Early voting starts Saturday
Early in-person voting for the Nov. 5 general election will be available on the second floor of Town Hall, 13 Ayer Road.
The deadline for voter registration is Saturday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m. The deadline for requesting vote-by-mail ballots is Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m.
Opioid settlement funds listening sessions
The Harvard Board of Health and the Addiction Abatement Fund Working Group will hold listening sessions to receive input from the public to help determine the best use of opioid settlement funds that have been distributed to the town.
- Virtual session over Zoom for young adults (ages 18-24), Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7 to 8 p.m.
- In-person session for parents and older adults at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Public participation is crucial in shaping the future of our community. The link to sign up is available at harvard-ma.gov/board-health/news/upcoming-community-listening-sessions.
Candy donations needed
Halloween candy donations are now being accepted at the Harvard Police Department, 40 Ayer Road. Trick-or-treating will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. in town center.
Archery season open for deer hunting
The Conservation Commission, through its Deer Management Subcommittee, is conducting a controlled archery hunt on designated lands as part of the town’s deer management program. The program is open to permitted hunters who have taken proficiency tests and received state safety training. Maps of the lands and individual parcels and rules for the program are available at the subcommittee website at harvard-ma.gov/conservation-commission/deer-management-subcommittee.
‘No swimming’ advisory lifted
The Board of Health has lifted a “no swimming” advisory for Bare Hill Pond. Two tests in a row, in late September and in October, showed acceptable visibility and cyanobacteria levels.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Officers of the Harvard Police Department are showing their support by wearing specially designed pink HPD patches on their uniforms. A limited number of pink patches are available for $10 each during October or until sold out. To buy a patch, come to the police station and see Trish Rouvel, or phone 978-456-8276, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Proceeds will be donated to the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden.
Recycle reusable goods
Recycle Your Reusables 2024 takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ayer Shirley Middle School, 1 Hospital Road, Shirley. Materials accepted include bikes, electronics, household items, mattresses, and musical instruments. Donations for the Loaves & Fishes food pantry will also be accepted.
To volunteer for a three-hour shift, sign up at tinyurl.com/RYR-2024, phone 413-347-9353, or email recycleyourreusables@gmail.com.
Basketball signups open for grades K-2
The Harvard Athletic Association announces that registration is open through Nov. 1 for the 2024-25 in-town recreational basketball program for children in grades K-2. HAA’s mission is to provide safe programs that encourage good sportsmanship and develop strong playing skills. Go to harvardbasketball.org for more information and to sign up.
REAL ID deadline
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles reminds residents that beginning May 7, 2025, anyone traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal building areas will need a registry-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. Commonwealth-issued documents may be renewed up to one year in advance of the expiration date printed on the license or ID. For additional information visit mass.gov/rmv.
Park-and-ride shuttle to Littleton station
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) provides commuter shuttle service connecting Harvard 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 park their cars at these locations.
For pickup times, go to mrta.us, click on “Schedules and Maps,” and then on “Harvard Commuter Shuttle.”
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
- Oct. 18-27 Machine guns
- Oct. 21-24 Machine guns, helicopters, night fire
