Free house number signs
Can first responders find you? Is your house clearly visible from the road? Residents can sign up for a reflective house number sign to make their driveways more visible to emergency services. Signs are free for Harvard residents, funded through the SAFE program. Sign up at signs.harvardfire.com. For questions, contact Firefighter/COA Outreach Coordinator Jen Schoenberg, JSchoenberg@harvard-ma.gov.
Protect poultry from predators
Predators killing chickens and damaging coops is becoming a major source of wildlife conflict in Massachusetts. The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offers advice on action to take to protect poultry, including tips on fencing and enclosure design. Visit mass.gov/news/protect-your-poultry-from-predators.
Call for art entries
Fivesparks and the Harvard Conservation Trust announce a call for art for Destination: Nature 2024, opening in November at Fivesparks. This year’s theme has been expanded to focus on the geographical area of the Nashua River watershed. Submissions open Sept. 6. Visit destination-nature.org for details.
Youth baseball and softball
Registration for the fall 2024 softball and baseball program is now open. The instructional season will focus on building and refining skills while advancing player understanding of the game. Sign up at bit.ly/hybsa-ma. Scheduling is accommodating to youth soccer and Patriots games. Play ball!
Youth soccer
Registration is now open for fall in-town and travel soccer programs for children in pre-K through sixth grade. New and returning players are welcome to register at harvardsoccer.org/home. Early bird discounted pricing runs through July 14. Please direct any questions to hscpresident01451@gmail.com.
Advice on clearing invasives
The Harvard Conservation Commission has created a guide to managing non-native, invasive plants such as Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese barberry and knotweed, and multiflora rose. It explains how to identify, remove, and properly dispose of the invasive plants that crowd out native plants and degrade biodiversity. The guides are available to residents at no charge at Hildreth House, Town Hall, and the Harvard Public Library.
Sumner Tunnel closes July 5
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reminds drivers that the Sumner Tunnel will be closed Friday, July 5, and is expected to be reopened no later than Monday, Aug. 5. There will be additional weekend closures both before and after this month-long closure. For more information go to mass.gov/sumner-tunnel.
Bridge replacement, Route 111 over I-495
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has begun replacing the Route 111 bridge over Interstate 495 in Boxborough. The project will involve both sides of the road from the Harvard line to the 495 northbound ramps and is projected to take 12-18 months to complete. Day and night work will take place in the coming months. For details visit mass.gov/topics/massachusetts-department-of-transportation and search for “project 608009.”
Beach parking stickers
Parking stickers for the town beach are available on the Parks and Recreation Commission website. Visit harvardma.myrec.com/info/activities and select Beach Parking Sticker 2024 under Beach Programs. Stickers purchased online can be picked up at the pond when sticker checkers are on duty.
Residents can also buy stickers in person with a check in the recreation director’s office in the bottom level of Fivesparks at 7 Fairbank St. Office hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer Fun Program
The beach staff will offer a new program of afternoon fun for children ages 5-11. Kids will spend time outside playing games, doing sports, hiking, creating arts and crafts, and having a chance to cool off in the pond. Register by clicking on “Programs” at harvardma.myrec.com.
Devens farmers market
The Devens farmers market returns this summer with a selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables. The market will be held every other Tuesday, June 25 through Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Elm and Jackson roads, across from the Fire Station. The market accepts cash and credit or debit cards; SNAP users can earn additional benefits through the Healthy Incentives Program. Seasonal shares are also available. For information visit devenscommunity.com/meetings-and-events and scroll down.
Transfer Station stickers
Last year’s transfer station stickers have expired; new stickers are now on sale via mail, Dropbox, or online. Stickers will not be prorated, and both stickers must be purchased at the same time. Prices remain the same as last year: $130 for two stickers. Visit harvard-ma.gov/transfer-station for forms and information.
Fish advisory: Nashua River
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a public health advisory regarding fish contaminated with PFAS in the Nashua River. Children under 12, and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant should not eat any fish from the river; others should limit fish to one meal per month. For more information visit mass.gov/lists/fish-consumption-advisories.
Swimming, boating lessons
Registration is still open for the July 15-26 and July 29-Aug. 9 sessions of swimming, sailing, and canoe and kayak lessons at the town beach. Visit harvardma.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx to register.
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 loavesfishespantry.org for more information.
Devens noise report
- Through July 31, small arms firing
- July 18-20, light and medium automatic firing
Park-and-ride shuttle to Littleton station
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) announces changes to the route and schedule for Harvard’s commuter shuttle connecting residents to the Littleton commuter rail station. Shuttles stop at the Holy Trinity parking lot at 15 Still River Road and at the business plaza at 285 Ayer Road, and shuttle riders can now park their cars at these locations. The shuttle will no longer stop at the senior center or at Town Hall.
For pickup times, go to mrta.us, click on “Schedules and Maps,” and then on “Harvard Commuter Shuttle.”
