News

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,…

(April 28, 2026) – The Town of Ayer shared the next glimpse of the senior center project at the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday night. The Ayer Planning Board opened the site plan approval and stormwater public hearings – just a day after Annual Town Meeting approved two related articles (easement, conservation and deed restrictions)….

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 21, 2026) – Police Chief Brian Gill shared a story of a young life saved at this week’s Select Board meeting. On Monday April 6th, a 911 call came into the Ayer-Shirley regional dispatch center around 1:30 p.m. The dispatch center is located at the Ayer Police Station on Park Street, but receives calls…

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…

Check out this week’s edition of Ayer News here.

We are sharing a point about the Ayer Senior Center project from the Town Meeting process. Fall 2025The Town of Ayer presented voters with a $15.1 million proposal to build a new senior center on Bishop Road in Fall 2025. On October 27th 2025, at Special Town Meeting, voters approved debt exclusion borrowing up to…