The Board of Selectmen voted this week to commit Harvard to the proposed five-town regional dispatch facility at Devens to handle its 911 calls to town police, the fire department and other emergency services.

The Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee reports that phosphorus levels in the pond are lower this year, and the number of invasive plants is also dropping.

Plans to hire a consultant to create a rescue plan for the town historic properties that offer the only affordable rental apartments for families in Harvard have faltered.

Members of the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Master Plan Steering Committee joined the Devens Economic Analysis Team last Wednesday, Aug. 31, in a brainstorming session on how to suggest a solution for redevelopment of Vicksburg Square.

Franklyn Carlson, co-owner of Carlson Orchards, confirmed on Monday that Carlson's cider-making operation is being transferred to Steve Rowse's New England Apple Products Company in Leominster.

Harvard is fully "back in operation" this week, its fire chief reports, after Tropical Storm Irene swept through Massachusetts Sunday, soaking the area with rain and blasting it with high winds.

18 Harvard residents or businesses have contracted to install solar photovoltaic systems through MassCEC's Solarize Mass pilot project. Because the projects exceed 100 kilowatts of solar energy, residents and business owners can now install solar at further discounted rates.

The Devens Economic Analysis Team met with representatives of MassDevelopment and Trinity Financial on Aug. 24 to discuss Trinity's plans for 246 residential units at Vicksburg Square in Devens.

According to current estimates from the National Weather Service, the center of the storm now known as Hurricane Irene will pass through western Massachusetts Sunday. Worcester County and most of the interior of Massachusetts has been placed on tropical storm watch, while coastal areas are on hurricane watch.