Harvard - This is how the Harvard Press, an independent newspaper covering this town, described what the Police Department did on Sunday, Oct. 21: "There was no significant activity."

That summary was not a criticism of the police, but a reflection of what this Worcester County town is like - it's wealthy and peaceful.

"Harvard is the quintessential New England community with rolling hills, tree-lined roads, a town common, and a first-rate school system." said town administrator Timothy Bragan.

Harvards high school has consistently ranked among in the Globe rankings of MCAS test results, as it did in 2007 when it ranked first in both math and science results. Settled by Europeans in the mid 17th century, the town is known for its apple orchards but is now a bedroom community for executives working in Boston and along the I-495 high-tech industry. It is also homeof the fruit lands Museum, situated on 200 acres that provides glimpses into the history of utopian and native American Communities that once existed here.

On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 81 single-family homes, ranging from $277,000 for a two-bed, one-bath

Harvard

Miles from Boston 31

Population6,051 (2005)

Median price$538,500 (Jan-Sept.2007)

Property tax$7,315

TransportationRts 2,110,111,I-495

MICASAmong 293 systems, 10th-graders ranked first in English and first in math, according to a Globe analysis of 2007 Lorem ipsum eu mel denique deseruisse. Id duo tantas laoreet. Mucius fabulas an eum, esse possim vel in. Duis oporteat theophrastus mel no, eam ne idque menandri quaestio. Nostro deserunt intellegam mei ex, ad eam audire inciderint.

Census factsMedian family income is $119,352 compared with national rate of $50,046 and 65 percent held a bachelor's degree or higher compared with national rate of 24 percent.

Websiteharvard.ma.us

Q. I live in an attached town house where the walls are pretty thin, or at least allow sound to pass through readily. How can I soundproof them or reduce the flow of sound? Also, my son used Clorox to clean a refrigerator, and it left many rust spots. I tried using Glisten and it took off some of the spots but not all. What should I use?

A.Soundproofing a wall requires building a seperate wall a few inches from the existing wall. Expensive but probaly the best way to soundproof that wall. Reduce the flow of sound this way, and less expensively: Hang heavy draperies from the ceiling, a few inches from the wall. The draperies must be sealed at the ceiling. floor, and sides. Still another way is to glue sound-absorbing board to the existing wall.

Q. The air ducts in the attic are not sealed, and I am concerned that fiberglass insulation is filtering into the heating system. How can I prevent that?

A.Tape the joints with insulation tape or duct tape. Then wrap the ducts with 1-inch duct insulation.

Rember E. Lapp's Oct.21 query from Norwood about a buzzing sound in one room of his house? The Handyman had a few logical answers such as trees scraping against wires, an elerrical problem and others, but here is what he received from others who have had similar problems.

From Rose Sperry in an e-mail:Maybe it is not the wires or trees. Could it be bees? Have you ever heard a bee hum?

From Sumner Weisman of Framingham:I have another idea for E.Lapp. The same thing happens to me sometimes. I have forced warm air heating. When I have a heater vent that is 99 percent closed, it vibrates against the frame when the fan is running, creating that mysterious buzz. It drove me nuts until I figured it out.

From Diana Smith of Lincon:We also have that in our house and have lived in it since 1976. We always try to rember to tell house sitters so they don't freak out when it happens. Its a very loud buzzing, almost moaning noise, sort of like a giant bumble bee, that comes and goes in intensity. We think it might be a slightley curled shingle vibrating in the wind since our house was reshingled in the 1930's and the shingles are old. (it was built in1879.)

From Tx by e-mail:I have the exact same problem! Only in the bedroom - reminds me of an old Lionel train Transformer, intermittent as time goes on for about a month, then stops for a while. I have pulled the mainpanel switch, no relief. I have shut off water to the house and drained the system, no relief. Also shut off gass boiler, no relief. Still hear it when there is absoutely no wind. Will next try the soil-pipe suggestion next, but do not believe that is where the problem stems from. I hope you hear more from your readers about this situation.

Well Tx, the handyman certainly did hear from readers. And thank you all.

As for bees(or hornets), why didn't I think of them The fact that the sound is only in one room might confirm bees.

Bees can hibernate, but hornets will die out in cold weather.

Globe Handyman on Call Peter Hotton is also in the style section on Thursdays. He is available 1-6 P.M. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617- 929-2930. Hotton also chats online about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. To participate, go to Boston.com Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe.com.