The three towns on whose historical lands Devens is located surely have competing interests in the discussions that are just now getting underway for its future governance. But Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley also share a common interest in ensuring that Devens remains the impressive economic engine and vibrant residential community it has become over the past 28 years.
It’s reassuring to see the towns come together in their desire to start studying the future governance of Devens now, rather than later. Ironically, the present-day Devens Jurisdiction Framework Committee was created at the urging of former MassDevelopment CEO Laura Liss for exactly that purpose. In many ways its makeup is reminiscent of the Joint Boards of Selectmen of Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley that was created following passage of Chapter 498 and the Devens reuse plan. But unlike the JBOS, which ceased meeting some years ago, the framework committee is a potentially more powerful entity because it includes not only representatives of the three towns, but also the Devens Enterprise Commission and Devens residents and businesses. Until two months ago the committee also included MassDevelopment.
Massachusetts history has been written by its towns, and when they unite, things happen. With money potentially available from the state to begin an earnest study of what form a permanent government at Devens might take, the DJFC should seek a consultant as soon as possible to help with its research, as it was planning to do earlier this year. And the committee should do what it can to create a sense of shared community among the Devens stakeholders and the Devens residents to strengthen their collective voice when the time comes to push for action.
But moving forward without the expertise of MassDevelopment, which has been governing the former Army base since 1994 and is intimately familiar with its operation and financial underpinnings, is going to be difficult. We hope the agency will reconsider its precipitous withdrawal and act in the public’s interest by rejoining the committee’s good faith effort to find a solution that benefits not just the three towns and Devens businesses and residents, but the entire region. Once the committee and greater Devens community finds its voice, MassDevelopment will find its roar difficult to ignore.
