August 1980
The town of Harvard was reported to have the highest unemployment rate of several small towns in this area. At 8.9 percent, the rate was higher than in Ayer, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend.
A petition signed by 290 people assured a place on the November ballot for the question: “Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale … of wines and malt beverages?”
Playing at the movies: My Bodyguard, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Empire Strikes Back.
August 1990
The Zoning Board of appeals upheld a decision by selectmen to ban the sale of alcohol at the proposed Shaker Hills Golf Club.
Town officials reported that state aid was likely to be down $130,000 from the previous year’s level.
A task force made up of representatives from several town boards met to discuss potential future uses of properties near town center. Among the ideas discussed were the need for expanded municipal space, needs for affordable housing, and the location of emergency services for the town.
The new recycling bins at the transfer station were made available to the public, while a grand opening was being planned for early September.
August 2000
Selectmen approved a fee schedule for the transfer station that would require residents to pay for discarding large items such as sofas, mattresses, and other bulky items.
At a meeting of the Devens Housing committee, an Old Mill Road resident asked why the town of Harvard was working with MassDevelopment at all, if it was not clear that Harvard land on Devens would eventually come back to the town. A MassDevelopment spokesperson said that, although it was theoretically possible that the town may never get the land back, it was much more likely that it would, and it could happen “whenever the legislature decides the time is right.”
Selectmen made plans to ask for voter approval to hire a consultant to determine the cost of retaking the portion of Devens on Harvard land.
Playing at the movies: Coyote Ugly, The Replacements
Based on reports in the old Harvard Post.
