Overview Questions | Town of Harvard MA

What is a Charter and why doesn't Harvard currently have one?
1. A Charter defines the structure and functions of the town’s government, like a Constitution for the Town. The Charter Commission was established and elected in 2016 to explore whether Harvard would benefit from a Charter.
2. Towns incorporated before adoption of the Commonwealth's Constitution were not required to create a formal Charter--Harvard's case. Provisions to create a Charter are provided by Massachusetts General Laws.
Why does the Town of Harvard need a Charter now?
1. The Commission found inconsistencies between policy and actual operations in town government. The Charter consolidates and brings administrative clarity, consistency, and comprehensiveness to town government.
What will change if we adopt this Charter?
1. The Select Board is asked to develop a Strategic Plan taking into account the Ten-Year Master Plan, Capital Investment Plan, and the Finance Committee's Five-Year Plan.
2. The Select Board creates a budget and policies to support the Strategic Plan with the Town Administrator’s assistance and requests from all boards, committees, and town departments.
3. Certain Boards and Commissions, previously elected, will be appointed by the Select Board and charged with supporting its policies and initiatives. Some board appointments require a super-majority vote of the Select Board: Planning Board, Board of Health, Cemetery Commission, Community Preservation Committee, Historical Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, and Tree Warden.
What will remain the same if we adopt this Charter?
1. Harvard will remain a 'Direct Democracy' with all significant decisions brought before the open Annual Town Meeting for vote by citizens.
2. The Select Board will be elected as before with staggered 3-year terms and it will continue to be the Town's chief executive, directing the actions of the Town Administrator's Office.
3. The School Committee, Moderator, Warner Free Lecture Trustees, and Library Trustees will continue to be elected.
How will the role of the Select Board be altered if the Charter is adopted?
1. The Charter reaffirms the authority of the Select Board. The following specifics will afford the Select Board greater opportunity to provide the necessary leadership:
2. At the outset of each fiscal year, the Select Board will prepare a Strategic Plan that:
  1. Defines the Town's Vision - including emerging issues and opportunities;
  2. Considers the current Ten-Year Master Plan, the Capital Investment Plan, Finance Committee Five-Year Plan, and citizen inputs in developing the Strategic Plan;
  3. Identifies and assigns the Planning initiatives required to accomplish that Vision;
  4. Develops an outline of Policy options;
  5. Projects revenue and expenses associated with implementing the Strategic Plan in the Town Budget.
3. Over the course of the fiscal year the Select Board will:
  1. Direct, coordinate, and provide resources to the Town Administrator, staff, and town agencies in their performance of various planning, policy, and budgeting activities;
  2. Support members of all Town agencies;
  3. Recruit and appoint members of unelected Town agencies;
  4. As necessary, form agencies to address issues not otherwise covered.
4. At Annual Town Meeting the Select Board will report on the State of the Town:
  1. Presenting operating and capital budgets supporting planning initiatives and proposed policies;
  2. Reporting on the status of the Strategic Plan describing current and anticipated actions, issues, and opportunities.
Will the Charter strengthen Harvard's ability to realize opportunities afforded by Devens?
1. Yes. With expanded responsibility for the budget, the Select Board will become increasingly sensitive to the revenue benefits and costs - of reacquisition.
2. Yes. Operating as a team, the various Boards and Commissions will be able to articulate and reconcile their policy differences, and subsequently coordinate their efforts evaluating the reacquisition of Devens.
3. Yes. The Select Board will assess the need for professional expertise to define and execute a deal with Mass Development.
Why does the Charter make the Selectmen responsible for the budget?
1. As the Town's Executive, the Select Board must align the Town's Budget with its Vision.
How will the Charter help the Town increase revenue and control costs?
1. Along with the responsibility for realizing the Town's Vision, the Select Board will pursue sources of revenue to supplement the residential property tax. With the Select Board responsible for the overall operating budget, they will recognize the impact of their actions and be responsible for controlling associated costs.
Why are most boards appointed by the Select Board under the Charter?
1. The Select Board - like Executive authorities in other towns - can better foster collaboration and resolve jurisdictional disputes if it has an integrated team.
Why can't the Annual Town Meeting deliberate and vote on the Charter?
1. Ballot approval is mandated. The provisions governing the creation and adoption of a Charter provide for citizen input during the 18 month period prior to voting.
2. The proposed Charter has been reviewed by the State Attorney General. Amending it at Town Meeting would risk its legality. There is no provision for Annual Town Meeting consideration.
What happens if the Charter doesn’t pass?
1. Town government would continue unchanged, unless:
2. The Select Board voluntarily adopts procedures similar to those proposed in the Charter;
3. Warrant articles similar to those proposed are adopted by Annual Town Meeting.
What happens if implementation of the Charter has negative consequences?
1. By statute, the Charter must be revisited at least every 10 years. It can be changed at that time or more frequently at the Annual Town Meeting.