by the staff of the Harvard Press ·
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Updated April 2, 2020 at 8:30 p.m.
It’s official. COVID-19 has come to Harvard.
In voice, email, and text messages to residents, Fire Chief Rick Sicard, leader of Harvard’s emergency management team, reported Thursday afternoon that at least one Harvard resident has tested positive for the infection. “We are seeing a steady increase in the number of reported cases and deaths nationally and in state,” he explained in an email. “Consistent with this, we have confirmed cases in Harvard.”
Town officials have been saying for days that the spread of the virus into Harvard was inevitable. According to the Department of Public Health, the number of deaths in Massachusetts due to COVID-19 has increased from 122 to 154 since Wednesday afternoon, while the number of confirmed cases in the state increased by 1,228 to 8,966. Worcester County was reported to have 667 cases, while neighboring Middlesex County had 1,870.
In a followup conversation with the Press, Sicard would not divulge the number of cases. “I would prefer not to elaborate,” he said. In his email he wrote, “By law we cannot release the locations, names or other identifying information about any person confirmed to have tested positive for the virus.” Earlier this week, the Board of Health said it would neither confirm nor deny cases. But in their meeting today, emergency management team members decided otherwise.
The emergency management team meets daily at 4 p.m. Its members are: Sicard, Police Chief Ed Demark, Town Administrator Tim Bragan, Assistant Town Administrator Marie Sobalvarro, DPW Director Tim Kilhart, Ambulance Services Co-Director Jason Cotting, sanitarian Ira Grossman, Board of Health member Libby Levison, COA Director Debbie Thompson, and School Superintendent Linda Dwight.
Orders, advisories and closures
Thursday was Harvard’s 16th day under a state of emergency. State advisories and orders aimed at slowing the spread of the virus remained in effect. Residents are advised to stay home, and are ordered not to assemble in groups larger than 10 and to maintain 6 feet of separation between themselves and others outside their homes. Only businesses designated as essential may open, which allows restaurants, equipment stores, garages, food stores, and package stores to continue operating, subject to state guidelines. Watch this bulletin for changes in business hours and offerings.
Fields, playgrounds, and parks, including McCurdy Track and the beach, are closed, but conservation areas such as Bowers Springs are open. Town Administrator Tim Bragan extended the closure today until May 4.
The parking area overlooking Fruitlands on Prospect Hill Road is also closed. Groups have been congregating there to the frustration of the police who must disperse them. DPW workers today blocked access to the site with jersey barriers.
With parks, playgrounds, and playing fields closed, Harvard’s conservation trails are getting heavy use. The Conservation Commission has issued new guidelines to encourage physical distancing on conservation properties. (See “Playing fields, parks, beach, and Conservation Trust trails,” in this bulletin”)
And finally, in a sign that state and town revenues could be affected by the shutdown of businesses and growing unemployment in Massachusetts, Bragan froze all “non-emergency spending” by town departments.
At a glance: Recent state orders and initiatives
- The state is partnering with the Massachusetts Medical Society to match health and medical volunteers with communities and health care providers in need of additional personnel. For more information about both programs, go to https://bit.ly/2UWLtrn.
- The Massachusetts 2019 individual income tax filing and payment deadline has been extended from April 15 to July 15.
- Tax filings and payments for all federal income taxes (including self-employment tax) are also due July 15.
- The state Legislature is considering bills that would allow towns to defer payment of property taxes and to continue operations beyond June 30, 2020 in the absence of an approved fiscal 2021 budget.
- Motor vehicle licenses and inspection stickers due to expire between March 1 and April 30 have been granted a 60-day extension.
Tracking the town
Harvard Press reporters are tracking the decisions of town government, businesses, schools, and other organizations as they adjust to state and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.This State of the Town site is intended to provide readers with a single source of verified information on what’s open, what’s not, and what may lie ahead. We review this information daily and update the page as needed; please send additions, updates, and corrections to editor@harvardpress.net.
Need help or want to help?
The Harvard Council on Aging is setting up an “Adopt a Senior” program to make trips for groceries and supplies for homebound seniors. Volunteers must be willing to get a CORI, be trained in and use proper safety procedures, and be available to help one or two seniors. Volunteers should call the COA at 978-456-4120, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and ask to speak with COA Director Debbie Thompson. Seniors in need should call the COA to be matched with a volunteer.
