Conservation Trust offers free memberships and trail guides
The Harvard Conservation Trust is offering a free one-year membership and a copy of its trail guide booklet to residents who are not already members. To take advantage of this offer, send an email by June 30 with the subject line “new member” to info@harvardconservationtrust.org with your name and mailing address. Go to harvard conservationtrust.org for more information about the trust and its programs.
Purchase Transfer Station stickers by June 30
Transfer Station stickers for the coming fiscal year must be purchased by June 30, either at the town website or by mail. The cost is $130 for up to two stickers per household. There is no senior discount, but seniors who purchase a sticker during June will receive 30 15-gallon bags, which will be delivered to seniors’ homes in July. Seniors purchasing stickers after June 30 will not be eligible for the free bags.
The bulky waste dumpsters and areas for recycling tires, batteries, refrigerators, air conditioners, and televisions are now open. The take-it-or-leave-it area remains closed. Use of the recycle areas, including the bulky waste dumpster, requires a punch card. Punch cards are available by mail and must be purchased ahead of time. For a complete list of fees and instructions, see Transfer Station Rules and Regulations on the town website.
Annual Town Election
Harvard’s Annual Town Election will be held Tuesday, June 23, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Bromfield School Cafeteria.
Voters will enter and exit using the outside cafeteria doors only; there will be no entrance through the school’s front doors. We strongly suggest that everyone wear a mask or face covering in accordance with state guidelines. Individual pens will be provided. There will be fewer voting booths than usual, so voters may encounter a line outside the cafeteria as they observe 6-foot social distancing protocols.
Absentee and early voting ballots for this election may be requested by mail until noon on Monday, June 22, by completing the application at www.harvard.ma.us/town-clerk or by calling 978-456-4100 to have an application mailed to you. Please leave time for mailing.
Blood donations urgently needed
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume non-urgent and elective procedures, increasing the demand for blood products. Healthy individuals who are feeling well may make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767, or enabling the blood donor skill on any Alexa Echo device. To thank those who help now through June 30, the Red Cross, thanks to Amazon, is offering a $5 Amazon gift card via email.
Harvard churches announce services
Congregational Church of Harvard: Worship services online; see www.harvarducc.org for the weekly Zoom link. The sanctuary is open for individual worship during the week and on Saturday mornings; see the website for hours and safety protocols.
Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church: Worship services online; see uuharvard.org/ for the weekly Zoom link.
St. Theresa’s Catholic Church: Masses conducted at the church; see www.htpboltonharvard.org for days and hours. Masks and social distancing are required.
Ayer Road reconstruction project
On Monday, June 22, at 7 p.m., the Harvard Planning Board and DPW will hold a Zoom-based public meeting to discuss the Ayer Road reconstruction project, proposed to be funded through the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This meeting occurs at the 10% design stage of the project when public input has the greatest chance to influence the design.
In summary, the project is designed to reconstruct the roadway and add a 10-foot wide multipurpose trail for bicycles and pedestrians. At this meeting, town officials and engineering consultants will discuss the three current draft alternatives, and hear public comments and questions. Email cryan@harvard.ma.us for login information or questions. See article on page 28.
