(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
News
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
Ayer DPW Presents Capital Requests, Sharing Updates on PFAS, Road Work and Bridge Project
The Department of Public Works met with the Capital Planning Committee this week and presented its capital requests for the town’s highway, water, sewer and stormwater drainage needs.This was the Capital Planning Committee's second meeting of the budget cycle leading up to Annual Town Meeting next Spring. The committee picked up from Dec. 10th, when the town management … [Read more...] about Ayer DPW Presents Capital Requests, Sharing Updates on PFAS, Road Work and Bridge Project
Capital Planning Committee Holds First Meeting in FY2027 Budget Process
The Capital Planning Committee met on Wednesday night (Dec. 10th) and listened to the town management’s recommendations for capital spending in FY2027, which begins July 1, 2026. This was an overview, an initial presentation. Individual departments will appear before the committee over the next few weeks. About the Capital Planning Committee The Capital Planning Committee … [Read more...] about Capital Planning Committee Holds First Meeting in FY2027 Budget Process
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. On the Rate Review Committee’s recommendation, the Select Board … [Read more...] about In Ayer, Taking Out the Trash Will Cost Pretty Much the Same in 2026