Babysitting available at Oct. 24 Town Meetings
The League of Women Voters of Harvard has arranged for babysitting during the Super Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting on Oct. 24. The members of Students Against Destructive Decisions with their advisor, school nurse Colleen Nigzus, will provide on-site childcare. More information and signup is available at goo.gl/XRfxMy. Email llevison@toast.net if you can’t access the signup. A donation to SADD is not required but will be greatly appreciated.
Early voting available
as of Oct. 24
For the first time in Massachusetts, registered voters may vote before election day. Early voting will be available Oct. 24 through Nov. 3. All registered voters may vote early either by mail or in person at Town Hall on these dates:
- • Monday-Thursday, Oct. 24-27, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- • Friday, Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to noon
- • Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to noon
- • Monday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- • Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- • Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 2 and 3, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Also, registered voters may request an early voting ballot by mail. Fill out an application and mail it to Town Clerk, 13 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451. The application is at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.
After a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on election day.
Absentee voting
Absentee ballots for the state/federal election on Nov. 8 are available at the town clerk’s office. Voters who will be out of town during polling hours on election day or who will be unable to vote in person due to physical disability or religious belief may request an absentee ballot. See www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf for an application. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is noon on Monday, Nov. 7.
Substance abuse counseling program
To address the opioid crisis that is impacting our region, the state, and the nation, Mount Wachusett Community College has launched a new substance abuse counseling certificate program and will host a free community forum Monday, Oct. 31, from 12 to 2:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus. For more information visit mwcc.edu/response.
Candidates forum in Acton
The Acton League of Women Voters will hold a candidates forum on Monday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Acton Public Safety Facility, 371 Main Street. The second half of the forum will feature the three candidates for state senate: Democrat Jamie Eldridge, Republican Ted Busiek, and Independent Terra Friedrichs.
Rent a rower for
fall leaf raking
The Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing team will offer its annual Rent-a-Rower leaf raking service the weekends of Nov. 5-6 and Nov. 12-13. Crews of three athletes plus one adult will come equipped with a walk-behind leaf blower and a backpack blower, as well as rakes and tarps. Price is based on yard size and leaf coverage. All proceeds will go toward equipment for the rowing team. Visit www.barehillrow ing.com/raking for more information and to sign up.
Trick or treat for UNICEF
Children in kindergarten through grade 8 are encouraged to pick up a UNICEF trick or treat box at the HES or Bromfield main office, the General Store, or the library and fill it with change between now and Halloween night. Kids can collect change by asking family, friends, and neighbors to contribute. On Halloween, children should bring their boxes to the General Store parking lot where there will be a giant UNICEF box for the money. Proceeds will be used to support children throughout the world. Learn more about UNICEF and this program at www.unicefusa.org/trick-or-treat/about. Email hughsilk@yahoo.com with any questions.
Halloween on the Common
Halloween in Harvard will be held Monday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with trick-or-treating in and around the town center. Candy donations are being accepted in the lobby of the police station.
Drug take-back day
Residents are invited to turn in unused or expired medications for safe disposal during drug take-back day, Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police station. Items that cannot be accepted include aerosol cans, EpiPens, inhalers, liquids, lotions, needles, and sharps. For more information, visit www.harvard.ma.us/home/news/drug-take-back .
Cemetery flowers must be removed
The Harvard Cemetery Commission advises that all flowers must be removed from cemeteries by Nov. 1. The Department of Public Works will remove any remaining flowers after that date.
