The Harvard Press

11/22/2024

At this year’s annual tax classification hearing, held at this week’s Select Board meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 19, the town’s regional assessor, Michael Saltsman, estimated that the tax rate on residential property this fiscal year would need to increase from $14.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $15.65, an increase of approximately 5% over last year’s rate.

At this year’s annual tax classification hearing, held at this week’s Select Board meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 19, the town’s regional assessor, Michael Saltsman, estimated that the tax rate on residential property this fiscal year would need to increase from $14.90 per $1,000 of assessed prop...

11/22/2024

After months of negotiation, the Massachusetts House and Senate, meeting in special session last week, passed and sent to Gov. Maura Healey the $4 billion “Mass Leads” economic development bill she proposed in February, including two provisions that could dramatically increase housing in Devens.

https://www.harvardpress.com/News/News-Articles/historic-4b-economic-development-bill-clears-path-for-major-housing-expansion-in-devens

11/22/2024

After months of negotiation, the Massachusetts House and Senate, meeting in special session last week, passed and sent to Gov. Maura Healey the $4 billion “Mass Leads” economic development bill she proposed in February, including two provisions that could dramatically increase housing in Devens.

After months of negotiation, the Massachusetts House and Senate, meeting in special session last week, passed and sent to Gov. Maura Healey the $4 billion “Mass Leads” economic development bill she proposed in February, including two provisions that could dramatically increase housing in Devens....

11/20/2024

In 1918, on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., World War I ended with an armistice. Today, we recognize the date of this historic event through Veterans Day, a day to honor all those who have served in the U.S. military.

In 1918, on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., World War I ended with an armistice. Today, we recognize the date of this historic event through Veterans Day, a day to honor all those who have served in the U.S. military. Jon Schoenberg places a wreath at the World War I memorial. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz). On M...

11/19/2024

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted Nov. 4 to authorize Bruce Ringwall of engineering firm Goldsmith, Prest, and Ringwall to create a conceptual plan for a circular bicycle course, known as a pump track, in Harvard Park on Lancaster County Road.

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted Nov. 4 to authorize Bruce Ringwall of engineering firm Goldsmith, Prest, and Ringwall to create a conceptual plan for a circular bicycle course, known as a pump track, in Harvard Park on Lancaster County Road. The vote empowers Ringwall to submit a notice of...

11/19/2024

An exceptionally dry fall prompted the state to raise the drought level in Central and Northeast Massachusetts from mild to critical on Nov. 7. The critical region includes Harvard, and the declaration prompted Fire Chief Rick Sicard to ban all outdoor fires in town. Open burning season doesn’t begin until Jan. 15, but Sicard banned fires that are not part of that regulation, including fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, agricultural fires, and outdoor cooking and heating equipment. The town has not yet imposed an outdoor water ban.

An exceptionally dry fall prompted the state to raise the drought level in Central and Northeast Massachusetts from mild to critical on Nov. 7. The critical region includes Harvard, and the declaration prompted Fire Chief Rick Sicard to ban all outdoor fires in town. Open burning season doesn’t be...

11/17/2024

After months of negotiation, the Massachusetts House and Senate, meeting in special session Thursday, Nov. 14, passed and sent to Gov. Maura Healey the $4 billion, 319-page “Mass Leads” economic development bill she proposed in February, including its provisions for increased housing in Devens.

After months of negotiation, the Massachusetts House and Senate, meeting in special session Thursday, Nov. 14, passed and sent to Gov. Maura Healey the $4 billion, 319-page “Mass Leads” economic development bill she proposed in February, including its provisions for increased housing in Devens. ...

11/17/2024

Breaking news: The girls cross country squad placed second in today's MIAA Division 3 state championship held at Willard Field in Devens on an unseasonably warm and dry afternoon. Team captain senior Evelyn Wool was first for Harvard and second overall in a field of 100 runners and the top 23 teams of from across the state.

The boys team placed sixth, led by sophomore Ben McWaters, who finished 19th with junior Harrison Binnick right behind him.

Look for more details at the Harvard Press website (harvardpress.com) and in the Nov. 22 edition of the paper.

11/16/2024

Lots of news the past couple days. Final passage of Governor's economic development bill paves way for burst of new housing at Devens. Plus, Bromfield's soccer and cross country country teams win some and lose some as seasons come to an end. Check out our Friday and Saturday breaking news stories at our website: harvardpress.com.

