by John Osborn and Julie Gowel ·
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Updated Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at 1 p.m.
Harvard schools, Town Hall, the Harvard Public Library, the Senior Center, and the Parker School in Devens are closed today, as a nor’easter moves through town. Town and Council on Aging staff, however, are available by phone or email to serve the public during normal business hours, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
As of 1 p.m. Monday, there were no reported power outages in Harvard, which has been blanketed in 5 to 8 inches of snow, according to unofficial reports.
Harvard Department of Public Works crews have been out clearing the town’s roads since 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. Eric Ryder, director of the DPW, said his main concern right now is the well-being of his employees.
“In conditions like this, you really have to pay extra attention. I want to err on the side of caution” said Ryder in a phone interview with the Press. “I’ve been giving [the staff] breaks throughout the evening, especially during low-visibility times. Once it cleared up this morning, we went back out to make it possible for individuals who have to get out and get to work.”
Ryder said visibility is the biggest challenge facing DPW crews. “This is the worst storm I’m sure the town has seen in a number of years. Our priority is keeping main roads open, then we’ll move into secondaries and cul-de-sacs. Just be patient with us. We’ll make sure we address all the streets.”
“It’s going to take us the rest of the week to take care of snow banks at all the intersections for sight lines,” said Ryder. “We also have additional snow coming Wednesday and Thursday.”
Meanwhile, Massachusetts remains in the state of emergency declared by Gov. Maura Healey yesterday. At her Sunday afternoon press conference she urged non-emergency workers to stay off the roads Sunday night and Monday.
Harvard 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.
The Devens Department of Public Works has issued a parking ban that began Sunday 4 p.m. and will remain in effect until Tuesday, Feb. 24, at noon. Residents may park at the DPW facility next to Antietam Field and the Bob Eisengrein Community Center, 100 Sherman Ave.
This story was updated at 1 p.m. Feb. 23, 2026, to include new information on power outages and efforts of the DPW to clear the roads.
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