Ayer ZBA adopts rules under new Chapter 40A

Zoning Board · Meeting of August 19, 2026

AYER — The Ayer Zoning Board of Appeals reorganized and rewrote its rules to match a new state zoning law. The board unanimously reelected Samuel A. Goodwin Jr. as chair, elected Jessica G.

Gugino vice chair and Ron Defilippo clerk, and welcomed Marilyn Schmalenberger as a full member. Administrative Coordinator Samantha Benoit explained that Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A now replaces the old variance hardship test with a four-part "practical difficulty" standard and doubles variance validity from one year to two, with extensions up to two years instead of six months. Affordable Housing Committee chair Janet Providakes told the board the town's subsidized housing inventory has slipped to about 6 percent, below the state's 10 percent benchmark, and invited the board to a September 29 housing forum.

She said the Ayer Commons project at 95 Fitchburg Road recently received roughly $4 million in federal funding and may return to the board for a modification review in September. All eight motions of the night, including the rules update and revised applications, passed 5-0.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 2,506 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of August 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.