Nextdoor Harvard now has a Help Map feature, which allows residents to sign up to help neighbors or to get help from a neighbor who has signed up. Nextdoor Harvard leader Robert Curran posted that residents who sign up to help will be warned to take precautions when offering assistance, such as performing common-sense decontamination, and initiating noncontact interactions (leaving items on doorsteps, and arranging for remote reimbursement, for example). The Help Map appears on computer browsers on the Nextdoor homepage in a box to the right of the main column. On the Nextdoor mobile app or in a mobile browser, it will be a choice in the “More” selection of the main dropdown window.
Town Hall
The building is closed to the public until further notice. Town personnel are continuing to report for work either at Town Hall or at home and can be reached by phone or email during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, at 978-456-4100 or harvard.ma.us. For information on how to access the town administration, the town clerk’s office, land use offices, finance department (including treasurer/tax collector and assessor), or inspectional services (building, electric, gas, plumbing), go to https://www.harvard.ma.us/home/urgent-alerts/access-town-departments-during-town-hall-closure.
Public Safety Building
Open hours have not changed, but all business will be conducted at the window only. Hours are Monday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Council on Aging
Hildreth House is closed, but staff is available by phone and email. All programs and gatherings are canceled until at least April 17. While Hildreth House is closed, the COA will provide delivery of prepackaged lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays to those who qualify. COA vans will continue to offer rides for medical appointments. Meals on Wheels will continue to be delivered. Call the COA at 978-456-4120 for more information.
Library
The Harvard Public Library building is closed until further notice, but many of the library’s resources are still accessible.
Please do not return items while the library is closed. All items that were recently checked out will be renewed automatically, and all fines for overdue items will be waived.
Library staff will be present to answer reference questions and other queries by email or telephone. The children's department is launching virtual storytimes several mornings a week.
The online Spring Reading Challenge for Children started last week. There is a link to the program on the library's homepage
https://www.harvardpubliclibrary.org/children/blog/spring-reading-challenge
The library has a variety of online resources for both adults and children, including eBooks and eAudiobooks. It has also created virtual versions of some children’s programs, including the Lego Expo and the Edible Books Contest.
The library is now offering instant eCards for residents who may not have a card. There is a link to this service on the library’s homepage which then connects you to this page:
https://www.harvardpubliclibrary.org/about/programs/no-card-no-problem-new-temporary-ecards-available
The instant eCards work only with the Overdrive collection of eResources, but that is the largest of the collections.
Check harvardpubliclibrary.org for further updates. .
Transfer Station
Open at regularly scheduled hours, but with restrictions. Punch card items will not be accepted at this time; town officials are working on a policy for extending card expirations. People must keep 6 feet apart from others, drop their trash and recyclables, and leave. All gatherings are prohibited. The “take it or leave it” section is closed.
Schools
All public and private elementary and public schools in the state are closed until at least Monday, May 4.
Village Nursery School
Closed at least until Monday, May 4.
School athletics
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletics Association (MIAA) has postponed the start of spring season until May 4, and the season ending to June 27.
Playing fields, parks, beach, and Conservation Trust trails
All playing fields, parks, playgrounds, the town beach, the Common, and the McCurdy Track in Harvard are closed at least until May 4. No MIAA, local or other sports, events or gatherings are allowed, by order of the Select Board. Police have the authority to enforce this order.
Although the beach is closed, fishermen and residents may launch their boats at the beach boat ramp and head out onto the pond.
The parking area on Prospect Hill Road that overlooks Fruitlands is closed.
The 28 trails of the Harvard Conservation Trust remain open. The town is encouraging their use but the Conservation Commission has issued new guidelines. These include advice to maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet at all times, including in the parking area, at the trailhead, on the trail, and on bridges and boardwalks. For details, go to https://bit.ly/3bP2TND. For trail descriptions and maps, go to https://harvardconservationtrust.org/trails/.
Learn to row program
The Bare Hill Rowing Association has delayed the scheduled April 13 start of its Learn to Row program. If school re-opens on May 4, the association will readjust the program dates.
