration will be held at the Bromfield School from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Entry fees are $15 for the 5-miler (T-shirts are guaranteed for entries received by June 15), $5 for the 1-miler without a T-shirt, and $13 for the 1-miler with a shirt. Registration for town employees and runners over age 65 is free.
There will be seven male and female age divisions: junior (age 18 and younger), open (19 to 29), submasters (30 to 39), masters (40 to 49), seniors (50 to 59), veterans (60 to 69) and 70-plus (70 and older). Awards and prizes will go to the first male and female finishers, the top three finishers in each division, and the top Harvard resident finishers. There will also be a $100 cash prize for a new course record. The current record for men is 25:41, set in 2007 by Casey Moulton, and the current record for women is 29:42, set in 2005 by Seana Carmean.
Devens issues range-noise bulletin
Devens has issued a notice marking the following upcoming military activities that will result in increased noise from Devens:
Friday, June 5: Demolitions training, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 6: MK19 qualification fire, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 7: MK19 qualification fire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 11: MK19 familiarization fire, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, June 12: MK19 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 13: MK19 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; parachute jump, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 14: MK19 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, June 15: MK19 familiarization fire, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, June 16: MK19 familiarization fire, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17: M203 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, June 18: M203 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, June 19: M203 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 20: MK19 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; mortar live fire, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; hand grenade live fire, 8 to 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 21: Mortar live fire, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; hand grenade live fire, 9 to 10 a.m.
Monday, June 22: Mortar live fire, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23: Mortar live fire, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; demolitions training, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, June 24: Mortar live fire, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; demolitions training, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, June 25: Demolitions training, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hand grenade live fire, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, June 26: Demolitions training, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hand grenade live fire, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 27: M203 familiarization fire, 8 a.m. to noon
