In your March 5, 2010 issue, a letter to the editor by Rick Bernklow entitled,“Debunking Devens Myths,” reveals a character of Harvard that borders on denial, at worst, and, at least, possibly distortion of historical facts about the past. Rick’s letter clearly clarifies this matter of altering past history.
In the same issue of the Harvard Press, an editorial in the column “Expressions” reveals yet another character of Harvard—a sense of entitlement. The suggested potential income from a rooms tax on motels in Devens, not in Harvard, exemplifies the “entitlement” with the statement—“there is no reason Harvard should not have this new income source.” Further entitlement suggests, “We should levy the tax, and see what happens.”
When and how did this sense of entitlement originate? In retrospect, it all seems based on Harvard’s systemic budget problems—needing override after override to balance the budgets. As stated by a recent candidate for Board of Selectmen, in the past 25 years Harvard has required overrides 19 times! This candidate also suggested that Harvard broaden its tax base to include commercial and industrial development.
What seems to be the real problem? A look at the past might produce some insights.
In the decade preceding the decommissioning of Fort Devens, Harvard received an average of $1 million per year of state aid based on their virtual population increase because of the Army personnel living on land that was under the jurisdiction of Harvard almost 100 years ago. This money was probably spent wisely, possibly in creating the excellent Harvard education system. Where else, we do not know.
However, the above large amount of state aid was lost when the 2000 census revealed Harvard’s actual population was much lower. It takes strong town leadership to adjust to the shock of lower income. Perhaps this accounts for the many overrides in the past years?
Bob Eisengrein
Walnut Street, Devens
[Editor’s note: Letters related to Devens are posted in a forum at About Harvard—>Harvard Forums—>Devens and Harvard. Visit the forum to weigh in and keep the discussion going.]
