By Sara Withee
(Aug. 31, 2026) – After this week’s vote on Flock, the Ayer Select Board received an update on articles being developed for the Fall Special Town Meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 26th, 2026.
The Select Board meeting packet included a list of 11 articles being developed for Special Town Meeting. During the meeting, the town management mentioned all the article titles, but two articles received a little more attention.
Tree Preservation Bylaw. The Conservation Agent said language is being developed for a tree preservation bylaw. She shared a brief presentation and noted this will affect work areas related to Site Plan, Stormwater and Open Space Residential Development permitting. The agent noted the bylaw will not impact individual homeowners.
As she spoke, a slide presentation went up on the screen, showing the next step would be to ask the Select Board to consider a Warrant Article for the Oct. 26, 2026 Fall Special Town Meeting.
A Planning Board member spoke after the agent and asked about public outreach to share more information. The Town Manager said this has gone through an interdepartmental review and town counsel is now doing a legal review. He also said the language will be included in the Sept. 15th meeting packet and that he had discussed public outreach with the conservation agent. This was also called a general bylaw during the meeting.
The Land Use Director/Planner also attended and presented a proposed zoning bylaw amendment, which would add two new definitions to the zoning bylaw one related to Acquifer Protection Zone and one for Impervious Surfaces.
The Select Board voted 3-0 to refer the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment to the Planning Board for a public hearing on Sept. 8th, 2026 (Source: Town of Ayer’s Select Board Meeting Highlights page.)
Four DPW Articles. There are four articles being developed by the DPW related to the water and wastewater enterprise funds, including one related to receipt of funds from a food manufacturer who is pursuing infrastructure upgrades.
Community Preservation Fund Request to Build an Ayer Dog Park Shade Structure
The Select Board voted to authorize a letter of support to the Community Preservation Committee to request funds for a shade shelter structure. This process requires the Community Preservation Commitee to hold a public hearing before Special Town Meeting. We will write another article.
Two Articles We Mentioned
Tree Preservation Bylaw
Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Section 2.2, Definitions – Acquifer Protection Overlay District
General Bylaw Amendment – Prohibition of Crypto Currency Machines
The police chief and deputy police chief are working to develop a bylaw.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Moratorium and Prohibition on Data Centers
The town is working on bylaw language to establish a moratorium and prohibition on data centers to give the town more time for long term planning.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Affordable Housing AMI
There had been potential to propose a zoning bylaw related to affordable housing, but a study is required and the town may not have time to do this.
Street Acceptance – Kohler Place Subdivision, Wright Road Extension