Select Board approves encroachment agreements, supports housing choice designation
Select Board · Meeting of February 18, 2026
Harvard Select Board unanimously approves Ayer Road encroachment agreements and housing choice designation. The board confronted a $396,754 FY27 budget deficit after cost-cutting on both school and municipal sides, with health insurance costs rising 6.65 percent as the most volatile line item. Town Administrator Dan Nason and Assistant Town Administrator Dawn Dunbar presented potential cuts including the unfilled Finance Receptionist position, reduced Planner hours, and a $30,000 public buildings expense reduction, while the board prioritized establishing a dedicated Economic Development Director position with full $50,000 Planner funding retained.
Override scenarios ranging from approximately $181,000 to $650,000 in additional tax revenue remain under discussion, with the board focused on clear public messaging about service consequences and long-term revenue generation beyond Proposition 2½ constraints.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 327 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of February 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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