(June 19, 2026) – The Ayer Select Board will meet next Wednesday to discuss the West Main Street Bridge project, according to a meeting notice posted to the town website.
According to the meeting notice, the Select Board will meet in executive session, under the provision of G.L. c. 30A, sec. 21(a)(6) to consider “the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property.” They will discuss the negotiating position of the Select Board – Property of Sullivan Investment Trust, West Main Street, Ayer, Massachusetts (Assessor’s Map 25-11).
The board will then reconvene in open session to approve a warrant for a Special Town Meeting to be held on July 13, 2026, according to the meeting agenda.
This past week, a man spoke during public input at the Select Board meeting and identified himself as a trustee of an investment trust that owns property on both sides of the West Main Street Bridge. This is the one on Nonacoicus Brook, which the Town of Ayer is working to replace and build. He said the investment trust owns the billboard near the bridge.
He spoke about access issue concerns. The trust learned the land was being used without permission on April 23, he said. On April 24, the trust notified the town, posted no trespassing signs and requested contractors be kept off the property due to liability exposure.
He said on May 14th, the town confirmed in writing that contractors had been told to stay off the property until the access issues were resolved. He said the trust had been working with the Town Manager and DPW Director.
There had been discussions about addressing the trust’s concerns through a memorandum of understanding, then a licensing agreement, he said. He explained neither would meet the trust’s needs and there was mention of an easement.