Election and Town Meeting calendar
Saturday, Sept. 27, Town Meeting
At the Bromfield School Cronin Auditorium. Continuation of Annual Town Meeting, noon. Special Town Meeting, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 8, Special Town Election
At the Hildreth Elementary School gymnasium, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Last day to request vote-by-mail ballot: Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Voter registration for Town Meeting and for the election has closed.
Stay safe during hunting season
Residents are reminded that hunting season is now open for Canada geese and black bears, and that hunting is permitted in state wildlife management areas. The 2025 summary of hunting season dates is available at mass.gov/doc/2025-fishing-and-hunting-season-summary/download. Safety information for hunters and nonhunters alike is at mass.gov/outdoor-recreation-safety-tips.
Apply for community preservation funding
The Community Preservation Committee is now accepting funding applications for fiscal year 2027. The Community Preservation Act dedicates state and local monies to open space, recreation, historic preservation, and affordable housing initiatives. The deadline for submission is Friday, Oct. 24. The application is online at harvard-ma.gov/community-preserva tion-committee/pages/cpc-application.
Rate your cell service
The town has opened a survey to understand the quality of cellular service experienced by residents. The goal is to encourage carrier upgrades to existing services, and to inform potential carriers using the cellular tower now being built behind the Hildreth House. The brief and anonymous survey will be open until Oct. 15 and results will be available to the public.
Visit harvard-ma.gov>>News & Announcements>>Please take a two-minute survey to help improve cellular service in Harvard.
Borrow from Library of Things
The Harvard Public Library maintains a collection of nontraditional items collectively called the Library of Things. Categories include recreation, tools, equipment, puzzles, and board games, and most items are available for checkout. Review the catalog and policies for use at harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/library-things.
Wear your life jacket
The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife reminds residents that wearing a properly fitted personal flotation device could save your life. Hypothermia, the lowering of internal body temperature, can develop within minutes, and can make it difficult to swim, paddle, or stay afloat. In Massachusetts, life jackets must be worn by canoeists and kayakers from Sept. 15 to May 15 and by youth under 12 years old at all times.
Learn about proposed zoning bylaws for town center, Ayer Road
The Planning Board will host an information session Thursday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m., at the library’s Volunteers Hall. Residents can learn about the two new bylaws to be voted on at the Sept. 27 Town Meeting. One bylaw, the town center overlay district, would update allowed uses and dimensional zoning requirements for the center of Harvard. The other would update the design, use, and dimensional requirements for Harvard’s commercial district, which runs along Ayer Road from the Route 2 interchange to Myrick Lane near the Ayer town line.
Shop at Devens farmers market
The next Devens farmers market will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the corner of Elm and Jackson roads, across from the Fire Station. The market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, and is open alternate weeks through Oct. 14. For information visit devenscommunity.com/meetings-and-events and scroll down.
Avoid risk of mosquito-borne diseases
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health tracks Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus based on reports of mosquito testing. Maps of risk levels by town are at mass.gov/info-de tails/massachusetts-arbovirus-update.
The current risk level for West Nile virus in Harvard is moderate, with mosquitoes in the southeast part of Devens as well as in Boxborough and Bolton testing positive.
The current risk level for EEE in Harvard is low.
Hazardous waste collection
The Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will receive hazardous waste on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 9 Cook Street (rear), Devens. Closed during rain; reopens when rain stops. For information on items accepted, packaging, and fees, visit DevensHHW.com.
Devens noise report
- Throughout September, small arms fire
- Sept. 25-27, machine guns, grenades.
Observe Emergency Preparedness Month
Gov. Healey has declared September 2025 as Emergency Preparedness Month to encourage planning for disasters and other types of emergencies. Visit Mass.gov/ready to find emergency preparedness tips available in several different languages, safety tips for specific threats and hazards, preparedness resources from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability, and other information.
