Ayer selectmen to choose new JBOS chairman
Leo Blair’s abrupt resignation from Harvard’s Board of Selectmen (see story) left the JBOS without a chairman. The board decided that it would rotate chairmanship quarterly, which had been the practice prior to Blair’s tenure, which began last fall. An Ayer selectman is scheduled to serve, and that town’s selectmen will decide who the chairman will be for the remainder of the current quarter.
Devens seeks mosquito relief
Armen Demerjian, a Devens resident, a member of the JBOS, and an at-large member of the Devens Enterprise Commission, requested that the board vote to spray Devens for mosquitoes. He said that the three towns must agree to permit a spraying program. He also said that Shirley and Ayer both have spraying programs.
Harvard Selectwoman Lucy Wallace explained that it takes a town meeting vote for Harvard to spray, and that Harvard selectmen will put a motion to spray on the next Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Ayer Selectman Rick Gilles pointed out that the health risk from mosquitoes is significant, with the West Nile virus having recently been found in Littleton and Westford. Gilles offered to request that the Ayer Department of Public Works include the Ayer portion of Devens in their spraying program; Shirley Selectman Enrico Cappucci likewise said he would request that the Shirley spraying program include Devens.
