More than 250 Harvard voters were already in the Cronin Auditorium when Moderator Bill Barton called the meeting to order at 12:10 pm last Saturday, April 6. People continued to arrive for the next half hour or more, up to the official total of 392, which is more than double the 2023 turnout.

One of the liveliest discussions at the April 6 Town Meeting involved an article that would allow the town to put a lien on the property owned by any resident who ignores charges, fines, or fees related to town bylaws.

Three and a half hours into Town Meeting, voters began debate on the proposed bylaw to create an 8-acre multifamily zoning district on Ayer Road at the intersection of Route 2. 

Shortly into the warrant articles for Town Meeting, April 6, 2024, came a much anticipated moment, a moment awaited by residents at town meetings going back to 1967—the time to pay tribute to the year’s Citizen of Note. This year that is Bob O’Shea. 

The dilapidated Department of Public Works buildings will finally get the attention they have needed for years. Voters at both Town Meeting and the polls approved the request to borrow $9,894,200 to revamp the facility.

Voters at Tuesday’s Town Election approved two ballot questions, but rejected a third, and returned incumbent moderator Bill Barton to office for a three-year term.

MassDevelopment, the state agency responsible for the commercial and residential development of Devens, signaled last week it is ready to work with the Devens Jurisdiction Framework Committee to increase housing at Vicksburg Square, site of an iconic quadrangle of Army barracks.

Mathematics teacher, skilled photographer, longtime Harvard resident

Barbi Kelley, longtime physical education teacher in Harvard, has received the Joseph McKenney Award for distinguished service from the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

• April is Autism Awareness Month.
• Trees for HCT members
• Townwide Cleanup
• Annual Senior Conference
• Sarah Watson Scholarship applications
• Land protection grants
• Christmas pageant planning meeting
• Volunteer SHINE counselor needed
• Conservation Commission seeks volunteers
• Loaves & Fishes
• Devens noise report

Former resident, Historical Society president, snowmobiler, antique car lover

Physicist, adventurer, grounded in the beauty of nature

Harvard’s benefits-eligible municipal and school employees will soon be able to purchase dental and vision insurance at favorable rates through group policies offered by the town.

Nearly two years in development, a request for expressions of interest in consulting on a plan for the future governance of Devens was finally approved last month by the Devens Jurisdiction Framework Committee.

The Department of Public Works was first up to bat in this year’s budget season. Director Tim Kilhart came before the Finance Committee at its Oct. 24 meeting to discuss his requests, which were mostly for level services. But one request went above and beyond.