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.