Ayer boards set bridge easement vote, school contracts, and tax commitments in busy week
Ayer town boards and committees covered a wide agenda in the final week of June, with the Select Board scheduling a July 13 special town meeting to seek voter authorization for easements tied to the West Main Street Bridge Project, and the Ayer Shirley Regional School District Committee set to vote on three union contracts and more than $2.2 million in warrants. All meetings listed below are reflected by agendas only; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.
Select Board — July 13 special town meeting warrant
The Select Board met June 24 and was scheduled to approve the warrant for a July 13 special town meeting. Voters will be asked whether to authorize the board to acquire permanent and temporary easements along Nonacoicus Brook for the West Main Street Bridge Project, including through eminent domain. The warrant also seeks approval to grant a billboard easement on a town-owned parcel listed as Assessor's Map 26-31.
The board also planned an executive session to negotiate the purchase or lease of a Sullivan Investment Trust property on West Main Street.
Ayer Shirley Regional School District — union contracts and warrants
The School District Committee met July 2 and was scheduled to vote on three collective bargaining agreements covering 2026 through 2029: the Clerical Contract, the Custodial Contract, and the Paraprofessional Contract.
The consent agenda included multiple warrants: AP Warrant 1178 at $2,085.65, AP Warrant 1179 at $16,979.39, AP Warrant 1180 at $1,096,630.71, and Payroll Warrants totaling $1,139,261.99. An executive session was scheduled to discuss a matter involving the reputation, character, or discipline of an individual.
Board of Assessors — preliminary tax commitments
On July 1, the Board of Assessors was scheduled to review and approve the Motor Vehicle and Trailer Abatement Report for June, Real Estate and Personal Property commitments for Preliminary Q1 and Q2 bills, and Community Preservation Act commitments for Preliminary Q1 and Q2 bills.
Conservation Commission — Orion Park Drive hearing continued
The Conservation Commission met June 25 to continue a public hearing on a roadway extension and stormwater system at Orion Park Drive, filed by Sawyer May, LLC. The commission also reviewed a Request for Determination regarding vegetation clearing and landscaping at 50 Deer Run.
Senior Center Site Selection Building Committee — permits and grants
On June 24, the Senior Center Building Committee was scheduled to hear updates on permitting, including water and Comcast lines, Planning Board review, and MEPA/MESA compliance. Grant updates covered the Community Development Block Grant and Municipal ADA programs. The committee also reviewed design and cost estimates and was set to vote on a vendor invoice packet.
Planning Board — June 23 meeting cancelled
The Planning Board's June 23 meeting was cancelled. The agenda contained only procedural boilerplate. The next meeting is scheduled for July 14.
Coming up
- **Historical Commission, July 7:** Discussion of the Woodlawn Cemetery Cannon Preservation project, an Oral History Project update, a Community Preservation Committee update, and planning for the Newton Street Festival.
- **Council on Aging Board, July 14:** Review of recommendations from the National Institute of Senior Center Assessment, election of 2027 board officers, and review of director's reports for April, May, and June 2026.
- **Planning Board, July 14:** Next regular meeting following the June 23 cancellation.
- **Special Town Meeting, July 13:** Voters will act on the West Main Street Bridge Project easements and the billboard easement warrant approved by the Select Board.
Earlier weeks
- week of 2026-06-29 — Ayer School Union Contracts, Bridge Project Warrant on Recent Agendas; Minutes Pending
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.