The Christmas Light Show begins tonight at an East Main Street home near the Ayer Rotary. As in past years, the home is decorated in a beautiful light display that flashes a spread of colors to a musical lineup. One minute you’re in everyday Ayer and the next, it’s just, “Wow.” The light display shows…

Here is a link to our Ayer News Newsletter for Feb. 26, 2026: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1893221/emails/180138761912321454

In his professional life, Peter Kush has worked to support residents in finding safe, stable and affordable housing. A Worcester native, he graduated from Clark University. He has held housing positions at the South Worcester Neighborhood Center, the Worcester Housing Authority and currently works as a housing coordinator for the Genesis Club in Worcester. Peter…

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…

(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…

Written by Sara Withee (Feb. 20, 2026) – A month after nominations opened, five residents have returned the paperwork to run for local office in May, according to a list released by the Ayer Town Clerk’s office. The annual town election will be held on May 12, 2026. Meanwhile, there are 12 open seats, including…

Town of Ayer’s Health Insurance Costs Come in Lower Than Expected for FY2027, Read. Check out other articles: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1893221/emails/179873215180440811

Next week, on Tuesday, Feb. 24th, the Planning Board is scheduled to open a public hearing related to 63 Main Street. The applicant is seeking site plan approval for construction of a four-story building with one commercial unit and 11 residential units. The special permit application is related to an off-site parking request. The plans…

(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…

Updates from the week: Where the Ayer-Shirley Regional School District Budget Stands, Read. Read about our Candidates Page 2026 project, Read. Rate Review Committee Recommends Increases to Water and Sewer Rates, While Keeping Stormwater Rate Level, Read. State Fire Marshal Orders No Further Blasting on Lincoln Hill Project Pending Investigation, Read.

(Feb. 11th) – The Ayer-Shirley Regional School District has now made preliminary budget presentations to both the Ayer and Shirley Select Boards. On Feb. 3rd, the school district met with the Ayer Select Board, Finance Committee and Town Manager, presenting a preliminary budget reflecting an 11.9 percent increase in Ayer’s operating assessment & debt and…