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.
Migratory game bird hunting regulations
The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has published regulations and schedules for hunting ducks, geese, and other migratory game birds during the 2026-27 hunting season, which begins Sept. 1 for certain species.
Visit mass.gov/info-details/migratory-game-bird-hunting-regulations.
Fall pickleball classes
Registration is open for fall pickleball classes held at the Bromfield courts and taught by pros from the Marcus Lewis Racquet Club. Classes for juniors, teens, and adults start Wednesday, Sept. 9. Register at harvardma.myrec.com.
Road closures planned Aug. 30
The DPW advises drivers that portions of Still River Road and Elm Street in town center, and the intersection of Still River Road and Ayer Road, will be closed to traffic Sunday, Aug. 30, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to the Wachusett Fire Muster. Police officers will be present to redirect traffic.
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.
Ambulance squad offers EMT course
Harvard Fire-EMS will offer an EMT course beginning Sept. 8. Contact Samantha Williams at swilliams@harvard fire-ems.com if interested.
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 harvard-ma.gov/322/Exemptions---Town-State>>Guide to Programs Available to Harvard Seniors (PDF).
Register for fall rowing
Sign up for fall rowing programs with the Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing team. 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.
Hazardous waste collection
The Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will accept hazardous waste on Wednesday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 5, 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, 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; and last Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon. Visit LoavesFishesPantry.org for more information.