Summer beach programs
No change; registration is open. See beach webpage at www.harvard.ma.us/node/34/news for more information.
Town committee and board meetings
All public meetings are now virtual, implemented by Zoom conferencing software. Participants can join a posted meeting via Zoom by clicking on the link that appears at the top of the posted meeting agenda. There is no need to download or install software. For the agendas and times of upcoming meetings, go to https://www.harvard.ma.us/calendar-by-event-type/16. Meetings can also be joined by phone; the number to call is on the agenda.
Residents can either join a meeting as a participant or simply watch the proceedings on the Harvard Cable TV Facebook page. Virtual meetings cannot be broadcast live on cable TV, but a recording and a transcript will be posted soon after on the HCTV Facebook page, as is currently done.
Postponed: The public input meeting to discuss the Ayer Road renovation project—previously scheduled for an April 15 Zoom conference—will be rescheduled to a time yet to be decided. .
Town Caucus and Town Election
The March 23 Town Caucus was rescheduled to May 11. The Town Election has been moved to June 23. The delay of caucus delays the nomination of candidates for several open seats on the Select Board, School Committee, Library Trustees, and Warner Free Lecture Trustees.
Special 37th Middlesex State Election
The March 31, 2020 Special State Election in the 37th Middlesex District has been postponed until Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Town Clerk Kenney has encouraged voters to vote by absentee ballots and to mail them to Town Hall rather than risk coronavirus exposure by venturing out to the polls. To apply, visit the town clerk's webpage at https://www.harvard.ma.us/town-clerk. Contact the town clerk's office at (978) 456-4100 or by email at mkenney@harvard.ma.us for more information or with any questions.
MassDevelopment
The offices at 33 Andrews Parkway in Devens are closed to the public. The Devens Fire Department, Department of Public Works & Recreation, and Devens Utilities will continue providing essential services to the community.
Churches
- St. Theresa’s Catholic Church: Masses are canceled on Sundays, weekdays, and Holy Days of Obligation until further notice.
- Harvard Unitarian Church: Worship services and programs are canceled until further notice. Virtual services will be conducted via Zoom; for details see uuharvard.org
- Congregational Church: Services will be held online until further notice; see the church’s Facebook page for instructions
General Store
Only the online store is open, with curbside pickup available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. Order ahead, online, at www.harvardgeneralstore.com for groceries, beer, wine, bakery items, prepared foods, as well as other pantry items, and copies of the Harvard Press. Small and large Harvard trash bags were restocked March 27, and may be ordered online as well. Contact the store at online@harvardgeneralstore.com or 978-430-0062.
Fivesparks
Closed until at least May 4. Links to online classes of interest will be posted on the website, which will be updated regularly.
Fruitlands Museum
The museum and grounds are closed until at least May 4.
Eateries
- Bravo Pizzeria (Boxborough): Hours are Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 978-635-0637
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Hours are 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. at service window only.
- Siam Pepper Thai Cuisine: Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 8:30 p.m. for takeout. Call 978-391-1251.
- Sorrento's Pizzeria: Hours unchanged; online and text ordering available. Call 978-630-0045.
- Bull Run (Shirley): Delivering to Harvard Thursday to Saturday, 3 to 8:45 p.m., Wednesday and Sunday, 3 to 8 p.m. Featuring "family meals to go," pizza, and extensive delivery menu. Details at bullrunrestaurant.com/menus.
- Lucia’s Tavola and Markoh’s on Main (Ayer): Open for takeout with curbside pickup, Tuesday to Saturday, 4 to 7 p.m. Call 978-391-4837.
- Il Forno (Littleton): Open for takeout with curbside pickup, Tuesday to Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday to Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m. Order from lunch or dinner menus, il-forno.com or 978-540-2880.
- Tiny’s Restaurant (Ayer): Open for takeout Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m to 8:30 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Delivering to Harvard Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 5 to 8:30 p.m. 978-772-2917.
Supermarkets
Governor Baker has ordered all supermarkets in Massachusetts to provide shopping hours for seniors only; those hours are listed below. Reusable bags are prohibited, and stores may not charge for plastic or paper bags. Those 60 and older are considered seniors.
