Mud season and trail use
Spring is here and trails beckon, but trails are vulnerable to rapid degradation in a few weeks of mud season. As it does every spring, the Conservation Commission asks everyone to be mindful of the rules and etiquette of trail protection and use.
Thawing ground can cause frozen air pockets to collapse underfoot, creating potholes, erosion, and hazards to people and horses. Use caution and restraint walking at this time of year and stay off the trails when conditions are at their worst.
Horses and bikes are not permitted on trails when conditions are muddy. Please refrain from trail riding until the earth has firmed up.
Remember not to cut through fields on conservation lands unless on a trail. Fields are protected for wildlife and agricultural use. Riders may pass around the periphery of fields, but may not use conservation land for rings, exercise, or jumping.
Horseback riding and trail biking are not permitted on secondary trails, designated by blue blazes, unless otherwise marked. Horses are permitted on primary (yellow) trails.
For the full text of “Policies on Horseback Riding on Harvard Trails,” see the town’s website. Contact Candy Frazer at candy.f@charter.net, Pam Browning at pjbrowning2001@yahoo.com or Conservation Agent Liz Allard at 978-456-4106 with any questions. The Conservation Commission and Agricultural Advisory Commission thank everyone for their help.
Items needed for post-prom event
Celebration, Harvard’s substance-free, post-prom event for the students attending Bromfield’s senior prom, needs help with decorations and prizes. The volunteer committee that coordinates the event wants to borrow some decorative items for its secret theme and is also asking for prize donations.
The list of decorations still needed can be accessed at www.signupgenius.com/go/ 8050A4FA8AE2FAB9-celebration, where people can sign up to lend or donate items. For more information about helping with decorative elements, contact Sue at srizzo63@gmail.com or 978-503-9705.
The committee also seeks prize donations—from gift and restaurant cards to a few special items, such as Red Sox tickets—to be given out to juniors and seniors as entertainment during this all-night event. For information about donating prizes, contact Mindy at mindy.atwood@gmail.com.
Books needed for fundraiser
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library will accept books in good condition for its May book sale on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the entrance to the Harvard Public Library. Items not to be accepted include encyclopedias, magazines, broken or moldy books, VHS tapes, record albums, or cassette tapes.
Changes to motor vehicle fees
The Registry of Motor Vehicle will raise fees for vehicle registration, inspection, and road tests beginning July 1. Noncommercial vehicle registration fees will increase from $50 to $60. There will be no change to commercial registration fees. Annual motor vehicle inspections will increase to $35 from $29 and the road test fee will increase to $35 from $20. Legislation passed in 2013 requires the Mass. Department of Transportation to generate its “own source” of revenue.
