At back-to-back town meetings Saturday, Sept. 27, at Bromfield School’s Cronin Auditorium, voters will be asked to consider three articles remaining from May’s Annual Town Meeting and five more articles at the Special Town Meeting that follows. Annual Town Meeting, Session 2, begins at noon and Special Town Meeting at 1 p.m.
On the following pages we explain each article in everyday language, including—when less than obvious—the consequences of voting “yes” or “no.”
For financial articles, we’ve highlighted their cost, the source of the money that will pay for them, who will manage their expenditure, and whether its passage will directly affect your taxes. While the Select Board decides which articles get added to the warrant, some are at the request of a town official or board, as we have noted.
Hard copies of the warrant articles will be available at Town Meeting. You can pick them up during sign-in at Cronin Auditorium on Sept. 27 or you can download them ahead of the meeting from the town website.
Maren and Matt Caulfield at Annual Town Meeting in May.(Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
To see the warrant articles online, go to www.harvard-ma.gov>> News & Announcements >> 2025 Town Meeting and Special Election Information>>Town Meeting Warrants. Residents and Harvard-enfranchised Devens voters received a blue postcard this week with a QR code that, when scanned, will take them directly to that website.
For help with terms unique to municipal government, look for an explanation in our “Glossary of municipal lingo” in this week’s paper.
Readers should also be aware that the language of an article and sometimes its cost and source of funds can be altered when the motion for its adoption is read at Town Meeting. The motions themselves can be amended, so you’ll need to pay attention. In particular, listen for a motion to “take no action” on articles 40 and 42, the map and bylaw for the Town Center Overlay District. The Planning Board, which sponsors the article, voted in early September to take the article off the table and reintroduce it at a future meeting, citing uncertainty over the future use of the General Store.
The meeting’s proceedings are conducted by Town Moderator Bill Barton. If you plan to speak or legislate or simply wish to follow the action as each article is considered, the Press recommends you read “Town Meeting Conduct andProcedures” prepared by the League of Women Voters of Harvard and available at the League’s website, lwvharvard.org. Click Local Government>>Town Meeting>> Conduct and Procedures
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, SESSION 2
ATM Article 40 – Amend the protective bylaw, Town Center Overlay District map
Vote required: Two-thirds
The article defines the boundaries of the town center overlay district created by Article 42. The proposed district encompasses 87 lots and 108 acres—of which 58 acres are either in conservation or municipally owned. Of the lots, 62 are residential, three are businesses, five are church-affiliated, 17 are owned by the town or in conservation. The proposed overlay district overlaps with parts of the town center’s historical and municipal sewer districts; both the Water and Sewer and Historical commissions will retain their usual authority over those parts of the district.
This article was requested by the Planning Board. The changes were approved by the Planning Board and are recommended by the Select Board. The Planning Board voted Sept. 8 to move on the floor of Town Meeting to “take no action” on this article.
AMT Article 42 – Add the protective bylaw, Town Center Overlay District
Vote required: Two-thirds
Passage of this article would create a new overlay district for the town center encompassing 87 lots, including 50 single-family and 12 multifamily homes and would make it easier for property owners to renovate, expand, and even change the use of their properties. Today, renovations and expansions are strictly limited, and a change in use is even more difficult. This has been the case since 1967, when the town enacted agricultural-residential zoning for much of the town, including town center. Tailored to minimum 1½-acre lots, this zoning made most town center parcels (schools are exempt) into “legally existing nonconformities.” As such, town center residents need special permits for simple alterations and variances to build garages, additions, or other accessory structures. Because many lots are too small to meet the existing setback requirements, variances are rarely granted.
This bylaw would create new setbacks reflecting existing conditions and create new standards proportional to the center’s small lots. It would allow specific commercial and mixed uses. Multifamily homes with up to four units per structure, a condition that already exists in at least one structure in town center, would be allowed by right.
In addition to the Planning Board, several other groups will continue to regulate what is built. For instance, the Zoning Board of Appeals must approve accessory dwelling units larger than 900 square feet; the Water and Sewer Commissions will continue to enforce the “growth neutrality” regulation as it pertains to sewer capacity; and the Historical Commission will retain authority over changes in buildings’ designs or materials in the overlapping part of the town center’s historical district.
