Open burning season begins Jan. 15
Open burning in Massachusetts is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and enforced in Harvard by the Harvard Fire Department. The season runs from Jan. 15 to May 1 of each year. A valid permit must be obtained from the Harvard Fire Department, for a fee of $10 per season. For more information visit harvardfire.com/open-burning-permit.
Collecting Christmas decorations
Residents who purchased a decorated Christmas wreath (from the Harvard Cub Scouts or elsewhere) and don’t want to see the decorations go into a landfill will find collection bins at the Transfer Station and at the stand at The Goose & Hen Farm, 85 Old Littleton Road. Leave just the decorations, which can be reused next year, or the entire wreath, which will serve as livestock feed.
Christmas trees can be brought to the Transfer Station during normal hours where they will be chipped and either composted or used for mulch.
Devens residents can drop off strands of lights for recycling at the Department of Public Works at 99 Buena Vista St. from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Unclaimed, uncashed checks
The town Treasury Department is responsible for payments to vendors, employees, and others at the order of appropriate town officials. Occasionally payments are not received, are lost in the mail, or checks are not cashed for some other reason. In these cases, the Treasury Department provides a process for individuals to claim funds to which they may be entitled.
Individuals have until Jan. 15, 2025, to claim checks over $100. Visit harvard-ma.gov/home/news/unclaimedun cashed-checks.
Property tax work-off program
Taxpayers age 60 and older may be eligible for the Council on Aging tax work-off program, where rebates to property tax bills are provided in exchange for work performed for town organizations. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Jan. 30. Visit harvard-ma.gov/council-aging/files/ptwo-application-2025-0 or call the COA at 978-456-4120.
Register for spring youth sports
Baseball, softball, and T-ball. League teams for boys and girls ages 4-12, no experience necessary. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/hybsa-ma.
Lacrosse, girls pre-K through grade 6, with an in-town program for pre-K to kindergarten and a travel program for grades 1-6. No tryouts or cuts, players of all abilities are welcome. For more information and to register, go to harvardlax.org.
Judges needed for Science Fair
Judges are needed for the Bromfield School Science Fair, scheduled for Friday, March 7. Judging starts at 3 p.m. with a brief training session in the school library, and finishes around 5:45 p.m. Complete the form at https://forms.gle/Hsu6q2LkrLbXBdC76 no later than Thursday, Jan. 30, with your contact information as well as the subjects and grade levels you prefer to judge. Contact Kristen Vanderveen at kvanderveen@psharvard.org with questions.
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; first Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m.; third Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon; last Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon. Visit loavesfishespantry.org for more information.
Devens noise report
- Throughout January, small arms fire
- Jan. 11, rifle training.
