April is Autism Awareness Month
Officers of the Harvard Police Department are showing their support by wearing a specially designed autism patch on their uniforms.
A limited number of Harvard Police autism patches are available for $10 each during April or until they are sold out. To buy a patch, come to the police station and see Sgt. Callahan or Trish, or phone 978-456-8276, Tuesday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Cash or checks accepted, with checks payable to “Harvard Police Association.” Proceeds will be donated to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Trees for HCT members
The Harvard Conservation Trust will distribute free Sweet Bay Magnolia virginiana seedlings Friday, April 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m to 2 p.m in the town center. For all you nonmembers, it’s not too late to join the HCT at harvardconservationtrust.org and get your native tree seedling.
Townwide Cleanup
The 2024 Townwide Cleanup and Garlic Mustard Pull will take place April 25-28. Follow these steps to join:
1. Sign up for a road segment at Sign UpGenius, https://bit.ly/2024Cleanup- GM.
2. Pick up supplies at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass Ave., April 24, 2 to 4 p.m. and April 27, 9 to 11 a.m.
3. Collect trash and garlic mustard any time between April 25-28. Leave bags of trash on the side of the road. The DPW will begin pick up on Monday, April 29.
4. Log back in to report how many bags of trash you collected, whether you saw any garlic mustard, and whether you pulled it.
For questions about the cleanup or Sign UpGenius, email Harvard.Cleanup@gmail.com; for questions about garlic mustard, email garlicmustard.harvard@gmail.com.
Annual Senior Conference
State Sen. Jamie Eldrige will host his annual Senior Conference Thursday, April 18, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough. The program includes resources for seniors, yoga, vendors, speakers from the Legislature, a watercolor painting demonstration, and raffle giveaways. This year’s event will kick off with performances by Dan “April” Feng, Fumiko Mizuno, and local Marlborough music group, The Romeos Duo. This event is free, open to all seniors, and lunch is provided.
Questions about the event can be emailed to Bianca.DeSousa@masenate.gov with the subject line “Senior Conference 2024.”
Sarah Watson Scholarship applications
Financial assistance is available to college students from trust funds left to the town by Sarah Watson. Applications, which are available on the town website on the Select Board and town administrator’s pages, must be returned by Aug. 1 to Attorney David Taylor, u/w/o Sarah A. Watson 55th Item, c/o Adams & Blinn, 1900 West Park Drive, Suite 280, Westborough, MA 01581. Taylor will make the final decisions on scholarship awards.
Land protection grants
The Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Wild and Scenic Stewardship Council has opened its 2024 land protection grants program to support projects that protect and enhance the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit rivers. Applications will be accepted through June 14 for projects in the communities along the wild and scenic-designated rivers including Ayer, Bolton, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend. View the request for proposals and grant application at wildandscenicnashuarivers.org. For information contact Lucy Wallace, at lbwallace34@aol.com.
Christmas pageant planning meeting
The next planning meeting for the Harvard Christmas Pageant will be held Sunday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at the Harvard Congregational Church. Join in the planning process to ensure this community event continues. All are welcome.
Volunteer SHINE counselor needed
The SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is recruiting a volunteer counselor in Harvard. SHINE is a free, unbiased, and confidential counseling program that helps people enroll in Medicare, select or change a Medigap, Part D, or Medicare Advantage plan, identify cost savings for prescriptions, and screen individuals for public health benefits. The time commitment varies from eight to 16 hours per month, and somewhat more during Medicare open enrollment in the fall.
Counselors receive 40 hours of state certification training and mentoring. The 2024 training program for new counselors begins this month. Call the Harvard Council on Aging, 978-456-4120, if interested.
Conservation Commission seeks volunteers
The Harvard Conservation Commission is accepting volunteer forms for both the Land Stewardship and Deer Management subcommittees. Volunteers are essential to improving our community through participation on town boards and commissions, including their subcommittees, such as those of the Conservation Commission. Volunteer applications are due by May 23. Go to the town website harvard-ma.gov and search for “ConCom Volunteer Form.” Contact Conservation Agent Liz Allard at lallard@harvard-ma.gov with questions.
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 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://loavesfishes pantry.org/ for more information.
Devens noise report
- April 19-21: machine gun ranges
- April 22: rocket range
- Through April 30: small arms range
