Balloon test rescheduled
A final balloon test for a new cell tower at 12 Woodchuck Hill Road will be conducted by Verizon Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The test was previously scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10, but the Oct. 10 test was interrupted by strong winds. The floating balloon will demonstrate the height of the proposed cell tower, allowing concerned citizens to gauge its visual impact.
Advisory for Bare Hill Pond still in place
In late August, visual and preliminary investigation indicated concentrations of blue-green algae in Bare Hill Pond, prompting a no-swimming advisory. Since that time, the algal bloom has intensified, prompting an additional advisory to avoid the harmful bloom while swimming, fishing, and boating.
- Keep children and pets away from areas with blooms (greenish dis-colored water) or scum.
- If contact occurs, rinse skin with clean water. If skin rash or illness occurs, contact a medical provider.
- If removing a boat from the water, wash the boat thoroughly with clean water before transport.
See www.harvard.ma.us/board-health for additional information.
Harvard’s reverse 911 system
BlackBoard Connect is Harvard’s reverse 911 system that allows the town to communicate with residents by means of a mass email, phone call, or text, in the event of an emergency. If you haven’t signed up for reverse 911 alerts, you can do so at https://townofharvard.bbcportal.com/entry.
If you have an application like NoMoRobo on your phone that filters spam phone calls, go to the settings function and permit the numbers 978-456-4100 through -4106 to be unblocked so you can receive these emergency alerts from the town.
New hours for library curbside pickup
The Harvard Public Library reminds patrons that curbside pickup is now available six days a week:
- Monday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Go to harvardpubliclibrary.org for more details.
Applications available for affordable condos on Stow Road
The Sudbury Housing Trust is accepting applications to buy affordable condominiums at Pine Hill Village on Stow Road. Several units will be available for sale to people who qualify under the low income (80% of Eastern Worcester County median income) and asset ($75,000) limits.
The lottery held for the affordable units in September did not generate enough buyers, so the units that remain after the lottery participants have had the opportunity to purchase will be available—through the application process—on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, email Lara Plaskon at lara@rhsohousing.org or go to sudbury.ma.us/housingtrust.
Devens noise report
Fort Devens has announced the following noise bulletin for October:
- Oct. 1-31, multiple small arms ranges
- Oct. 21-25, MK19 qualifications
- Oct. 26-31, demolitions
Questions can be directed to the Department of Defense Police at 978-796-3333.
Don’t wait to vote!
Applications
The state has mailed ballot applications—not ballots—to all registered voters in Massachusetts who had not already requested a ballot, and also to voters who were registered in Harvard as of Sept. 1, 2020. The applications (postcards) were mailed out in mid-September.
A voter can mail the completed application to Town Hall, deposit it in the Town Hall dropbox (outdoor mail slot to the left of the front doors), or scan and email it to townclerk@harvard.ma.us.
The state’s official deadline to request a mail-in/absentee ballot is Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. However, state election officials and the U.S. Postal Service recommend requesting ballots as soon as possible, and no later than Oct. 20.
Ballots
Ballots returned to Town Hall through the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked by Nov. 3, and received in the town clerk’s office by Nov. 6. Ballots brought in person to Town Hall must be dropped off in the outdoor dropbox or to the town clerk’s office by Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.
In-person voting
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3; voting is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bromfield School. Early in-person voting will be held at the town clerk’s office between Oct. 17 and Oct. 29.
Contact the town clerk’s office at 978-456-4100 or email townclerk@harvard.ma.us with questions.
Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes will offer drive-thru pantry access Oct. 16, 17, 21, 23, 28, and 30, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The organization’s annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. and will be online via Zoom. RSVP at loavesfishespantry.org for a link.
