With MassDevelopment determined to begin a mosquito control program this spring (as reported by the Nov. 5 issue of the Press), the Harvard Board of Selectmen (BOS) decided this week to begin work on a plan to protect Harvard residents whose lands abut its boundaries, while seeking to clarify MassDev’s intentions.
The tussle between MassDev, the de facto governing body at Devens, and Harvard has lasted for more than two years. In May, in response to yet another MassDev request, the BOS agreed to say they had “no objections” to Devens pursuing a mosquito control plan, provided MassDev obtain a letter from the state Attorney General’s office stating that MassDev had authority to join the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program (CMMCP) without approval from Ayer, Shirley, and Harvard; and that a plan from MassDev and CMMCP address abutters’ concern that mosquito treatments and chemicals would not affect their property.
This fall, the AG’s office said it did not have the authority to offer an opinion and in November George Ramirez, executive vice president of Devens operations, announced that the Devens Public Works department would work with CMMCP to design a mosquito treatment plan for Devens and share the plan with the Joint Boards of Selectmen, “answering questions and accepting public comments.” Authorization to move forward reportedly came in a letter from the state Reclamation and Mosquito Control (SRMCB) Counsel Bob Ritchie.
There are two issues, said Selectwoman Marie Sobalvarro at the regular BOS meeting this Tuesday. “One is that our original request and conditions were not met; the second is that Mass Development, per the advice of their general counsel, says they want to move ahead.” Since resolution of the first issue is languishing, she said, it would be prudent to begin work now on a plan to protect residents on Old Mill Road from unwanted chemicals. Sobalvarro proposed the selectmen sit down with a map to identify affected properties, “codify” a reasonable buffer, and then “run it by the residents.” “We have some time—not a lot of time—to do this,” she said, given that mosquito season is some months away. Once the BOS has determined who’s likely to be affected, Town Administrator Tim Bragan can send out letters on behalf of the town to let residents know what’s coming and ask for their comment.
Given that spraying may occur with or without Harvard’s assent, Selectman Bill Johnson agreed, “Let’s have a strategy in place. If it doesn’t happen, maybe it’s wasted effort,” he said. “But if it happens, we’ll come prepared.”
Chairman Peter Warren said he would also ask for a meeting with Ramirez and the organization’s general counsel to remind them of Harvard’s original request and conditions.
