Looking for reasons to make your way to the polls this coming Tuesday, April 7? Here are four:
First, in order to purchase a new tanker firetruck, install a new air-exchange system for the Bromfield science labs, and proceed to make Hildreth House safer and more accessible to seniors and other community members, we need to grant the town permission to increase our taxes next year beyond the limit set by Proposition 2½.
The finance and capital committees have worked hard to keep the tax burden as low as possible, and the three articles were passed by overwhelming majorities at Town Meeting on Saturday, March 28. Each deals with a critical town need. If you support the work, you need to say so by voting “yea” on Tuesday.
For a second reason, look no further than the first page of the election ballot, which lists the names of 18 candidates for public office. It’s true that none of them faces an opponent, but each has volunteered to help with the work of the town by taking an unpaid seat on an elected board. Elected boards are arguably the most important—and have the highest standing—because their members have been empowered by the voters, and their decisions have a lasting impact on our lives. Consider supporting those who have chosen to run by giving them your vote (unless, of course you oppose their candidacy.) It’s a way of saying thank you and is a meaningful gesture even in the absence of competition.
Need a third reason? Did you know the town has finally acquired a new, state-of-the-art voting machine? (See “Voters will cast ballots on new machine at Town Election” on page 4.) Town Meeting approved its purchase in 2013, and now it’s here. Come try it out and then tell Town Clerk Janet Vellante about your experience.
Finally, there’s the matter of town pride. Harvard is known as a community of some of the most civically active residents in the state. Our election turnouts regularly exceed those of other communities in Massachusetts. Turnout at last year’s Town Election on April 8, 2014, was 17 percent of Harvard’s then 3,899 active voters. Can we beat that?
