Ayer Planning Board Advances 8-Unit Fire Station Conversion, Eyes Master Plan

AYER — February 10, 2026 — Ayer Planning Board advances an eight-unit downtown housing conversion and an industrial subdivision road toward decisions later this month. The board continued both the 14 Washington Street major site plan modification — in which developer Mark Gallagher of Seal Harbor is converting a historic former fire station from five mixed-use units to eight all-residential units, including one affordable — and the Orion Park Drive subdivision road application to February 24, after reviewing outstanding department comments. Gallagher disclosed that thieves stripped an estimated $200,000 worth of copper wiring and historic copper flashing, including a cupola, from the building in summer 2025, complicating the applicant's obligations under a recorded Historical Commission agreement. Town Planner Danny Ruiz said the cupola damage must be resolved with the Historical Commission but would not delay site plan review. The board also opened a preliminary discussion on updating the town's master plan, which Ruiz said must be completed by the end of 2027, with a consultant funding request potentially headed to a fall Town Meeting.