Outdoor watering ban in effect
The Water Commission has issued an outdoor watering ban for users of the town water supply. Watering lawns, filling pools, and washing cars and houses are prohibited. The ban will be in place until further notice.
Lanternfly alert
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is asking the public to keep an eye out for the invasive pest known as spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Anyone who has recently purchased trees or shrubs or had them planted on their property, particularly maple or crabapple trees, is being asked to inspect the trunk and branches to ensure there are no egg masses or any hitchhiking nymphs. This pest has caused significant damage to vineyards and orchards, and harms grapevines, maples, hops, blueberries, and over 100 other host plants. Learn to identify the lanternfly and report sightings at tinyurl.com/495u9avr.
Bare Hill races
This year’s Bare Hill races take place Sunday, June 26, and include sprint triathlon, sprint triathlon relay, duathlon, and aquabike. Register online by June 24; in-person registration at 4 Pond Road will be June 25, 4 to 6 p.m. and June 26, 6:30 to 7 a.m. Races start and finish by the town library at 4 Pond Road. There will also be a tri swim and transition free beginners’ clinic, Sunday, June 12, 6 p.m. at Bare Hill Pond to learn how to manage the swim portion; RSVP at barehilltri@gmail.com. Entry fees vary with events. Learn more at trisignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/BareHillTri.
FinCom openings
The town is seeking people to serve on the Finance Committee. The committee maintains a fiscally responsible and balanced budget for the town, providing funding for necessary existing services, investing in additional new services as needed, while mindful of taxpayers’ dollars over the short and long terms. Those interested may complete the form at harvard.seamlessdocs.com/f/volunteerform.
Open space survey
The Harvard Open Space Committee has received a grant from the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission to update the 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan, which helps define the town’s goals for open space use in the town, including active and passive recreation and agricultural lands. The plan also assists in the protection of open space corridors, ecologically significant areas, waterways, and wetland areas.
The survey is now available at surveymonkey.com/r/HarvardOSRP and on the town website at harvard-ma.gov. Paper copies are also available at Town Hall, the Council on Aging, and the public library and can be submitted to the land use office at Town Hall. The survey will be open until June 30.
Juneteenth holiday to be celebrated Monday
Town Hall, the Harvard Public Library, and the schools will be closed Monday, June 20, in recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.
Pride patch
The Harvard Police are showing their support for the LGBTQ community with the introduction of the Harvard Police pride patch. All proceeds from sales of the patch will be donated to the Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people. The patch is available during the month of June at the police station, 40 Ayer Road, for $10 cash; or make out a check to the “Harvard Police Association.”
Loaves & Fishes
The Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, 234 Barnum Road, Devens, serves Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. The drive-thru pantry will be open 9 a.m. to noon on June 18, 22, 24, and 29.
The pantry has an opening for a food coordinator. The position entails leading the warehousing, inventory management, procurement, receipt, and distribution of food passing through the pantry. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to jobs@loavesfishespantry.org.
Transfer Station stickers expire July 1
Time is running short to purchase Transfer Station stickers before July 1. The cost is $130 for two. Both stickers must be purchased at the same time. Stickers purchased now are for fiscal 2023, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Purchase online at unipaygold.unibank.com/default.aspx or use the mail-in form at tinyurl.com/yyuchyty. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/muh86z55.
Bare Hill Pond parking stickers
Stickers must be purchased online to park at Bare Hill Pond between Memorial Day and Labor Day. There is a discount for those over 65. Nanny passes are sold separately and are available only with a purchase of a regular parking sticker. Payments are made through the CivicREC system, which accepts electronic checks and most credit or debit cards. Learn more and buy stickers at tinyurl.com/5b978uf9.
Devens noise report
- June 1 to 30: Small arms ranges
- June 13 to 17: Live grenade training
- June 25 to 26: Demolitions
