When temperatures dropped below freezing in many locations in Harvard during the early morning hours of May 18, apples, pears, and blueberries that had just begun to emerge were fighting for their lives. They didn’t all make it.

For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer, but while the town beach and boat launch will be available to residents, the beach won’t open officially until June 24. 

Last week the Press reported on part of an accessibility plan created by outside consultants that showed more than 250 areas of noncompliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in town buildings and recreational facilities. 

Results of a survey sent out in mid-May to Bromfield School teachers, students, and families showed more than half the respondents disagreed with proposed changes in the middle school schedule and ninth-grade English. 

Plans for the large-scale development known as the Massachusetts Avenue Research Campus, also called 1414 Mass. Ave., have run into several snags. 

Dozens of Bromfield students gathered in front of the school early last Friday to protest the changes in classes and schedules proposed for next fall. About 35 students arrived at 7:45 a.m., but their numbers quickly doubled as the buses began to pull in and newcomers joined the early birds.

An accessibility plan prepared by outside consultants details over 250 violations of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in town buildings and recreational facilities. Violations range from sign heights to complete lack of access to most recreational areas. 

As President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy continue negotiations to raise the U.S debt ceiling to avoid a June 1 default, state and local governments across the country are  hoping their unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds will not fall victim to the deal.

After nearly a year of delays, the renovation of the former medical office building at 16 Lancaster County Road is complete, and the Council on Aging and Harvard Senior Center are hoping to call it home by Memorial Day weekend.

The Harvard Press made news May 5 when editor John Osborn was inducted into the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s Hall of Fame. 

The Harvard Press won first place for general excellence among weekly newspapers Saturday night, May 6, at the 2023 New England Newspaper & Press Association’s annual convention. The New England Better Newspaper competition included 2,000 entries this year in categories ranging from reporting to photography to general excellence.

For students in middle school, and for their parents, the question of “deleveling” classes at some grades has become a major debate. But the term—and the whole issue—can seem unfamiliar for residents who don’t currently have children enrolled in the schools.

A total of 949 of Harvard’s 4,603 registered voters (20.6%) participated in Tuesday’s election, arriving at the Bromfield cafeteria singly or in small groups throughout the day. A year ago only 281 voters cast ballots (6.3%), the lowest turnout in six years.

Harvard Celebration’s treasurer Vicki Bilafer received a check for $1,375 this week from Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. to help fund Celebration, the post-prom event for the Bromfield School.

From the moment Moderator Bill Barton gaveled this year’s Annual Town Meeting to order a few minutes past noon last Saturday, the meeting seemed poised to set a speed record. Even the persnickety microphone—which led to frequent calls of “We can’t hear you” to speakers—didn’t slow things down very much.

Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Bob O’Shea has been appointed interim director of recreation, effective May 1, a position he will hold through August.

Our "Warrant in Plain English" explains each article on the Town Meeting warrant in everyday language, highlighting the amount of money involved, its source, who will manage its use, whether the article affects your taxes, and—when less than obvious—the consequences of voting “yes” or “no.”

To understand the fiscal 2024 budget, which takes effect  July  1, requires a journey through the 2023 Annual Town Meeting booklet, including the well-written and detailed reports of the Finance, Capital, and Community Preservation committees as well as the warrant articles themselves.