- Market Basket: Open daily 7 a.m to 6 p.m. Open daily 6 to 7 a.m. for seniors and disabled people only.
- Roche Brothers: Open daily 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Open daily 7 to 8 a.m. for seniors and disabled people only. Curbside pickup of online orders is limited. Products visible online may not be available.
- Donelan’s Supermarket: Open daily 8 a.m to 7 p.m. Open daily 7 to 8 a.m. for seniors and disabled people only. Online orders are suspended for now.
- Ayer Shop ߴn Save: Open daily 8 a.m to 8 p.m. Open daily 7 to 8 a.m. for seniors and disabled people only.
- Whole Foods Market: Westford store open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open daily 8 to 9 a.m. for seniors and disabled people. Online availability “must be confirmed at checkout,” according to the website
Loaves & Fishes
As of April 2, the pantry is closed until further notice. For updates about reopening, call 978-772-4627. Or check the website https://loavesfishespantry.org or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/loavesfishespantry/
Pharmacies
Ayer Family Pharmacy, Acton Pharmacy (in West Acton), and CVS Pharmacy in Acton are all offering free delivery to Harvard. CVS also offers video MinuteClinic visits, see the website for details.
Banks
Rollstone Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Main Street Bank are now conducting service at drive-through windows only. Call to access safety deposit boxes or conduct in-bank transactions
Veterinarians
- Harvard Family Pet Clinic: Open regular hours for urgent or routine care. Call two weeks ahead for medicine refills or prescription food, shipping services are experiencing delays.
- Shepherd Veterinary Clinic: Open regular hours for urgent or routine care. Pet owners must stay outside the building while pets are being treated; phone the posted number when you arrive.
Other businesses
- Carlson Orchards: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offering apples, regular and hard cider, eggs, cheese, coffee beans, maple syrup, pantry items. Call 978-456-3916 or visit their Facebook page.
- The Fiber Loft: Closed until further notice.
- Harvard Kennels: Closed until further notice.
- Bodylines Pilates: Studio is closed. Offering virtual classes, see the website for more information.
- Harvard Cleaners: Closed until May 4.
- Z Drycleaners: Closed until May 4.
- The Grape Vine: Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday at the Harvard store.
- Harvard Alpaca Ranch: Closed to visitors. Shop is open online, pickup or local delivery. Alpaca manure available for curbside pickup, delivery for large orders. www.harvardalpacaranch.com
- Indian Hill Music School: No on-site activities through May 4; online instruction available. All professional concerts are canceled or postponed through the end of June.
- Harvard Bowling Lanes: Closed until May 4.
- Harvard Outdoor Power Equipment: Open regular hours with social distancing.
- Mill Road Tire & Auto: Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Toreku Tractor and Equipment: Open regular hours with social distancing.
Miscellaneous
- Garden Club: The Garden Club’s April meeting and its annual plant sale in May are both canceled. The annual meeting will be rescheduled from June to fall.
- Alcoholic Anonymous at the Congregational Church on Wednesday nights is canceled until further notice.
- Firefighter training/classes: Fire academy training has been suspended. Only career recruit classes have been deemed essential; all call/volunteer classes have been suspended.
- Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice: All Well-Adult Clinics are canceled until the end of April. Updated schedules are availablen at www.nashoba.org.
For updates on scheduled happenings around town, go to our online Current Events page at https://www.harvardpress.com/Happenings/Current-Events
Up-to-date information on COVID-19 is available at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov and at mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19. Massachusetts residents can also subscribe to up-to-the-minute notifications from state health officials by texting COVIDMA to 888-777. The nonprofit mass211.org provides free, confidential information in several languages, both on its website and for callers who dial 211; callers may experience delays because of the high volume of calls.
If you have not done so yet, please register for MyConnect on the town website to receive townwide announcements as either a phone call, email, or text message. To sign up, click the “One-Step Notification Sign Up Now” button on the town website home page. All announcements will also be posted on the town website. Questions regarding town operations during the COVID-19 emergency may be emailed to asktheTA@Harvard.ma.us. The town website also has a COVID-19 page with various updates from the Town Administrator at https://www.harvard.ma.us/home/news/coronavirus-covid-19..