The Harvard Conservation Trust (HCT) alerted the Select Board this week to alleged violations of the town’s Scenic Road Bylaw. Rudy Minar, treasurer of the HCT, presented a letter during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, calling attention to problems with recent town-contracted work at Murray Lane, Sherry Road, and Littleton County Road. These roads are designated scenic roads under Chapter 90 of the town’s general bylaws.
The HCT’s letter attests that town paving contractors damaged trees and stone walls along these roads in violation of the bylaw. Minar drew attention to the fact that much of the damage had resulted from the roads in question being widened, such that “the effect on how roads look has been greatly impacted” and “could be a safety hazard” because of increased motorist speeds. The HCT is requesting that town personnel enforce the bylaw and avoid widening of designated scenic roads.
Select Board members thanked Minar for his statement. Town Administrator Tim Bragan noted that he had received the HCT’s letter on Friday and would look into the matter, which would be “followed up with an appropriate response.”
Town of Harvard citizens designated 50 town ways as scenic roads during annual town meetings in 1974 and 2008. The intent of the Scenic Road Bylaw is to “preserve the qualities and character” of town ways. According to the bylaw “any repair, maintenance, reconstruction or paving work done with respect to any road … designated as a scenic road … shall not involve or include the cutting or removal of trees, or the tearing down, destruction, or alteration of stone walls or portions of stone walls within the right-of-way …,” unless by permit. Town officials may issue fines ranging from $100 per violation for the first offense, $200 per violation for the second offense, and $300 per violation for all subsequent offenses.
