We are writing to express our dissatisfaction with the town’s apparent refusal to subject the plan to renovate and add sidewalks in the town center to a proper process of review and vetting.
We appear ready—even enthusiastically so—to create a new infrastructure for our beautiful Common that will result in what promises to be an overly engineered, misplaced walk to nowhere along the north edge of the General Store parking lot.
The proposal to constrain the space available for parking, including the illegal spots we are often compelled to use, will likely result in an absurd formality, a superfluous and ignored walkway, and a loss of business to one of the few vital retailers in this town. We will quickly learn to go elsewhere for emergency resupplies of milk or eggs as we will come to expect an incapacity to park at the General in the middle of the day. I am certain to have abundant company among my disgruntled neighbors.
We especially regret not having heard the thoughts of the town’s historical commissioners on this project, regardless of the absence of their legal obligation to opine. It’s surprising to us that an important decision about the aesthetics and function of a significant historic district will be made without their informed judgment, and with their apparent acquiescence. We encourage them to add their voices.
We similarly encourage the selectmen to show more respect to HCC members—whom the Select Board itself appointed—and the wealth of expertise assembled in this group, rather than marginalizing them by leaning on technical legal jurisdiction as a means to rush these plans through. That body is the Select Board’s own assembled resource, and disinviting their opinion in this matter goes against the intent of our bylaws and Harvard’s spirit of volunteerism. Their voice and judgment can ideally function as a check against unbridled development and unnecessary, even destructive, projects such as this one.
We thank the capable and hard-working administration and members of our Department of Public Works for the care they take to keep us safe. As winter looms, we send thanks in advance for their long snow-clearing days and nights. We ask them, and town administrators, to slow down long enough to get this complex project right, and to consider the complete forfeiture of the new walkway on the north side of the General’s parking lot.
Roseanne Saalfield, Jonathan Feist
Former chairs, Harvard Historical Commission
