Ayer Select Board Approves West Main Street Bridge Easements, Awards $2,800

AYER -- July 13, 2026, Ayer Select Board authorizes eminent domain easements for West Main Street bridge project. The board voted unanimously July 13 to approve an order of taking for permanent and temporary construction easements on land owned by Solomon Investment Trust on West Main Street, Assessor's Map 25-11, awarding the owner $2,800 in damages under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 79. The permanent easement on Parcel E2 grants the town rights to build and maintain a bridge over Nonnequoisset Brook along with associated utilities, sidewalks, and retaining walls; a temporary construction easement on Parcel TE2 runs concurrently and expires two years from recording. The action followed a Special Town Meeting held the same evening at which residents authorized the project under Article 1. The clerk confirmed the damage figure from the bench: "That is correct, $2,800."