This article was requested by the Planning Board. The changes were approved by the Planning Board and are recommended by the Select Board. The Planning Board voted Sept. 8 to make a motion on the floor of Town Meeting to “take no action” on this article.
ATM Article 43 – Add the protective bylaw, form-based code
Vote required: Two-thirds
Last year—after several years of working with planning and design consultants—the Planning Board unveiled 27 pages of new zoning code for the town’s Ayer Road commercial district, which runs from the Route 2 interchanges to near the Ayer town line.
The proposed zoning bylaw is written according to a newer method of representing zoning regulations, form-based code. Instead of relying on fixed ratios such as floor area (FAR) and parking ratios as traditional zoning code does, the new zoning specifies parameters with detailed diagrams and illustrations that prioritize the form and massing of the buildings. Size limits and uses are still specified, but within form-based parameters prioritizing attractive, clustered, pedestrian-friendly developments with parking in the back over boxy, industrial-looking buildings with prominent parking lots.
For detailed information about the proposed bylaw, refer to the following pieces in this paper:
- “A new vision of Ayer Road: Should Harvard adopt new zoning for its commercial district?” (see story.)
- “Q&A: What to know about the proposed zoning for the commercial district,” (see story).
- and“Improved zoning and infrastructure: Will it bring mixed-use development or high-density housing?” (see story.)
This article was requested by the Planning Board and recommended by the Select Board.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
STM Article 1 – Ayer Road Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) property acquisition funding
Amount requested: $750,000
Source of money: General Stabilization Fund
Vote required: Two-thirds
The town will receive state and federal funds for the construction portion of the Ayer Road renovation from the Route 2 interchange to the Ayer town line. The project will include sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and an improved drainage system.
The cost of the design, permitting, and payments for takings and easements, however, falls on the town. Over the last six years, residents have voted a little over $500,000 for the town’s share of the project. This article appropriates money to pay for the takings and easements needed from 68 properties along Ayer Road.
If the article passes, the town will pay for appraisals of each taking and easement, and will make offers to property owners based on those appraisals.
The funding source for this article is the General Stabilization Fund. The fund would have to be replenished in the spring from free cash so that the balance would meet the requirements of town bylaws, which state it cannot be below 5% of the preceding year’s omnibus budget when the new fiscal year starts. In fiscal 2026, the fund needed about $230,000 to meet that requirement.
A “yes” vote would allow the appraisal and offer process to begin. If the funds are sufficient to cover that process, and no other funds are required for design or permits, the project would get the green light from the state. The hope is that construction could begin in the fall of 2026.
A “no” vote means that the state would put the project on hold until funds for the remainder of the town cost are secured.
For more information, see ”Article 1: Town needs $750,000 to pay for Ayer Road takings and easements,” (see story).
This article was added by the Select Board on behalf of the town administrator. The article is recommended by the Select Board and by the Finance Committe
STM Article 2 – Establish a public works operations manager position
Vote required: Majority
Town Administrator Dan Nason is requesting that the town create a full-time position for an operations manager at the Department of Public Works. Nason told the Press this person would work for the DPW director, managing day-to-day operations so the director could do more planning and budgeting. In addition, the operations manager is intended to be someone with enough knowledge and skills to act on behalf of the director in their absence. Nason said he would like to have a succession plan in place to avoid the situation the town is currently in. The previous director, David Smith, left five months ago citing employee difficulties, and a contract worker is currently serving as interim director, but he will be leaving for Florida in mid-November.
The request is only to establish the operations manager position, not to fund it or hire someone for it. Nason said he is not sure when the position would be filled, nor what the salary would be. He wants to wait until a full-time director is on board so that person can take part in the hiring process. But that is taking longer than expected.
The director position is currently posted, but it is proving difficult to fill. Nason said the salary that Harvard pays its DPW director is “not up to par” with other towns, and the private sector is paying much more and providing better benefits than municipalities for people who have DPW director skills.
This article was added by the Select Board on behalf of the town administrator. The article is recommended by the Select Board and by the Finance Committee
STM Article 3 – Acceptance of M.G.I. Chapter 40, Section 42K, Assessments of betterments
Vote required: majority
When properties in town are connected to public water or sewer, the Water and Sewer Commissions can vote to charge a betterment fee. The fee represents the value of the improvement to the property, and is typically used to help fund the water or sewer project. In this state, there are multiple ways to calculate the betterment fee, but to use the most common method, the “uniform unit” method, towns must vote to accept the provisions of the section of Massachusetts General Law that defines the uniform unit method, Chapter 40, Section 42K.
