Changes to the town center, such as those proposed to upgrade its sidewalks and crosswalks, will impact all Harvard residents, so the public should be provided an opportunity to share input and ideas for consideration. Businesses, in particular, have an interest in how such plans may influence vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and their opinions are equally important to the process to ensure that permanent modifications don’t negatively impact the vibrancy of the town center that so many have invested time, money, and effort to establish and enhance.
As a nonprofit, Fivesparks depends, like any business, on the engagement of the community—residents of all ages and abilities—to ensure its long-term viability. This engagement relies not only on safety elements inherently critical to any plan that’s implemented, but also on the overall usability of the solution.
Our town’s center and Common are marveled at by visitors who might not have believed that such a quintessential New England image existed anywhere but on postcards. Let’s channel the engagement of our community to ensure that we maintain this precious asset for the benefit of all residents.
Mark Mikitarian, president
Fivesparks
