November 1973
“I assure you that the architecture will be New England in style, in keeping with the community,” developer Joseph Pandiscio told the Planning Board about the shopping center with 20 stores, including anchor stores, a supermarket, and a large discount department store, that he proposed for the northeast corner of Old Mill Road and Ayer Road
Noticing two distinct groups at a recent meeting—businessmen and real estate developers interested in expanded business activity and Ayer Road residents concerned about commercial development—the editors wrote, “It seems there is a real fight brewing over the future of Ayer Road.”
The Planning Board considered rezoning northern Ayer Road back to agriculture and residential.
A panel that included Congressman Robert Drinan, a Jesuit priest, debated whether Nixon should be impeached.
Horoscope for Capricorn by Omar Ga’rbaj: “Fortunately, all your problems can be solved. All you need is money.”
Gorgeous 1 year-old garrison colonial in mint condition. $54,500.
November 1983
Before they would pay a painting bill for Town Hall, the Selectmen wanted the painting company to assure them that two coats of paint had been applied.
Classifieds: “Come and bop ‘til you drop in your poodle skirts and white buck shoes at the PTA-sponsored, adults-only, ’50s sock hop with Dave Maynard.”
A cape, four acres, and a barn were advertised for $157,500.
November 1993
“Halloween went very nicely,” said Police Chief Joe Piccontti. “It is a tribute to both parents and teenagers.”
The Joint Board of Selectmen approved a North American Cultural and Crafts Center at Devens, while a proposal to build a casino was being worked on by a different Native American group.
With a renewed threat of a regional airport in the Fort Devens reuse plans, citizens began demanding a direct say in Devens reuse and accused the Selectmen of operating behind closed doors.
Areas of possible job opportunities at Fort Devens after its expected 1995 closure included environmental technology, a casino, tourism, recreation, and the manufacture of magnetic levitation or high speed trains.
The rowing club started by Ann Taylor the previous spring had five junior varsity and four varsity rowers. “The club’s biggest problem this year was the inconvenience of dragging the boat down to the pond on top of Taylor’s Volvo.”
The Harvard HIV/AIDS/STDs Task Force recommended that condoms be distributed from the school and one other place.
The median price of houses sold in Harvard by September was $237,000, up from $220,000 the year before, when there were a large number of foreclosures.
——Compiled by Sydney Blackwell, based on reports in the old Harvard Post
