I have read the background summary on the goal of DEAT with interest. In comparing Harvard to other Massachusetts towns of similar size, Harvard had an absence of a C/I (commercial/industrial) tax base. This stood out as a reason for Harvard’s systemic budget shortfall. The natural insertion of the Devens revenue stream added into Harvard’s appeared to solve the systemic deficit, since Harvard’s budget now is comparable to the other towns’ budgets.
This fixation on the potential financial benefits to Harvard by acquiring the Devens revenue stream seems tempting. However, with this potential financial benefit comes a real and complex responsibility for a community that has ignored industrial development since its origin as a town. Could the above approach affect the character of Harvard?
The 80 commercial and industrial companies at Devens provide a large and enticing revenue stream. But industry needs assurance that the wide array of complex services supplied now by MassDevelopment will continue to be available—not only water and waste treatment, but also complex safety resources to handle internal hi-tech disasters. Harvard’s governance structure will need to change radically and operate from five miles away. Its Board of Selectmen will assume much broader responsibility for a wider array of potential problems.
Unknown and unexpected situations can arise and create real crises. As an example, Evergreen Solar created annoying noise problems for some Harvard residents and suggestions were made that they should be shut down. Then the situation became even worse—Evergreen did shutdown, and the cause was the far-distant Chinese ability to undersell Evergreen.
In addition to the above, Harvard would inherit the growing number of Devens residents as voters. They were initial investors in Devens and created the unique character and community of Devens. Like industry, these residents have adjusted to excellent services supplied by MassDevelopment and would expect they would have the same in the future.
This quick fix of a Harvard financial solution is in sharp contrast to how other towns the size of Harvard solved their problems. Over time they increased their C/I tax base by long-term planning. Perhaps Harvard should do the same with the potential Ayer Road properties. It would certainly take longer, but could maintain the revered Harvard character. The Town Meeting provides the venue for such important discussion.
Bob Eisengrein
Devens resident
