Spring forward for daylight saving time
Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. Set your clocks ahead by an hour and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Save the dates: Town Meeting, election
- Town Meeting will be held Saturday, May 2, noon, at the Bromfield School’s Cronin Auditorium; the last day to register to vote at Town Meeting is Wednesday, April 22.
- The Town Election will be held Tuesday, May 5, at the Hildreth Elementary School. The last day to register to vote in this local election is Wednesday, April 22.
- Voting by mail is available: The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Tuesday, April 28.
For more information, call the town clerk’s office at 978-456-4100, ext. 319.
Town board nomination papers due March 13
Nomination papers are available for people seeking to run for election to open seats on the Select Board, School Committee, and trustees for the Harvard Public Library and Warner Free Lectures. Papers and information on the nominating process are available at the town clerk’s office at Town Hall. Papers must be taken out no later than Friday, March 13, and Town Hall will be open until noon that day.
Thursday: Select Board community hour
Come share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with Select Board members Ahmet Corapcioglu and Kara Minar Thursday, March 12, 10 a.m., at the Harvard General Store, 1 Still River Road. This is an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about ongoing community initiatives, and engage directly with local leadership.
Commission on Disabilities survey
The Commission on Disabilities has developed a survey to better understand the views and experiences of residents regarding accessibility to buildings, services, and programs in the town of Harvard. All responses are anonymous. For a link to the survey, go to harvard-ma.gov>>News/Announcements>>Accessibility Survey.
Academic scholarships available
Applications are available now for both the Sarah Watson scholarship and the Ginny Thurston scholarship. The applications, and more information, can be found on the town website on the Select Board and Town Administrator pages.
- Sarah Watson scholarship. Financial assistance is available to current college students from trust funds left to the town by Sarah Watson. Return applications to trustee attorney, David Taylor, by Aug. 1. As sole trustee of the Sarah Watson Trust he will make final decisions on the Watson scholarship award.
- Ginny Thurston scholarship. The Select Board will offer financial assistance to Bromfield seniors through the Ginny Thurston Scholarship fund. Letters of interest are due no later than Wednesday, April 15, and should be emailed to Executive Assistant Julie Doucet at jdoucet@harvard-ma.gov.
Sign up for curbside compost pickup
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee invites residents to preregister for a subscription to Black Earth for curbside food waste pickup. Black Earth accepts all food scraps and food-soiled paper products. The cost is $94.99 for curbside pickup every other week for six months. There is a one time cost of $39.50 for the bin and starter bags.
A few more registrations are needed for this service to open. To learn more or to register, visit www.blackearthcompost.com.
Boat storage lottery open
Harvard Park and Recreation offers boat storage at Bare Hill Pond for Harvard residents and taxpayers. There are storage racks for canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards; boat moorings in the cove and near the picnic area; and boat slips. Demand is high, and spots are awarded annually by lottery. The lottery is open through the end of March, and winners will be announced in April. For more information and to register, visit harvardma.myrec.com>>Boating: Boat Storage/Lottery.
Leaving snow and ice on public ways prohibited
Residents are reminded that there are town bylaws about snow and ice removal and to pass this information to plowing contractors. Chapter 96, section 96-3, prohibits leaving snow and ice on public ways and impeding the flow of traffic. Chapter 96, section 96-4, prohibits vehicle parking on public ways in a manner that hinders snow and ice removal. Contact the DPW at 978-456-4130 with questions.
Hazardous waste collection
The Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will accept hazardous waste Saturday, March 7, 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.
Apply for opioid settlement funds grants
The Addiction Abatement Fund Working Group is accepting proposals for projects addressing harm reduction, treatment, and education initiatives in the town of Harvard and surrounding region. Funding requests are limited to $10,000, and individuals and organizations are eligible to apply.
Application materials are available at harvard-ma.gov>>Boards & Committees>>Addiction Abatement Fund Working Group>>Opioid Abatement Funds Mini Grant Proposals. The working group will evaluate submissions and make recommendations to the Select Board for approval. Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis.
NABH releases report on community health
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health announces the availability of the report on the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment. The assessment identified youth mental health as the primary need within the board’s service area, which includes Harvard. Find the full report at bit.ly/3MMUfHa.
Sports gear swap
Harvard Park and Rec will host a swap of sports gear to take place at the Lions Club “Spring into Health” wellness fair, Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hildreth Elementary School. From cleats and balls to rackets and skateboards, athletes of all ages can come swap what they don’t need and score what they do. Drop off swap items Friday, March 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the HES gym.
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 March, small arms fire
- March 6-8, helicopters, machine guns
- March 13-14, mortars.