The town of Harvard is about to launch a transportation committee at the suggestion of the Planning Board and as approved by the Select Board. The town recognizes the importance of improving communication with townspeople and working to plan for the future of how our residents move through and around the town and the region. The town also recognizes that many standing boards and departments work with various transportation-related issues, but no board has transportation as its primary focus. The goal would be to appropriately expand the modes of transportation available and improve what we already have in place.
Massachusetts has committed to carbon reduction and, to that end, it has been funding projects and encouraging towns to improve alternative ways for residents to travel to work, shopping, school, and other tasks without the use of carbon-emitting vehicles.
The Transportation Advisory Committee will consist of one representative each from the Planning Board, Select Board, Council on Aging, and the School Committee. Additionally, the Select Board is looking for five “at-large” community members with the hope of getting at least one representative each from advocates for bicycles, trails, and the business community. The first members-at-large were approved at the Feb.16 Select Board meeting, and the first meeting is soon to be scheduled. This diverse membership will ensure that all voices will be heard on the range of Harvard’s transportation issues. The committee will work alongside the Department of Public Works, the Police and Fire departments, and the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) transportation planners as well as the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, which runs the MART regional commuter shuttle service.
The Transportation Advisory Committee will engage in research, assess local issues, and develop a program of desired transportation improvement projects for the town—using the 2016 Master Plan as a baseline, as well as other past plans and studies. Once priorities are identified and a project list is in place, the committee will be able to effectively and efficiently respond to grant opportunities as they arise. The TAC will also assist in grant-tracking and reporting as required by the funding agency. It will serve to research and inform the public of changes and updates planned for our town transportation system. The TAC will be the constant presence on these projects to make sure our town’s specific needs continue to be addressed.
A sounding board
The committee will coordinate all transportation initiatives. It will listen and be the sounding board for ideas, comments, and recommendations from all community members. The committee will help the town of Harvard and the commonwealth meet the goal of reducing carbon emissions. The Planning Board has worked hard to advocate for this new committee, as there are many projects that have not received the time or attention they deserve: better townwide support for trail maintenance or new trail construction, better bike routes and access, and better service to our town from the MART program. There are opportunities out there for all these things, but we have lacked the volunteer time to properly apply for funding or work with regional partners.
And maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally get that bus route for Ayer Road that is suggested at nearly every town meeting.
Stacia Donahue is vice-chair of the Planning Board. Members of the Transportation Advisory Committee are Pamela Marston; Bruce Leicher; SusanMary Redinger; Jim Lee; Elizabeth Williams; Kara Minar; Gabriel Medjanis; and Rene Turnheim. The committee is seeking two additional members; for more information go to www.harvard.ma.us/transportation-
advisory-committee.
