Ayer News

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Community Foundation Commits $500,000 to Expand Free Student Financial Aid Advising in North Central Mass

Over the next five years, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts plans a new $500,000 investment to help local students and families navigate the complex financial aid process for higher education and access more affordable pathways.This investment will make our region the first in Massachusetts where every high school has coordinated access to expert financial … [Read more...] about Community Foundation Commits $500,000 to Expand Free Student Financial Aid Advising in North Central Mass

Ayer-Shirley Regional High School Moves Forward With Football Team Transition

The Ayer-Shirley Regional School Committee recently learned a few more details about the high school football team’s transition. If you're not familiar with the schools, it's the Ayer-Shirley Panthers. On Jan. 21st, the school committee met and voted to approve entering into a high school football co-op with Littleton, with Ayer-Shirley as the host community. This vote was … [Read more...] about Ayer-Shirley Regional High School Moves Forward With Football Team Transition

Recommendation is for Ayer Town Meeting to Replenish $500K in UDAG Borrowing Related to Senior Center

We are sharing a point about the Ayer Senior Center project from the Town Meeting process. Fall 2025The Town of Ayer presented voters with a $15.1 million proposal to build a new senior center on Bishop Road in Fall 2025. On October 27th 2025, at Special Town Meeting, voters approved debt exclusion borrowing up to $11.55 million. Voters also approved the borrowing at a … [Read more...] about Recommendation is for Ayer Town Meeting to Replenish $500K in UDAG Borrowing Related to Senior Center

Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Awards $200,000 in Community Health Grants for Nashoba Valley

The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts has awarded $200,000 in grants to community health projects with a goal of improving access to medical care and behavioral health care in Nashoba Valley. This announcement was shared March 20th on the organization's Facebook page. The grants come from the Nashoba Valley Health Care Fund, which was established in 2006 … [Read more...] about Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Awards $200,000 in Community Health Grants for Nashoba Valley

Ayer Police Department Presents FY2027 Budget at Finance Committee Meeting

(March 19, 2026) - The Ayer Police Department presented its FY2027 budget to the Finance Committee, which represents a 2.57 percent increase over 2026 (or about $81,000). More important than the numbers, we think it's a good opportunity for residents to watch as the public safety departments present to the Finance Committee. You can learn about our community in a way that … [Read more...] about Ayer Police Department Presents FY2027 Budget at Finance Committee Meeting

Senior Center Project Update; Utility Costs Come in Under Budget While Planning Moves Ahead

The Select Board received a short update on the Senior Center building project Tuesday night. The COA Director shared the update, with a building committee member and the DPW Director joining her at the meeting table. Here are a few points: Project Numbers. The COA Director shared the working budget for the project. The project estimate was $15.1 million at Special Town … [Read more...] about Senior Center Project Update; Utility Costs Come in Under Budget While Planning Moves Ahead

New West Main Street Bridge Will Be a 28-Foot Span, With Bike Lanes and Sidewalks

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

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