Ayer Select Board Approves $894K Pump Contract, Water Rule Changes at June Meeting

AYER -- June 16, 2026, Ayer Select Board approves $894,683 wastewater pump contract and revised water rules at packed June 16 meeting. The board, acting as Water and Sewer Commissioners, unanimously approved revisions to the town's water rules and regulations required by a pending Water Management Act permit renewal for the Merrimack River Basin, adding seasonal outdoor watering limits, use clarifications, and a variance process. DPW Director Dan Van Schalkwyk also won approval to carry a $140,770.45 FY 2026 snow removal deficit onto the FY 2027 recapitulation sheet after a severe winter left the department unable to access state storm aid. The board executed an $894,683 contract with Barbado Construction for wastewater treatment plant pump replacements, phase four of a five-phase capital project, and unanimously seated five members on the reactivated Industrial Development Financing Authority, Damian Thompson, Marissa Rivera, Robert DiPirio, Jenny Lake, and David Sybro, which will manage $1 million in UDAG funds. Police Chief Brian P. Gill faced extended public questioning on the town's Flock Safety license plate reader contract, with resident Pauline Conley noting the agreement was not reviewed by Town Counsel and confirming with Gill that any future town-funded renewal would require town meeting approval.