Town Meeting: April 6
Town Meeting will be held Saturday, April 6, noon, at the Bromfield School’s Cronin Auditorium; the last day to register to vote at the Town Meeting is Wednesday, March 27. The warrant will contain 26 articles for residents to vote on.
Town Election: April 9
The Town Election will be held Tuesday, April 9, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Bromfield School. It is not May 9 as stated on the green postcard mailed by the town to residents.
The last day to register to vote in this local election is Friday, March 29. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is April 2. Call the town clerk’s office at 978-456-4100, ext. 319 or 316, for more information.
Positions on the following town boards will be on the ballot: Select Board, one three-year term; moderator, one three-year term; library trustee, two three-year terms; School Committee, two three-year terms; Warner Free Lecture trustee, two three-year terms.
Also on the ballot will be two questions. One is a two-tiered Proposition 2½ override for the town budget. The other asks voters to let the town borrow as excluded debt $9.9 million to reconstruct and renovate the DPW facility.
Public hearing, multifamily zoning
The Planning Board will continue its public hearing about proposed zoning for multifamily housing Monday, March 18, at 8 p.m.; the board’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. To get the Zoom link, go to www.harvard-ma.gov and click on “Calendars;” the link is on the Public Meetings calendar for March 18.
Residents can vote on the bylaw at the April 6 Town Meeting. A 2021-enacted state law, the MBTA Communities Act, requires the town to create the zoning by December 2025.
Meet candidates, learn about the override
The League of Women Voters of Harvard will host a Candidates Night and information session about the proposed Proposition 2½ overrides Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall. Look for additional information in next week’s edition of the Press.
Rabies clinics for pets
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health have scheduled rabies vaccination clinics for residents’ dogs and cats. The fee is $20. Clinics will be held at Ayer Animal Hospital, 196 West Main Street, Ayer, 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 29, and Friday, April 5. For more information, go to nashoba.org, click on “Calendar,” and then on “Regional Rabies Clinics.”
Volunteer opportunities
Each year in June the Select Board makes appointments to town boards, committees, and commissions. Those interested may review the list of offices seeking volunteers at harvard-ma.gov/home/news/volunteer-opportunities. Applications are due by May 1.
Contact Executive Assistant Julie Doucet at jdoucet@harvard-ma.gov with questions. Complete a volunteer form at harvard.seamlessdocs.com/f/volunteerform.
New hours for Conservation Commission
The land-use office and the building department have moved to Hildreth House, which is behind Town Hall at 15 Elm Street.
Office hours for the Harvard Conservation Commission are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Walk-in hours are Monday, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 to 11 a.m.; and Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon.
All other times are by appointment only; email Liz Allard, conservation agent, at lallard@harvard-ma.gov or call 978-456-4100, ext. 421. Allard said her office “welcomes informal inquiries about plans or renovations to see if permitting is required.”
Boat lottery open
Boat storage racks at Bare Hill Pond for canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards are available by lottery for Harvard residents or taxpayers. Also offered are boat moorings in the cove and near the picnic area, and several boat slips. This year’s lottery closes March 31. Stickers will be issued to all lottery winners who pay by April 30. On May 1, registration reopens for any remaining storage positions. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/593e3bps.
Watch for amphibians on rainy nights
This spring, be mindful of amphibians as they emerge from their winter retreats and travel to breeding sites. As they move across the landscape, they often cross roads. Avoid traveling on small roads near wetlands and vernal pools on warm (40 degrees and warmer), rainy nights. For more information, go to mass.gov and search for “amphibians.” Click on the March 4 document from MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
Loaves & Fishes
The Loaves & Fishes food pantry, 234 Barnum Road, Devens, serves food to people in need who reside in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley.
Pantry hours are as follows:
- Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon (closed Fridays before Saturday sessions)
- First Tuesday, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Third Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/ for more information.
Scholarships for high school seniors
Each spring, the Harvard Woman’s Club gives scholar awards to deserving high school seniors graduating from the Bromfield School or Harvard residents who are graduating from the Parker Charter Essential School, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, or Harvard residents graduating from other public secondary schools. Seniors involved in community service can apply.
Complete information and applications are available through school counselors (Naviance) and on the Harvard Woman’s Club website at harvardwomansclub.wordpress.com//scholarship/. Applications must be received by March 29.
Register for spring youth sports
- Baseball, softball, and T-ball: League teams for boys and girls ages 5 to 12. Register at go.teamsnap.com/forms/405646; email harvardyouthbaseball@gmail.com with questions.
- Lacrosse: pre-K through grade 8. Stick and goggles included in registration for first-time players. For more information and to register, go to harvardlax.teamsnapsites.com/registration/.
- Harvard Soccer Club: pre-K through grade 12. Register at Harvardsoccer.org. Email andrewt23@gmail.com with any questions.
- Learn to Row for grades 6 and 7. Open to Bromfield students and Harvard resident students attending Parker Charter or Monty Tech district schools. Registration is open until April 3. Register at barehillrowing.com/spring. Email programdirector@barehillrowing.com with questions.
