This presidential election year, everybody seems to have a complaint about government. Either it’s doing too much, or not enough, or all the wrong things. And so it seems in Harvard sometimes, as town officials and residents wrangle over everything from holiday lights and unposted meetings to the future of town buildings in need of repair. But this year, Harvard residents have an unprecedented opportunity to look at what’s working and what’s not and take positive steps to make changes where needed. In April, voters at Town Meeting and then at Town Election will decide if either a town moderator-appointed committee or an elected charter commission should be convened to draft a town charter. (For a full analysis of the paths to either outcome, see the Feb. 5 Press.)
Both measures could fail, of course, and whether Harvard needs a charter is a question that will be debated by townspeople and explored on these pages. Nevertheless, residents with a serious interest in what gets written into a charter would do well to run for one of the nine charter commission positions that will open should the ballot question pass. Running is the only way to be seated at the table of an elected commission. And running could also be the best route to a place on a moderator-appointed committee should that option win the day.
That’s because the election of nine commissioners will be held and the ballots counted whether voters approve a commission or not. If Town Meeting and Town Election votes lead to a committee instead, the choice of its nine members will be in the hands of the town moderator, who, knowing the results of the contest for seats on the commission, will also know which candidates the voters favored to do that work. The will of the people is hard to ignore, and in choosing commission members, the moderator would likely consider some or all members of that slate.
In short, if you are among those who want to have a hand in determining the future of Harvard’s town government, now’s the time to pick up nomination papers for the charter commission at the town clerk’s desk at the old library on Fairbank Street. Then start gathering the required 27 signatures to add your name to the April 12 Town Election ballot. The deadline is March 8. Seize the day!
