Harvard - Devens Jurisdiction Committee
Passage of Ballot Question #4 at the 2017 Town Elections directed the Board of Selectmen to “begin planning for and initiate discussions with appropriate parties with the goal of presenting a plan to the Town of Harvard voters to resume jurisdiction over the land presently part of Devens formerly under the jurisdiction of the Town of Harvard…”
Accordingly, the Harvard-Devens Jurisdiction Committee is charged with instituting a process for developing a plan to resume jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, the following tasks:
- Manage the process and timeline to collect and report additional information as requested by the Select Board;
- Provide status reports to the Select Board on at least a quarterly basis;
- Meet with Harvard Town Departments and Committees to review and seek input on Devens topics as set forth in the 2016 Master Plan;
- Meet with MassDevelopment and Devens Departments (particularly DPW, Fire and DEC) to review and seek input on Devens topics as set forth in the 2016 Master Plan;
- Hold periodic public meetings to inform and seek input from the general public, including Devens residents. It is recommended that an initial kick-off meeting be held to provide an overview of the findings in the 2016 Master Plan and proposed next steps;
- Upon the request by the Select Board prepare a draft “Request for Qualifications” for a planning consultant to assist in the development of a plan. An initial proposed scope of work is outlined in the attached draft RFQ, dated 12/11/17, and set forth in the 2016 Master Plan;
- Seek funds to underwrite the cost of consultant services;
- Following the issuance of the RFQ, review proposals and recommend a consultant firm to the Select Board; and
- Keep state legislators and MassDevelopment informed as work progresses.
The Committee, which will be appointed by the Select Board, shall be comprised of 7 Harvard and Devens residents and the Town Planner. Committee members will serve three-year terms with opportunity for re-appointment. Recommended appointees are:
- Two members of the Select Board
- One member of the Planning Board
- Members-at-Large: Five residents, at least one of whom lives on Devens.
It is recommended that the Committee be provided seed money in the amount of $5,000 to cover initial costs associated with preparing and disseminating documents such as the RFQ and grant applications.