I am writing in response to the editorial dated Feb. 26, 2010. I object to the phrase “ … taken by the Army from four towns (Harvard, Ayer, Shirley, Lancaster).” By using the word “taken,” the editor is trying to inflame. In fact, the land for Devens was leased first and purchased by the Army in 1926. This fact is even detailed on the town website. Using the word “taken” is an attempt to perpetuate the myth that land was stolen from Harvard and the town is a victim of the government. Nothing about this assertion is correct.
Second, the statement that “when jurisdiction could be returned to the towns” is another error. There is nothing in Chapter 498 that states jurisdiction will be returned. Chapter 498 requires a study for permanent governance to be submitted to the Legislature before 2033. A simple check of Chapter 498 should have been a requirement before writing an editorial.
Finally, the tirade in the editorial is about losing control over the mechanism of changing Chapter 498. The “super town meeting” has been attempted twice to make changes to Chapter 498 and neither was successful. The loss of control asserted by the editorial is really a loss of the town’s veto. Harvard may not like the Legislature’s intrusion into its “local” affairs, but if more attempts at changing Chapter 498 are unsuccessful, then the only change will likely come from the outside.
Harvard has the luxury of living with Chapter 498; it does not endure the restrictions of living under it.
Rick Bernklow
Walnut Street, Devens
