Lifestyle

(June 2, 2026) – The Ayer Police Department plans to share information about its Flock Surveillance cameras online, such as how the surveillance will be used and for what purpose. The Town Manager advised the Select Board at Tuesday’s meeting that the target date for posting this information online is June 8th, next Monday. He…

(May 5th, 2026) – The Town of Ayer’s Parks Department is in transition, with news that the parks director recently resigned and the town only has three lifeguards. This update was shared at the Ayer Select Board Meeting on May 5th. Parks Director PositionIn April, the town had started the process for filling the vacant…

(May 5, 2026) – The Main Street TIP project, which was programmed for FFY 2029, has to be moved back in the regional schedule to FFY 2030 and FFY 2031, according to the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) recent letter to the town. This project would reconstruct Main Street, from Columbia Street to Park Street….

Nashoba Valley Technical High School has received a $3.25 million grant through the state’s FY2026 CTE Expansion Grant Program. With this grant, the school can now renovate and expand instructional space to establish two new Chapter 74 programs in HVAC and Facilities Management. These programs will serve both high school students and adult learners. On…

(April 28, 2026) – Ayer Family Pharmacy is seeking site plan approval to add 10 additional parking spaces for the business. The pharmacy currently operates on Park Street and the owner wants to add new parking spaces at 7 Park Street, a neighboring property it has acquired, according to the site plan review materials. Combined,…

ASHBY, MA — More than 230 years after his death, John Fitch — the colonial settler whose courage and civic vision gave the city of Fitchburg its name — will finally receive a proper grave marker. The Ashby Historical Society will hold a headstone dedication ceremony on Saturday,
May 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Old Burial Ground at the First Parish Church in Ashby, the small town that was also shaped by Fitch’s life and where he spent his final years.

(April 22, 2026) – Ayer, Devens and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge hosted the Open Street and Greenway Event for Earth Day on Wednesday. Vendor tables were set up on the grassy area where Bishop and MacPherson roads meet, including for the Friends of the Ayer Senior Center, the Devens Climate Resiliency Project (MVP 2.0),…

Whether you run, bike, hike, roll, scoot, or stroll this is your dedicated, safe space for Earth Day play in a beautiful natural area! Ayer, Devens, and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will again host the Open Street and Greenway Earth Day Event on Wednesday, April 22nd, from 2pm-6pm on MacPherson Road. This will be the 5th annual open streets event, celebrating Earth Day by opening the streets to people for recreational activities and the opportunity to experience the beautiful Wild and Scenic Nashua River and Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in a safe and peaceful manner.

On April 7th, the Select Board voted 3-0 to approve the April 27th Annual Town Meeting warrant which includes 28 articles and a citizens petition. The Finance Committee voted to recommend all the articles with a financial impact. For additional information related to the articles and Budget Book, visit www.ayer.ma.us/townmeeting. The town will share its…

(April 7, 2026) – Three residents appeared at the Select Board meeting on Tuesday night, asking the board to consider establishing an elected town ombudsman position. The residents submitted a written proposal before the meeting. This was signed by 22 residents directly impacted by the Lincoln Hill development. Last October, the Planning Board approved a…