by the staff of the Harvard Press ·
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Updated Thursday, April 16, 2020, at 12:15 p.m.
The big news this week came Wednesday afternoon when the state unexpectedly released a town-by-town count of COVID-19 confirmed cases reported between Jan. 1 and April 14 in Massachusetts. The total for Harvard is 11. These are reported cases only, the state Department of Public Health warns. “The absence of reported cases in a particular community does not indicate the absence of the virus that causes COVID-19. No community should decrease prevention and mitigation strategies based on these data.”
Release of these numbers comes after weeks of wrangling between Harvard’s Board of Health and Emergency Management Team, and the Select Board, a majority of whom have said they wanted the numbers released. The health board gives reasons for withholding the information in a “Consider This” op ed that appears in this week’s edition of the Press. But Wednesday’s action by the state preempts the BOH and renders its current policy moot. Tom Philippou, chair of the Board of Health, told the Press these numbers are cumulative, and only about half of that number currently have COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. On April 15, MDPH reported that the number of confirmed cases in the state was 29,918, more than double the number reported on April 7. Over that same time period, the number of confirmed cases in Worcester County rose from 1,172 to 2,350. The number of deaths in the state jumped from 356 on April 7 to 1,108 on April 15. Look for more details about the impact on Harvard and area hospitals in this week’s Press.
Current orders, advisories, and town closures
Thursday is Harvard’s 30th day under a state of emergency. State advisories and orders aimed at slowing the spread of the virus remain in effect.
The Board of Health joined the CDC last Thursday—followed by the state on Friday—in advising residents to wear a cloth face mask in public settings. The recommendation does not replace the social distancing, stay-at-home measures, and hand-washing recommendations that remain in effect. You can find the BOH statement here: https://bit.ly/3aXtQhQ. For more information on making and using face masks, see “At a Glance: Face masks,” below.
Only businesses designated as essential are open, allowing local 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 until May 4, but conservation areas such as Bowers Springs are open. The parking area overlooking Fruitlands on Prospect Hill Road is closed. For more details, see “Playing fields, parks, beach, and Conservation Trust trails,” below.
With other locales off-limits, 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”)
At a glance: Other national, state and local orders
- The federal and Massachusetts 2019 individual income tax filing and payment deadlines have been extended from April 15 to July 15.
- Motor vehicle licenses and inspection stickers due to expire between March 1 and April 30 have been granted a 60-day extension.
- The town has extended the due date of 2020 property tax bills to June 1, 2020. This applies only to fourth quarter bills that were originally due May 1. Interest will still be applied to unpaid 2020 bills from the first, second, and third quarters.
At a glance: Using and making face masks
In its advisory Friday that Massachusetts residents wear face masks in public places, the MDPH provided detailed guidance on their use:
When you wear a cloth mask, according to MDPH, it should:
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Include multiple layers of fabric
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
When putting on and taking off a mask, do not touch the front of it; only handle the ties or ear straps, and make sure you wash the cloth mask regularly. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching the mask.
Cloth masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Instructions on how to make and wear your own cloth mask are available on the CDC web site.
Harvard Press: 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 constantly and update the report Monday through Friday, but not on weekends, unless there is extraordinary news to report. Please send suggestions, updates, and corrections to editor@harvardpress.net.
These updates are free, but please support our work with a subscription.
Helping Hand
- Loaves & Fishes food pantry in Devens, which serves Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley, is currently closed, but it is in the process of regrouping so it can open its doors again. It needs monetary donations to restock the shelves; donations of food and other items cannot be accepted at this time because of risk to volunteers and clients. Volunteers in less vulnerable age groups are needed to help operate the pantry, and drivers and box trucks are needed to take turns doing weekly food pickups from the Greater Boston Food Bank. More information is available on the Loaves & Fishes website at loavesfishespantry.org.
Until Loaves & Fishes reopens, any residents (not just seniors) who need the food pantry should contact Council on Aging Director Debbie Thompson at 978-456-4120.
- Harvard Council on Aging Director Debbie Thompson reports that the agency is currently all set for masks. Seniors who would like a mask can contact the COA, and someone will either leave the mask on the front porch of Hildreth House, or it will be delivered by the COA van.
Thompson said she currently also has enough volunteers for the Adopt-a-Senior program. Seniors who would like to be adopted by a volunteer who will check in with them on a regular basis, make trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, or provide other assistance, should contact the COA (978-456-4120).
- Emerson Hospital is accepting contributions of critical supplies and equipment, as well as cash donations of any amount. A full up-to-date list of what is needed is available on the “How You Can Help” page of Emerson’s website, emersonhospital.org.
- Nextdoor Harvard 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.
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 May 4. While Hildreth House is closed, Meals on Wheels will provide prepackaged lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those who were already getting that service before the virus hit, or those who came to the Tuesday/Thursday congregate lunches at Hildreth House.
COA vans will continue to offer rides for medical appointments. Only one rider is allowed at a time, the driver wears a mask and gloves, and the van is disinfected in the morning and after every ride. 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/.
Also open are trails in the Harvard and Devens portions of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Restrooms are closed. For a brochure with a trail map go to https://bit.ly/2ycTuRa.
Walkers can also head to Devens. For a map of walking, running and cycling routes at Devens, go to: https://bit.ly/2Rd8x4g.
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 is rescheduled to May 11. Town Meeting has been moved to June 20, and Town Election to June 23. The delay of caucus postpones 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 2020 Special State Election in the 37th Middlesex District is postponed until Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Town Clerk Marlene 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. The law signed by Gov. Baker last week allows taking precautions against a COVID-19 infection as a legitimate reason to request an absentee ballot. 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
- The Devens Grill will reopen daily on Monday, April 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for takeout only. There will be a limited menu along with family style meals that will feed four to eight family members. To order visit their website devensgrill.com or call 978-862-0060.
- 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.
- Pizza Bella (Devens): Closed for two weeks.
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
The Loaves & Fishes 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/
Household Goods
Household Goods will remain closed throughout the duration of Governor Baker's stay-at- home advisory. There will be no donation drop-offs or donation pickups during this time. For updates about reopening, check out the Home Goods website at https://householdgoods.org/
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
- Friendly Crossroads: Closed until further notice. Sales of honey suspended.
- 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.
- Right at Home in Harvard: Open for business. For information about EVlder Care Services offered in Harvard, call 978-391-1700 or goto www.inhomecarema.com
- Alltown Fresh (Ayer) is offering three prepackaged crates of groceries—meat, produce and pantry--for curbside pickup. For more information, call 978-757-2050 or go to https://alltownfresh.com/ways-to-shop
Miscellaneous
- Harvard Sportsmen's Club: The indoor and outdoor shooting ranges are closed; April meeting and breakfast are canceled.
- 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 available 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
Harvard’s Emergency Management Team has released a nine-minute video that provides a comprehensive report on actions taken thus far to protect residents, while continuing to provide vital town services. To view, goto https://bit.ly/2ULQYdB.
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.
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.