Ayer Affordable Housing Committee clears warrant article for October town meeting

AYER -- September 18, 2020, Ayer Affordable Housing Committee advances housing trust warrant article toward October 26 town meeting. The committee voted unanimously to move forward with a single-paragraph warrant article invoking Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 55C, to establish the Ayer Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with a $30,000 Community Preservation Act seed-funding request contingent on town meeting approval. Staff liaison Alicia confirmed after a conversation with the town administrator that the trust's bylaws do not require a town meeting vote, only the warrant article itself does, and said she would seek written clarification on whether the committee-drafted bylaws would become part of the town's general bylaws or remain internal trust documents. The committee set an October 6 presentation to the Select Board and scheduled a public information session for September 21 at 7 p.m., at which members plan to approve the final warrant submission form. A public outreach brochure prepared by community member Sarah was approved for printing and website distribution, with one correction noted: "inclusionary bylaw" to be amended to "inclusionary zoning bylaw."