Harvard police host gift drive
The Harvard Police Association will hold its annual holiday “Fill the Gift Box” event from Nov. 22 through Dec. 16. The event benefits the CASA Project (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Worcester County, which advocates for abused and neglected children. The association will be collecting gift cards such as Amazon, Target, TJ Maxx, and Market Basket. Donations can be left at the drop-off box in the police station lobby at 40 Ayer Road during business hours. There is also an Amazon wish list set up by CASA, which can be viewed at amazon.com/registries/custom/TSE0OW2Z61SZ/guest-view. Contact Trish Rouvel at 978-456-8276 or prouvel@harvard-ma.gov with questions.
Free COVID-19 test kits
COVID-19 rapid, at-home, test kits are available for pickup until they run out. Harvard residents or anyone who works in Harvard are eligible for four kits per household. At press time, kits were available at the following locations:
- Board of Health office at Town Hall, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The foyer of the Public Safety Building, 40 Ayer Road
- The Council on Aging office at Hildreth House, 15 Elm Street
- The Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road.
Cable comments sought
The town seeks comments and suggestions from the public regarding the cable license renewal of Charter Communications (Spectrum) to identify community needs and review the performance of Charter/Spectrum. Comments can be submitted to the town administrator’s office during November. Send email to asktheTA@harvard-ma.gov or address mail to the town administrator, 13 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451. Comments can also be dropped off at Town Hall.
Devens residents must regi-ster for elections by Nov. 21
The Devens Committee—an advisory body to MassDevelopment-—will hold an election for three resident members, each for a three-year term. The Devens Educational Advisory Committee (DEAC) will also hold an election for two resident members, each for a two-year term. Every Devens household should have received an election packet containing all necessary forms. Additional forms are available at MassDevelopment’s offices at 33 Andrews Parkway. To vote, a resident must return the voter registration form in the packet to MassDevelopment no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 21. Nomination forms are due Monday, Nov. 28.
Share your photos
The town is seeking photos with a local theme to be included in the town’s 2022 annual report. Subjects might include trails, orchards, the General Store, Bare Hill Pond, wildlife, or local events during the past year. Submit your pictures to Julie Doucet at jdoucet@harvard-ma.gov, including your name for the photo credit and a description for each picture. Visit harvard-ma.gov/town-administrators-office/pages/annual-town-reports to view past reports for reference.
Citrus sale starts this weekend
The Harvard Lions Club will hold its 32nd annual citrus fruit sale, with fresh ruby grapefruit and Florida navel oranges in 20-pound boxes, in the center of town and at the Transfer Station on the weekends of Nov. 19 and Dec. 3. Order online and have the fruit delivered to your home starting Nov. 19. To donate a box to Loaves & Fishes, order online and the Lions will deliver to the food pantry. For more details visit harvard lions.org.
After-school ski program
The Hildreth Elementary School grade 5 and Bromfield Ski Club programs are open for registration. Back this year are buses for the students, arranged through the Parks and Recreation Commission. Register at tinyurl.com/4weczc6b.
Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes, 234 Barnum Road, Devens, offers drive-thru access on the first Tuesday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. (The food pantry is closed the Friday prior to the third Saturday of every month.) Upcoming dates are Nov. 19, 23, and 30, and December 2, 6, 7, 9, 14, 17, 21, 28, and 30.
Thanksgiving dinner distribution will take place Monday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Devens noise report
Nov. 1-26 and 28-30: Multiple small arms ranges.
