Lifestyle

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

(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

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…

(Please note: on Feb. 24th, we updated our coverage to reflect that the committee voted to raise the sewer rate by 4 percent, not 5). (Feb. 10, 2026) – The Rate Review Committee has voted to recommend a 3 percent increase on water rates and 4 percent on sewer rates for FY2027. Meanwhile, the committee…

(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…

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…

(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…