Devens residents located expecting they would create a community. At first I did not envision starting a town. I thought that Harvard would treat us as there citizens and fiercely fight to make sure we felt included and appreciated. As time went by and all I heard was money and whether we were worth including as citizens. The final straw was the absolute block to have our kids educated in Harvard schools. Only after negotiating a per pupil cost far above present $'s per student did Harvard relent and let SOME of our kids attend. What do I think of how I have been treated? I have been treated as an outsider which I feel is common among Devens residents. The first time I tried to vote in Harvard I was told I was not registered. I was told to leave the line. I sought out the Town Clerk. After a fashion it was realized that Devens residents were in a special section in the back of the book. I remember thinking, mmm back of the book or is it BUS? guess we might contaminate the natives.
The depth of our differences are huge and I cannot ever imagine feeling like I belong in Harvard. I know that am a proud Devens resident. Does Harvard really want a growing population of outsiders messing with their town. I do not want to messy with Harvard but if forces into unwanted inclusion I most likely will. I quess you call it civil disobedience.

The following article released today on a report by the Federal Reserve indicates Massachusetts has lost 2000 people in the last 3 years primarily due to high housing costs.

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_4573790

The question asked was appropriate when Devens initially closed and that regarded jobs ... but that question is no longer relevant as most if not all the jobs have been replaced. Not only the region but the entire Commonwealth requires a better and competitive housing plan. There are numerous studies that have indicated that jobs are leaving Massachusetts due to the high cost of housing and there isn't "one" study that states we have a reasonably priced housing environment. This is a State and Region decision as much as a local decision.

This is not an "either/or" question. As a business owner at Devens, I've found the lack of affordable housing in the area to be a detriment in attracting employees. It is my opinion that the increased housing numbers negotiated under 2B will increase the job development potential of Devens.

The issues of homes and jobs cannot be divided! The plan for Devens (2B) offered both.