The Harvard Press

09/19/2026

Harvard Park rounds into form, as track, bicycling loop take shape

According to Recreation Director Anne McWaters, the McCurdy Track renovation is close to completion, and the beginner loop of the bicycle pump track has been constructed and is open, as reported at the Sept. 14 Park and Recreation Commission meeting.

Photo: Opening day at the Harvard Pump Track had a large turnout and lots of smiles for miles. Trail one is complete and open to the public. From left to right: Roger Cameron, Todd Currie, Chris Fitzgerald. (Courtesy photo)

https://harvardpress.com/2026/09/harvard-park-rounds-into-form-as-track-bicycling-loop-take-shape/

09/18/2026

Select Board seeks to keep DPW facilities and Transfer Station on Depot Road

The Select Board on Tuesday chose to narrow its focus to two of the five options for the future of the town’s Department of Public Works facility and Transfer Station. It also authorized the town administrator to hire an owner’s project manager, and confirmed dates for public hearings during which Harvard residents will have two opportunities to learn more about the Depot Road property and provide feedback.

https://harvardpress.com/2026/09/select-board-seeks-to-keep-dpw-facilities-and-transfer-station-on-depot-road/

09/17/2026

After a decade of negotiations and legal issues, the Harvard Conservation Trust has acquired just over 46 acres of rocky ridges and wetlands along the town border with Boxborough. Both Gina Ashe, the president of Harvard Conservation Trust, and trustee Marc Sevigny gave much of the credit for the acquisition to Tom Cotton, who is also a trustee. “Tom has worked on this land deal for years,” Ashe told the Press. The transfer was completed Aug. 27.

https://harvardpress.com/2026/09/conservation-trust-acquires-coveted-land-on-boxborough-border/

09/11/2026

Historical Commission rejects sculpture proposal at Fivesparks

The Harvard Historical Commission voted 4–1 Wednesday night to deny Fivesparks permission to install three modern steel sculptures on the grounds of the former library at 7 Fairbank Street, in the town’s historic district. The decision came after a public hearing that drew dozens of participants and heard competing arguments over both the appropriateness of the artwork and the commission’s authority to regulate.

Arts & Culture News·News Historical Commission rejects sculpture proposal at Fivesparks September 11, 2026 by Julie Gowel The Harvard Historical Commission voted 4–1 Wednesday night to deny Fivesparks permission to install three modern steel sculptures on the grounds of the former library at 7 Fa...

09/10/2026

A celestial coincidence in Spain

Bromfield 10th-grader Maxwell Weiss had been settled into his eclipse viewing spot in the foothills of Parque de la Candamia in Léon, Spain, for a couple of hours. The moon had begun its traverse. People were still filling in along the walking trail that the Weiss family of Warren Avenue had scouted out the night before—a vista with no trees, mountains, or buildings to obstruct the astronomical event that was happening low in the sky on Aug. 11. As totality–the point at which the moon obscures the sun–approached, two women sat down next to the Weisses. Max glanced over, and then did a double take: “Profe?”

“Max?”

https://harvardpress.com/2026/09/a-celestial-coincidence-in-spain/

09/08/2026

Depot Road remains top choice for Transfer Station, DPW as landfill options advance

Harvard’s Transfer Station and Department of Public Works facilities will remain on Depot Road, according to the options Town Administrator Dawn Dunbar laid out for the Select Board at their meeting on Tuesday evening, Sept. 1. Additionally, retaining the Transfer Station, as opposed to town-wide trash collection, remained a priority for Dunbar as an option for dealing with the state requirements to officially cap and close the landfill. All plans remain subject to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection mandates.

Government·News Depot Road remains top choice for Transfer Station, DPW as landfill options advance September 4, 2026 by Julie Gowel Harvard’s Transfer Station and Department of Public Works facilities will remain on Depot Road, according to the options Town Administrator Dawn Dunbar laid out for...

09/05/2026

‘The trophy is staying home’: Harvard wins 99th annual Wachusett Fire Truck Muster

They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Well, where there are teams of local fire departments competing in high-spirited fire-service races using their oldest firetrucks, there’s a muster. And in this year’s muster, the hometown hosts were the victors.

Photo: Competitors from the Harvard Fire Department, from left, Bill Barton, Frank deBettencourt, and Christopher Tse race with hoses in the pump relay at the 99th annual Wachusett Fire Truck Muster held on Still River Road, Aug. 30. Six towns competed in six events that tested their endurance, technical skills, and teamwork. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

https://harvardpress.com/2026/09/the-trophy-is-staying-home-harvard-wins-99th-annual-wachusett-fire-truck-muster/

09/04/2026

Harvard voters back Markey, Minogue for November ballot

Out of 4,883 registered voters in Harvard, 1,458 cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election, according to preliminary accounts. Voters selected the incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey to run against unopposed Republican candidate John Deaton and Michael Minogue to challenge Gov. Maura Healey in the Nov. 3 general election.

Government·News Harvard voters back Markey, Minogue for November ballot September 4, 2026 by Valerie Hurley Out of 4,883 registered voters in Harvard, 1,458 cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election, according to preliminary accounts. Voters selected the incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey to run a...

09/02/2026

The most recent cost estimates for replacing the Bromfield School’s problem-plagued heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system are substantially higher than expected. The School Committee discussed that unwelcome news at its Monday meeting this week. Superintendent Dana Labb had prepared a request for the Capital Planning and Investment Committee, asking for nearly $28.3 million for the project in fiscal years 2028 and 2029. That amount is roughly double last year’s estimate, mainly because the new figures include the cost of replacing Bromfield’s roof as well as the cost of the new HVAC equipment itself.

News·School News Price tag tops $28 million for new HVAC system, roof at Bromfield August 27, 2026 by Marty Green The most recent cost estimates for replacing the Bromfield School’s problem-plagued heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system are substantially higher than expected. The Schoo...

09/01/2026

The Harvard Historical Commission will hold a public hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 2, to vote on a proposal to install three large sculptures on the grounds of Fivesparks at 7 Fairbank Street, after town counsel determined the commission has jurisdiction over the project.

https://harvardpress.com/2026/08/historical-commission-to-hear-fivesparks-sculpture-proposal/