The Town of Ayer plans to start the West Main Street Bridge replacement soon. Take a mental snapshot now because the bridge and road are about to take on a different appearance in years to come. First, we are writing about the West Main Street Bridge over Nonacoicus Brook, which stands near the billboard, about a half-mile from Devens and near the Ayer Fire Department. This is … [Read more...] about New West Main Street Bridge Will Be a 28-Foot Span, With Bike Lanes and Sidewalks
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Ayer Select Board Receives Update on FY2027 Capital Plan
(March 3, 2026) - The Select Board received an update on the town’s FY2027 Capital Plan at Tuesday’s meeting. The Capital Planning Committee has met over the past few months to review requests and approve the final plan. We do not have a list of recommendations to share. Rather, the town management presented the Select Board with highlights and noted the committee did not … [Read more...] about Ayer Select Board Receives Update on FY2027 Capital Plan
CPC Requests: Ayer Affordable Housing Trust and Sandy Pond School
The Community Preservation Committee will host public hearings next Wednesday, on March 4th, related to two funding requests. The Ayer Affordable Housing Trust has made a request to continue its rental assistance for Ayer residents. Then, the Sandy Pond School House Association is seeking $25,000 for an HVAC system, which would allow the association to hold year-round programs … [Read more...] about CPC Requests: Ayer Affordable Housing Trust and Sandy Pond School
Planning Board Learns About New Building Proposed in Downtown Ayer
(Feb. 24, 2026) – A developer presented plans for a new four-story building with 11 apartments and a small commercial space in downtown Ayer this week. The Planning Board opened the public hearing for 63 Main Street, where the applicant is seeking site plan approval and a special permit for off-site parking. The project falls in the Downtown/Park Street Form-Based Code … [Read more...] about Planning Board Learns About New Building Proposed in Downtown Ayer
Town of Ayer’s Health Insurance Costs Come in Lower Than Expected for FY2027
(Feb. 17, 2026) - The Town of Ayer has learned its health insurance costs will rise by 6.2 percent in FY2027, a much lower-than-expected increase, according to the Select Board meeting video from Tuesday. The health insurance increase will add about $161,688 to the budget, much less than the 20 percent - or $500,000 increase - the town projected last November. After this … [Read more...] about Town of Ayer’s Health Insurance Costs Come in Lower Than Expected for FY2027
State Fire Marshal Orders No Further Blasting on Lincoln Hill Project Pending Investigation
(Feb. 6, 2026) - The State Fire Marshal has ordered no further blasting related to the Lincoln Hill project, pending completion of an investigation into a large "flying rock" discharging onto a residential property, damaging a shed, according to the Town of Ayer. The Town of Ayer issued a statement on Friday, Feb. 6th. This was posted to the Town of Ayer's Facebook page at … [Read more...] about State Fire Marshal Orders No Further Blasting on Lincoln Hill Project Pending Investigation
Planning Board Approves 4-Story Mixed-Use Building on Park Street
In 2019, Town Meeting voted to approve the Downtown/Park Street Form-Based Code zoning district. Now, the Planning Board has approved what could be the first major project: a four-story mixed-use building, with commercial space and parking on the first floor and 12 residential units on the higher levels. The Planning Board voted on Jan. 27th to grant the site plan approval … [Read more...] about Planning Board Approves 4-Story Mixed-Use Building on Park Street
Capital Planning Committee Holds on Sandy Pond Beach House Project Until Design Plans Come In
(Feb. 4, 2026) – Over the past two weeks, the Capital Planning Committee has met twice and considered the Sandy Pond Beach House replacement project as part of its agenda. This week, committee members said they support the project, but it is difficult to move ahead without having design plans and a budget. “I’m just being very mindful of the taxpayer,” the committee chair … [Read more...] about Capital Planning Committee Holds on Sandy Pond Beach House Project Until Design Plans Come In
Residents Learned More on PFAS in January
There have been two updates related to PFAS improvements and remediation shared during public meetings in Ayer this month. ClearwellThe DPW has been working on a Clearwell Storage Tank and Finished Pumping Station to mitigate water pumping capacity issues caused by the Grove Pond PFAS Treatment Plant. On Jan. 20th, the DPW Director appeared before the Select Board and … [Read more...] about Residents Learned More on PFAS in January
First Draft of Town Budget Filed for FY2027; Questions Remain on Health Insurance, Regional School Assessment Costs
Ayer-Shirley Regional School District Assessment Expected on Feb. 3rd Jan. 20, 2026 - The Select Board received an update on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget at this week’s meeting, which was held on Tuesday, Jan. 20th. Draft 1, dated Jan. 16th, is now posted on the Town of Ayer's website. The $21.18 million budget proposal represents a 5.8 percent increase over the current … [Read more...] about First Draft of Town Budget Filed for FY2027; Questions Remain on Health Insurance, Regional School Assessment Costs