Article 34 in the Annual Town Meeting warrant covers the protection of public water quality by restricting land use in a newly created groundwater protection overlay district.
This bylaw would restrict land usage in areas near Harvard’s town wells, as well as Littleton and Ayer wells that fall near the town boundaries. It would prevent or limit the storage of many potentially hazardous materials, including oil, fertilizer, manure, and chemicals. It would also restrict improvements to 15 percent of the property or 2,500 square feet, whichever is greater, unless allowed by a special permit. If any part of a lot falls within the groundwater protection district, these restrictions would apply to the entire property. There are three areas that would fall within this district: one in the town center, one around Old Mill Pond, and one near Interstate 495 along the Boxborough and Littleton town lines.
These restrictions are based on the official guidelines of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for ensuring the safety of public water by limiting land use in areas around town wellheads. While Harvard is not required to protect the public water of other towns, the inclusion of the areas around the Ayer and Littleton wellheads is a good-faith response to requests by Harvard’s neighbors and is in accordance with the DEP’s recommendations.
Notably, Doe Orchards falls within the boundaries of the district, as it is near the Ayer wellhead. However, existing uses are “grandfathered in” by the article. Additionally, when asked about how the bylaw might affect Doe Orchards, Town Planner Bill Scanlan responded, “This bylaw will not affect what they are doing,” clarifying that the bylaw was not intended to interfere with agriculture.
