Bare Hill Pond refill to begin
The Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee has announced that the refill of the pond will begin Feb. 1, in compliance with the drawdown order of conditions. Refill can be very slow until rainfall or significant snow melt. Use caution on or around the ice; swings in temperature mean the ice thickness is variable and can change during the refill.
License your dog
All dogs must be licensed annually on or before April 1, and puppies must be licensed at 6 months of age. New dogs and those belonging to new residents must be licensed within 30 days. A late fee of $50 per dog will be assessed after April 1. (A January email to dog owners cited an incorrect late fee.) To learn more and to download a registration form, visit harvard-ma.gov and enter “Dog Licenses 2025” in the search window.
Contests at Winter Fest
The Lions Club Winter Fest is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22 at Fruitlands Museum, and the Lions invite participation in winter games and contests. Visit winterfest.harvardlions.com to see rules and registration details for events requiring submissions or other preparation ahead of the festival, including the Winter Fest 5K race, chili and mac and cheese contests, knit or crochet hat contest, Garden Club Winterland photo exhibit, ice sun catcher contest, and others.
Real estate taxes due
Real estate tax payments are due Monday, Feb. 3. Payment can be made by several means:
- Online via Unipay by electronic check, credit or debit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Fees are calculated based on the amount of the bill.
- By leaving a check in the dropbox at Town Hall, available 24/7. Place payments, payable to the Town of Harvard, in the mail slot to the left of the front doors.
- By U.S. Postal Service. Mail checks (payable to Town of Harvard) to Town of Harvard, Department 2700, P.O. Box 986535, Boston, MA 02298-6535.
- Checks may also be mailed to Tax Collector, Harvard Town Hall, 13 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451, though this requires added processing by Town Hall staff. For more information visit harvard-ma.gov/treasurer-collector.
Property tax work-off program
Taxpayers 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.
Town board nomination papers due March 14
Nomination papers are available for people seeking to run for election to open seats on the Select Board, School Committee, and trustees for the Harvard Public Library and Warner Free Lecture Fund. Papers and information on the nominating process are available at the town clerk’s office at Town Hall. Papers must be submitted by Friday, March 14, and the town clerk’s office will be open until noon that day.
Open burning season
Open burning season runs through May 1, and a permit is required. Visit harvard.burnpermits.com; the fee is $10. Rules for burning, including a list of allowed items, is available at harvard-ma.gov/fire- department/files/open-burning-rules-0.
Permits must be activated on each day of burning. The Fire Chief may prohibit burning on any day due to weather or unfavorable environmental conditions. For daily permit activation call 351-333-5090.
Save your packing foam
The Board of Health is organizing a recycling event for packing foam in June. The recycling company will collect #6 bulk white packing Styrofoam and Styrofoam coolers, and #4 LDPE expanded polyethylene. Foam types and white and black foam must be sorted separately. All foam must be clean, dry, and free of tape. The recycling company does not accept foam packing peanuts, food containers, or insulation board.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the Board of Health at boh@harvard-ma.gov.
Photos needed for town report
Residents are invited to submit photographs to be considered for inclusion in the town’s annual report. Photos could feature town trails, one of the orchards, the Harvard General Store, Bare Hill Pond, wildlife, or any local events that occur throughout the year. Photos must be taken within Harvard.
Submit photos by the end of January to Executive Assistant Julie Doucet at jdoucet@harvard-ma.gov. Include a description for each and a name for the photo credit.
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.
