Bears are back; remove food sources
According to officials at MassWildlife, bears have been spotted in Worcester County, so it is time for residents to remove bird feeders and open compost areas, and to secure beehives, chicken coops, and other areas where livestock lives.
Birdwatchers who want to attract birds to their yards are advised to add a water feature, or to grow native plants, shrubs, and trees; taking these actions helps to avoid conflicts with bears looking for an easy meal. For more information about the estimated 4,500 black bears that live in Massachusetts, go to mass.gov/bears.
Town caucus canceled: Candidates must file nomination papers
The town caucus will not be held this year, so candidates who intend to run for office in the May 18 Town Election must instead file nomination papers with the town clerk by April 13 at 5 p.m. Positions are open on the Select Board and School Committee and on the Warner Free Lecture and Harvard Public Library boards of trustees.
Nomination papers must include 25 certified signatures of Harvard voters, though Town Clerk Marlene Kenney recommends getting more signatures in case some cannot be certified. For the purpose of social distancing, prospective candidates can submit 25 or more separate nomination papers so that each paper is signed by only one voter or only the voters in one household. By state law, electronic signatures are prohibited.
To get nomination papers and instructions for filling them out, go to the town clerk’s webpage and click on “Running for elected office in the May 18 Annual Town Election.”
Trail Ridge affordable home applications due March 16
Applications to buy an affordable ($212,500), age-restricted, 1,800-square-foot condominium on Littleton County Road are now being accepted by the Sudbury Housing Trust, which is authorized to manage the lottery and application process. Interested buyers must secure approval for a mortgage and submit evidence of the approval with the application. The deadline to apply is March 16; the lottery will be held March 30. For information and to get an application, go to harvard.ma.us, click on News & Announcements, and follow the links. Or call 978-287-1092 or email info@rhsohousing.org.
Remember to ‘spring forward’
Daylight saving time begins this Sunday morning, March 14, at 2 a.m. Remember to turn clocks forward one hour. The Fire Department recommends checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms this weekend, too.
Volunteer opportunities abound on town committees
Applications are due May 1 for positions on numerous town committees; forms are available at harvard.seamlessdocs.com/f/volunteerform. Contact Executive Assistant Julie Doucet via email at jdoucet@harvard.ma.us with questions or to get contact information about the positions. To see the list of the more than 20 committees that need volunteers, go to harvard.ma.us and click on News & Announcements.
A recently adopted policy of the Select Board requires any committee member whose term expires June 30 and who wishes to be reappointed to submit a letter of intent to Julie Doucet no later than Monday, March 15.
Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry will offer drive-thru access from 9 a.m. to noon March 12, 17, 20, 24, 26, and 31.
Permits required for open burning
Open burning season has started and will last through the end of April. A permit from the Harvard Fire Department is required; to get one, go to http://massfire.net/brush/harvard.php. Note that the fire chief reserves the right to deny open burning on any day due to weather or unfavorable environmental conditions.
Go to https://bit.ly/3bxqgOA for more information on open burning.
Learn to row
Registration for the Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Rowing Team for new members in grades 8 to 12 for the spring season and Learn To Row for grades 6 and 7 in Harvard is currently open at http://www.barehillrowing.com/spring. Team practices begin on March 15.
Bromfield School students and Harvard residents attending a charter or technical school are eligible for the team.
