Donate winter coats
The Harvard Congregational Church is collecting larger-size warm men’s coats, winter hats, gloves, and socks (please, these items only). They may be dropped at the church at 5 Still River Road during regular hours: Monday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon. Leave items in Room 3, turn right into the hallway, first door on the right.
Avian flu warning for hunters
A recent outbreak of avian flu has been detected in Massachusetts. While humans are rarely affected, hunters are advised to take precautions. Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected, as well as wild mammals, especially scavengers such as foxes. Hunters should avoid handling any birds that appear sick or have been found dead, and should report if five or more sick or deceased birds are found at a single location. For more information and reporting go to mass.gov/news/what-hunters-should-know-about-hpai.
Feb. 16 forum on NVMC hospital closure
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge will answer questions and talk about what his workgroup is doing about regional emergency services and patient care in the wake of Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s closure Sunday, Feb. 16, at Trinity Chapel, 184 Center Road, Shirley. The meeting follows a brunch at noon. For directions to the chapel go to trinitychapelshirleycenter.org or call 978-456-3188.
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.
February break youth soccer clinic
Harvard Park and Recreation is sponsoring an indoor soccer clinic for kids in grades K-6 of all skill levels Feb. 18 to 20 in the Hildreth Elementary School gym. Led by Bromfield varsity boys soccer coach Alex Horne, the program will work on skill-building drills, teamwork, fun mini games, and more. Register at harvardma.myrec.com.
Integrated preschool enrollment is open
The Harvard integrated preschool program is accepting applications through Feb. 15 for peer models for the 2025-2026 school year. Children who live in Harvard or Devens and turn 3 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2025, are eligible to apply. Limited slots may also be available for children turning 4 on or before Aug. 31, 2025. Visit psharvard.org/52643_3 for program information and application instructions.
Van drivers needed
The town has an opening for a Council on Aging van driver to provide transportation for people 60 years of age or older or with a disability. This is a part-time on-call position for up to two or three days per week. For more information, call or email the COA director Debbie Thompson at 978-456-4120 or dthompson@harvard-ma.gov.
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.
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; the town clerk’s office will be open until noon that day.
Winter Fest contests
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.
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.
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.
Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing
Competitive rowing team for grades 9-12; sculling team for grade 8; learn to row program for grades 6 and 7. No experience necessary, open to Bromfield students and Harvard residents attending the Parker School or Monty Tech. Find out more and register at barehillrowing.com/spring.
Harvard Soccer Club
Registration is open for spring soccer for grades pre-K to 12. Register before Feb. 2 at harvard soccer.org for early-bird discounted pricing for all age groups. For questions contact club president Julie Shoemaker at hscpresident01451@gmail.com.
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.”
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.
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.