11/15/2024

When the polls closed on Election Day, Nov. 5, it was no surprise that Harvard, like Massachusetts, supported the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. But Harvard joined only a few other towns in the state to say “no” to ballot Question 2, which asked if the state should drop the requirement that high school students pass the grade 10 MCAS test to graduate. The question passed statewide, 59% to 41%.

https://www.harvardpress.com/News/News-Articles/election-analysis-harvard-follows-state-neighboring-townsmostly

11/11/2024

Harvard voters largely agreed with those across Massachusetts in the presidential and senatorial races. Of Harvard's 4,800 registered voters, 4,042 (84.2%) case ballots. Here are the preliminary results from Harvard's Town Clerk.

Harvard voters largely agreed with those across Massachusetts in the presidential and senatorial races. Of Harvard's 4,800 registered voters, 4,042 (84.2%) case ballots. Here are the preliminary results from Harvard's Town Clerk. Electors of President and Vice President Ayyadurai and Ellis (Independ...

11/11/2024

Harvard voters turned out in substantial, though not record-breaking, numbers for this 2024 presidential election. Overall, 84% of the town’s 4,800 registered voters cast ballots. That’s down slightly from the 91% turnout rate in 2020, but still impressive compared to this year’s statewide turnout of 67%.

Harvard voters turned out in substantial, though not record-breaking, numbers for this 2024 presidential election. Overall, 84% of the town’s 4,800 registered voters cast ballots. That’s down slightly from the 91% turnout rate in 2020, but still impressive compared to this year’s statewide tur...

11/05/2024

Things looked pretty dismal when the first two of three sessions intended to gather input from residents on how to spend the town’s opioid settlement funds drew a crowd of one. But the third session, held in person at the Harvard Senior Center on Oct. 22, was attended by nine residents who brought a variety of perspectives on the topic.

https://www.harvardpress.com/News/News-Articles/third-times-the-charm-final-opioid-listening-session-draws-an-engaged-crowd

11/03/2024

Harvard’s delegates to the Legislature, Rep. Dan Sena and Sen. Jamie Eldridge, are unopposed in this year’s state election. Nevertheless, the Press invited them to respond to seven questions on the minds of Harvard residents. Here are the questions asked and their responses.

Harvard’s delegates to the Legislature, Rep. Dan Sena and Sen. Jamie Eldridge, are unopposed in this year’s state election. Nevertheless, the Press invited them to respond to seven questions on the minds of Harvard residents. Here are the questions asked and their responses. Representative Dan S...

11/01/2024

Early, in-person voting on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 29, was a tranquil affair. In addition to a reporter, just two other voters were marking their ballots in the carrels on the second floor of Town Hall. The red, white, and blue ballot box into which those voters dropped their sealed and signed ballot envelopes would be kept locked, a poll worker explained, until counting began on Election Day.

Early, in-person voting on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 29, was a tranquil affair. In addition to a reporter, just two other voters were marking their ballots in the carrels on the second floor of Town Hall. The red, white, and blue ballot box into which those voters dropped their sealed and signed ballo...

10/24/2024

Breaking news

Healey visits Ayer for first time since Nashoba hospital closure, vows to revitalize region’s health care system

Gov. Maura Healey traveled to Ayer Town Hall Tuesday morning to attend a meeting of the group tasked by her administration with rebuilding the emergency services and regional health care system disrupted by Steward Health Care's closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. It was her first visit to the region to hear firsthand the closure's impact on emergency and healthcare services.

10/21/2024

The Healey-Driscoll administration has opened a $15 million grant program for communities that are certified as compliant with the MBTA Communities Act, and Harvard is eligible. Communities can use the grants for projects supporting housing production, including infrastructure upgrades, planning, rehabilitation, and the purchase of property for housing.

The Healey-Driscoll administration has opened a $15 million grant program for communities that are certified as compliant with the MBTA Communities Act, and Harvard is eligible. Communities can use the grants for projects supporting housing production, including infrastructure upgrades, planning, re...

10/19/2024

With inflation gradually declining, the Personnel Board voted unanimously last week to recommend a cost-of-living increase of 3.19% for the town’s nonunion employees in fiscal 2026. That is the lowest such increase in four years. But the amount proposed for merit raises is substantially higher than in past years. The final decision on the increases will be up to the Select Board.

With inflation gradually declining, the Personnel Board voted unanimously last week to recommend a cost-of-living increase of 3.19% for the town’s nonunion employees in fiscal 2026. That is the lowest such increase in four years. But the amount proposed for merit raises is substantially higher tha...