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 discolored 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.
Clothing drive supports Bromfield soccer
Friends of Harvard Soccer is holding a SAVERS clothing and household textiles drive through Oct. 3 to support Bromfield’s girls and boys varsity soccer teams. All clothing items as well as shoes, backpacks, purses, fabric, sheets, blankets, and comforters will be accepted. Put items in bags and drop off at Hildreth House, on the front porch. If you would like your items to be picked up, call 978-496-7404 or email beverly jorgensen@gmail.com.
Organists invited to perform at virtual event
The Harvard Historical Society’s celebration of its newly restored 1870 George Stevens organ has been postponed due to the pandemic. However, the organ will be available for the public to enjoy in the form of a virtual “organ slam.” Organists are invited to perform a piece that will be recorded and posted on the society’s website and social media. Among the first musicians to share their talent will be Harvard’s own Phyllis Konop, who taught music in the Harvard public schools for many years. Also performing will be Indian Hill Music’s Tatiana Bercu and Bolton’s American Guild of Organists’ youth award winner Gavin Klein. Contact curator@harvardhistory.org to schedule your experience with this unique and historic instrument.
Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes will offer drive-thru pantry access from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 2, 7, 9, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, and 30.
Library curbside pickup
The Harvard Public Library reminds patrons that curbside pickup is available five days a week. See the library’s curbside information page for more details: www.harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/harvard-public-library-curb side-pickup.
Plan ahead for the November election!
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 around Sept. 14, so voters can start to keep an eye out for their arrival.
A voter can mail the completed application to Town Hall, deposit it in the Town Hall dropbox (mail slot), 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 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 takes place 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.
For more details about applications, ballots, and in-person early voting, see “What you need to know about voting in the November 2020 Election” in last week’s Press.
Contact the town clerk’s office at 978-456-4100 or email townclerk@harvard.ma.us with question
Temporary closure of Route 2 at Exit 31
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced it will be implementing temporary overnight closures of Route 2 eastbound and westbound near exit 31 in Leominster and Fitchburg. The road will be closed overnight from Sunday, Oct. 4, through Thursday, Oct. 8, and from Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Thursday, Oct. 15, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning. The work is anticipated to take approximately two weeks.
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, you should go to the settings function and permit the numbers 978-456-4100 through 4106 to be unblocked so that you can receive these emergency alerts from the town.
‘Red flag warning’ issued by Fire Department
The Harvard Fire Department is cautioning residents that the fire danger is extremely high due to weather and drought conditions. According to a notice posted on the department’s Facebook page on Sept. 23, “Fires of any kind will not be allowed in the town of Harvard, and we ask you use extra care when grilling or disposing of smoking materials.”
Questions should be directed to the fire prevention office at 978-456-3648.
Flu clinic at Bromfield
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health (NABH) will hold a flu clinic Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 6 p.m., with the first two hours reserved to serve seniors. In order to provide ample space for social distancing, and to meet the needs of all residents, the clinic will be held in the Bromfield cafeteria.
Each person being vaccinated must complete a flu vaccination form, which can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3kYw9G9. NABH asks clinic attendees to thoroughly and legibly complete the flu form prior to the clinic and bring a copy of their insurance card. See the vaccine information statement at https://bit.ly/34aTOfO for more information.
