Tuesday night’s presentation by the Harvard-Devens Jurisdiction Committee resembled at times a midweek forecast by WCVB’s StormTeam. On Wednesday, as Channel 5 forecasters attempted to predict the impact of a weekend “bomb cyclone,” they warned viewers not to “lock in” on a particular outcome. Hit, fringe, or miss? Too early to tell, said the station’s chief meteorologist.
The same might be said of the HDJC’s financial, school enrollment, and housing projections, as the presenters readily admitted. The financial projections in particular call for a deeper analysis. What will be the true cost to Harvard or any other stakeholder of providing municipal services—fire and EMS, police, public works—to the residents and businesses located within its historical boundaries? And how much of that expense would be borne by taxpayers?
Two years ago, Devens Jurisdiction Framework Committee representatives drafted and unanimously approved a request for financial consulting services (RFP) to help the committee untangle what MassDevelopment is spending to redevelop Devens from what is being spent to provide municipal services. That’s the information the towns and residents need to understand the financial implications of the various forms future governance might take.
The DJFC thought a year ago that the Executive Office of Housing and Liveable Communities might provide $300,000 to hire a consultant and jump start an analysis of Devens finances. But that grant was diverted, leaving an RFP endorsed by every Devens stakeholder except MassDevelopment high and dry.
MassDevelopment says it will pay for whatever consulting is required but not before July 1, 2030, the year state law says a study of future disposition of Devens must begin. But the law also says the study is due on or before July 1, 2033 and that MassDevelopment’s role as the redevelopment authority for Devens ends on that day.
With only four and one-half years remaining, why not get started now? In our view, MassDevelopment should fund the financial study the DJFC has requested. The towns are in no position to do so, though the Devens Enterprise Commission has offered to match any contributions by Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley. The towns and residents need the data now and so will MassDevelopment. Why wait?