Ayer Affordable Housing Committee Advances Trust Bylaws Ahead of Spring Town Meeting

AYER -- November 20, 2020, Ayer Affordable Housing Committee advances housing trust bylaws and begins trustee recruitment. The committee, chaired by Janet Providek, reviewed a 17-section draft bylaw document that must be adopted at the spring 2021 town meeting before the newly formed Ayer Affordable Housing Trust can formally operate or receive a $30,000 Community Preservation Committee grant. Members agreed to receive both the redacted town counsel markup and the revised clean version before their December 18 meeting, when substantive bylaw discussion is planned. Two residents, Pauline Connelly and Planning Board Chair Jeff Tillotson, have expressed interest in serving on the seven-member Board of Trustees, which will be appointed by the Select Board. Community Development Program Manager Alicia Hershey confirmed she and Providek had recorded a social media video seeking additional trustee applicants. Members also discussed a neighboring town's inquiry about connecting to Ayer's water and sewer infrastructure and the prospects of a nonprofit Chapter 40B affordable rental housing project at 65 Fitchburg Road, with members noting families in town are currently paying roughly $1,600 a month to live in single motel rooms.