The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in Harvard. Besides those who serve in elected positions and on sundry committees that support the schools and the arts, there are those who step up, when asked, to serve on advisory committees, to do the homework an elected board needs to set direction and make decisions. But we worry that the experience of the volunteers during their service on these appointed committees may ultimately discourage other volunteers from stepping up when asked.

This week we learned that, while the Municipal Buildings Committee (MBC) was spending hours researching and gathering data for possible future uses of town buildings, one selectman, a member of the board that appointed the MBC, was independently doing research and gathering data to support his own idea instead. Likewise, after months of work by members of the Harvard Energy Advisory Committee (HEAC) on assessing the energy priorities of the town in anticipation of applying for Green Communities grant money, their recommendation was shot down by the selectmen who appointed them.

This is not a new problem. At last year’s Annual Town Meeting, the proposal of the Economic Development and Analysis Team (EDAT) was almost jeopardized by the lack of timely coordination and involvement of the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen to be able to support the proposal presented to voters. It took last-minute behind-the-scenes negotiating at ATM to save it.

We think that if elected officials find it necessary to appoint advisory committees, they must be willing to support their efforts and support their recommendations. Otherwise, what’s the point?