Special commuter rail fare extended
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) has announced that the special $10 weekend commuter rail fare that it initiated in June will be extended to Dec. 9. The special rate is valid for unlimited travel through all zones on Saturdays and Sundays. The fare applies to customers ages 12 and older; paying adults may bring two children under age 12 free. For more details visit mbta.com.
Mandatory meeting for Camp Sunshine volunteers
For many years, Harvard has been sending volunteers to Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The camp will hold an informational meeting Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. Any student (16 years old by June 2019) who wishes to volunteer for a session this summer must attend this meeting accompanied by a parent or guardian. Even students who have previously volunteered at the camp must come to this meeting in order to re-apply. This year there will be representatives on hand to explain the fundraisers that will be held throughout the year. Students volunteering for Camp Sunshine must each pay $250, and these activities are good ways for attendees to raise that money.
‘Build Our Kids Success’ coming to HES
Build Our Kids Success (BOKS) is a before-school physical activity program sponsored by Reebok to support children’s physical, mental, and social well-being through movement. A pilot program will be offered Mondays and Thursdays, Oct. 11 through Nov. 15, 8 to 8:40 a.m., at the Hildreth Elementary School field and/or gymnasium. A nominal fee may be charged to cover expenses.
If your child would like to participate, contact program director Jason Cole at jcolejcole@gmail.com. BOKS depends on parent and community volunteers, so let us know if you are interested in volunteering.
Deadline for CPC grant applications is Oct. 11
The deadline for submitting applications for funding under the commonwealth’s Community Preservation Act is 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. Harvard’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will review these applications as candidates for funding in FY2020.
Community Preservation funds dedicate state and local monies to open space and recreation, historic preservation, and affordable housing initiatives. Applications and more detail can be found at www.harvard.ma.us/community-preservation-committee.
Deadlines for voter registrations and absentee ballots
There will be a Special Town Meeting held upstairs at Town Hall Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, at 7 p.m. The last day to register to vote in this Special Town Meeting is Friday, Oct. 12. The town clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
There will be a dual State and Special Town Election Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls will be open at the Bromfield School, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last day to register to vote in this election is Wednesday, Oct. 17. The town clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
Absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 election will be available in the town clerk’s office approximately 3 to 4 weeks before the election. The absentee ballot application may be found on the town website at www.harvard.ma.us/sites/harvardma/files/uploads/november_2018_absentee_ballot_application_0.pdf. You may vote in the clerk’s office or have the ballot mailed to you. Ballots may not be hand carried out of the office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, Nov. 5, at noon. If the ballot needs to be mailed, please apply early enough for mail delivery. The ballot must be received by the town clerk before the close of the polls on Nov. 6.
Early voting for the Nov. 6 election will be offered at Town Hall from Monday, Oct. 22, through Thursday, Nov. 1. A schedule of early voting dates and hours will be available soon
Please call the town clerk’s office at 978-456-4100 with any questions.
Children’s winter clothing wanted
Harvard Girl Scout Troop 41003 is collecting gently used children/small adult-sized winter outer wear (parkas, snow pants, boots, hats, mittens) for use by any students who need snow gear for recess at Hildreth Elementary School. There are two donation locations:
- Hildreth Elementary School (side door by second-floor staircase near gym)
- Harvard Public Library main lobby
No child should miss school recess because they don’t have snow gear!
