Sunday: Site walk for proposed solar farm at Stow Road gravel pit
The Energy Advisory Committee will host a site walk for members of the public Sunday, April 26, 3 to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at the town’s former gravel pit on Stow Road. Participants can see the proposed location of a solar power system that would be used to reduce electric bills for Harvard’s municipal buildings. Meet at the gravel pit entrance, which is next to 140 Stow Road and across the street from 141 Stow Road. Parking is limited to the entrance or along Stow Road; please do not park in neighboring driveways.
Tour the Harvard Solar Garden on Ayer Road
In advance of the May 2 Town Meeting that will vote on three warrant articles for a possible solar farm at the town’s former gravel pit, residents are invited to tour a currently functioning solar garden. The tour begins Sunday, April 26, at 1:30 p.m., at the Harvard Solar Garden, Ayer Road, behind Kennedy’s Nursery. Parking can be found at the Rollstone Bank parking lot or across the street at 294 Ayer Road. For those with disabilities, a limited number of spaces are available in the solar garden driveway, which is just north of Kennedy’s.
Town Meeting is May 2; child care available
Town Meeting will be held Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m., at the Bromfield School’s Cronin Auditorium; check-in begins at 9:15 a.m. The warrant will contain 30 articles for residents to vote on. Printed copies of the Town Meeting booklet, which includes the warrant, are available in Town Hall. To view and print a copy, visit harvard-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2533/Town-Meeting-Booklet-with-warrant---May-2026.
Child care will be provided in the Bromfield cafeteria by Girl Scout Troop 65075 starting at 9:45 a.m., for toilet-trained children through age 10. Pack a nut-free lunch and water bottle. Free, though donations are welcome. Walk-ins are accepted, but registration is preferred. Register by Thursday, April 30.
For further information and to register for child care, go to harvard-ma.gov>>News & Announcements>>Town Meeting & Town Election.
Deadline for vote-by-mail
The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming Town Election is Tuesday, April 28. For more information, call the town clerk’s office at 978-456-4100, ext. 319. The Town Election will be held Teusday, May 5, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the gym at the Hildreth Elementary School.
Real estate taxes due May 1
Real estate tax payments are due Friday, May 1.
- Cash or checks may be brought to Town Hall between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Checks may be left in the drop box in front of Town Hall at any time.
- Online payment may be made via UniPay by electronic check, credit, debit, or bill pay through a bank. Bill pay checks are accepted, but if using bill pay, taxpayers should schedule check payments seven to 10 days ahead of the deadline; late fees will be assessed if checks do not reach Town Hall by then.
- A check may be mailed to the lockbox processing center at Town of Harvard, Dept 2700, PO Box 986535, Boston, MA 02298-6535. If not received by the processing center by the deadline, it will be returned, and late fees and interest will be applied. Checks sent to the lockbox must be for the exact amount, and be accompanied by a copy of the coupon attached to the tax bill.
For more information visit harvard-ma.gov/300/treasurer-collector.
DPU seeks comment on utility bills
The state Department of Public Utilities is conducting an inquiry into gas and electric delivery charges and the redesign of utility bills. Residents may submit written comments on their experience with utility delivery rates; comments must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 30. For more information visit harvard-ma.gov>>News & Announcements /Department of Public Utilities Notice of Inquiry and Request for Comments.
Transfer station stickers
Transfer station stickers are now on sale by mail. The price for a pair of stickers is $140, or $130 for people age 60 and older. Both stickers must be purchased at the same time, and stickers will not be prorated. Orders must be postmarked before June 17 so that stickers can be issued by July 1. Visit the transfer station webpage for forms and information: harvard-ma.gov/357/Transfer-Station.
Donations for library book sale
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library is accepting donations of used books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, LPs, and jigsaw puzzles for the annual book sale May 8-10. Email HPLBooksale@gmail.com with questions, or visit tinyurl.com/2026Booksale to volunteer.
Donations will be accepted at the library entrance on the following dates:
- Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon
- Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, April 30, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon
- Sunday, May 3, 9 a.m. to noon.
Ticks and mosquitoes are out
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health reminds residents that ticks and mosquitoes are out across the state. Learn ways you can protect yourself and your family from mosquito and tick bites and the illnesses they can cause by visiting mass.gov/mosquitoes-and-ticks.
Registration open for youth track clinic
Registration is now open for grades 3-6 for the annual youth track clinic at McCurdy Track. Join this fun introduction to track and field with six weekly sessions in May and June. Find the full schedule and register at harvardma.myrec.com.
Safety at summer camps for children
The Board of Health reminds residents that Massachusetts recreational camps for children are required to comply with state regulations: training and background checks for staff; minimum staffing and qualification for swimming, boating, archery, and other such high-risk activities; health supervision; first aid training; and numerous policies and procedures to ensure camp programs operate safely.
For guidelines regarding recreational camps for children, visit mass.gov/lists/recreational-camps-for-children. For questions regarding local camps, contact the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health at 978-772-3335 ext. 305.
Register for swimming, boating lessons
Registration is now open for swimming, sailing, and canoe and kayak lessons at the town beach at Bare Hill Pond. Visit harvardma.myrec.com/info/activities>>Beach Programs to register. There will be three sessions: June 29-July 10, July 13-24, and July 27-Aug. 7.
Bromfield technology career fair
The Bromfield School seeks community volunteers who work in technology-focused fields to participate in a career fair Tuesday, May 19, for students in grade 11. Help inspire students as they consider their college pathways and future careers. For more information, visit psharvard.org>>District Newsletter - April 2026. Sign up by May 1.
Save your Styrofoam
The Board of Health is organizing a recycling event for packing foam in late June. The recycling company will collect #6 bulk white packing Styrofoam and Styrofoam coolers. To volunteer, contact the Board of Health at boh@harvard-ma.gov.
Hazardous waste collection
The Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will accept hazardous waste on Wednesday, May 6, and Saturday, May 9, 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.
Loaves & Fishes
The Loaves & Fishes food pantry, 234 Barnum Road, Devens, provides 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 April, small arms fire
- April 24-26, machine guns, mortars.