Montachusett Regional Planning Commission to Submit Grant Proposal
Director of the MRPC Shelly Hatch updated the selectmen on beginning steps to submit a regional grant application for the towns of Harvard, Lancaster, Westminster, and Shirley for use in recent, ongoing, or future projects related to housing rehabilitation or preventing housing foreclosure. As part of the grant process, the selectmen will host an open forum Dec. 10 at 7:30, in the Town Hall meeting room.
Harvard Village Ad Hoc 40B Submits Action Document
On behalf of the Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Ad Hoc Committee, South Shaker Road resident Mark Mikitarian submitted to the selectmen a “specific action” document. Among the committee’s requests were clarification as to whether the committee is charged with exploring alternative uses of the property, a request for a copy of the formal site valuation prepared by Mass Housing as well as an independent valuation of the site by the town, written confirmation from Ayer’s Board of Selectmen that they will support Harvard’s request to not allow connection to Ayer’s water and sewer systems, and an opinion as to whether advice from town counsel would constitute a conflict of interest if counsel would be working with the Zoning Board of Appeals in the future.
SPED Audit Committee in Phase Two
Selectman Bob Eubank reported that the Special Education Audit Committee is preparing a second version of the request for proposal (RFP), with the goal of having it sent out to prospective auditors by mid-to-late November. He noted that there is a fair amount of skepticism as to the number of responses that committee will receive, and he pointed out that “people are wary of the political climate in Harvard.”
Energy Assistance Applications Available Online
Town Administrator Tim Bragan announced that applications are now available for assistance with heating costs. The Harvard Energy Assistance Team (HEAT) provides grants to help cover the cost of heating bills for low-income households. With the current high energy costs, Bragan anticipates that there will be more need than in the past, and he added that the fund will be welcoming donations.
Selectman to Explore Safety Program
In response to the recent student injury on Littleton Road, Selectman Tim Clark said that he plans to look into the “Safe Routes to School” program, a national program that provides funding to support the development of safe roads and walkways for children traveling to and from school. Clark pointed out that the “Safe Routes” program would support many of the goals already set out in the Town Center Master Plan and said he hopes that it may help to facilitate improvements to pedestrian safety in Harvard.
Robert Blanck Appointed to Pond Committee
The selectmen voted unanimously to appoint resident Robert Blanck to the Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee.
