The Board of Selectmen needs to "cowboy up" and support HEAC's (Harvard Energy Advisory Committee) proposal to make Harvard a Green Community, eligible for a share of state funding. Stonewalling behind a claim of not enough information and voters not well enough informed to decide is not in residents' best interests. Harvard missed out on this opportunity once, and to miss it again for the same excuse is unacceptable.

At stake is nothing less than whether BOS will do its part to implement recommendations of advisory committees chartered to focus on strategic issues. The Municipal Buildings Committee, hard at work figuring out the future of key town buildings, has emphasized that big bucks will be needed to upgrade and maintain these buildings, whatever the plan turns out to be. Where will that money come from? Green Community funding won't be a total solution, but it's a start. The Finance Committee gave HEAC its full support, recognizing the potential for positive economic impact for the town. The Planning Board is ready to do its part to prepare necessary zoning changes for town meeting approval.

Does BOS think it represents the interests of more than 6,000 Harvard residents, or the special interests of a handful of builders and real estate brokers?

The BOS doesn't have to endorse the proposal, but it does have to call a town meeting in time to meet the Nov. 19 application deadline. It's time to let the voters decide.