Opinion
X

Letters to the Editor

  Opinion / Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor Policy

Letters to the Editor Policy
 

  • The word-count limit for letters is 350, including signatures (with exceptions at the discretion of the editor).
  • Letters may be edited for length, style, and clarity.
  • Email letters to letters@harvardpress.net or send by regular mail to Editor, The Harvard Press, P.O. Box 284, Harvard, MA 01451. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday to be included in that Friday's edition.
  • Letters should include your name, address, and phone number. Phone numbers and house numbers will not be printed; they are used only for verification.
  • We will not print anonymous letters, form letters, blanket-mail letters, or letters that we consider libelous.
  • We will not print more than one letter from the same person in any given week.
  • Letters must be signed by individuals; we do not accept group names as signatures. Up to four people may sign a letter on behalf of a group; all must provide addresses and phone numbers.
  • During contests for public office, we will not publish endorsement letters the Friday before an election. Based on space availability, we may limit the number of endorsement letters in a given week, but will strive to print a balanced representation of letters received. We will not publish negative letters about any candidate.
  • All letters may be read online by Harvard Press subscribers who are logged-on registered users of the website.

A vote for Tier 1 and Tier 2 is a vote to preserve essential school services

by Rachel Kopay  ·   Friday, April 11, 2025

I’m having to remind myself to breathe deeply lately. The uncertainty we’re in right now reminds me of when the steel mills closed in the ’70s and early ’80s and suddenly my uncles were home during their normal work times … then my dad … and then we were sleeping in the living room in the winter to save on heating the bedrooms.

During that time my folks, and everyone around us, had to stretch every dollar. We repaired things. We shared things. We celebrated with company rather than with purchases.

Throughout that time, my mom and the other “PTO ladies” (and some dads!) kept their focus on the schools and the town, doing what they could to bring in enrichment programs, as our PTO and Harvard Schools Trust are doing now. They also got involved in understanding the school and town budgets, making informed decisions about supporting prudent investments with their ever more limited resources. They came together and got through those tough days with humor and faith in a better future.

Here we are again, in a time of uncertainty, and where inflation, particularly in essential areas such as utilities and transportation, has risen more dramatically than we’ve been used to in recent years. Proposition 2½ limits our annual town budget increase to 2.5% before triggering an override process. It was designed to “encourage” (or maybe force) greater civic participation, not to be a barrier to basic town operations.

We don’t often do overrides in Harvard but when we do, it’s generally to get through times like now, and is sometimes needed a few years in a row.  I’ve reviewed the items in the proposed override Tiers 1 and 2 with the same frugal eye my folks had in the ’70s and early ’80s. The school budget in particular is trimmed to a place that preserves essential services while protecting us from increasing costs in key areas. I encourage everyone to learn more at www.voteyesfor harvard.com, and to support both Tier 1 and 2 of the override at the ballot on May 6. In our small town, every vote counts.

Rachel Kopay
Littleton County Road

Please login or register to post comments.
Latest News
Latest Features

CLICK AN AD!

Harvard Press Classified Ads Great Road Farm and Garden Shepherd Veterinary Clinic Doe Orchards Dinner at Deadline Westward Orchards Blinn Carpentry & Design Jo Karen New England Tree Masters Cherrystone Furniture Flagg Tree Service Karen Shea, Realtor Shannon Boeckelman Mill Road Tire & Auto Rollstone Bank & Trust Erin McBee, Attorney Jasonics Security Badger Funeral Home Harvard Custom Woodworking Jenn Gavin, Realtor Ann Cohen, Realtor Inspired Design Harvard Outdoor Power Equipment Haschig Homes Mike Moran Painting Lisa Aciukewicz Photography Harvard General Store Colonial Spirits Sarah Cameron Real Estate Kitchen Outfitters