(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 about 1:50 pm, a few minutes before Town Hall usually closes. The statement was shared on the town website about 2:15 pm. But the incident reportedly occurred a day earlier, at approximately 10 am on Thursday. There were no reports of bodily injury.
According to the town’s public statement, there was an Ayer Fire Department Detail on-scene at the time, as required during blasting, and they reported the incident. Members of the Ayer Fire and Police Departments responded to investigate, along with the State Fire Marshal office.
In addition to the State Fire Marshal’s order, the Town of Ayer also issued a “Stop Work” order for the entire project until further notice. In coming days, the Town Manager and public safety chiefs will be meeting with the developer and its contractors to address ongoing safety and traffic concerns.
The Town of Ayer’s Planning Board approved the Lincoln Hills subdivision on October 14th. The 34-unit condominium development was approved as an Open Space Residential Development (OSRD) on 13.67 acres off Groton Harvard Road and High Street, which is a short walk to the MBTA. The developer agreed to keep about 8 acres open (including about an acre to be used for stormwater drainage development) and in turn, received a density bonus, allowing them to build the maximum number of units on a small area.
All along, residents have attempted to speak up and advocate for themselves, about the blasting and other safety and development concerns. Residents started out just trying to figure out what was happening because the developer and property owners combined lots in A2 zoning (single-family and duplexes). In doing so, the developer accumulated enough land to submit under OSRD zoning and build 34 units. Previously, two of the lots had vacant single family houses; the rest of the land was vacant, according to the Oct. 14th site plan approval. We’re not sure of the current status of those houses. The property also had ledge.
After the Planning Board approval in October, the developer notified residents just before Christmas there would be a Dec. 30th meeting at Town Hall where they could learn about the blasting work.
Blasting was allowed to begin on Jan. 7th. We covered the Jan. 13th Planning Board meeting as two residents waited through a long meeting to share comments. Other residents have shared frustration and updates about when blasting is scheduled to happen on social media.
Jan. 13, 2026: Ayer Planning Board Shown Lincoln Hill Blasting Video, Talks Oversized Vehicles with Police Chief