(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 is recommending the same stormwater drainage rates as this year. All three … [Read more...] about Rate Review Committee Recommends Water and Sewer Rate Increases; Maintains Same Stormwater Rate for Second Year
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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; 12 New Apartments, Commercial Space
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; 12 New Apartments, Commercial Space
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
Ayer-Shirley Regional School District Proposes 11.9 Percent Increase to Ayer’s Preliminary Assessment
(Feb. 3, 2026) - The Ayer-Shirley Regional School District superintendent met with the Ayer Select Board and Finance Committee on Tuesday night and presented a preliminary operating assessment & debt of $28.16 million for FY2027. This represents $3.24 million over the current year. The preliminary required local contribution for Ayer was $11.28 million. With … [Read more...] about Ayer-Shirley Regional School District Proposes 11.9 Percent Increase to Ayer’s Preliminary Assessment