Fall elections and Town Meeting
The state primary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Hildreth Elementary School gymnasium at 27 Mass. Ave.
- The last day to register to vote for the primary is Saturday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m.
- In-person early voting will be available Aug. 22, 9 a.m to 1 p.m., and Aug. 24 through Aug. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Vote by mail will be available. The last day to request a vote by mail ballot is Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m.
- The state general election (midterm) will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Select Board has scheduled a Special Town Meeting for Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., at the Bromfield School’s Cronin Auditorium.
Excessive bacteria at Oxbow boat launch
The Board of Health has received results from weekly testing by the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), taken at the boat launch in the Oxbow Wildlife Refuge, at the end of Still River Depot Road. Results showed E. coli levels that exceed the standards set by the state’s Department of Public Health for swimming.
The refuge manager (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) reminds the public that swimming is never allowed in the refuge. NRWA will continue to monitor the site.
Vending machine available for trash bags
Trash bags and punch cards needed at the Transfer Station are now available from a vending machine located at the Hildreth House at 15 Elm Street. For sale are 15-gallon trash bags ($10 per roll of five bags), 33-gallon trash bags ($20 per roll of five bags), and punch cards in $5, $10, and $25 valuations. The machine accepts cash only and requires exact change in $5, $10, and $20 bills. The vending machine is typically restocked every Monday and Thursday.
Theater auditions at Fivesparks
Auditions for the upcoming Fivesparks Theater production of “Other People’s Money,” opening mid-November, will be held Sunday, Aug. 16, and Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St. The play is a five-character drama from the 1980s “greed is good” era. Auditioners should send a resume and headshot if available, and be prepared to read scenes. Further details and the audition form are at fivesparks.org/o-p-m. Email director Bob Eiland at bob@egselite.com with questions; put “OPM” in the subject line.
Ambulance squad offers EMT course
Harvard Fire-EMS will offer an EMT course beginning Sept. 8, and an information session Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m., at the Public Safety Building, 40 Ayer Road. Contact Samantha Williams at swilliams@harvardfire-ems.com with questions or if interested but unable to attend.
Report issues with local trails
The Harvard Conservation Trust manages trails across more than 1,100 acres of protected conservation land in Harvard. Trail users are encouraged to report issues that require maintenance or other attention through the TrailCare app. Visit HarvardConservationTrust.org/trails for a link.
Tax relief for seniors
Exemptions to state and local taxes are available to older residents meeting various requirements. For details, call the assessor’s office at 978-456-4100, ext. 315, or visit https://www.harvard-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/135/Guide-to-Programs-Available-to-Harvard-Seniors-PDF (PDF).
Register for fall rowing
Sign up for fall rowing programs with the Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing teams. Programs include competitive rowing for grades 9-12, grade 8 sculling team, and learn to row for grades 6 and 7. No experience is necessary; open to Bromfield students and Harvard residents attending the Parker School or Monty Tech. Find out more and register at BareHillRowing.com/fall. Email ProgramDirector@BareHillRowing.com with any questions.
Registration is open until Aug. 27 for high school and grade 8 programs, and Sept. 11 for grades 6 and 7.
Seeking farm volunteers
Help grow, tend, and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables for communities and neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Community Harvest Project seeks volunteers for its Harvard orchard at 115 Prospect Hill Road and for its farm at 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton. Sign-ups are available for groups at the Harvard orchard, and for individuals and groups at the North Grafton farm. Register at community-harvest.org/volunteer.