The uniform unit method divides the total amount of the betterment among the number of existing and potential units who will be served. Each single-family residence is one unit. Potential units are calculated on the basis of the betterment area’s zoning. Commercial and multifamily properties would be converted to units based on residential equivalents.
A “yes” vote on this article would give the Water and Sewer Commissions the option to use the uniform unit method when calculating betterment fees. A “no” vote means the commission would have to use a different method, such as each property’s street frontage.
Note that the Water and Sewer Commissions have not yet decided whether to charge betterments to help pay for the cost of the Devens water connection project. This vote does not affect that decision, but should the commissioners vote to charge betterments for that project, a “yes” vote here would allow them to use the uniform unit method to calculate those betterments.
This article was added by the Select Board on behalf of the Water and Sewer Commissions. The article is recommended by the Select Board and by the Finance Committee.
STM Article 4 – Purchase property for recreation purposes
Amount requested: $440,000
Source of money: Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund
Vote required: Two-thirds
This article is the same as May’s Annual Town Meeting Article 17, which failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds vote by three votes. The article is on this warrant because the vote was so close, and the opportunity for the town to purchase the land could disappear.
The land is adjacent to Harvard Park on the northwest side with a small amount of frontage on Old Mill Road. The landowners have agreed to accept the assessed value of the parcel, $415,000; the additional $25,000 would cover legal and surveying fees. Funding will come from the Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund, and the Capital Planning and Investment Committee has already approved the project for fiscal 2026.
A 2023 athletic field needs assessment by Gale Associates identified a field deficit in Harvard, resulting in field overuse. The opportunity to purchase this piece of land came after a search by the Park and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Commission for possible sites. This was the only viable property that resulted from that search.
Opponents of the purchase have voiced concerns over development costs for the field, estimated to be around $2 million. A private fundraising group, the Harvard Home Field Project, plans to raise funds for development should this article pass. Recreation Director Anne McWaters said field development would also be a candidate for Community Preservation Act funds, and that she would look for grant opportunities as well.
At a public forum on Sept. 11, opponents raised the issue of Conservation Commission approval for the project, which could not be given until the commission has a design in hand. That would happen after the land was purchased. If for some reason the land could not be developed into an athletic field, McWaters said it would become conservation land under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement.
Opponents have also suggested using fields at Devens as an alternative to adding fields in town, but McWaters said rentals amount to $30,000 per field for one season, and the fields there are difficult to schedule because they are heavily used.
Money for the purchase of the land would come from the Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund, so taxes would not directly increase. But opponents have pointed out that money is still taxpayer money and using it for this purchase takes away dollars that could be used to fund other projects. The same is true of Community Preservation Act funds, which Park and Rec has proposed using to help pay for field development.
For more information, see “Article 4: Revisiting the purchase of an Old Mill Road parcel for new athletic field,” (see story).
This article was added by the Select Board and has been recommended by the Capital Planning and Investment Committee. The Finance Committee made no recommendation.
STM Article 5 – Bromfield School heat pump feasibility study and schematic design
Amount requested: $200,000
Source of money: Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund
Vote required: Two-thirds
Many of the Bromfield School’s 40 rooftop HVAC units are well beyond their expected lifetimes, although a few have been replaced in the past six years. This article asks for up to $200,000 to do a feasibility study and schematic design for a new HVAC system, powered by electricity rather than natural gas. The study and design are required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Rapid Repair grant program, to which Harvard has applied.
If the MSBA accepts Harvard’s application, the MSBA will reimburse 49.5% of the study/design project’s cost. The MSBA grant would also reimburse Harvard for 49.5% of the total cost of the new HVAC system at Bromfield.
The MSBA will decide next month whether to accept Harvard’s grant application. If the MSBA turns down Harvard’s request, the $200,000 from this article will not be spent; it will be returned to the Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund.
This article was requested by the School Committee. The article is recommended by the Select Board and by the Capital Planning and Investment Committee. The Finance Committee made no recommendation.
For more information see story, “‘Yes’ vote could unlock state funds to upgrade Bromfield HVAC.”
