Polls are open Nov. 8
The state election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 8; voting is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bromfield School, 14 Mass. Ave.
Fall back
Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 a.m. Remember to turn clocks back one hour on Saturday night and take the opportunity to check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Free COVID-19 test kits
COVID-19 rapid, at-home, test kits are available for pickup starting Friday, Nov. 7 until the tests run out. Harvard residents or anyone who works in Harvard are eligible for four kits per household and can pick up test kits at the following locations:
- Board of Health office at Town Hall, Tuesday and Wednesday, 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
- The Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road; St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road; and the Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road
What’s it worth?
The town assessor has been conducting the fiscal 2023 revaluation as required by state law. This update of values ensures that all property is assessed at full and fair market value as of Jan. 1, 2022. Preliminary assessed values for fiscal 2023 are available through Tuesday, Nov. 8, at harvard-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif676/f/uploads/fy23_preliminary_values.pdf.
Email assessingdept@harvard-ma.gov or phone 978-456-4100, ext. 315 with questions or comments.
All ashore
Boats must be removed from Bare Hill Pond and the canoe and kayak racks by Nov. 13. For more information, visit harvard-ma.gov/parks-recreation-commission/bulletins/reminder-remove-your-boats-pond.
After-school ski program registration now open
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. To learn more and register, go to harvard-ma.gov/parks-recreation-commission/pages/skiing-and-snowboarding.
Recycle your reusables
Recycle musical instruments, arts and crafts supplies, textiles, books, household items, and electronics, Saturday, Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ayer Shirley Middle School, 1 Hospital Rd, Shirley. A site map and full list will be available soon. To volunteer for a two-hour shift, contact Libby Levison at libby-boh@email.toast.net.
Planning for emergencies
On Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. the Commission on Disabilities will sponsor a Zoom panel discussion with members of the Council on Aging, Police Department, Fire Department, Ambulance Service, and Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. The group will discuss the plans and strategies first responders implement when preparing for and assisting individuals with disabilities in emergency situations. There will also be a Q&A period. More details and the Zoom link can be found at harvard-ma.gov.
Archery hunting
The 2022 controlled archery hunting program has begun on selected conservation lands and runs through Dec. 31. Visit tinyurl.com/3trzj85d to view a map of the areas approved for this season and tinyurl.com/263khhxf for maps of each of those areas. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/2cuykr7n or mass.gov/info-details/deer-hunting-regulations.
Fruit sale
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. Preorder online and have the fruit delivered to your home starting Nov. 19. To donate a box to Loaves & Fishes, preorder online and the Lions will deliver to the food pantry. For more details visit harvardlions.org.
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. 4, 9, 11, 16, 19, 23, and 30.
Planning Board to discuss entertainment licenses
The Planning Board will hold a virtual public hearing Monday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss bylaws (one amendment, and one new overlay district) that would allow farms around town and town center businesses, including Fivesparks and the General Store, to obtain yearly entertainment licenses. Instructions for accessing the meeting will be posted 48 hours before the hearing at www.harvard.ma.us/calendar-by-event-type/16.
Prescription Take Back Day
On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Harvard Police participated in the 22nd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This event offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. This year, Harvard Police turned in 150 pounds of medications, bringing the total since 2013 to 1,350 pounds. For more information, call the Harvard Police Department at 978-456-8276 or email pnatoli@harvard-ma.gov.
Another Take Back Day is scheduled for this spring. Meanwhile, unwanted medicine can be deposited in the drop-off box in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, 40 Ayer Road. Only dry pills are accepted; no sharps, inhalers, liquid, lotions, or EpiPens are accepted.
