And while you’ve got your calendars open, please reserve time on the following Monday, March 27, for a second League of Women Voters event at the same location, this time to consider a question placed on the ballot at the request of the Board of Selectmen. The question asks voters whether the selectmen should invest their time and town resources in developing a plan to take back jurisdiction over Devens land that was historically a part of Harvard.
The question is an important one, and an affirmative answer could lead to an enormous undertaking. The legislation that created the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone requires Harvard to do more than sell a plan to its voters; it must also convince the neighboring towns of Shirley and Ayer, as well as MassDevelopment, the state agency that manages Devens. And even if all parties agree on next steps, the state Legislature will make the final decision. It’s a decision with far-reaching consequences for every resident of Harvard. At the March 27 forum, the selectmen will be looking for town support for moving ahead. Their question deserves the attention and thoughtful vote of every citizen.
