Bill Herbert. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
For some people, the reward for a job well done is an elaborate meal, an expensive gift, or a big paycheck. Not for Bill Herbert. For him a smile, a little wave, or the acknowledgment of hello from the busy teenager studying at the library is all it takes.
After 40 years in Harvard, Herbert is a familiar face. He might be found watering trees on the town common, shelving books at the library, pouring coffee at Hildreth House, or working as a substitute teacher at Bromfield.
Herbert has been serving Harvard in one volunteer capacity or another since his family made Park Lane their home in 1972.
Herbert and his wife Carol came to Harvard after a transfer by Honeywell Computer to Newton. Harvard looked ideal to the Herberts because it was the midway point from their family in Connecticut and their favorite skiing getaway in Vermont.
From the beginning of his residency, Herbert was helping out in one capacity or another. He organized neighborhood gatherings, Christmas caroling, Easter egg hunts, and was often found manning the grill at St. Theresa’s annual chicken barbeque. And, it was only appropriate that, as an Eagle Scout, he serve as leader to his son’s Boy Scout troop.
There isn’t much Herbert hasn’t done in Harvard. When his daughter Crista and son Keith attended what was then the new Village Nursery School, he was right there decorating for their dances. He’s even directed ducks from his canoe during the Rotary Club Ducky Wucky Race.
Herbert doesn’t see his volunteer work as anything more than “a job that needs to get done.”
“For me, I do it for two reasons,” he said. “First, people like it when you help and second, I like it when I help. I guess I wouldn’t take on something I didn’t like. Like many people here, I know that the character of this town was formed by its residents and particularly its volunteers. It gives people a real sense of comfort and warmth knowing that their neighbors are helping out at places like the fire department, the schools, and on the Pond Committee. We are lucky to live in an old-fashioned town in a modern society.”
Bill Herbert accepts the Citizen of Note award from Selectman Peter Warren at the April 28 Annual Town Meeting. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
It is that sense of community loyalty and pride that inspired Selectman Marie Sobalvarro to recommend Herbert as the 2011 Harvard Citizen of Note.
“I nominated Bill because I see him everywhere: at Hildreth House, planning out trips months in advance, at Bromfield as a substitute teacher, at the library as a library monitor, and earlier, as someone who would be out watering the trees,” Sobalvarro said. “He is, for me, one of the people who makes Harvard such a special place–always willing to help, always out doing something. I felt that his efforts, busily working in the background, definitely deserved recognition.”
The other members of the Board of Selectmen swiftly and unanimously agreed with her, and Bill Herbert officially became the 2011 Citizen of Note.
“When Marie suggested Bill as the recipient of the award, everyone was on board,” said now-former Selectman Peter Warren. “There is no doubt that Bill deserves this award. I’ve known him for a long time. He has a great family and he has done great things for Harvard.”
Council on Aging director Debbie Thompson concurs.
“Bill is wonderful,” she said. “He is so welcoming. He is always supportive even when there are changes. He has been coordinating the men’s breakfast on Wednesdays, and it is becoming quite popular. If you want to hear about what’s really going on in town, it’s the place to be. Last week we had 22 in the group.”
As program coordinator at the Council on Aging, Herbert oversees the men’s breakfast and makes a “great cup of Joe.” Recently, Herbert organized popular outings to Fenway Park and to the musical “South Pacific.” He enjoys scheduling (and going on) trips for his peers to museums, concerts, and tourist attractions. This fall he has a train tour in Vermont planned.
When Herbert isn’t volunteering around Harvard, he and wife Carol enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, antiquing, or working in their gardens. Currently, Herbert is experimenting with making pine tree topiaries. And, on Monday evenings, he plays tennis with a group of local friends in Westford.
“We’ve been playing for over 20 years,” Herbert said. “We take it very seriously. You can’t be late and you don’t miss a week.”
And he never has.
