From the moment Moderator Bill Barton gaveled this year’s Annual Town Meeting to order a few minutes past noon last Saturday, the meeting seemed poised to set a speed record. Even the persnickety microphone—which led to frequent calls of “We can’t hear you” to speakers—didn’t slow things down very much.

Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Bob O’Shea has been appointed interim director of recreation, effective May 1, a position he will hold through August.

Our "Warrant in Plain English" explains each article on the Town Meeting warrant in everyday language, highlighting the amount of money involved, its source, who will manage its use, whether the article affects your taxes, and—when less than obvious—the consequences of voting “yes” or “no.”

To understand the fiscal 2024 budget, which takes effect  July  1, requires a journey through the 2023 Annual Town Meeting booklet, including the well-written and detailed reports of the Finance, Capital, and Community Preservation committees as well as the warrant articles themselves.

For months, the School Committee and the Harvard Educators Association have been holding contract negotiations, but the public has heard little from either side. However, the parties’ recent decision to go to mediation has allowed both sides to speak more openly. 

This year when the Department of Environmental Protection notified the town that it must officially close the landfill, it popped up on the Select Board’s radar as a possible economic and environmental opportunity.

Harvard currently has no bylaw about hunting. Of course, the state’s hunting laws apply in Harvard. But no bylaw specifically empowers local Harvard police to enforce those state laws.

Article 25 on the warrant for the April 29 Town Meeting is a citizen petition asking for Harvard to join other towns in the commonwealth in pressing to have the Massachusetts state seal and flag changed. 

Property tax scofflaws beware: The town is planning to hire a legal expert to get the back taxes it is owed. 

Candidates Night, jointly sponsored by the Harvard Press and League of Women Voters of Harvard, drew nearly 90 residents and members of volunteer boards—in-person and remotely—to Town Hall Tuesday night.