(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).
The architect and civil engineer/landscape architect presented for about 45 minutes, while the Ayer DPW director joined them at the meeting table. The plans show the new senior center will sit on three acres, part of about 70 acres that belong to the Ayer DPW.
Here are some initial notes from the meeting:
Gate. The existing gate on Bishop Road will be moved a few hundred feet.
Where is the Parking Lot? If you approach the property from Bishop Road in Ayer, you travel through the road gate. The senior center will be built on the left, on the same side as St. Mary’s Cemetery. There will be two driveways, one entrance and one exit, accessing the parking lot, according to last night’s presentation.
There are 103 parking spaces proposed (compared to 68 required by town zoning), according to the written plans. Among other accommodations, the parking lot will have crosswalks and bike racks (three bike racks which can park two bikes each, the architect said).
The pickleball courts are shown further in on the other side of the senior center.
Utilities. While the town is connecting water down Bishop Road, there is an in-ground septic system proposed.
Turtle Friendly. The site will be built to slope and accommodate turtles crossing through, the consultants said. The project has been under review by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program for a take in habitat of the Blanding’s Turtle, according to the application materials.
Light. The building is situated to make use of the location’s light.
Parking spaces, line of sight, safety. There were comments about parking spaces (including handicap and van), line of sight and safety. The police chief attended. A resident asked a question. In addition, the building department shared a written comment during the department review process about the size of the parking spaces.