Local News
We Want To Feature Holiday Light Displays By Ayer Residents
The Ayer News is looking to feature 2-3 holiday light displays set up by Ayer residents. We would love to come check out your holiday light display, take a few photos, ask a few questions and write a story to share with other residents. It’s special when you take time to decorate your home for…
Town of Ayer Faces Projected $1 Million Budget Shortfall
The Town of Ayer faces a projected shortfall of $1,011,707 in fiscal year 2027, according to the town management’s presentation to the Finance Committee on Thursday, Nov. 20th. These are preliminary numbers, as the town has not yet received its school assessments and other final costs. One of the biggest drivers may be employee health…
Mark Your Calendar: Town of Ayer Announces Holiday Events
The Town of Ayer has announced its holiday event lineup. Saturday, Dec. 6: On Dec. 6th, the Town of Ayer will host its Downtown Holiday Candlelight Stroll and Tree Lighting with Santa & Mrs. Claus and the Nashoba Valley Concert Band at Town Hall at 1 Main Street. 4:45 pm Sunday, Dec. 13: Join the…
Residents: Prioritize Senior Center in Community Development Block Grant Application
Fourteen residents filled the Ayer Town Hall meeting room on Wednesday, Nov. 19th and asked the town to prioritize the Senior Center building project in its upcoming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. The Ayer Community & Economic Development Office advertised a meeting/public hearing, which included a review of the town’s current FY2024 grant for…
In Ayer, Taking Out the Trash Will Cost Pretty Much the Same in 2026
The Ayer Select Board held its public hearing Tuesday night to set transfer station (solid waste) rates for the 2026 calendar year. The board raised annual vehicle sticker prices for most users, but left the price of the blue bags alone. This means the cost of disposing your trash should be similar to last year….
Fitchburg Road One Step Closer to Transition with Sewer Extension Grant
There have long been plans and visions for Fitchburg Road. Now, the state is investing in a sewer extension and change could really be ahead. On Nov. 7th, the Town of Ayer announced a $500,000 grant from the state’s Community One Stop Grant program. This will allow sewer to be extended further down Fitchburg Road,…
Next Tuesday: Residents Vote on Debt Exclusion And Whether to Authorize $11.55 Million in Borrowing for New Senior Center
The Town of Ayer will hold a Special Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4th for residents to vote on a debt exclusion for the proposed senior center project. This would allow for $11.55 million in borrowing, resulting in a $165 increase in the average tax bill for a 25-year borrowing term. The election will be held…
Town Meeting Approves Senior Center; $11.55 Million Debt Exclusion Heads to Ballot Election Next Week
(Oct. 27, 2025) – Special Town Meeting approved a $11.55 million debt exclusion to fund the senior center project last night. Now Ayer residents head to a ballot election on Tuesday, Nov. 4th. Voters approved all 10 articles at Special Town Meeting, which was held in the Ayer-Shirley Regional High School auditorium. The meeting began…
Town of Ayer Opens Rate Review Process for Fiscal Year 2027
The Town of Ayer has opened the rate review process for Fiscal Year 2027. Between now and next Spring, the Select Board will hold public hearings to set the rates we pay for property taxes, water, sewer, stormwater drainage and to use the transfer station. Most rates will take effect on July 1, 2026; transfer…
Planning Board Approves OSRD Plan Off Groton Harvard Road
The Ayer Planning Board voted 4-0 to approve the Lincoln Hills development on Oct. 14th, concluding a seven-month long public hearing process that upset many abutters and residents as they learned about the building density, stormwater requirements and anticipated noise levels during ledge grading. The developers of Lincoln Hills proposed the Open Space Residential Development…