Local News
Planning Board Approves 4-Story Mixed-Use Building on Park Street; 12 New Apartments, Commercial Space
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…
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…
Ayer-Shirley Regional School District Proposes 11.9 Percent Increase to Ayer’s Preliminary Assessment
(Feb. 3, 2026) – The Ayer-Shirley Regional School District superintendent met with the Ayer Select Board and Finance Committee on Tuesday night and presented a preliminary operating assessment & debt of $28.16 million for FY2027. This represents $3.24 million over the current year. The preliminary required local contribution for Ayer was $11.28 million. With transportation…
Committee Starts Reviewing Design Development Plans for New Senior Center
Now that voters have approved the financing, the Senior Center Site Selection/Building Committee is moving ahead in its work. The committee met on Jan. 29th and received the Design Development Plans from the architect. Three Phases Phase 1 was Schematic Design of the proposed senior center. This happened before the Special Town Meeting approval last…
Jan. 30, 2026 Newsletter Now Available
Read our Jan. 30, 2026 email newsletter in two formats: Check out the Jan. 30, 2026 newsletter on a web page. Jan. 30, 2026 newsletter PDF format (you can click on the links and buttons). We do not have email newsletter sign-up at this time. We invite you to follow Ayer News Facebook page at…
Feb. 3rd Public Hearing: Out-of-Town Sewer Extension Application to Old Ayer Road in Groton
The Ayer Select Board will conduct a public hearing on Feb. 3rd at 6:30 pm regarding an application to connect the Town of Ayer’s sewer system to 434 Old Ayer Road in Groton. If the Select Board votes to recommend the connection, this will be placed on the April 27th Annual Town Meeting warrant. Read the notice. …
Ayer Select Board Votes to Open Annual Town Meeting Warrant
(Jan. 20, 2026) – The Ayer Select Board voted 2-0 to open the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting on April 27, 2026. Here are the dates associated with the meeting: April 2, 2026: Deadline for all warrant articles (by noon). April 2, 2026: Deadline for all citizen’s petitions (by noon). The warrant will be…
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…
Select Board Votes to Open the Nomination Process for May 12th Annual Town Election
(Jan. 20, 2026) – The Select Board voted 2-0 to open the nomination process for the May 12th Annual Town Election. The vote was taken at the Jan. 20th Select Board meeting. The Town Clerk shared this list of open positions in the meeting materials and at the meeting: Feb. 27th update: Updated list. The…
Select Board Votes to Move Ahead on CDBG Grant for Senior Center Funding; COA Sends Thank You to the Community
(Jan. 20, 2026) – The Ayer Select Board voted this week to support the Ayer Office of Community & Economic Development in pursuing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to help fund construction of the new Senior Center project. Communities can seek up to $850,000 per project per year, the Community Development Program Manager said…